Joe Zolecki, the Council Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

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

Excused:                     Dennis Irwin

Guests:                       Alice Berezinski, Patty Bollis, Kathy Mattke, Gregory Meka, Marilyn Stewart, and Jeannine Trask

Opening Prayer:         Steve Raflik distributed a prepared opening prayer that he then read aloud.         

Welcome/Review Agenda:

            Joe Zolecki welcomed the council members to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.  He said the topic of archdiocesan clustering of parishes would be discussed if there was time, otherwise it would be included in the June meeting when Dennis Irwin is present. 

Open Forum/Welcome of Guests/Visitors:

The above guests were welcomed to the meeting by Joe Zolecki and identified themselves by name.  In addition, Kathy Mattke and Jeannine Trask, two candidates for council membership positions, included a short biography of their personal lives and their involvement in our parish community. 

Approval of Minutes of the April 2008 Meeting:  

On p. 5 of the minutes under Nominating Committee for Council Membership, Steve Raflik suggested that an additional reason for refusal of involvement in council membership be included, and the words “and the morale of the parish is down” are inserted following the words “three-year-commitment” on the fifth line of this topic.  In addition, on p. 6 under Issue Relating to Case Statement, first paragraph, eighth line, following “help fund an endowment for Catholic education, not” … the words “exclusively for a” Catholic school are inserted.  There being no other additions, corrections or deletions to the proposed minutes, upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of April 17, 2008 were approved by the Council with the foregoing corrections.    

Pastors’ Reports:

            Father Bob began by apologizing for “losing his cool” at the April meeting and said that was not a way meetings should be conducted.  He further stated that all future proposals to the Council be

submitted in written form, including the rationale, timeline and implementation process for them.  In addition, any other written documents or packets to be distributed to council members at a council meeting are to be cleared by the executive committee before that takes place.  Regarding the Campaign, there is concern about whether we will reach our benchmark, but Father Bob said he is optimistic.  In a report which he just received, our parish has reached 75% of its goal for the annual Stewardship Appeal, and the archdiocese is at that same level; individual givers are giving more this year but the number of givers has decreased from last year.  A letter was also received from the archdiocese indicating that our parish was the largest giver of proceeds from the Lenten Rice Bowl collections for the second year in a row.  Father Bob also said he had sent a letter to all school parents, a copy of which was made available for all council members. 

            Father Steve reported on the annual assembly of about 250 priests with the archbishop held last week, and commented about the unity in the priesthood and the support displayed for one another.  The Easter celebrations have just concluded and 78 children received their First Holy Communion.  He talked about the scout meetings, the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders and Judi Backes, Judy Green and Cathy Wendt’s talks, and how encouraging it is to see the ministries working together.  For the coming year, there will be about 50 students for confirmation and about 60 for First Communion.  Father Steve talked about the presentation by Paul Neuberger on how to bring young adults back to the church, and said it was very informative.  One of our upcoming Share Sundays will benefit the cyclone victims of Myanmar through the Catholic Relief Services.  He said Bishop Callahan was very pleased with the groups who had attended the advance gatherings for the Campaign; Father Bob added that $63,000 has been pledged by those attending those two sessions.

            Father Bob commented on the retreat held for the 6^th graders given by Judi, Judy and Cathy and the cooperation between the day school and the religious education teachers, another step in the formation for young people; the 7^th and 8^th graders will go through their own retreat as well. 

Contemplative Break: 

The question of the week appearing in this week’s bulletin was “In your life, what part of your faith ‘burns’ within you?”  The discussion was led by Steve Raflik.

Committee Reports/Updates:  

            Copies of minutes of the following committees were made available to council members prior to this meeting:  Parish Life Committee of 5/1/08; Prayer & Worship Committee of 5/1/08; and, the School Committee of 5/1/08.  Also provided was the Finance Committee’s Weekly Collection Report for the months of March and April showing contributions for the fiscal years 2007-08 and 2006-07 and the variances between the two.  In addition, a copy of a letter from Father Bob addressed to the Divine Mercy School Parents dated May 14, 2008 was provided.

Prayer and Worship Committee.   Elaine Tessmer indicated that the members of this committee are getting “burned out´ following the Easter celebrations.  People don’t realize how many different individuals take part in the celebrations.  She also said in her Prayer section of the Campaign many of the requested prayers are for very ill parishioners. 

            Life Long Committee.   Dean Kick reported on the presentation by Paul Neuberger on how to bring young adults back to the church.  He talked about a survey taken and why young people went to other churches; we should see how parents are getting involved in the religious education program.  We are seeing that young people are demanding more study of the faith.  He himself is involved in the RCIA program. 

Building & Grounds Committee.  Tracey Borzick said a new carpet and pads would be installed in the phy ed room.  June 21^st will be the last BigWigs cleanup day, and that will be held at College Avenue.  The committee wants to know when the Long Range Planning Committee is going to start up again; no definite response was available but Rich Lussier will be following through on this.

            Finance Committee.  Joe Dulka reported that we are $77,000 behind in income as compared to last year, that we will not achieve the income that we had last year, but that there is nothing to get excited about.  He doesn’t see any problem, and we will still be in the black.

OLD BUSINESS:

Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign.   Joe Dulka reported that Dianne Angst processed twenty-two commitment cards from those attending the advance gatherings with Bishop Callahan, and the total amount pledged was just under $63,000.  This coming weekend is commitment weekend; cards will be placed at the end of each pew for parishioners to complete and return in the special collection baskets.  Parishioners not returning a completed commitment card will receive one in the mail.  A special event weekend with treats and refreshments will take place on May 17^th and 18^th.  Posters will be made for the weekends of May 24^th and 25^th and May 31^st and June 1^st; voting will be done those weekends and awards for the winners will be announced June 7^th and 8^th.  Joe said people would have to be reminded to return the pledge cards

Final Report by Nominating Committee for Council Membership.  Elaine Tessmer stated that the candidates for the Council in addition to Rich Lussier are Matt Lemens, Kathy Mattke and Jennine Trask.  Their nominations were made in May, they were accepted in June and they will begin their terms as of July 1^st.  Their discernment will take place at the June meeting. 

Budget Approval (2008-09).  Comments were made that very competent individuals had compiled the proposed budget, that council members had an opportunity to study and review the proposed budget for an entire month, and that if there were no objections the proposed budget would be accepted as proposed.  After minimum thought, the proposed 2008-09 budget for Divine Mercy Parish was approved.

NEW BUSINESS: 

            Council Proposal.  Father Bob again stated this was a procedural issue, that all future proposals be submitted in written form to include the rationale, the timeline and the implementation process for them and submitted to the executive committee.  This same thing is included in the parish constitution, bylaws or other related documents.  Joe Zolecki further defined this issue by stating that if a particular proposal is to be brought up at a council meeting, it must first be submitted in writing to and cleared by the executive committee before any written materials can be distributed to council members at a meeting.  The executive committee meets about one-half hour before the monthly all-committee-meetings held on the first Thursday of the month.  If an emergency situation arises, the executive committee is ready to listen and make a judgment call, but normally all regular proposals should be given in writing to the executive committee before its regular monthly meeting on the first Thursday of the month.  Sean Nuyda inquired about whether there is a common form to complete for this type of proposal, and Father Bob said he would check with the archdiocese.  There were no objections to this proposal and, therefore, it was accepted.

            Proxy (Committee to Hire Architect)  Joe Zolecki said the reason for his inclusion of this topic on the agenda was to determine whether we are following the proper procedures for the renovations as outlined by the archdiocese, what the procedures are, and at what step we are at.  Father Bob said the idea is to have the committee do exactly as just stated.    It was brought up at the Building & Grounds Committee, and members of this new committee will include Judi Backes, Cathy Wendt, Chuck Kendal, Chris Sepersky, someone from the Finance Committee, someone from the Council, and the two pastors.  The purpose of the committee would be to get the ball rolling; there are a number of steps that must be included in the next proxy form, including a finance plan, contacting three architects, and having that information available to write a second proxy proposal.  We already have the first proxy in hand, and so we will be working on the second proxy form.  If the archdiocese says we haven’t followed the proper procedure, they will let us know.  One of the other council members stated that the celebrations (Confirmation, First Holy Communion, rose sales, bake sales) recently held certainly indicate a need for a gathering space.  It was agreed that we are presently at Step 2 for the renovations, and Joe Zolecki will appoint a member of the Council to be on the committee.

            Policy and Procedures (continued from last month).  Rich Lussier informed the Council that he and Patty Bollis have been working on the written policy for making purchases for the parish.  Joe Zolecki believes there should be a central place to find this type of document.  The real concern is that we will have a procedure that must be followed by all, and Rich will continue to work and finalize this form.

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 June was circulated before and during the meeting.

            A guest, Alice Berezinski, asked why there are so many activities being held on the same Sunday or weekend.  Father Bob’s response was that we have a large parish, many activities are going on simultaneously, and there are just so many Sundays available that these things can be presented to the people. 

            Elaine Tessmer mentioned that she was to prepare a poster board with the names of all council members and inquired as to whether anyone objected to having his/her telephone number included on that poster board; there were no such objections.  This board to be placed in the lobby of the church only will not be prepared until the new council members are discerned and active  

Give Thanks.

Closing Prayer:  Steve Raflik led the Council in reading the closing prayer which he had distributed. 

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:52 p.m. 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Marcy Gramza, Recording Secretary