Joe Zolecki, the Council Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

Present:                     Father Steve Varghese, Joe Amrhein, John Bordak, Tracey Borzick, Joe Dulka, Larry Haskin, Dennis Irwin, Dean Kick, Chris Kujawa, Rich Lussier, Elaine Tessmer and Joe Zolecki

Excused/Absent:        Father Bob Betz (excused - vacation), Gary Hamilton (excused), Sean Nuyda and Steve Raflik

Guests:                       Alice Berezinski, Chuck Kendall, Gregory Meka and Marilyn Stewart

Opening Prayer:         Joe Amrhein distributed a written prayer and all members read it aloud.     

Welcome/Review Agenda:

            Joe Zolecki welcomed the council members to the meeting, reviewed the agenda and said that one topic would be added during the meeting.

Open Forum/Welcome of Guests/Visitors:

The guests were welcomed to the meeting by Joe Zolecki, identified themselves by name, and offered no other comments.

Approval of Minutes of the February 2008 Meeting:  

In the School Committee’s report referring to a meeting held at the school in an attempt to get more parents and kids to participate at Mass, it is stated on page 3 of the minutes that “the meeting was not mandatory but families were expected to attend.”  This quoted portion of the sentence, according to Dean Kick, is incorrect because the meeting was mandatory; it is therefore stricken and amended to read “the meeting was mandatory.”  There being no further additions, corrections or deletions to the proposed minutes, upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of February 21, 2008, with the foregoing amendment, were approved by the Council as prepared.  

Pastors’ Reports:

Father Steve commented on the beginning of fifty days of celebration of Easter.  He said about 200 people attended the afternoon Good Friday services in spite of the snowstorm, and about 7 or 8 people attended the evening service at 16^th Avenue; about 350 people attended the fish fry on Good Friday.  The 16^th Avenue evening service was something new this year and there will be discussion as to whether to provide this service again.  .  He also commented on the good attendance at the Easter vigil services, the baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations, the fine article that appeared in the Catholic Herald, and how we must continue to keep in touch with these new people.  He thanked and commended the various choirs and members of all other ministries for their services during the entire weekend.

The Spring headcount of parishioners attending Mass the weekend of March 8^th and 9^th was about 2100 including those who attended Mass at 16^th Avenue and, according to Father Bob, there has been a steady decrease in attendance over the last eight years; the younger families are not attending weekly Mass.  He said the Council has the responsibility of bringing people back to church. 

The special collection on Easter Sunday for snow removal this year amounted to $4,945, and the Rice Bowl collection totaled about $5,443.  Father Steve talked about our parish’s patronal saint, Divine Mercy, and the special services scheduled for the afternoon of March 30^th, Divine Mercy Sunday. 

Following Father Steve’s report, general discussion ensued by the council members as to how to increase attendance at Mass, how to bring more teenagers and other young people into the church and keep them, how to plan new programs to reach out to young people, and whether to advertise in local newspapers or erect signage in this area.  The council members decided that the Long Term Planning Committee, which previously involved itself primarily with buildings and sites, should study and address the issue of attendance at Mass and suggest some new plans to attract the youth, single adults and young families to church attendance. 

Contemplative Break: 

Though there was no weekly question appearing in the parish bulletin for this Easter week, Joe Amrhein led a discussion on “what does Easter really mean to us.” 

Committee Reports/Updates:  

            Copies of minutes of the following committees were made available to council members prior to this meeting:  Building & Grounds Committee of 2/18/08; Human Concerns Committee of 3/6/08; Life Long Formation Committee of 3/6/08; Parish Life Committee of 3/6/08; and Prayer & Worship Committee of 3/6/08.  Also provided was the Finance Committee’s Weekly Collection Report for the entire month of February and the first four weeks of March showing contributions for the fiscal years 2007-08 and 2006-07 and the variances between the two.

            Life Long Committee.  Dean Kick reported that this committee will be focusing on the RCIA and RCIC programs and will include articles in the bulletin every week.  Further information is included in the committee’s minutes previously provided.

            Prayer and Worship Committee.  Elaine Tessmer commented on the efforts of the many dedicated people in all ministries involved in the Triduum.  Other information is found in the committee’s written minutes.  A guest at the meeting commented on the excellent presentation done by the young people who are readers at their Masses.

            Human Concerns Committee.  Joe Amrhein said all pertinent information is contained in the written minutes above provided.  John Bordak stated that the ushers often pick up cash intended for the St. Vincent de Paul Society that is dropped in a basket near the doorway of the church and then insert it in envelopes for the society; some parishioners suggest that there be a secure box in the lobby of the church for these donations.  Joe Amrhein will talk to the committee about this.  Other council members advised that there are some of these boxes at the 16^th Avenue site.

Building & Grounds Committee.  Tracey Borzick reminded everyone that at the last council meeting the School Committee requested new carpeting and wall pads for the physical education room, but the Building & Grounds Committee has an alternate plan.  They recommend making the church a shared space, a moveable wall could be constructed across the front of the altar, or leave the altar as is but move the organ and baptismal font to that area, with other minor alterations.  The cost for this would be minimal whereas major costs would be incurred for the floor.  The committee said it would make the church like a gym.  Chairs would be taken in and removed after Masses.  This alternate plan would cost about $2,000 less than the reflooring plan.  Tracey asked if anyone must approve this alternate plan regarding the use of the church as a gym, and Father Steve said he would take care of that.  She said there is still time to get this done because the kids are using the present phy ed room.  This topic will be placed on next month’s agenda and costs will be given at that time. 

            Tracey said Cathy Wendt today received plans or designs for the new playground equipment.  Chris Kujawa said he will be doing the excavation work and further described the manner in which the equipment will be set up.  Father Steve indicated the parish will not be spending any money for this project; the Home and School Association will be paying for the entire cost through its fundraising.  The Building & Grounds Committee will be discussing this project for its approval or otherwise at its next meeting on April 9^th.  Another council member suggested that the Home and School Association have all money in hand for payment of the project before beginning the work.

            Tracey reported that the 13^th Avenue hall and lot have been sold.  Offers of $37,000 for the hall and of $60,000 for the parking lot have been accepted, contingent upon financing.  The offers come from one buyer, but one is contingent upon the other.  No money has been paid down on the contract.  The land contract is just for the lot.  The closings are tentatively set for the end of April. 

            Tracey also stated that the BigWigs would next meet on Saturday, April 19^th to clean out the 13^th Avenue hall.

            Finance Committee.  Joe Dulka reported that the second collection on Easter to apply towards snow removal amounted to $4,945; the regular Easter collection was $13,559.  So far, for the year we are behind about $13,779.  With the snow expenses, not counting the last plowing, we are over budget by about $13,700; the budgeted amount for snow removal was $9,000.  Joe also said the proposed 2008-09 budget would be presented to all council members at the April meeting for either approval that day or for study and approval at the next meeting. 

            Rich Lussier reported on the roof project for the old section on 16^th Avenue, not the new section which includes the school.  Two bids were received from reputable companies, one for $41,000 from Sigma and the other $35,000 from Christiansen.  The difference between the two is the approach being used -- Christiansen performs only the necessary work, which could exceed the $35,000 bid depending on what they find while performing the work, while Sigma does the “whole thing.”  These repairs must be done now because the roof is leaking.  This matter was discussed by the Finance Committee and it wanted the Council to know that the project will be done by Sigma.  This capital expenditure does not affect the budget. 

OLD BUSINESS:

            Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign Information Meetings.   Joe Dulka  reported that the informational meetings were very good; the morning session was attended mainly by senior citizens and the evening session by mostly school parents and others.  Written questions from the attendees were answered verbally by Father Bob.  While the representative from RSI thought the meetings were too long, Joe believes the meetings went very well, the people were satisfied, and no complaints were heard.  It was also said that these informational meetings are better than town hall meetings because of the written questions received from those attending and the immediate oral responses.  The suggestion was also made that any future informational meetings be conducted in the same manner. 

            Divine Mercy School SPA evaluation.   Father Steve said a letter was received the previous week recommending full accreditation of the school.  A number of things were commended and a number of others were suggested for improvement.  Included, among others in the evaluation, they commended Judy Kalinowski for her organization and attention to detail and leadership, about the positive changes that occurred because of the merger of the school sites and the staff, and about the value of the Home and School Association.  The main recommendation is for more communication between the administration, faculty and staff, more meetings between faculty and administration, more one-on-one communication, and the administration and staff should work together to better the morale.  The school received a high grade.  It was also stated that the archdiocese is wiling to come in to assist with the communication issue.  John Bordak then read for the Council a few comments contained in the report referring to Father Steve’s dedication to the religious education of the school children. After further discussion, it was decided that all members of the Council would be supplied with the entire SPA evaluation report at the April meeting.

            Nominating Committee for Council Membership.  Dennis Irwin stated announcements for nominees for new council members have been included in the bulletin and an announcement for trustee nominees would be in the coming bulletin.  The pastors will also include this information in the weekend announcements before Mass.  Dennis mentioned four positions on the council will be open and suggested those four persons whose terms expire this year should consider nominating themselves for those positions; at this point no nominations have been received.  Nomination forms for council members and for trustee are located in the lobbies of the sites, and extra copies were made available at this meeting for council members.  It was further stated that personal contact with parishioners and suggesting council membership probably works best.  With this in mind, it was suggested that present council members be available in the church lobby to meet with parishioners.  A board with names and phone numbers of present council members will be placed in the lobby, and Elaine Tessmer will prepare one for each site.  Orientations for nominees for council membership are already scheduled. 

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 April was circulated before and during the meeting.

            Minutes of all committees are contained in folders in the filing cabinet in the parish office immediately next to Dianne Angst’s office, and are usually ready to be picked up by council members on the Monday morning prior to the council meeting.  Each member has a separate folder with his/her name.

            Joe Zolecki stated that if anyone wants an item to be placed on the agenda for next month’s meeting, he/she should advise him soon because of the short period of time before the scheduling meeting.

Give Thanks. 

Closing Prayer:  Joe Amrhein presented the closing prayer.       

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 p.m. 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Marcy Gramza, Recording Secretary