Dean Kick, the Council Chairperson, called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Present:                      Father Bob Betz, Father Steve Varghese, Joe Amrhein, John Bordak, Larry Haskin, Dennis Irwin, Dean Kick, Chris Kujawa, Matt Lemens, Rich Lussier, Kathy Mattke, Sean Nuyda, Steve Raflik, Elaine Tessmer and Jen Trask

Excused/Absent:        Joe Dulka (excused)

Guests:                       Jeanine Kuettel, Brian O’Lena and Marilyn Stewart

Opening Prayer:         Joe Amrhein distributed a prepared opening prayer which was read aloud by all.

Welcome/Review Agenda:

            Dean Kick welcomed the council members to the meeting and briefly reviewed the topics on the agenda. 

Open Forum/Welcome of Guests/Visitors:

The above guests were welcomed to the meeting by Dean Kick.  In the open forum, Brian O’Lena suggested that an agenda for the next council meeting and minutes of the previous meeting be put on the parish website.  The response:  the agenda is included in the bulletin the weekend before the meeting; minutes of council meetings can be viewed on the website after approval or correction at the following month’s meeting; they are added on the website by a specific person delegated to so do.  Comments noted.

Approval of Minutes of the September 2008 Meeting:  

There being no additions, corrections or deletions to the proposed minutes, upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of September 18, 2008 were approved as prepared. 

Pastors’ Reports:

Father Bob stated he appreciates the spirit of the Council--it seems more cooperative and unified.  Other good things in the parish include our parishioners, Lewis and Agnes Kouba, celebrating their 75^th wedding anniversary; they are 105 and 98 years old, respectively.  Also, Deacon Dave’s covenant with the parish is up for a three-year renewal; the chairman of the Council was requested and did sign the covenant.  As Father Bob mentioned, we are very grateful for the services of both Deacon Dave and Deacon Jim. 

            Father Bob said he hopes everyone is getting excited about the meeting on October 21^st in the church on Marquette Avenue, about the faith in the future and the future of Divine Mercy.  Parishioners will be reminded and encouraged to attend the meeting at all Masses this weekend.  The architects will be present and questions can be asked of them directly. 

            The semi-annual counts of people attending weekend Masses are done in March and October.  The October count was a little over 2,000, which is about 50 down from last year.  That number is about 800 down from five years ago.  This is a trend in the entire Church.  Father Bob said this is a challenge for us to encourage people to attend Mass and can be a part of the evangelization the Council is talking about.

            Father Steve said he appreciates the number of very committed people who are members of the staff and of the various ministries in the parish.   Referring to the building project, he believes it has taken a positive turn; the people talk about “my church.”  As a parish council, this is a main concern to uphold, and he congratulated the people for being committed members of the Council. 

            Referring to the recent Council and staff meeting, Father Steve believes it was a very positive sharing of ideas.  While he follows both the staff and the Council individually, he appreciated the communication of the two groups with each other. 

            Father Bob mentioned [out of order] other good things that have happened.  Fifty young people from our parish participated in the Hunger Walk this past weekend.  Also, our parish is participating in a Mission Fest this Sunday as World Mission Sunday at St. Monica’s in Whitefish Bay; twenty other parishes will be participating.  Also, our parish bulletin will take on a new format as of the first of the year, more pictures and color.  In addition, as part of a time and talent study, a mailing will be sent to all parishioners for completion by them; this is not only to update the parish records but to get a more up-to-date record of time and talents, interests, volunteering and creating an e-mail list.  These completed forms will be collected the last Sunday of this liturgical year.  Also, a new ministry of bread baking for new families has been created.  The names of all parishioners who have died within the past year will be read during all weekend Masses of November 1^st and 2^nd.  

Contemplative Break: 

The question of the week appearing in the current parish bulletin was: “How do you thank God for all God has done for you?”  The discussion was led by Joe Amrhein. 

Committee Reports/Updates:  

            Copies of minutes of the following committees were provided to all council members prior to this meeting:  Building Committee #1 of 9/30/08; Building and Grounds Committee of 9/13/08 and 10/8/08; Human Concerns Committee of 10/2/08; Parish Life Committee of 10/2/08; Prayer and Worship Committee of 10/2/08; and the School Committee of 10/2/08. 

Prayer and Worship Committee.  Elaine Tessmer reported that the committee is already planning for the Christmas season.  The Mass includes so many ministries that the committee really doesn’t have any time for talking about evangelization. 

            Life Long Formation.    Steve Raflik reported that the committee did not meet in October.  A new person recently moved into the area and indicated she wants to become involved.  There will be follow-up.

            Building and Grounds.  Matt Lemens reported that sometime after the Fun Fest Mass, a person got into the church on College Avenue and sprayed a fire extinguisher around the church; this was not noticed until just before a funeral the following Wednesday; it was discussed that push bars be installed on the side doors to the College Avenue church; a letter of apology for the condition of the church and the circumstances surrounding that condition was going to be sent to the family of the deceased.  The BigWigs were sending notes to the scout and confirmation groups about service hours and requesting their assistance in cleaning.  The October 18^th site for cleanup by the BigWigs will be 13^th Avenue.  Matt also said this committee is preparing its own mission statement.

            [Out of order – from later in the meeting]   Dean Kick mentioned that, referring to the website and the time and talent, Dianne Angst and Patti Bollis were going to try to consolidate information received from registration forms of new parishioners, to create a time and talent list.  This list would assist the BigWigs in requesting assistance from parishioners whose talents are of a certain expertise, as well as leadership types of volunteers

            School Committee.  Kathy Mattke reported that that committee has already begun its evangelization efforts by taking meals to the home where a parishioner who was ill. If it is known some celebration is planned in a home where assistance could be used, they plan to help out at that home.

            Finance Committee.  Rich Lussier advised that this committee does not meet every month; they will meet in November and then in January when they start working on the budget.  He said Joe Dulka has a good handle on what’s going on; everyone is in touch with each other even though they don’t meet every month.  As far as investments are concerned, other council members advised that the ratio of stocks and bonds is 51% stocks and 49% bonds. Money was repositioned because of the present stock market.  At this point, Father Bob stated that parishioners’ contributions have been maintained, and we are in line with this year’s budget and not falling behind.  He also said Patti Bollis is paying more bills on-line in order to cut some of the paper work involved.  .

OLD BUSINESS:

Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign.   Father Bob said we will receive 60% of the $650,000 collected.  Referring to next Tuesday’s meeting, the architect wants a meeting with all the people of the parish to get input from them as part of his 12-step program   Some council members may have received a letter about being on a committee to discuss the parishioners’ comments.   After that, our target date is the beginning of Lent to reinvigorate the Faith In Our Future program.  At this point only about 16% of the parish is involved.  Some people may want to contribute to the parish building funds only; we will try to accommodate them, perhaps a monthly envelope will be included in the packets which are mailed to parishioners.  Rich mentioned that new committee referred to above would be more of an advisory committee which would meet only two or three times, not every month.  Rich mentioned that the architect, Dennis Horbinski, would be at Tuesday’s meeting to describe the program; he will not have any blueprints.  Father Bob said this is an informational meeting only, to clarify the plans and to define terms used; when drawings are shown, the people will become more excited and want to get involved.  The architect has been hired but at this time no money has been paid to the architect.   A proxy to hire an architect must be sent to the archdiocese; the archdiocese has been through these activities before and knows what to expect.

            Reader/Eucharistic Minister Dress.    Elaine Tessmer said the committee did not address this issue as such and most of those ministers have been properly attired.  The one or two people who have been involved in inappropriate dress will be spoken to individually.

            Sponsorship Contacts for Fall Festival.  Rich Lussier stated that he had received a couple of new contacts for sponsorship for the Fall Festival.  Another member said he had a possible contact, and Rich advised that he would speak to him for more information following the meeting.

Review Evangelization Ideas From Committees.   Not discussed.

            Review Staff and Committee Retreat of 10-8-08.  See Father Steve’s comments on page 2.

NEW BUSINESS: 

            Develop a List of Evangelization Ideas.  Dean mentioned that in addition to the new bread making ministry, dates have been set through next June for a new study group discussing different topics toward evangelization. 

Father Bob indicated there is only one candidate in the RCIA program and he is already baptized in another faith.  He said we must challenge our parishioners to at least give us the names of spouses, relatives, friends or neighbors who are not baptized or confirmed, who do not go to Mass, or who night be interested in the RCIA program – those people could be invited to take part in the RCIA program. 

Some other ideas mentioned included:  There are no signs on the road or any billboards in the area to indicate where Divine Mercy Parish is located.  We should be making contact with others as when they come to weddings or other celebrations.  Advertise our name on the streets or like the Sunrise marquee or the Tri City Bank; place posters advertising social events and activities around the area.  Contact City Engineer’s Office for zoning ordinances regarding signs, pictures.  Send newcomers to the area letters and bulletins inviting them to join us.  Advertise under the Religious Services in local papers, e.g., NOW section of the Journal newspaper as other denominations do. Publicize our beautiful choirs.  Paul Neuberger could be contacted regarding marketing.  More information should be included on our website.  Everyone does not have a computer, so we must balance computer and non-computer marketing. 

Some further ideas and comments included:  Personal contact and personal invitations are the greatest opportunities to get the word out.  One member believes a committee should be formed for the evangelization.  Since the long range planning committee is presently on hiatus, another said perhaps the evangelization committee should be dovetailed with the life long formation committee.  Still another suggested that the members of the life long formation committee be invited to attend the council meeting and listen to all the ideas that are thrown around

            Determine Next Month’s Goal for Each Item on the List.  .  Father Bob was requested to have Cathy Wendt check on whether our parish could advertise on the Sunrise marquee and the fee, if any.  Elaine Tessmer will call Pyramid Bank and the Tri City Bank for advertising privileges and fee, if any.  Larry Haskin will contact Paul Neuberger.

            Council Basket for Fall Festival.  Dennis Irwin stated that he has received quite a few items for the basket.  He has received a large quantity of certain items and there are some items not received as yet.  He will make a list of items not received and will then send it with a reminder to those who have not yet made a contribution for the basket.  Rich Lussier added that there will be another sign-up for volunteers to work at the festival and for the cleanup crew, but he added that if you can’t work, then at least come for the dinner.  He asked that everyone pray for rain on that day in hopes of a larger turnout for the festival.  Rich and his committee were thanked for their many hours invested in planning and working at the festival. 

            Council Portrait.  Use of the bulletin board used at College Avenue for the council members’ pictures has 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 November was circulated before and during the meeting.

Give Thanks.

Closing Prayer:  Joe Amrhein led the Council in reading the closing prayer that had previously been distributed. 

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.   

After completion of the closing prayer and the adjournment of the meeting, the council members proceeded to the chapel next door to have pictures of the group taken.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Marcy Gramza, Recording Secretary