Pastoral Council Minutes Summary

May, 2008

 

Pastoral Council Activities

·        Summary of Pastoral Council Minutes published on the website;

·        Board & Committee Structure approved and will be included in the Policy & Procedure Manual;

·        Approval of all Subcommittee activates below.

St. Catherine Finance Subcommittee Activities

·        Approval for fiscal donation to Catholic Extension Society’s “Adopt a South-Eastern, KY Parish” program participation to begin.  Pastoral Council approved to adopt St. Joseph the Worker Mission, in Elkhorn, KY;

Immaculate Conception Finance Subcommittee Activities

·        Approval for renting of the parish center;

·        Fence around grassy area to the right of the church will have fence posts cemented in place, and;

·        Financial help to parishioners planning to attend Bethlehem High School will be addressed on an individual basis.

School Board Activities

·        School Board Elections were held May 18, 2008;

·        2008-2009 School Budget was balanced by eliminating a teacher position;

·        The new tag line for St. Catherine of Alexandria is “Where every child is a gift from God”. Banners will be made illustrating the school name and tag line to be placed in front of church and school;

·        A fund raiser titled “Adopt a Child Program” was approved, but needs a chairperson;

·        The calendar for 2008-2009 school year was determined.  The first day of school for students will be Aug. 5, 2008;

·        October 18 was selected as the potential date for the Autumnfest;

·        There will be three tuition fundraisers next year (Avon sale in August, Honey Baked Ham in December, and Home & Garden in March);

·        Dress code policy concerning undershirt color was changed to white undershirts only, without turtleneck;

·        Health inspection of the school showed a need to repair the walls and ceiling in the hall of the elementary school building (which was referred to Maintenance Committee);

·        There has been a problem with electronic devices in school.  Enforcement of the policy, “No electronic devices in school” should suffice, and;

·        Recycling Letter was sent to school parents and published in the bulletin.

Maintenance Committee Activities

·        Mowing contract granted, and has begun at St. Catherine, Immaculate Conception and St. Mark, and;

·        Approval of the only heating maintenance bid they received.

St. Catherine Picnic Activities

·        Final preparations for Picnic on June 7 continue. 

Knights of Columbus Activities

·        Several state awards received (State Deputy Award & Youth Award);

·        Picnic after Corpus Christi Procession, and;

·        Upcoming events: (Sunday Breakfast, June 15; “Thomas the Train” concessions, June 27-29 & July 4-6; Parking cars at Nelson County Fair, July 14-19).

St. Catherine Family & Health Ministries Activities (formerly Parish-Based Counselor Program)

·        3 participating pastors (6 parishes);

·        Clients from 9 different referral sources, belonging to 12 different parishes or ecclesiastical communities, i.e., a Methodist Church;

·        School of Marriage (including premarital counseling);

·        Monthly bulletin inserts;

·        Safe Environment Trainings (required for working with children);

·        Tribunal Auditor (for marriage annulment process);

·        St. Catherine School Counselor and Ombudsman;

·         American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health and Health Services Volunteer;

·        Possible KY DUI Counselor

·        Other related activities: (Charter Rep. to BSA Troop & Pack 996; Pastoral Council Chair; U of K Parish Nursing Institute Faculty, May 12-16);

Pastoral Life Development Activities

·        Two seminarians from St. Catherine (St. Catherine still holds the record for having the largest number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life coming from a parish);

·        “No Skateboarding” signs are now in place for liability reasons;

·        One rank-4 teacher position eliminated (which balanced the school budget);

·        One office staff position eliminated (due to fuel cost increase in the school);

·        All who requested internal financial aid for 2008–09 school year, received it; 

·        The change program helped five families this past year.  The surplus of $1900 that will be rolled over to the next school year. 

·        Enrollment for 2008-2009 school year is currently at 123 students;

·        Confirmation date changed to June 18th. 

·        School discipline policies will be reviewed and revised by Fr. Leger. 

·        Corpus Christi Procession had a good turnout, although Fr. Leger was disappointed that none of the school children participated.  From now on any family receiving in-house financial aid will be required to participate in the following: (Failure to do so will result in the loss of their financial aid.)

o       Weekly Mass attendance; Work at the Bingos; Involvement in parish life, e.g. Corpus Christi Procession

·        Fr. Leger reinforced that Christ is the center of our life, not the school.  He will continue to emphasize Catholic identity.