St. Paul’s Parish Council Minutes Dec. 13th., 2006
Council chair Rich Caffrey called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Members present: Rich Caffrey, Father Jerry Funke, Juan Avila, Maureen Coon, Dan Jones, Matt Lara, Diana Larkin, Antonio Napoles, Bob Peters, Mo Peterson, Terry Radford. Members absent: Norma Rodriguez.
The opening prayer was led by Bob Peters and hospitality was provided by all.
Minutes for November 28 were approved as written, although it was later discovered that Norma’s name was misspelled.
Meetings with the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s League were not held as no representatives were present.
Old Business
Building on Faith report: Dan Jones reported that we now have just under $3 million dollars pledged, with just over $2 million actual dollars in the savings account. There have been two families who recently pledged large amounts: (1) $125, 000 over five years, (2) $50,000, which brings their total to $74,000. Thanks to these families! Dan said we need $6 million pledged ($4.2 actually in the bank) to begin Phase One construction. Christmas collection speakers are lined up for all the masses.
Meeting with Diocesan Officials, Pat Crisler and Stan Welsh: Dan, Rich, Bob, and Father Jerry attended this meeting and reported on their perceptions. The meeting was in response to concerns regarding safety of monies contributed toward the building on faith fund in light of recent and ongoing lawsuits against diocesan holdings. The Diocese of Boise has no lawsuits against it and the officials see no potential suits that couldn’t be handled with current diocesan insurance and funds apart from parish holdings. St. Paul’s finance council may still want to investigate forming a separate “safe” nonprofit corporation or annuity. Discussion of pros and cons followed, including the fact that Idaho has a two-year statute of limitations on such suits; there are no current or foreseeable cases/suits; we’re currently protected; other dioceses’ situations; number of actual potential donors who aren’t contributing due to fear; costs of setting up a separate corporation; such a corporation couldn’t have any overt membership to St. Paul’s, for example, Father Jerry couldn’t be on the board, nor could Rich or Dan; currently held monies couldn’t be moved to another corporation—only new pledge redemptions. The council decided to wait on the finance council’s next thoughts.
Ministry Fair: Mo reported that information questionnaires will be in the bulletin for clubs/groups to provide backgrounds.
Council dinner: The council appreciation dinner is scheduled for February 10, beginning at Fr. Jerry’s at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7, location to be announced.
4th Sunday of Advent; Christmas mass schedule: Father Jerry reiterated the mass times for this very busy weekend. Flyers have already been in the bulletin, and Fr. Jerry has announced the times at masses. Regarding the January 1st weekend, there will be only one mass on Monday at 9 am as the holyday obligation has been dispensed by the diocese.
Information on “Called and Gifted Workshop” January 12-13: Joan Ann Piper, Youth ministry and Core team leader, along with three teen members of Deep Core: Crystal, Omar, and Magli presented information on this upcoming workshop. The Deep Core group is hosting the workshop. Its purpose is to help attendees understand charisms: spiritual gifts to benefit others rather than themselves. The event will be held in Dempsey Hall, Friday January 12 from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, January 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop will be presented by the Siena Group from Washington State. The presentations are open to all parish members and Joan Ann expects over 100 people to attend. Cost is a free-will offering.
New Business
Date for parish picnic: June 24, 2007 was decided on, to be held at Lakeview Park. Mo will contact the Parks and Recreation Department to get the same area of the park used in 2006 reserved. There will need to be signs this time to identify the activity as St. Paul’s Parish Picnic. Discussion of tickets or registration followed, which favored a registration booth at the park where attendees can sign up.
Director of youth ministry: Fr. Jerry reports that Pete Espil will no longer be director as of August 1st, 2007. He and his wife, Jamie, are moving to Tennessee.
Diocesan statistics: Fr. Jerry presented a list of Idaho state rankings in various parish activities, as reported by the Diocese to the Kenedy Catholic Directory. St. Paul’s rankings:
Infant baptism: 2nd
Youth/adult baptisms/professions of faith: 1st
Marriages: 5th
Confirmations: 1st
First Communions: 4th
Funerals: tied for 1st
Total Catholic households: 3rd
Children and youth in religious education: 5th
Idaho Catholic Appeal chairpersons, March 4, 2007: Currently identified: Don and Mercedes Phelps, Juan and Bertha Avila. There are still two more couples needed.
Parish Calendar: An overview of upcoming events for December and January was listed. These will all be announced in the bulletin.
Good of the order: Announcements of family, friends, parish members’ news and those in need of prayers.
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 23, 7 p.m. Rich will give the prayer and hospitality will be provided by Antonio Napoles.
Closing: Bob led the Building on Faith prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Larkin
Secretary