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Minutes of Holy Angels Parish Council Meeting of September 20, 2007

Parish Rectory Lower Meeting Room, 7:30pm 

In Attendance:  Fr. Jerry Brittain, Fr. Rick Wendell, Deacon Mark Jansen, Marilynn Gundrum, Don Felix, Jack Trzebiatowski, Earl VanderWielen, Paula Beine, Harry German, Sandy Lang, Mike Nowack, Colleen Mas, Dan Hanrahan.  Guests:  Jenny Casper.

Absent: Steve Albinger. 

Opening Prayer/ Scripture Reflection / Personal Prayer:  Led by Earl VanderWielen.

Approval of Minutes:  Motion to approve by Earl, second by Don.  Approved. 

Committee Reports: 

Finance:  Parish accounting is now on Quick Books.  • This year’s Parish Festival earned $50K – best ever!  Perhaps this is due to the stewardship drive – we had many volunteers, and many in attendance.  • Budget at year-end:  $15,000 will go to the school trust fund, a generous donation in memory of Mike Gonring.  With the positive balance in the parish budget, the school will be outfitted with a new security system, and the church building will receive new stained glass.  • The Archdiocesan stewardship campaign is just underway; HA is slated to join next year.  Our HA stewardship weekend will be 10/24; Dave Kovalaske will speak at that weekend’s Masses.  • The Quad Parishes are currently searching to fill the position of Administrator, to be shared among the parishes. 

School Committee:  School Board Bylaws will be revised to include all parish families.  A review of the School Board’s Mission Statement is currently underway.  •The board is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Graduate Award.  • The staff are planning their Christmas party. •  The Board discussed the current dress code, in particular regarding dress at Mass.  This led to further questions regarding the example set by the parish community at weekend liturgies.  • There was discussion regarding school families and religious education families to service as Greeters for Mass, especially at the carport area to assist with the arrival of elderly parishioners.  

Prayer and Worship:  No Liturgy Committee meeting.  Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Altar Servers training have been scheduled.  The music committee holds meetings regularly. 

Human Concerns:  The Committee is currently seeking participants for the Oct 7 Crop Walk.  Proceeds (25%) will go to our local Food Pantry.  • Committee will display a Pro-Life Banner out in front of church for month of October, then move it to the school building thereafter.  • Human Concerns has a new initiative:  Baby Bottle Campaign (for pennies), for month of October for Respect Life Sunday.  Other ideas being considered for Respect Life this month:  a bulletin insert from USCCB, topic included in preaching/petitions at Masses, specific Rosary for Life with Legion of Mary.  • Harvest House Oct. 20^th will be assisted by HAS teachers. 

Quad Parish:  No report.

Parish Life:  No report. 

Christian Formation:  Religious Education underway.  Discipleship begins 10/14. 

Sister Parish Mission with La Sagrada Familia:  Lauren will be meeting next week. 

Quad Parish Senior Parishioners.  Group recently participated in a Gurnee Mills and Villa St Benedict trip.  They have a beautiful facility, and the group enjoyed a great day, including Mass. • Next trip may be to Holy Hill, in late October.  Possible future trip:  Coptic Church on Drexel in Milwaukee. 

Standing Committee Membership Rosters:  Liaisons, please forward rosters to Colleen.  Council will review these to see who is involved in the parish, to encourage new involvement.  The rosters may be published on the website and/or in a future newsletter.  Our Parish Life Minister will eventually put together a handbook with a committee directory. 

Structure for committee reports:  Each committee should formulate a report to the council, including goals, strategies, progress, and needs.  School Board will present in March.   

Financial Reports:  Will be mailed home next week. 

Elizabeth Ministry:  Paula Beine and Jenny Casper shared some experiences in support of this ministry.  Motion to formally support:  Earl VanderWielen.  Second:  Dan Hanrahan. 

Parish Council Constitution/Bylaws/Standing Committee Guidelines:  Council discussed and made various changes. 

Review Parish Mission Statement:  Continued next month. 

Parish Five Year Plan:  Continued next month 

What’s happening:  Reviewed job description for Minister of Parish Life.  Council shared Parish Leadership Conference information.   

Plans for Next Month:  Review Mission Statement, Report from Liaisons re: Five Year Plan / Goals 

Adjourned at 9:33pm. 

Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Mas, Secretary