Parish Council Meeting
Tue. October 6th, 2009
Agenda

“The Gospel according to St. Therese”: The fidelity of the Lord is our hope”


 

                                                   
Attendance: Fr. Mike, Fr. Aniello, Nick Andriacchi, Phyllis Cavallone, Christine Delfin, Budi Kusnoto, Rose Lau, Paul Lau, George Lee, Henry Lee, Wendy Sin

Fr. Mike welcomed everyone and said the opening prayer
 I. Christine read the previous meeting minutes, which were then approved

II. Occupancy Sign – An inspector from the city of Chicago directed us to add an occupancy sign for the basement and church.
a. We have 30 days to comply. We will determine the maximum occupancy and add the sign previous to the inspector’s return.

III. Cardinal’s Appeal – The annual Cardinal’s Appeal will take place in February. The target contribution from each parish is 6% of the annual offertory income. In the case of St. Therese that translates to $7,175. A three-person volunteer group of Rose, Paul and Nick was created.
a. Parishioners need to submit their contribution directly to the St. Therese so we can send our total contribution at one time. If parishioners receive an envelope from the archdiocese, they need to drop it off at St. Therese.
b. There is a multicolored professionally produced marketing piece that explains what the money is used for.
c. If we cannot raise the $7,175, the rest of the money will have to come from our regular offertory income – which would give us less money with which to operate.

IV. Stole Fees
a. Recommended donations – Minimum $100 Baptism, $500 Wedding, $300 Funerals. Fees will be collected before services are performed.

V. International Noodles Night
a. May 19th, 6:00pm, School Basement – Date is set.
b. Fr. Aniello and Nick will lead the committee.

VI. Lunar New Year
a. Fr. Mike would like contributions from all groups in the parish – entertainment pieces have been promised by the Sacred Heart Ladies, Choir, Indonesian group, and Translators. The committee hopes CCD and other groups will join in.
b. Wendy is in charge of entertainment.
c. The committee welcomes any and all suggestions.

VII. Chinese Convention
a. Menu is from the House of Fortune.
b. We have received confirmation of our first 2 attendees.
c. We need to have a marketing blitz to get attendees from our parish and the rest of North America.

VIII. Basement Floor
a. The current floor needs to be replaced.
b. Flooring tile is at the parish.
c. A donation of $8 per tile is suggested.
d. Ideas to raise funds included a 2nd collection throughout the month of March., a big poster to track the amount of collections, and a second envelope to be distributed to church attendees.

IX. Lent
a. Stations of the Cross preceded by the popular Friday Fish Fry.
i. Need to strongly encourage parishioners attending dinner to also attend stations in church.
ii. Need to gently encourage dinner attendees to be fair and pay for what they consume.
b. School Participation
i. Would like school board, students and teachers to attend.
ii. Students should be given projects to bring them to church.
iii. Students should attend mass during Holy Week.
iv. Students should be encouraged to attend mass on Sunday.
v. Students with parental permission should be introduced to Christianity.

X. Catechumenate at St. Therese
a. We would like to issue a Certificate of Reconciliation to for confession.

XI. Report from School
a. Loan with the Archdiocese is paid in full.
b. 10% year over year growth in student body projected for next year.
c. Grants have been received for reading and technology.
d. Scholarships
i. The principal welcomes anyone who has any questions about scholarships.
ii. The principal at St. Therese has nothing to do with which students are awarded scholarships.
iii. The scholarship forms are distributed to each parent in their welcome packets at the beginning of the school year.
iv. Every parent is assured confidentiality when submitting scholarship forms. All forms received are forwarded to Big Shoulders.
v. We may distribute Big Shoulder scholarship forms separately so they don’t get lost in paperwork.

XII. Parish Financial Report – Concerns from the Cluster Meeting of 1/22/07:
a. All finances should continue to be kept transparent.
b. Parishes feel heavily taxed by the Archdiocese.
c. Insurance costs are a concern.
d. Parishes do not feel they are being treated equally.

XIII. Parish Leadership Day at Maria High School 2/17/07
a. Fr. Michael will attend.
b. Christine and Joe Delfin will be presenting.

XIV. Any Other Business
a. Wendy suggested double-siding all print materials; all agreed.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 7pm.