Faith Formation-Service-Liturgy-Stewardship-Evangelization

FAITH FORMATION-SERVICE-LITURGY-STEWARDSHIP-EVANGELIZATION

St. Stephen Parish Pastoral Council

May 5, 2016 First Draft

“We, the parish of St. Stephen, will carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, as a welcoming, worshipping, Catholic Community by sharing, growing and living the Gospel.”

Members/ Guests In Attendance: Father Larry Kolson, Sr. Angela DeFontes, Drew Bonthron, Mary Morgan, Lisa Myers, Chris Deaver, Anne Fox, Rob Hott, Tim McNamara , Jim Kalinosky, Janet Bitzelberger, Bob Melewski, Renee Eppig, Laura Holland, Kellie Reynolds, Rachel Ullmann for Mary Patrick

Members Unable to Attend: Father Paul Breczinski, Duffy Laws, Jeannette Falbo, Steve Ramp, Mary Bateman

Opening and Welcome: Lisa Myers opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with a prayer honoring our Blessed Mother. Drew Bonthron welcomed all PPC members and guests and all read the Mission Statement together.

Pastor’s Comments: Father Larry shared that Msgr. Schleupner, the Pastor of Saint Margaret’s is retiring. The Archdiocesan Survey results were shared at the Regional Clergy and Priest meeting in April.. Father Larry opened a discussion on the results for Saint Stephen’s Parish. A Planning Committee will be formed to review/interpret and distribute the results. Ray Colombo will lead this committee. The committee will have 8-13 members. The earliest that the committee will meet is the end of May. The goal for parishes is to have a Mission Readiness Statement by September/October. A good discussion on specific survey questions with several comments concerning sharing the survey results or at least highlights of the survey results with the parish. Drew suggested this be referred to Ray’s team for their consideration. Father Larry shared the results of the Parish Pastoral Council election. Those elected to serve for the 2016-2019 term are Mary Bateman, Michele Dobson and Rachel Ullmann.

Routine Council Business: The Minutes for the April 4, 2016 PPC meeting were approved with the following change: Servefest is a volunteer opportunity open to all. This year’s Servefest is targeting young adults. Committee Reports:

Finance: Bob Melewski Currently, the income is greater than the budget projections . The expenses are less than budgeted . There was a significant decrease in heating expenses due to the weather. Parishioners have also been extremely generous. The offertory collection has increased by approximately 4% over the budget. We continue to be very grateful for the financial support of the parishioners. The facilities study has been completed. The School has received some money from the State and will use it to work on the bathrooms. The lightning protection work has been completed. Work is being done on the Youth buildings and the Convent. A request has been submitted to FEMA for reimbursement of some of the costs incurred during the State of Emergency last winter. We are awaiting a decision. The votive candle stands are being replaced and have been paid for by the generosity of 2 parishioners.

Service Committee: Kellie Reynolds The next meeting is May 10, 2016. There is a Flower Sale on Mother’s Day weekend. The committee is working its way through the social justice document, We Are Salt and Light. The committee is looking for a Chairperson. Two regional events, Servefest and Mercy in Motion were awesome days.

Faith Formation: Sr. Angela DeFontes Sister Angela shared that Confirmation and First Communion are such significant moments in the lives of all present. Vacation Bible School will be held the last week of June. The focus is God’s Creation and caring for our common home. Many volunteers have stepped forward. After meeting with catechists, the Pflaum program will continue for middle school. The other age groups will be going back to Sadlier. Sister Angela will be speaking at all Masses on Pentecost weekend to spotlight the Faith Formation ministry.

Liturgy Committee: Rob Hott On May 29, 2016 Christina Massimei and Ex Nihilo will perform a concert in the Church. {Late News: This date was changed to June 26.} The choir and contemporary group will end May 22, 2016. The next committee meeting is May 11, 2016. On Pentecost Sunday, 11 Confirmandi from Saint Stephen will be Confirmed at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. One candidate has the opportunity to Lector. On May 14, 2016 at 4:30 pm Mass and May 15, 2016 at 9:15 Mass, a young violinist will accompany our organist, Rob Hott. The committee is looking into the problem of some ministry volunteers being absent from assigned Masses.

Evangelization: Renee Eppig The next meeting is May 10, 2016. The Mercy Speaker Series of 4 speakers and 2 movies had 211 attendees. They are working on getting videos posted. Following Christ is in progress with approximately 110 attendees. There is a projection for 65 to attend the day-long retreat on May 14, 2016. Forty tickets have been reserved for the presentation by Matthew Kelly on September 17, 2016. The program is being held at Saint Alphonsus in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania. There are commitments for 35 of the tickets.

School: Jim Kalinosky and Rachel Ullmann There was no meeting in April. The next meeting is in May. On May 6, 2016 and May 20, 2016, a film crew is coming to produce a video for the School. The purpose for the 4 minute video is enrollment, next year’s 85th Anniversary and raising money.

Open Forum and Announcements: The Carnival is June 16-18, 2016. There will not be a 6:00 pm Mass on June 18th. Volunteers aged 14-17 for the Carnival or Vacation Bible School must complete Worthy of the Call training. There will be a training session on June 7, 2016 6:30-7:45 pm

The next PPC meeting is Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 7 pm in the Learning Cottage.

Closing Prayer: Drew Bonthron led The Lord’s Prayer.

The meeting concluded at 8:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Morgan, Secretary