SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH Pastoral Stewardship Council Minutes of the PSC Meeting of Wednesday, November 14, 2012 The meeting was held in the Hospitality Center of St. Albert the Great Church. Ministry Representatives Present: Adult Spiritual Development Beverly Wade Business Manager Chuck Tully Communications Chris Lundin Community Life Micky Martin Facilities Bill Morrison Finance Mary Martinson Hispanic Ministry Griselda Morales Human Concerns Paul Chestnut Liturgy Deacon Daniel Hernandez OLR Site Jerry Lucha Parochial Vicar Fr. Peter Siemas Pastor Fr. Matt Stanley SAG Site Pat Keicher STA Site Bob Barron Youth Karen Recinto Representatives Absent: Catechetical Hal Fletcher The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by PSC Chair, Chris Lundin. OPENING PRAYER: Hispanic Ministry representative, Griselda Morales, led council members in A Prayer to Serve God Well. AGENDA: Chris asked if there were any changes to the agenda. It was unanimously accepted as presented. MINUTES: It was moved, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the minutes of the November 14th meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: There were none since there were no guests. CLERGY REPORT: Father Matt reported that there have been numerous funerals and weddings. The most recent funeral was a celebration of the life of former Palo Alto city council member and mayor, Gary Fazzino, which was held at St. Albert the Great Church. The wedding season was capped by Alley White s (Youth Ministry) marriage. He feels that All Saints and All Souls Days went well.
He mentioned that he is reviewing his Spanish and has been celebrating Mass with the Hispanic community once a month, even preaching in Spanish. Griselda said that Father s Spanish is very good. He pointed out that the STA church project had started with the removal of the platforms in the area of the altar and outlined the different phases of renovation. He reported that the September 19 Deanery Meeting focused on discussion about discovering the best practices in each parish and aligning them. He pointed out that we are strong in adult faith formation but weak in providing programs for senior citizens. He also expressed concern that support for the catechetical program at SAG has fallen, Hal Fletcher being the remaining member of the board. Susan Olsen is getting acclimated to the parish and is working to get the program on stronger footing. She will need help. He announced that there are three part- time catechetical jobs open. Two site- coordinators and an administrative assistant are needed. Two of these jobs could be combined into one SCHEDULED REPORTS: Community Life Micky Martin began the report by reading the Mission Statement of the Community Life Committee. After reviewing the names of the 2012 Stewardship Awards recipients, she highlighted the success of the parish picnic, the committee s involvement in providing the luncheon at the September 19 Deanery Meeting, its involvement in the Mass of Remembrance and reception following it, and its ongoing contribution of refreshments at various parish events. She was pleased to announce the renewal and reorganization of the Funeral Committee. Katia Reeves is now chairperson and Helen Short co- chair. She mentioned that the Community Life Committee will be having its annual Christmas potluck and closed by highlighting two future projects, contacting and welcoming newcomers and planning activities for senior parishioners. Finance The September 2012- Year to Date financial report was handed out accompanied by a three month Quarterly Report. Chuck Tully, Business Manager, pointed out that overall income is slightly below budget. This is primarily due to lower Sunday Collections (- 3,7%), lower Gifts and Donations, and lower than expected proceeds from the parish raffle. Stipends, however, are over budget due to above average wedding activity. Earnings were at budget. Expenses that are slightly over- budget were incurred by the activities of the teen program and summer work necessary for site maintenance. Areas under- budget are Pastoral, Administration, Catechetical, Hispanic Ministry, Liturgy, Parish Programs and Rectory. A change in the date of payroll issuance has caused payroll to appear to be under- budget. This, however, will self- correct in time. Father Matt remarked that, while total revenues are under by $11,000, stewardship is good. Human Concerns Paul Chestnut highlighted some of the activities of the Green Committee as recorded in the committee s Annual Report. Members of the committee attended a presentation at City Council Chambers focusing on Adapting to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise. They also attended A Religious Response to Climate Change: The Moral Imperative of Responding to Global Warming. This was sponsored by CA Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) and Acterra. Pope Paul was cited as the key driver of the Moral Imperative for all to act as good stewards of the earth.
He reported that a walk- through of the Pastoral Center and OLR site with an arborist from Canopy identified one spot in front of the Pastoral Center that is available for a city tree. A request to the city has been made. An examination of the parish utility meter readings for 2009, 2010 and 2011 provided insight for opportunities to conserve energy and reduce our CO2 emissions. 2010 saw a 12.5% reduction of emissions with a further reduction of 3.5% in 2011. The committee is working with Building and Maintenance to identify further means of reduction. The committee is working with the Diocese to investigate the further use of solar panels. CONTINUING BUSINESS: International School of the Peninsula Proposal To date there has been no response to the basic questions asked of them by Father Matt. The parish cannot act further until a response is received. October Mass Count Chris reported that overall attendance is close to last year s count. The Hispanic count has increased as well as attendance at the 10:30 Mass at OLR. The greatest increase has been at the Youth Mass. The greatest decrease is at the SAG site with a sharp decline in children s attendance. A 20% drop in offertory collections has mirrored this. Pat Keicher pointed out that families tend to follow their children to OLR when students graduate to the STAY program. Father Matt feels that these two declines at SAG, accompanied by the declining support of the catechetical program, send up a red flag. Chris will email a spreadsheet to council members that outlines the Mass count. Evaluation of TIME AND TALENT The consensus is that Time and Talent in its present format does not work effectively. OLR signed up two new volunteers, whereas SAG had only people who were already serving in ministries re- sign. There were no new volunteers identified at STA. Suggestions that were made were: That the effort to give parishioners the opportunity to identify with a ministry be ongoing. That personal invitations are most effective. That pulpit announcements be utilized more often in an effort to motivate people. That newcomers to the parish be asked what their ministry was in their prior parish and then suggest that they identify with a ministry here. That new volunteers be assured of timely training in their new ministry. Chris said that the council will readdress this issue in Spring. Evaluation of STEWARDSHIP AWARDS Comments and suggestions were: That it was a good sign that some awards crossed site lines. Giving an award to someone whose ministry occurs only at the Pastoral Center was a very good and successful move. Site committees need to be reminded sooner to start thinking about the awards. That group awards are more inclusive, e.g., the award to the STA Library Committee. SESS
The school has met with neighbors to negotiate issues that existed. The City of Palo Alto had recommended the construction of an 8 foot manufactured fence between the school and abutting properties. Neighbors voiced a preference for a traditional good neighbor fence. The new plans for the flow of traffic for student drop- off and pick- up had to be revised to the existing route in the driveway at the front doors of the school. The increase of student population to 315 was accepted. Because one neighbor appealed to the city for denial of the use permit, the issue must be presented at the December 17 City Council meeting. If final approval occurs at that time, construction can begin. CHURCH SAFETY In Jim s absence, Chris pointed out that church safety during a seismic event is an ongoing concern. It is recommended that each site review a two- minute infomercial and read a handout sheet. Jim is working on supplementary pew cards. It has further been suggested that Jim do an annual infomercial at each of the Masses. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS Wireless has been installed at the OLR site. This will facilitate communication between the Pastoral Center and Dermody Center. FOR THE DECEMBER MEETING: Special plans for the upcoming year will be discussed. This year there will be a focus on activities for senior parishioners. Father Matt, Bob Barron, Jerry Lucha, Micky Martin and Pat Keicher have volunteered to form a committee. Helen Baumann, Mary Fong and Jean Ramacciotti were suggested as potential committee members. It was agreed that seniors would have to be polled on their preferences of activities. This subject will be forwarded to the next meeting. MOTION TO ADJOURN: Chris moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 PM. Jerry seconded the motion. OPENING PRAYER: Facilities DECEMBER PSC MEETING Wednesday, December 12, 2012 St. Albert the Great Hospitality Center REPORTS: Hispanic Griselda Morales Facilities Jim McLaughlin St. Elizabeth Seton School Evelyn Rosa Respectfully submitted, Pat Keicher
PSC Secretary