Holy Redeemer Parish Council Minutes

July 16, 2008

 

7:30 pm

 

1.      Patrick Mullan opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

2.      President’s Comments

·        We are preparing to do an additional 620 square feet of roofing. This does not include the library.  Bob Pizzano will look into why this area was not included in the contract.

·        The roofer says that the leaks were caused by stopped drains.  The drains are now scheduled to be cleaned every May and November.

 

3.  Chair’s Comments – Rita Thompson

·        The election of new officers is scheduled for this meeting.  Members decided to go ahead with this now rather than taking care of it later under new business.

·        Election results:  Rita Thompson and Mollie Huitema will continue as chair and secretary respectively.  Dave Fortuna will serve as vice-chair.

 

4.   Review of the minutes for May 21, 2008 was postponed until the September meeting.

 

5.   Updates from designated parish representatives:

a.  Social Justice – Dave Fortuna 

·        A list of resources for mothers and children will be posted on the parish website.  

            b.  Liturgy – Mary Katherine Theis

·        Mary Katherine passed out a report from Joan Laskey (see report, Attachment 1, below).

c.  School – Rita Thompson

·        The school enrollment is 240.  The 7th and 8th grades are full, and 2nd - 6th enrollment ranges from 23 to 31.  Kindergarten (20) and 1st (16) reflect demographics throughout the county.

·        The Five Year Plan was distributed to the members of the School Advisory Board.

·        The budget year is not yet ended, but everything is in order.

·        The school has not yet received the scores from the standardized tests taken by the 4th and 7th graders.

d.  Youth and Christian Formation – Lynn Baker

·        The number of Youth Group members is dropping.

·        School of Religion classes for 7th –12th graders will be held on Sunday following the 10:00 a.m. mass.

e.  Finance – Ellen Davis

·        The school had a balance of $35,000 after all expenses were paid.  Next year's budget, based on an enrollment of 240 students, should break even.

·        Church collections and all other sources of revenue have left a $19,000 shortfall.  A deficit of $90,000, which does not include roofing costs, is anticipated for the coming year. Father George said that the parish has funds available in savings, but he does not want to use that money.  He also pointed out that we have had heavy expenses (boilers, roofing) this year.

f.  Facilities Planning – Father George (Bob Pizzano was absent)

·        The parish will use just the first floor of the convent until money is available to do the desired renovations.

·        Building codes require an enclosed walkway from the Four Seasons Room to the convent.

·        Could some renovations be done as a "Christmas In April" for the parish?

·        The sanctuary will have recessed lighting that produces little heat.   A suggestion was made to put the sanctuary lighting project "out there"; we may get some donations.

 

6.  Old Business

·        The Mission Statement Committee will place an announcement asking for volunteers in the September bulletin.

·        The 100 Year Anniversary Committee will do the same.

 

7.  New Business

              Election of new officers (see 3 above)

 

8.  Comments from parishioners

·        Carol Macknis compiled usage statistics for the parish website. 

·        Jack Perry had several questions and comments:

                    a. When will the figures for this financial year be available?  (Answer- The

                        archdiocese requires this information by August 8th.)

                    b. Is the population of the parish going up or down?   (Answer – Up.  We

                         have 710-720 families.)

                                c. There was no flag flying on July 4th.

                                d. Renovations to the convent will be very expensive if they are to be ADA        

                                     compliant.

                                e. How will the cost of converting the church offices to classrooms be

                                     handled? (Answer – The cost will be borne by the school.) 

                                f. The red books are outdated.  Can they be replaced?  (This will be

                                   discussed at the Liturgy Committee Meeting.)

                                g. More than 2,000 people will be housed in the apartments going up

                                   in College Park. The parish might have a sizable increase.

                                h. Will Father Smarsh continue to minister in the parish after his retirement

                                   from the university?  (Answer – Yes.)

 

9.   The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 7:30.

 

10.  Patrick closed the meeting with a prayer.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mollie Huitema   

 

 

Attachment 1: The Liturgy Committee Report – July 16, 2008

 

 

August:

 

The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary occurs on a Friday this year, so it will be celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation, with Masses at 7:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.

 

Note:  In November, 1991, the Bishops' Conference, at their November meeting decided that, whenever:

            Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary Mother of God,

            Aug. 15: Solemnity of Assumption of Mary,

            Nov. 1: Solemnity of All Saints

fall on a Saturday or a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.  This action was confirmed by the Congregation for Bishops on July 4, 1992, and Pope John Paul II approved and confirmed it the same day.  [USCCB.org]

 

September: