St. William Church
Minutes of the Pastoral Council Meeting
Tuesday August 21, 2008
(Note: minutes are subject to approval at the next meeting)

Judy Lott, Vice Chair called the meeting of the Pastoral Council to order at 7:05pm in the Commons.  Don Moral, Betsy Ehlers were absent from this meeting and Joe Keffer was excused.

Hank Brouwer said the opening prayer.

Hank Brouwer moved that the minutes of the June 19th meeting be accepted; Larry Leturmy seconded the motion; unanimously accepted.

Pastoral Report:  Father George presented a written report noting the following:  the formation of the St. Vincent de Paul Society this past month.  About 17 people participated in the first meeting, and they had an initial fund raiser among these people, raising $2600.  Art and Elaine Pulskamp are leading the group.  They have had 12 requests for assistance, serving the needs of 32 people, just in this first month.  They have visited everyone with one exception in their home as part of their ministry.  It was recommended that the fourth weekend of the month be designated as the collection weekend for this group.  The members would stand outside after the Mass to take donations for this cause.  It was also announced that certain offerings, i.e. Thanksgiving, 4^th of July, Ash Wednesday, etc. would be designated for this group’s funding.  Larry Leturmy also suggested that an initial fund raiser be held as start-up funding, maybe on the feast of St. Vincent de Paul.
The second item pertained to the Sanctuary thermostat and keeping it cool as needed.  It was decided that the ushers would be asked to take on the responsibility of monitoring the temperature.
Father presented the Council Orientation at this time, explaining how the PC and FC functions and the role of Councils, Commissions, Committees, etc.  A very important part of the PC function is having a vision for the parish and getting reports from each group on their activities and helping with any problems.
The Mission with Fr. Bob Rivers was judged to be a success by those responding in the evaluations.
The PC meetings were set thru the end of the year:  September 23^rd, October 21^st & December 9^th.  

Administration
Finance:  Larry Leturmy presented the Income Statement for June showing a surplus of $3295 income over expenses for the month and a year-end surplus of $6242 income over expenses.  The July statement reflects $4817 income over expenses for the month.  July is traditionally a low-expense month.  The propane gas figure estimated in the budget was $4700 below what the actual cost will be.

Grounds:  Hank Brouwer thanked all the men and women who helped with the cleaning of the grounds at the Church and Kilgore House and especially Jack who keeps the grounds looking good.  The flowers at the Columbarium and the steps have been weeded.

Website:  Jerry Hobbs continues to keep this site updated.

Media:  Joan Kennedy has taken care of getting notices in the media for the Ladies Guild Rummage Sale.

Community Life
Mick Goebel submitted a report noting the speaker on behalf of the Cherokee Co. Food Bank will be Delores Perkins.  Donations were made to Truett Baptist Association for camp, REACH, Cherokee County Rescue Squad, Moore House Ministry, Women’s Enrichment Center & St. Vincent de Paul.

Somotillo Committee:  There needs to be a new chair person elected to this group and it was suggested that all members be asked to attend the next PC meeting to see what help can be offered.

Education Commission
Roseina Stillwagon sent a report noting that the yearly budget was set and the Lay Ministry retreat by Frank Villaronga was completed.
Ongoing projects involve whole -Community catechesis, Lay Ministry follow-up on the 3-year program and beginning a new 2-year Lay Ministry program.

Future projects include the Stewardship program, Faithful Citizen/Voter Registration information program on September 16^th and continued assistance to the Faith Formation of adults and children.  Ideas and suggestions are welcome and continued support and participation is encouraged.

Faith Formation:  Michelle Calascione submitted a report noting the following completed projects:  the summer session of Why Catholic? and the retreat by Frank Villaronga; the catechist meeting at which Pam Law was welcomed back and Amber Jones joined the Confirmation prep team and Kathy Mancuso and Elynka Mullins were introduced as FF assistants; Sylvia Servin held a “Protecting God’s Children” workshop.
Ongoing projects:  offering a “Protecting God’s Children” workshop to those who have not yet attended; registration for Faith Formation of children for the 2008-2009 year; posted calendar for FF classes for the year noting the change to Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Glenmary; ordered materials for Catechetical Sunday the weekend of September 20^th & 21^st; ordered music for the Liturgy of the Word for Children; recruited volunteers to man the booths for Education Commission and Faith Formation at the Stewardship Fair; sent in two applications for the Lay Ministry Program and have 5 more interested; making plans to have all catechists complete Phase I of the Catechist Recognition Process; working on Phase III with a number of catechists; put the 2009 VBS program on reserve; putting together a parish-wide FF newsletter; scheduled two information sessions for R.C.I.A.; produced a new brochure for this program.

The Liturgy of the Word for Children with an average of 8 participants each week is ongoing, as well as the planning of an inter-generational night for all parishioners.

Future projects include the Kids’ Fest on September 27^th in Murphy and a FF Annual Murphy Christmas Parade cookout on December 6^th.  Michelle will attend the R.C.I.A. Workshop in Brevard on September 20^th, and has extended the invitation to 3 members of the R.C.I.A. team. 

Evangelization
Gail D’Andrea submitted a report noting the next Ladies Tea will be Mary 30^th, 2009 and Carole has asked the Barbershop Quartet for the entertainment portion. They have reviewed the budget and discussed how to fund projects.  They will all participate in the Stewardship Fair.  They are checking on the details of getting a sign for St. William on the four-lane; working on producing ads for the bulletin, paper and website; planning a “lunch and learn” series for the fall; reviewing the Mission Statement of St. William Evangelization Commission.

Family Life
Bereavement:  Heather Schmitt reported there will be an autumn session of Bereavement Support 

Calling Committee:  they encourage anyone with an e-mail address to submit it to the office to cut down on the calls that need to be made.

Columbarium Committee:  there have been several inurnments recently and all were very well planned and carried out with dignity.

Ladies Guild:  Debbie Boros reported that the Rummage Sale raised over $10,000, and they will continue the monthly dinners to the Friendship House.

Men’s Club:  Don Stillwagon reported that the men purchased two fans for the Pavilion that were used at the Rummage Sale.  They have set the date of October 19^th for the Octoberfest.

Respite Care:  Joe Keffer sent a report noting that they have cared for three clients this past period.  They will have a booth at the Stewardship Fair, and will have another training session for new respite care givers in the fall.  Judy Lott stated that they have 7 or 8 respite care givers now registered and insured. 

Liturgy Commission
Judy Lott submitted a written report noting ongoing minister scheduling and training, and the updating of the ushers’ duties.  Eighteen evaluations were turned in for the Mission, all giving positive feedback.  Suggestions made were to start each session earlier in the evening, increase the length of the Mission and to bring Fr. Bob back.

Planning Committee:  Don Stillwagon gave a report noting that they are preparing a to-do list for the parish and the Kilgore House.  They will compartmentalize it into one or two-man jobs that can be done when the men are available.  They will get together with the county code officials to see what needs to be done at the Kilgore House to make it usable.

The September meeting will be on the 23^rd at 6:30pm.  Jo Ann Darling made a motion to move the time of the meetings to 6:30pm instead of 7pm.  Hank seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Calendar:  Additions are the St. Vincent de Paul collection on the fourth weekend of the month – September 27^th & 28^th – and the Gospel Fest at 6:15pm on September 28^th at Little Brasstown Baptist Church.  Father also especially noted the OEO Gala on September 18^th.

The meeting closed at 8:45pm.