PRESBYTERAL COUNCIL AGENDA MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015, 10:30 A.M. CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER PRESBYTERAL COUNCIL MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER MINUTES Bishop Thomas John Paprocki President Very Rev. Christopher Brey Effingham Chair Rev. Nicolas Husain Decatur Secretary Members Present/Deanery: Rev. Christopher Comerford V. Chair Alton Rev. Jeffry Holtman Alton Rev. Richard Weltin Decatur Rev. Joe Carlos Effingham Rev. Hyland Smith Jacksonville Rev. D. Patrick Gibbons - Jacksonville Rev. Barry Harmon Litchfield Rev. Daniel Willenborg - Litchfield Rev. Jeff Stone Quincy Rev. Stephen Thompson - Quincy Msgr. John Ossola - Springfield Rev. Seth Brown Springfield Rev. John Nolan - Springfield Rev. James O Shea Appointed Member Fr. James Palakudy, S.A.C. Appointed Member Ex Officio: Very Rev. David Hoefler, Vicar General Rev. Christopher House, Chancellor Rev. R. Dean Probst Present Not Present 1. Welcome Bishop Paprocki 10:40 Meeting starts 2. Opening Prayer: Was led by Fr. Steve Thompson 3. Review and Approval of Minutes from November 3, 2014. Motion to approve: by Fr. Willenborg Motion seconded: by Fr. Seth Brown 4. Remarks of the Bishop Remarks on the installation of metropolitan Archbishop of Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich Archbishop George expresses availability to be spiritual resource to diocese and clergy. Remarks on other liturgical highlights and celebrations. Liturgical actions Exorcisms Supplemental Marriage
Bishop also shared highlights of his work involving USCCB Ad Hoc Committee: o Bishop is asked to continue in the AdHoc Committee something which he states he enjoys doing. He is giving it a thought. Msgr. Ossola inquired about progress/follow up on the survey for the active and inactive Catholics The results of the survey discussed Nothing more specific that the Bishop intends to do to further the survey New Pastoral Letter: Building a culture of growth Bishop s plan to accomplish in the new year 5. Office of Stewardship and Discipleship Bishop Paprocki Reiterated Fr. Richard s appointment as new chair on Development and Discipleship. He has already spent time in Wichita to further this plan. Bishop believes we need to have a priest in this area someone who understands our projects. Fr. Richard has background in getting involved. On the Title: there is intentionality and purposefulness in using the title Development. This is not about stewardship but about development. Many times stewardship does not work because it is associated with fund-raising not with development. Wichita has not been duplicated. Associating this with development and discipleship brings it a whole different new meaning. We re open to a slow process. Fr. Willenborg: comments on the role of discipleship as tied in with family reunion. Taking this as opportunity to encourage the reunion of the family in relation to the Pope s coming for the youth. This would be a good opportunity. The youth group can also be a good avenue. Fr. Chris Brey and Fr. Hoefler also echoed their support and encouragement. Bishop Paprocki echoes with the emphasis on the value of marriage renewal. Bishop iterates that changing doctrines is not an answer. We can renew our faithfulness to the right interpretation. Fr. Thompson comments on the role of the youth coming back to the church. It is important to tap our youth in reaching out to the bigger community for the growth of the church. Fr. Thompson speaks of a book Forming Intentional Disciples that can be shared with other priests. This and other similar books are available. Jonathan Sullivan will be a good resource in this area. Bishop also endorses the idea of having activities in the diocese that are focused on and revolving around the family during the papal visit. While people can watch Philadelphia through their TV, it would also be good if things that are accomplished in the diocesan level will coincide with the bigger event. This will bring the event close to our community experience. Fr. Brey wonders should we create subcommittee. Fr. Willenborg wonders if the Office of Family Life and Marriage might be a good resource. 6. 24 Hours for the Lord Bishop Paprocki Bishop mentions about initiative re 24 hours for the Lord March 13/14 o Churches to be open for adorers o Take this to Vicariates. To be discussed. o Some vicariates may decide how to be creative in accomplishing this. 7. Report on St. Mary s Church, Brussels Bishop Paprocki History: Tragic fire in Christmas Eve three years ago. Bishop dedicated the new church. Beautiful ritual. People were expressive of being very happy with the event. The role of the Insurance Company was very vital in making this happen. Fr. Brey comments how beautiful job they have done. Spacious. Handicap access. Bishop highlights the great support that came from Pastoral Center, which he is deeply grateful for.
8. Status of St. Michael, Beltrees Bishop Paprocki Bishop deliberates: if there is no regular mass on Sundays, should this be a parish? A church that has only mass 3 times a year does not constitute a parish. Closing it is not the best solution. At first, there was reluctance in that the bishop s coming to Beltrees might incur two extremes: to restore every Sunday mass or completely close it. The bishop s visit to a place often if not always brings special expectations. The bishop s announcement that closing the church is not his intention at all made great deal of difference and gave the people a huge relief which was made obvious by their applause. Bishop also made reference to St. Mary s Brussels i.e. to rebuild. Clarify the status of the parish. Is this really a parish? Fr. Steve Polman sent bishop documents that referred St. Michael as a Mission. Bishop clarified the important distinction between parish, church and mission. The most important part is the practical point as to where does St. Michael belong? One parishioner commented why St. Michael belongs to St. Ambrose? Ultimately, it really depends on who has the responsibility to supply the ministry. Ultimately, the bishop does not believe there is any parish to be suppressed. There is no need to alter anything. This is more of a redefinition. It is recommended by the Presbyteral Council: the order to clarify status of St. Michael of Beltrees that if it is a parish that it be suppressed; however, that it remains as it is in current practice namely, St. Michael Church is attached to St. Ambrose in Godfrey. 9. October Count Fr. Chris House Fr. House handed out Diocesan October Count 1996-2014. Proposal; track Fr. Neuman centers starting next year. Should October be the time to count? For further discussion/exploration 10. Policy Updates Fr. Chris House Instruction on the Custom of Blessings at Communion Bishop Paprocki and Eliot Kapitan Bishop explains the need to provide instruction on this matter. Alton: nothing specified Decatur: weighed in and decided in favor of suggested formula, Receive Jesus in your heart! and supports the bishop s process. Jacksonville Quincy: the gesture is very important! Comments: o Fr. Probst highlights the need to be consistent. Nobody has complained about us touching people. Policy Book IV Eliot Kapitan The practice presents the dilemma: o In the past few years we have been cognizant in that we are not adding something to mass which we are not entitled to do on the one hand and on the other hand, how can we recognize what is evolving and developing into becoming a very common practice? o There is need to highlight on the role and importance of spiritual communion. Fr. Probst: there is need to be sensitive not to disturb the piety of the people. Retain some kind of a gesture. o Hand raised. o Laying of hand receive Fr. Nolan: making the gesture optional per what local custom deems appropriate Fr. House: finds the lifting of the Blessed Sacrament without extending forward to relating to people in his experience.
Elliot: it is imperative to recognize that uniformity reflects our communion with the faithful. o Are the words of the policy clear enough? o No feedback on the policy Fr. House: highlighting the fact/importance at the same time the caveat of adding any form(s) or sort(s) of rituals to the Eucharist as a way of iterating St. Thomas Aquinas view of the fullness of the Eucharist. Finance Council Statutes John Maxwell Fr. House points out that this document has been reviewed by the Finance Council and the bishop. Bishop states this does not have to be reviewed by the Finance Council Motion carried to adopt. John Maxwell highlighted the addendum titled: Executive Summary of Key Results o All in the plan is doing well. o Funding ratio is 95% or > as the market is doing well. 11. Salary Schedule and Pension Plan John Maxwell Handed the following reports: o Per the Catholic Education Office o Bureau of Labor Statistics: highlighted the dynamic and correlation between all items expenses vs. all items expenses less food and energy. o Diocese of Springfield Minimum Lay Teacher Salary Scale 2014-2015 There may be some adverse changes that are brought about the ACA which are yet to be defined. There are some potential threats at the same time there are also promises of benefits. Bishop shares information from another resource relating to some starting salaries. John highlights how the East/West costs tend to run higher in their rates. What would be our recommendation for the increase of salaries for teachers and personnel? o Fr. Hoefler brings up the previous recommendation and that John s group is ready to carry out certain recommendations. o Fr. Willenborg: I don t know especially in the smaller places if we have plethora of options. The 1.9 + 1 proposal seems to be a realistic direction. There is not much of hiring activity going on. o Fr. Hoefler states that 1.9 tends to carry us through, at the same time being mindful that our competitors tend to have a lot more to offer. o John points out that in the Public arena, they have been also cutting down in federal funding. o Fr. Brey proposes 1.9 +.5 o Fr. Thompson: when you factor everything together, it becomes more challenging to take higher range for smaller districts. o Fr. Comerford: we need to deliberate more on this o Teachers: Fr. Thompson moved and Fr. House seconded that.5 base increase + normal 1.9 step increase totaling of 2.4 be followed. o Consensus: the PC recommends that this be tabled the next meeting. 12. New Monthly Mailing Format Marlene Mulford (director of Communication) and Michael Hoerner (director of Information Technology) The changes are aimed at making content and means of communication efficient. Fr. Brey: might be a good idea to put more details in the communication. Instead of putting only the office, to enter more information that might catch pastors attention to open the links. Improve e-mail distribution lists Are we in the right time to go this direction?
Update the diocesan monthly mailing 13. Ministry to Priests Update Fr. Chris Brey January 14 th 11 a.m. Our Savior in Jacksonville 14. Newly Ordained Support Group Fr. Chris Comerford Report o Continuing to gather information regarding how we can offer support to brother priests the first 3 years into ministry o Hopefully more update in the next PC meeting 15. Open Forum and Discussion Fr. Willenborg: Reporting re 2 men that he knows who just have recently undergone Prison Ministry formation. Help create network in those who do prison ministry AND come to parishes to promote prison ministry Need to e-mail Fr. Willenborg for more details or if wanting more resources, information and support. 16. Date for Next Meeting at 10:30AM at the Catholic Pastoral Center: Monday, March 9, 2015 Announcement: World Youth Day 60 youth coming with Bishop Paprocki (July 2016). More to come. 17. Prayer for March meeting and Adjournment Fr. House: Opening prayer. Meeting adjourned: 2:23 Respectfully submitted: Fr. Nicolas F. Husain Secretary