Sean Nuyda, the Council vice chairperson, in place of Joe Zolecki, the Council chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Present:                      Father Bob Betz, Joe Amrhein, John Bordak, Tracey Borzick, Joe Dulka, Gary Hamilton, Larry Haskin, Dennis Irwin, Dean Kick, Chris Kujawa, Rich Lussier, Sean Nuyda, Steve Raflik and Elaine Tessmer

Excused:                     Father Steve Varghese (vacation), and Joe Zolecki

Guests:                       Gregory Meka, Brian O’Lena and Marilyn Stewart

Opening Prayer:         Dean Kick distributed a written Stewardship Prayer and all members read it aloud.     

Welcome/Review Agenda:

            Sean Nuyda announced that Joe Zolecki would be excused from attendance at this meeting and then welcomed the other council members to the meeting.  He also said that, time permitting, the members would discuss any comments received by them from parishioners, toward the end of the meeting.

Open Forum/Welcome of Guests/Visitors:

The guests were welcomed to the meeting by Sean.  They identified themselves by name and none presented any comments.

Approval of Minutes of the December 2007 Meeting:  

The second sentence of the second paragraph on page 3, reading “In addition, the committee did not believe it appropriate at this time to give too many details to the parishioners,” is deleted, and in its place, as suggested by Larry Haskin of the Long Range Planning Committee, should be “The committee has not developed any of the detailed plans for a school site and a worship site.” 

On page 3, third paragraph, the seventh line of the Core Committee’s Report, the sentence reading “The Case has not been fully developed but the group will be following along the lines of the long term planning committee’s recommendation which will include the financial component in relation to the remodeling of the church; as the consolidation of sites and the sales of buildings occur, the Case will be further developed,” is deleted, and in its place, as suggested by Gary Hamilton of the Core Committee, should be “As the consolidation of sites and sales of buildings occur, the proceeds will be used for the endowment of the school.”  The other portions of that paragraph shall remain as previously recorded.

There being no further additions, corrections or deletions to the proposed minutes, upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of December 20, 2007, with the foregoing amendments, were approved by the Council.  

Pastors’ Reports:

Father Bob reported that he had received an e-mail from Father Steve who said the plane leaving Chicago for his vacation in India was seven hours late resulting in a later arrival in India, but that he is fine and visiting with family and friends in 82° temperatures.  He thanked everyone for their efforts and support in the past year and for the cards and gifts during the Christmas season.  He commented on the beautiful Christmas celebrations, the crèche scene, the environment, and the choirs.  The attendance as well as the giving was up from last year.  Though we are on target for the budgeting, the giving from July to December was down about $23,000, but about $7,000 of that sum was made up over the Christmas season. 

            Father Bob said the annual statements of contributions for tax purposes are being sent to parishioners along with the recommitment pledge cards in the same mailing to save on postage.  The cost of one mailing is between $1,200 and $1,400.  Approximately 500 parishioners have made no donations within the last three years; he said the norm in parishes is about one-third make no donations, one-third make donations, and one-third are the parishioners who are in regular attendance, volunteer and make donations to the church.  The parish will send those approximate 500 parishioners a separate letter regarding their lack of donations for three years and indicating the parish’s concern for their spirituality or any possible problems, or their moving elsewhere.  It costs the parish $13,000 a year just to maintain their names on the roster.  The letter will indicate that if the parish doesn’t hear from them, they will be put on an inactive list, they will be on the parish roster but not receiving envelopes, and also that the parish has no way of knowing if they make cash donations into the baskets that cannot be credited to them. 

            Father Bob mentioned the tragic death of Sandy Wisniewski, how he was called by the South Milwaukee Police Department and then went to Wisniewski home, how he was welcomed by Tom and told of the huge burden lifted from his [Tom’s] shoulders by seeing him, and how concerned Tom was because he could not distribute Holy Communion at the afternoon Mass that day.  Father Bob commented on the great faith Tom has for the Church, priesthood and ministry, and how blessed we are to have him as part of our parish community. 

            Father Bob said he had received an e-mail from someone who may not have supported or otherwise had some problem with him in the past and who was now very apologetic and wanted to go out for lunch with him; Father Bob wrote back and said it must have been very humbling for him to apologize but, more than that, it seemed as though the writer was more at peace and therefore so was he.

            The feasibility study that was done by the architect and not acceptable to the pastors was reported on last month by Father Bob.  The study was originally requested with the idea to remodel the church and add a hall and narthex and also that the intergenerational program would be incorporated with the weekend Masses.  This would free up a site and if or when there is only one priest assigned to the parish it would be more manageable.  He said the next step is to establish a building committee to hire architects and develop a financing plan for that.  If we don’t incorporate this into the campaign, we would have to wait three more years before beginning anything.  By making it a part of the focus of the campaign, it moves us along in the merger process.  A long range planning committee meeting is scheduled for January 24^th

            Statistics just received from the Office of Schools for the archdiocese indicate that the average parish subsidy of school tuition is 37%; ours is 54%.  The average elementary tuition is $2,500; ours is $2,100.  As far as the school is concerned, one of the things that was proposed is that Cathy Wendt, who is trained in presenting workshops, give a workshop on respect and bullying, as well as Judi Backes and Judy Greene visiting the classrooms the week of February 18^th and making presentations as part of a Learning About Life program, a one-hour session which is required in schools twice a year by the archdiocese.  Also, an attempt is being made to get the parents more active in their spirituality and going to Mass.  A meeting is scheduled for January 18^th with the faculty.  A mandatory meeting with the parents is coming up similar to the intergenerational program, parents with children, shared experience, a presentation, a 4 p.m. Mass, and then a potluck supper; these were suggestions from the school subcommittee.  Judy Kalinowski, the principal, issued a memo to the faculty, and following one of their daily morning prayer circles two or three of the teachers were very negative toward the plans of having Cathy, Judi and Judy appear in the school.  The lack of respect to the principal is very detrimental to the school, and those things must change.  Father Bob also said the written SPA evaluation of the school has not yet been received but believes it will be a good report.  Regarding the negativity by the two or three teachers, some of the council members believe that there may have been some misunderstanding or lack of communication, but the Council believes the principal must be supported and trusted by the faculty and the Council supports her.

Contemplative Break: 

The parish bulletin’s question of the week was:  “What makes a gift a true gift?  … Can we give a gift to our Savior?”  The discussion immediately following the question was conducted by Dean Kick.

Committee Reports/Updates:  

            Copies of minutes of the following committees were made available to council members prior to this meeting:  Building & Grounds Committee dated 10/10/07, 11/14/07, and 12/12/07; Human Concerns Committee dated 1/10/08; Parish Life Committee of 1/3/08; and Prayer & Worship Committee dated 1/3/08.  Also provided was the Finance Committee’s Weekly Collection Report for the month of December showing contributions for the fiscal years 2007-08 and 2006-07 and the variances between the two.

            Referring to the Weekly Collection Report for the month of December, Joe Dulka of the Finance Committee reported that donations for the Christmas season were very good.  About 5,000 people attended Masses; the second collection for Christmas amounted to only about $1 per person, and in that amount he was disappointed.  The totals on the weekly collection report do not include donations from electronic contributions; about $1,200 per month is realized from the electronic contributions.  As far as expenses are concerned, the parish is within budget.  The campaign office will send us the parish’s goal.  About $112,000 was contributed to this year’s stewardship collection; next year our goal will be $103,000.  We said our goal for the campaign was $1.2 million, but it is now up to $1.44 million.  Deadlines for committees to submit requests for the parish budget have been established, and the [proposed] budget will be available to council members on April 17^th.  Catholic School Week is coming up, and we have increased the tuition about five percent – rounded off.  The new totals will be: K4 = $1,712 for one student and $3,696 for two students; K5-8 = $2,237 for one student and K5-8 = $4,709 for two students. 

            The subject of providing all council members with weekly statements of income and expenses was brought up; council members are asked questions by parishioners as to parish assets, debts and other valid questions, but the members do not know how to accurately respond.  It was suggested that more information be reported to parishioners via the bulletin.  Another member indicated that figures in various categories change depending upon the month of the year, and people not knowledgeable of those facts will not understand the numbers given.  There are no parish debts, and parish assets including investments total about $3 million. 

            Elaine Tessmer on behalf of the Prayer & Worship Committee stated they are now focusing on the Lenten season; a symbol pertaining to the gospel of the particular Sunday will be placed in the sanctuary, and inserts in the Sunday orders of worship will concentrate on different types of prayer.  The day school kids will become more actively involved in the Sunday liturgy once a month with a different grade representing the school each month; they will begin with the older kids and work on down; they may be greeters, shadow the ushers, and perhaps do some readings.

Tracey Borzick on behalf of the Building & Grounds Committee reported that the next workday would be on Saturday, January 19^th, at the Marquette site.  The next meeting was changed to February 18^th.  The staff was complimented by Rich Lussier for assisting in setting up the Christmas decorations and in storing them in a given area in the basement of the church; Laurie Duellman was the chairperson in charge of the decorations.

Larry Haskin on behalf of the Long Range Planning Committee indicated that their next meeting was scheduled for January 29^th.  Sean Nuyda on behalf of the Parish Life Committee said the women of the parish have planned a Day of Reflection for the ladies of our parish on Saturday, February 2^nd, and ladies from St. Matthew’s have been invited to attend.  The committee is planning a murder mystery dinner some time in April after Easter, and a Mass in the park (not Easter).  On January 26^th a reception following the 4 p.m. Mass will be held in celebration of Deacon Jim’s anniversary. 

            Joe Amrhein on behalf of the Human Concerns Committee stated there would again be a Rice Bowl Project starting the beginning of Lent but soup cans and milk jugs will be used rather than the cardboard boxes.  Bill and Noreen Klopp left for Africa to perform volunteer work for fourteen months.  In answer to a council member’s question, Father Bob said Bill and Noreen stopped by for a blessing – a special Mass didn’t work out, and one of the monthly collections on Share Sunday will be donated to the organization they are working for.

OLD BUSINESS:

            Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign.  Gary Hamilton stated that the committee hasn’t met for a while but a leadership meeting is scheduled for January 24^th; letters have been sent out to 45 or 50 people requesting that they attend it or call the parish office if there is a negative response.  Gary, Cathy Wendt and Steve Raflik attended a meeting on January 16^th pertaining to Case development.  Listening sessions or brainstorming sessions will be held for parishioners because parish support for the campaign is needed; an agenda for those sessions will be prepared.  Steve Raflik said a report listing a summary of the Case statement must be sent to the archdiocese by the end of February but that it may be changed after the listening sessions.  For people to understand what the campaign is all about, Gary passed around for perusal by council members a brochure pertaining to our own parish which will be prepared for all parishioners; this is a marketing tool.  He said the Case statement would be prepared by the group; it will outline what we are going to do with our share of the money and presented to the Council.  Answering a question as to where the Case is now, Gary said the financial component of the Case will be used for the remodeling of the church although we don’t know the exact details, and the other part would be that as we move ahead with the consolidation of sites the proceeds from the sales of buildings would be used to create an endowment for the school.  Another said an endowment should not be created if the parish is in debt.  The parish’s goal for the campaign is $1.4 million.

            There was much discussion regarding comments received by council members from parishioners, including but not limited to, why do we have to be part of that campaign; some parents do not want their children to move from the school at College to the 16^th Avenue site; one asked about having breakfasts in a narthex while Masses are being celebrated and the extra cars in the parking lot; another said the altar in the present church is not accessible to the handicapped; another said the altar should be brought closer to the people; another said there is much discussion but nothing is happening – just do something and tell us; another said in whatever direction the Council goes, the parishioners will go along with it; a couple people want to know where their money is going to go before committing to anything.  One council member said we must emphasize the stewardship concept rather than the financial part.  If a question is posed as to how much larger a person’s donation would have to be, the answer would be one-third larger per year because the campaign commitment is for a period of three years.

            A council member stated his concern about the financial planning for the remodeling project and directed it to Father Bob who answered that no final figures are available at this time, however, if necessary the remodeling will be done in phases; we cannot get down to two sites unless we have a place to move the Christian Formation program.  If the Christian Formation program moved to the church site, it would free up the 16^th Avenue site.  If people inquire about the cost of the projected remodeling, we believe it would be about $4 million.  Another member mentioned that while we are informing the archdiocese of the plan for the use of our money, we don’t have to start the remodeling project now but it would start within three years.  Further statements made were that the campaign is about Catholic education and an endowment should be set up to assist parents in payment of tuition.  While it is not a requirement at parishes have schools, Divine Mercy has always supported its school and we should continue to trust in the parish’s support. 

            After further lengthy discussion, the council members, by consensus, agreed that the Case statement for the campaign will be that proceeds from the campaign will be used for the remodeling of the church and with proceeds from the sale of other parish buildings being used in the future to establish an endowment fund for Catholic education. 

NEW BUSINESS:

            Formation of Nominating Committee for Council Membership.  Sean mentioned that the terms of three council members and one trustee would expire the end of June 2008.  He asked for two council members to volunteer to be on the nominating committee with the council Chairman and two parishioners-at-large; he said all pertinent materials used in the past are on hard copy for review.  Elaine Tessmer and Dennis Irwin volunteered.  It was also mentioned that any person who is nominated must be agreeable, in advance of elections, to accept that office if elected. 

            Report on SPA evaluation of Divine Mercy School (if available).  [Father Bob previously announced in the pastors’ report that the written report has not yet been received.]

OTHER NEWS, NOTES, COMMENTS AND/OR ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            A sign-up sheet for presentation of the Council’s report to be given at all Masses the first weekend in February was circulated before and during the meeting.

            Rich Lussier reminded everyone to mark their calendars for the annual Good Friday Fish Fry at the Christian Formation site on March 21^st.

We Give Thanks. 

Closing Prayer:  Dean Kick distributed a prepared Prayer to the Way to Peace and all members read it aloud.     

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Marcy Gramza, Recording Secretary