Sacred Heart Catholic Parish

Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes

February 26, 2003

Members present; Fr.Bob, Sue Thomas, John Mischel, Laura Schmidt, Marty Gilbert, Sandy Boals, Mary Ellen Sarasin, Jim Thomas, Nathan Williams, Art Bak, Catherine Bowe, Howard Collister

MEMBERS ABSENT: John Drury, ex, Joe Renis, ex, Brett Baldwin, ex, Barbara Lois Bratschi, ex, Devon Drury, unex.

Our new member-at-large, Catherine Bowe, was welcomed and Sandy Boals was thanked for her good work on the council as she leaves it. She will continue to participate as her other duties allow.

Minutes approved as corrected to read: We are currently making $12,000 monthly approximately; delete $6,000 interest. Correction on cemetery board report to read “regarding shed which may cover well pit”.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Liturgy Commission: Marty reported from previous Liturgy meeting that RCIA had reinvited interested members. Sacristy needs to buy new, larger refrigerator for Sacristy; Paschal candle holder has not as yet been purchased. Cost estimated to be $1,600-$1,700. Sue will train more Mass overseers. Lent and Easter décor discussed. Plans for platforms for flowers in the windows, magnolias have been started for both buildings. Under New Business, Sandy will send the fee for 12 participants to the workshop, March 22 on Enhancement of the Worship Space. Clergy Appreciation Dinner is planned for May 14 at Sacred Heart at 7:00 p.m. Help will be needed to make this a success. Easter Season Mass of Anointing planned for Wednesday of Easter week (April 23) at 10 a.m. Lenten soup and sandwich meal discussed. Liturgy commission will host March 21. Plans are for 2 meatless soups and various meatless sandwich choices, e.g. Egg salad, tuna and toasted cheese. Need to be at the Hall by 5:00 p.m. in order to serve at 6:00 p.m. Next regular meet of Liturgy commission planned for March 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Service Commission: Joe Renis absent but reported by John Mischel that 132 gifts via Gift Tree were delivered.

Education Commission: Sandy reported that April meeting will work on budget, recap activities of the past year and plan next year’ activities. She suggested a note in the Bulletin announcing the Education meeting to encourage parent participation so that concerns may be addressed.

RCIA: No report. John encouraged everyone to help get people interested.

Parish School of Religion: Lenten workshop and First Penance planned. The number of students participating in classes is down but those committed are coming regularly. Bible Study class is well attended.

Youth Ministry: Report by Laura Schmidt and Nathan Williams. Laura reported kids did a nice job with their adopted family. Family was very thankful. Youth meetings will continue to be every week but two times per month activities are planned; thus far skiing, movie/pizza as well as the Cedar Bend Retreat have been successful. About same size group attends, 8-10 students. One time per month Mark Bak will meet with them. He is a younger person who will come in and discuss everyday issues that kids can relate to. Graduation plans are being made. Three students will apply for the Bishop’s Scholarship which is $1,000 and a plaque. Student will be recognized and scholarship will be presented at the Baccalaureate Mass. Plans are being made for the Annual Food Fast which is March 21-22 weekend. Will ask PCCW to do Saturday meal. Last event planned for this year is the Mission Experience, June 15-20 at Benton Harbor. 12 students plan to participate.

Cemetery Board: Mary Ellen reported that the “No Snowmobile” sign has not been posted. Board requested that Brett see this is done. Mary Ellen said that one tree has been damaged, bent down, and will probably need to be replaced. The proposed shed will be used primarily for storage. Nate will take some measurements and see if the school can build it at a more reasonable cost than our estimates. Meeting with Ralph Naples regarding landscaping has not yet happened.

PCCW: Barbara absent but Sandy reported that $2,000 plus was earned from PCCW craft show and community bazaar. Group paid for Christmas trees in the Hall and wreathes in the Church, about $1,000. Made up 18 Christmas bags and delivered to homebound. Mother-daughter banquet planned for Tuesday, May 13. Father Bob concerned that our Sacred Heat PCCW is not represented at Diocesan Retreats and Conventions. Parish will pay for registrations etc. but persons attending may pay their own way if desiring to do so.

Knights of Columbus: Jim reported recruitment drive has netted 2 new members plus several transfers and reactivations. 46 men now in the Council. Laura asked about inviting Senior High members to meetings. Discussion. Jim mentioned the Squires is a group to which students ages 14-18 may belong. We do not currently have this group in this parish. Clergy Appreciation Dinner being planned for May 14. Recruiting help to make this successful. Nathan asked what K of C does. The various activities and donations of K of C were discussed.

Old Business: Safety concern for the Wooden Ramp. Nate will be taking care of this project when weather improves. Sandy will continue working on the I.D. project. John Mischel thanked those persons who worked on getting gifts for Marilyn Summerfeldt as well as acquiring Bobbie’s retirement gifts. We now have 2 wheelchairs available for those needing them in church. The United Effort with First Presbyterian Church to discuss needs in Elk Rapids and how churches can be of aid to be continued. Pastoral Council member unexcused absenteeism problem solved. Catherine Bowe was asked and accepted the vacant at-large position on the Council.

New Business: Lenten Friday Soup and Sandwich Supper was discussed. These are the groups being asked to take a turn. Finance-Liturgy (March 21), Pastoral Council (March 7), PCCW, Bible Study, Education and K of C group. Purpose of the meal was discussed. Family or persons participates in the Poverty Meal and savings to be donated to the Poor. Basket will be available or use of Rice Bowl envelope. Pledge Drive Discussion – John said Ed Boetcher is in charge and has reported moving as expected. Topics of Concern were presented by Art Bak. 1. Some people concerned about our buying products made in China, a Communist dominated country. 2. Concern for not knowing or not conforming to “fasting” before receiving Communion. 3. Statue of Mary returning to front of Church. Bishop has said “No”. Ruling official last spring. Discussion. 4. Suggest recruitment for Adult Altar Servers. Sue reported some are ready for instruction. Times they can show is variable Nathan offered to help with training. 5. Question if daily mass could be held in the Hall to save heating cost. It would not save as this has been checked out. Heat in the church needs always to be on as the church is used daily by worshipers who just “drop in”. 6. Requested that prayers in petitions could be made specific e.g. President Bush, Pope John Paul etc. Discussion. 7. Questioned if Youth leaders dealt with the facts about youth being bombarded by violence and sex in media, TV, internet, etc. Laura said these subjects are dealt with, some at Cedar Bend only recently.

Commission/Committee Reports: John urged everyone present to listen to the Community and bring concerns to Pastoral Council. Continue to talk about and answer questions about need for new church. Father Bob said we need 2 years of study before starting to build. Liturgical thinking of our age needs to be considered. Discussion.

Other Business: Diocese of Gaylord Council Handbook distributed to members who did not already have it. Sue encouraged Council Members to attend as many of Lenten Activities as they can. Father Bob announced next Fireside Chat would be a special class on the Rosary. John asked that any items that need to be on the Agenda for next meeting be requested by calling him.

Closing Prayer

Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: Marty Gilbert, Secretary