St. Paul’s Parish Council Minutes Jan. 23rd., 2007
Council vice-chair Bob Peters called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present: Bob Peters, Father Jerry Funke, Rich Caffrey, Maureen Coon, Dan Jones, Matt Lara, Diana Larkin, Mo Peterson, Terry Radford, Antonio Napoles, Norma Rodriguez. Members absent: Juan Avila.
The Building on Faith prayer was said by all as the opening prayer and hospitality was provided by Antonio Napoles.
Minutes for December 13 were amended as follows: we have just under $3 million in building pledges rather than just over $3 million; Fr. Jerry did not attend the meeting with diocesan officials. The minutes were then approved as amended.
Meeting with Catholic Women’s League: Sally Jones, president of the group for two years, reported on the group’s annual activities. The Candy Cane Lane Bazaar was very successful, earning $5297 of the year’s $6000 needed for altar expenses. The group holds four rummage sales per year, proceeds to altar maintenance, and a plant sale which goes to the Building on Faith fund. The altar linens are made by CWL. The Council thanks Sally and CWL for much appreciated service to the church.
Meeting with St. Vincent de Paul: Jim Daniels reported that there were well over 10,000 people served in 2006, and the outreach program served over 2300 with information, referrals, and some monies. Volunteers donated nearly 9000 hours in 2006. The food pantry is currently open two days per week. Over 120 baskets were prepared and distributed for Christmas. The Society’s major money raiser is furniture, and Bingo proceeds help fund personal care products for two shelter sites.
The Society maintains its building, which it leases from the parish for $1 per year. Planning for enlarging the food bank area of the building is currently underway.
A new program Jim would like to see started is helping the elderly. There is a chairperson, but volunteers are needed, as well as ways to identify needy elderly. Another new program he would like to see is a Thanksgiving basket program modeled on an existing one in Boise, where area churches assemble baskets and distribute them from a central location. There is a coordinator from Boise who could get the program organized.
The major need at this time is for more volunteers. The Council is thankful to the Society for it’s help to the parish and community.
Meeting with Knights of Columbus: Jim Daniels gave an overview of the KC program, saying that the group was originally formed to protect migrant families. It is now the largest insurance company in the country. KC helps fund many social projects here and abroad.
Some current and planned projects locally include mass greeters, coffee hour after masses, Idaho state council meeting host, Oktoberfest, Giving Hands project to help St. Paul’s School.
KC has pledged $50,000 to the Building on Faith fund, donates to scholarships, help to St. Vincent de Paul. Bingo proceeds contribute to many projects.
Jim asked the Council to help promote new membership.
Thanks to Jim and KCs for many activities and support to St. Paul’s.
Meeting with Catholic Daughters of the Americas: Dawn Van Gurpen reported that CDA has members from five parishes locally. CDA contributes to the Building on Faith fund (approximately $250 to $300 per month from bake sales) CCD programs, parish youth groups, hosting this year’s state convention in May, pie booth at the Fall Fair (contributions go to St. Paul’s School), Spring Fling membership drive (in April this year), support to two seminarians, and support for at least three scholarships. The Council appreciates CDA’s contributions to the parish.
Report from Finance Committee: Dan Jones gave a mid-year update. Revenues are about $17,400 above estimated budget, expenses are within $500 of budget. The $9,000 Idaho Catholic Register bill is coming due soon. A new computer server system is in place for the school, but the rectory’s system still needs to be updated. The current system is 15-20 years old and cannot support any current software usage.
School revenues are approximately $46,000 ahead of budget; of that about $40,000 is due to prepaid tuitions. School expenses are also ahead of budget.
The overage in the savings account is earning interest.
Parish health insurance expenses are down, due to diocesan change from Blue Cross of California to Mutual of Omaha.
Old Business
Building on Faith report: Dan Jones reported that pledges and gifts now total $3.385 million. Pledge redemption is at 58%, and 89% are being contributed on time as pledged. The children’s collection is some over $25,000. The regular Christmas collection was $17,000 and the Christmas Building on Faith was $3,011. There was another new gift recently for $20,000.
Ministry Fair: Father Jerry suggested the committee members personally contact all known parish organizations to invite them to set up information tables at the Fair, which may be held early in the fall.
Council dinner: February 10, for council members and spouse/guest.
Parish picnic: Mo Peterson has gotten the park reservation for Lakeview group site, the same place as last year. Rich Caffrey and Bob Peters have graciously volunteered to chair again this year.
Director of Youth Ministry: Fr. Jerry said Pete Espil is leaving in July. A search committee for his replacement will begin its work on January 24.
Idaho Catholic Appeal chairpersons: The Appeal is scheduled on March 4, 2007, and chairs are Donald & Mercedes Phelps, Spencer & Maryann Reese, Juan & Bertha Avila, Leonel & Sagrario Munguia.
Parish retreat: This year’s retreat will be the last weekend in February, led by Fr. Steve Coffey.
FLUX decision: Fr. Jerry reported that the program has not yet hired a new director. Matt Lara has observed that there is a lack of programs for the western valley, and not many activities actually took place that people seemed interested in. Therefore, the Council decided not to renew further parish participation in the FLUX program.
New Business
Lent: Fr. Jerry asked the Council to again sponsor one of the Friday Station of the Cross and the Council decided on March 2. Father also presented some choices for parish participation in a Lenten donation project. It was decided to give special Lenten donations to St. Al’s Foundation to aid raising money for equipping a hospital in Haiti (possibly an Xray machine), and also to donate to the Sisters Missionaries of Fatima community in Mexico (the home of our sisters Evangelina Samaniego Gonzales and Neida Maria Perez Noh).
Other Items
Fr. Jerry reported that Matt Lara had asked him for suggestions for a KC project. Discussion followed on Father’s idea to cover the side stairs of Dempsey into the kitchen. The cost could be split between KC and the parish. Estimated cost is around $1100, but could be considerable less with donated materials and labor.
Fr. Jerry said that there are three priests available from Cross International to fill in weekends when our priests are unavailable. These visits have no cost to the parish, where usually there is a stipend to a priest who covers masses.
Parish calendar: The parish activities for February were presented.
Good of the order: Announcements of family, friends, parish members’ news and those in need of prayers.
Next meeting: Thursday, February 22, 2007. Diana will give the prayer and hospitality will be provided by all.
Closing: Rich read from the day’s scripture readings and the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Larkin
Secretary