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OFFICIAL Minutes of Holy Angels Parish Council Meeting
September 18, 2008
Parish Rectory, 7:30 PM 

In Attendance:  Fr. Jerry Brittain Fr. Rick Wendell, Paula Beine, Don Felix, Harry German, Jack Trzebiatowski, Carol Bednarek, Earl VanderWielen, Mike Nowack, Colleen Mas, Dan Hanrahan, Tim Briscoe.  Guests:  Mark Jansen, John Bolcar.

Absent:  Sandy Lang. 

Opening Prayer / Scripture Reflection / Personal Prayer:  Led by Colleen Mas. 

Parish Life / Pastoral Ministry Review:  Postponed to next meeting. 

Review of Discernment and Consensus Decision-Making:
 Father Jerry reviewed the general flow of discernment for Parish Council matters, including presentation of information, personal reflection opportunity, group discussion which allows for brief individual comment, and arrival at consensus. 

Approval of Previous Minutes:
Approved August minutes by consensus. 

Standing Committee Guidelines Adjustment:
 Council noted typographical error in Article IV Section 5, changing “with” to “without.” 

Quad Parish Day of Reflection:
 Liaisons are encouraged to invite committee members to attend the Day of Reflection on October 4^th.   

Review Goals and Accomplishments:
 Council reviewed our goals listed for last year, noting that several were met or addressed (Outreach to homebound; Children’s choir; Parish handbook with committee directory; Newlsetter; Hospitality Sundays; Greeters ministry; Ecumenical coorperation).  Others remain to be considered (Bereavement ministry; Other support groups; Evangelization to non-Catholic parishiones; Outreach to inactive parishioners).  Council also suggested additional goals (Prison ministry; Prayer Shawl ministry; Update organizational chart; Adult faith formation opportunities; Website development; Standing Committees communication and faith formation initiatives; Sagrada Familia relationship with HAS).  Council considered meetings with Property and Grounds, Human Concerns, Parish Life, Finance, and School committees to remain abreast of current activities and concerns.  These will be prayerfully considered and revisited at the next council meeting. 

Committee Reports: 

Human Concerns – Carol Bednarek reported on the 9/16/08 meeting.  Respect Life Month (Oct.) will be observed with the Baby Bottle collection and “Resepct Life” banners.  Elizabeth Ministry is gathering baptismal gift bags for young children newly baptized, and will introduct the Rosebud Program of prayer cards for many difficult situations occurring with pregnancy/childbirth.  The Committee is also exploring involvement in a Mental Health Ministry similar to that at SFC, and addressing the Chamber of Commerce regarding a needed homeless shelter in Washington County.  The St. Vincent DePaul “Walk for the Poor” will be held 9/2708.  Holy Angels will host Harvest House 10/18/08.  The Food Pantry is quite low in supplies.

Faith Formation – Religious Education programs have begun for the fall semester, with the inclusion of Family Nights to be held twice each semester.  Sixty Discipleship students will attend an opening retreat at St. Frances Cabrini as well as the Don Bosco Youth Conference at Holy Hill.  Family Faith Formation will begin in October.  Children’s Liturgy of the Word began this month and will be offered each Sunday with the exception of Pancake Breakfast weekends.  RCIA began with approximately ten candidates last evening.  A workshop on Natural Family Planning is in the works for November.  Dinner for Two will be held February 14, 2009.  The Men’s Group is pursuing Eucharistic Adoration to be held each day in the Chapel/Crying Room.  The Men’s Conference will be held at Washington County Fair Park on January 10, 2009, while the Women’s Conference will be held February 28, 2009.

Finance- Mike Nowak reported on the 9/18/08 meeting.  HA closed out the books for last fiscal year, sending the official report to the Archdiocese per Archdiocesan requirements.  Weekly envelope income is trending behind along with the general state of the economy; the committee will watch spending and consider potential items to trim.  The Festival fell short of budget $14000 but fared well considering the weather on Saturday.  The Committee also discussed investment of a large donation.  The Council recommended the moneys be placed temporarily in short term certificates of deposit in insurable amounts at different institutions until further decisions regarding use can be made.

School-  Parish Festival- Earl VanderWeilen agreed to act as liaison to the Festival Committee.

Ad Hoc Committee for Past Due School Tuition – Colleen Mas and Dan Hanrahan reported that this group has met and begun research and discussion to meet its objectives.  Further report at next council meeting.

Seniors -  The Seniors are planning a financial planning discussion opportunity with Judge Patrick Farragher to be held in Advent. 

Pastor’s Report:  Father Jerry noted that the Archdiocesan Offices may be sending informational inserts to be included with our parish bulletin.  The Liturgy Committee will offer Advent Wreaths and candles for sale the weekend before Advent begins.  Fr. Jerry is also pursuing a date for a parish Blood Drive, perhaps next winter. 

Closing Prayer:  Led by Colleen Mas.

Adjourned:  9:48 pm 

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Mas