St. Patrick s Church Pastoral Council Meeting 1/11/17 Members present: Father Edison, Deacon John, Ken, Sam, Dave, Gina, Janet, Andrea, Adeline and Todd. 7:00- Father Edison led us in Opening Prayer Review of Agenda Approval of last month s minutes (all in favor) Pastor s Report: Updates from Strategic Plan Coordinators of Parish Ministries 1. CMA update currently at 98% of our goal. Father praised the efforts of the Finance Council with reaching out to parishioners after masses and speakers at Mass from Catholic Family Services. 2. Capital improvements: Estimates are due by the end of the month and God willing work will commence this spring. Other projects include a new church floor, campus parking lot, as well as new wiring and AC in the church. 3. At midpoint we will break into teams to review our progress so far. Vicki mentioned some parishioners would like a cut down version of the parish donation envelops for special collections without the regular week envelopes since they use direct deposit for the regular week. Father recommended perhaps having blank envelopes. It was also recommended that direct deposit parishioners do not need envelopes if they do direct deposit and this would save money. 7:15 teams break out a. Liturgy & Sacramental Life (Carlos, Adeline and Janet) 1. GOAL - increase participation, especially in ministries which involve serving at Mass - increase education and instrumental involvement (Music Ministry) - assist and comfort grieving families (Funeral Ministry) - nurture a welcoming environment promoting prayer and faith traditions in parish and at home 2. How has goal been achieved? - training has been in small groups or 1:1 when possible to get new ministers on schedule ASAP - recruiting via bulletin - projection of responses and lyrics on screen during 5pm Mass - webinar for cantors - increased instrumental involvement at Christmas - music regularly provided at Preschool to build rapport and increase interest of children when they are old enough for choir - Funeral ministry has individual meetings with families and provides funeral brunch. - follow up call to families during first year of losing loved one - environment neat and well cared for - institution of 3pm daily prayer - parent faith sharing in religious ed - leaders of Children's Lit of the Word are enthusiastic
3. Needs from Staff or PPC - another adult for altar server training - additional space and adult leaders for Child Lit of the Word - prayers for appointment of Liturgy Committee Coordinator - promote music ministry participants - volunteers for power point presentations for Mass 4. Goals for next 6 months - improve communication between ministers especially regarding scheduling - more volunteers - double # of altar servers in time for Easter - increase participation of children and teens - increase instrumental involvement - projection of responses and lyrics at liturgies - promote vocation awareness; create parish plan b. Membership of Parish Life (Viki, Andrea, Ken) Objective a: To keep our parish census up to date. The process of updating the Parish Census worked. Many registered parishioners had to be called. The results of those calls by the Staff have not been completed. The Parish Directory has its final photo sessions in March. The layout of the directory was reviewed and will be ready by March. The Directory parishioner list will be compared to the Parish list for accuracy of both. Objective b: To invite and welcome new members to the parish community. Parishioners are encouraged to participate in parish events through Mass announcements. Family members and friends are always welcomed. We want the Hospitality Committee and the ushers to present the Parish Gift bag to families at once a month New Members Weekend Masses, so other parishioners can also recognize them. New parishioners are already listed in the bulletin. St. Patrick's is visible in local community events, like Hang Around Victor Day, with give-aways and fun activities. St. Patrick's advertises its presence through the local newspaper, the New quarterly Parish Magazine and on Facebook. While the Men's Retreat has a leader and is active, a Woman's Retreat needs a leader to promote it. Notre Dame Retreat House has planned Women's Retreats in March, April & May. They also have Couples Retreats in February and June. Objective c: To promote active involvement and engagement among parishioners through our parish ministries and programs. The Welcome and Hospitality Committee is rebuilding. The ministry leaders or coordinators are contacted monthly to assess how Parish Council can assist them and how their ministry promotes welcome and engagement, while meeting the objectives of the Strategic Plan. The Ministry Fair, on Pentecost Sunday, gives visibility to the parish ministries. The ministries are also highlighted in the parish magazine. Monthly ministry focus needs to be added to the bulletin. Objective d: To hold social events that cater to parishioners of all ages and status, and to strengthen connections with parishioners who are not anymore able to physically join us. We don't have a concert series, per say, to welcome the wider Victor community. We do share in hosting a Community Supper once a month. A Parish Picnic is planned, possibly with an International focus. The Knights of Columbus have
offered to help with the food if the parish approves. Our Parish Feast Day, St. Patty's Day, if not planned by the parish, the Knights of Columbus have offered to host it as a Dinner and music event. Saint Joseph s Table is still an active event with a core group. Volunteer Appreciation Day is being planned. Date Nights for Parents is monthly. Advent Wreath Workshop took place in 2016. Senior Brunch doesn't have a group to host it. Lenten Fish Fry, if not planned by the parish, the Knights of Columbus have offered to host it as a Dinner. Movie Nights were attempted 3 times by the Knights of Columbus after the 4:30 Mass with few attending. Having an event to recognize and promote cultural diversity in our parish hasn't been done. There probably will not be a 2017 Parish Festival, though we should get advise from St. Mary's Canandaigua. They net $90k. Objective e: To provide welcome and reception at our sacramental celebrations and other special events. Sacraments, like first Penance, first Eucharist, Confirmation, have their ministries hosting events. The Year of Mercy Series was promoted in church. Marriage Anniversaries can be announced in February. The Preschool Christmas Pageant was a success. C. Ongoing faith formation (Todd, Dave, Gina) 1. Goals: a. Preschool- Connect our preschool families with the Parish b. Faith Formation/ Parish Ministries - To increase active participation in Parish life, to include family inclusive activities, marriage support, parents as first teachers and other outreach efforts. c. Parish Christ Life; Present entire 3 part Christ Life Evangelization Classes to as many parish leaders/ ministers and non-parish attendees as possible. 2. Evidence of Progress: 3. Requests: a. Preschool is promoting their chocolate fundraiser and inviting the parish to celebrate its 20 year anniversary. They are also involved writing articles for the parish magazine and sharing this with parents. b. Faith Formation/ Parish Ministries- Personal invitations, letters, prayer and share, service projects, and family sacramental life and retreats. Several parents have already participated or signed up for pray and share in their children s classes. The creation of the template and sign up sheet has helped considerably with parent participation. c. Parish Christ Life- we have had good attendance at these events this past fall and look forward to continued growth. a. Preschool / Faith Formation -welcomes ideas to help with increasing parent registration and connect families with other Church events. b. Faith Formation/ Parish Ministries - liaison support from the PPC has been strong. Continue to provide support with ideas that engage families in church events. c. Parish Christ Life- Request PPC to attend the Christ Life series next fall if they have not already done so.
4. Next Six months: a. Preschool/ Faith Formation - We are working on updating the emergency plan and upcoming open house and registration for the fall. We are also in the process of extending the school year to start in mid-september to mid-june to maximize family faith outreach and educational activities. Some examples include activities for Valentine s Day and Lent and Easter. We hope that this will provide greater opportunity to include parents in the active faith formation process with greater consistency. b. Faith Formation/ Parish Ministries We will be managing transitions as there will be changes in the Sacramental Schedule, as well as Home study gatherings. Clear communication using the bulletin, church magazine, website and word of mouth will all be essential for success. c. Parish Christ Life- We look forward to preparing and planting the giving garden this spring. This spring we will also present the Following Christ and Sharing Christ series as a follow up program for those who attended he Discovering Christ series in the fall. We encourage and pray for maximum attendance. D. Social ministry and outreach (Jim, Jean, Sue) 1. Goals: a. The community Giving Garden b. Community dinner partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Victor c. The Giving Tree and Christmas food baskets d. School Supply Drive e. Angel care baby shower f. Family promise commitment 2. Evidence of Progress: a. 4000 units of fresh vegetables donated to the Victor/ Farmington food cupboard and potatoes and squash were donated for St. Patrick s Thanksgiving dinner. 3. Requests/ Next Six months: a. Giving Garden helpers are needed for preparation and planting in April May. b. Volunteers Family promise, (new program) and Catholic Charities Just neighbors (new program) c. Help to make parishioners aware of the NYS Legislative initiative to legalize physician assisted suicide and our petition (to be signed February 4-5), asking our legislators not to support or vote in favor of such a bill. E. Stewardship (Mark, Deacon John, Sam) What s been done at the ½ year point: 1. CMA Drive 2. Parish Magazine Discussed that there was a feedback that the results of the Stewardship/Talent Interest Commitment forms that were used to solicit commitments last year were not circulated to the various ministries can we look into this and if so, how can we better distribute and follow up on these needed volunteers? Discussed another
effort to redistribute/collect a Stewardship Commitment Form and follow up by/at a ministry fair sometime around Pentecost Follow up with witness talks / articles in Magazine / Bulletin etc. that highlight people that are good representatives of good stewards. Provide updates to guide for Parish Ministries and Produce New Stewardship Commitment Forms (above) Also, after looking at Dave O Hare s response to the ½ year update from the Stewardship Committee, I met with him, in preparation for that meeting. The following items were discussed, along with the need to build a strong plan in black and white to follow to accomplish the above and the follow (along with whatever else may be discussed at the meeting on 1/17/17. a. Promote / Highlight Good Stewards Great!!! i. What are the details of the plan(s) to do this? b. Promote Tithing in the Parish Great!!!! i. Is there a plan? Any details of vehicle to support the effort? ii. Delivered St Louis Example provided by Deacon john c. Promoting 5:00 Mass (Falls under Stewardship because a vehicle to promote Stewardship?) i. Vehicle to do this? ii. Word of mouth? iii. Magazine? iv. Bulletin? v. Other details? d. Are we addressing all three legs of stewardship efforts in our plans for development? e. Time Pentecost Ministry Fair? Other ideas? f. Treasure g. Talent - Pentecost Ministry Fair? Other ideas? h. Any interest in redeveloping and refining the Stewardship Commitment Form Idea and Process? i. How will we solicit and promote Are we hitting all 3 with our efforts? 8:00-830 Minute Breakout Session ended and we discussed broader Parish initiatives: Parish Directory and Festival Planning Updates Old Business a. Parish Photo Directory Assistance needed: We need a layout and submission committee is to organize before the next parish Council meeting. This would involve organizing the cover and introductions pages. The goal is to update the directory and submit it to the vendor by the end of March. We hope to be able to distribute this to parishioners by April or May. Vicki, Father Edison, Andrea and Ken expressed interest in meeting this Saturday 1/14 at 10:00 in the library. b. Festival Planning Updates: Parish Life will handle this and Sam has volunteered to chair this committee. So far there are 3 other member of this committee. All activities will be posted and are to be determined. Ken shared that the K of C has volunteered to offer help with concessions stand and food if there is a parish picnic. There was discussion on
the best time somewhere in the summer months. Ken offered the idea of a monthly Parish Fish Fry or Spaghetti Dinner. Faith based movie nights have also been tried in the past, but there is a need for broader attendance. In the past we have we have supported Mary s Place, perhaps we could do an outreach night for new refugees. The breakfast after mass has been beneficial. We average $200 income (minus expenses) per breakfast. Father recommended that we advertise this in the bulletin. Last year Kim arranged for us to have a later breakfast and Irish Dancers. Lent begins March 1 st this year 6. New Business -none -9:04 Andrea led us in Closing Prayer * Please let me know if I need to change your email address or if there are any additions and revisions needed to this report by next week. I will update our official records in advance or our next meeting in December. Thank you again to all in attendance! kreese@dor.org, ETayag@dor.org, jpayne@dor.org, vadsoom@rochester.rr.com, ukr2@yahoo.com, chadline@rochester.rr.com, vicki@rochester.rr.com, gsickinger@yahoo.com, wstehlin@rochester.rr.com, billsfan@msn.com, cgchaides@yahoo.com, ribera@rochester.rr.com, mamasonjean@live.com, mark.hamilton@integratednet.com, bsamoriski@rochester.rr.com, jzazulak@rochester.rr.com, wstehlin@rochester.rr.com, Dear ministry coordinator, (Youth Ministry & Young Adult Ministry) Thank you for your service to our parish through your leadership. We now are at the midpoint of the year and we would like to take the opportunity to evaluate the work that we do through the specific parish ministries, guided by our parish strategic plan. Kindly take the time to answer the following questions. Brief responses will do. 1. What goal or goals in the strategic plan is your ministry working on? a. Liturgy: form young people in community and teach/encourage growth in personal spiritual relationship with God. This includes the goal to nurture community. b. To give witness in the world with a stronger faith and greater understanding of it c. To personally encounter and serve our brothers and sisters in need. 2. In what ways have you achieved this goal or these goals? Specify activities or approaches that you do or use. a. We have welcomed many young people, ages 12-35 into the community of young Catholics and then into the larger community of faith through involvement in the liturgy as new lectors, musicians, and servers, and education on the liturgical year b. through involvement in catechesis both as students and teachers. Their spiritual life is supported through retreats, praying together, lessons on prayer in many forms, and discussion of God s existence and presence in our lives. Students who are Catholic, Protestant, and non-christian are welcomed and our faith is shared fully with them. c. through service to the community with monthly Service Sundays, helping with the community dinner, Christmas Basket program, Young People Who Care, and service to families (VBS, Couple s Night Out, Children s Liturgy, etc.) 3. Do you need anything from the Staff or the Pastoral Council? If yes, please indicate need. Challenge young people and encourage their parents to do the same so they take part in the various forms of youth ministry in the parish: GLOW, Jr. High Program, graded faith formation, Senior High Retreat, Young People Who Care, NCYC, Pro-Life movement, as liturgical ministers, teaching and serving young people, and service to our Community.
If you feel called to lend support to any of these programs, speak with Anthony Klosterman. Adults, young and old, who want to share their faith and passion for God with young people are a fantastic support to this ministry. Ideas to help young people and young families grow in their faith and to self-identify as active Catholics. 4. What goal or goals do you want to accomplish for the next six months? a. To transition the perception of youth ministry from a club to the ministry of all young people in the parish. b. To increase the youth ministry attendees beyond the regulars and their friends to encompass more of the parish s youth who are currently not connected. c. To bring about a regular form of communication for families with young children to support each other in their task of raising their children and strengthening their marriage (this is in addition to the events that already exist) d. To bring more young adults and young parents into ministry leadership positions e. To bring more young people into liturgical ministries, particularly the 5pm Mass.