ST. EUGENE PARISH ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes from Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Meeting attended by: Fr. Joseph, Fr. Ryan, Geri E., John E., Gene Z., Agnes D., Carol O., Gisella M., Joe H., Reina M., Vanessa F., Gloria S., William S., Dan S., Cindy W., Felix C., Sam F.
Opening prayer led by Fr. Ryan
Minutes from the September 28, 2011 meeting were approved
Youth Ministry – Reyna M./Felix C./Justin L.
TYM’s attendance has decreased. This Friday they’ll have movie night where they’ll present Mighty Macs. However, they received good support from parishioners with their pumpkin sale.
The Hispanic Youth will set up the decorations and altar for the traditional Mexican celebration for the Day of the Dead on Fri. 10/28/11. They will present a play in honor of this celebration after the Spanish masses the weekend of 11/5/11 & 11/6/11. In an effort to integrate the Anglo and Spanish communities, Felix will make a request after every English mass this coming weekend for the Anglo parishioners to bring pictures of their dearly deceased to decorate the altar.
Steering Committee John N./Sam F.
The last biweekly meeting (this past Tuesday) succeeded in picking out the color for the outside of the church. The entrance doors should be in place by the end of next week. The A/C will be ready and functioning very soon. Carpeting will be put in place very soon also. No problems so far and everything is running smoothly.
We will request a waiver on the landscaping from the town since the weather is turning and it would be of no avail at this time to plant new grass or shrubbery. We will promise to have it in place by Spring.
Next week they’ll start working on the covered walkway. Sam & Neil will do a walk-through to mark the cracks that have occurred already in the parking area cement so they can be fixed. They will also make sure the water flows as it should around the new church and the area in between the current building and the new church.
There will be an extra cost of $5100 to frame the stained glass behind the altar.
Liturgy & Spirituality – Geri E.
* The workshop given by Gerard Hall, from the Diocese, was very well attended. He gave a detailed but simple explanation t of the reasons behind the revisions to the New Roman Missal. The laity will begin to implement these revisions the first
Sunday of Advent. He was very impressed with our new church and was going to give the Bishop a report on our progress.
* The choir has already started to implement some of the music revisions.
* The sale of the Crucifixes has gone very well. We will start to take pre-paid orders only with a cut off date of November 1st,
in order to have in time for the Holidays.
* The Advent Series, focusing on The Eucharist, is scheduled for Monday, November 28th and December 5th at 7PM.
* The Advent Penance Service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 6th at 7:30pm.
* I have begun to do the scheduling of the sponsors for the Adoration Hour on the first Thursday of every month.
Sponsors alternate between Anglo and Hispanic Ministries. The Liturgical Committee will be the sponsor for November.
* Ministry Fair Update: (3) Ushers (1) Lector (3) Eucharist Ministers (6) Altar Servers.
* Our next meeting is Sunday, November 20th after the 8am Mass. This is a planning session in the new church.
Religious Education/Faith Formation – Dan S.
Tuesday bible study is going well with a small but enthusiastic group
Confirmation classes are going to have their first retreat at Chris Jacques' house October 29-30. Father Joseph will be saying Mass Saturday evening. Students will be tent camping on the grounds and chaperones are in place.
Y.E.S. is underway for the year and will follow the T.Y.M. schedule. We have a new member and encouraged all members to bring a friend for the next meeting. We will be doing a service project next meeting hanging crucifixes and cork strips in the trailers.
Family Life – Steve S./Bruce T.
Couples for Christ - Bill and Gloria S.
The Raleigh CFC was recently responsible for classes in VA where about 25 people graduated the program. A new program will start in January 2012 in St. Eugene and so they will start campaigning to promote the program in the parish in November ‘11. Bill and Gloria currently facilitate classes at Our Lady of Lourdes. They also volunteered to help with the Sunday Social program.
Parish Community Spirit – John E.
- Refreshments were served after the 8:00 and 10:30 AM Masses on Sunday, October 2nd.
- Donations were placed in an envelope, sealed and placed in the Church Office.
- Left over refreshments from the Prayer Blanket Ministry Workshop were donated and served.
- Retained the Community Spirit expenditures below budget level.
- Special " Thank you " to all members of the Community Spirit Committee for serving.
Buildings & Grounds – Ricardo M./Sam F.
The committee got a new member at this past weekend’s Ministry Fair. They are now looking to get a sidewalk to connect the dumpster site to the trailers’ entrance.
Ricardo fixed some lights and tables around the building. He also hung the picture of Christ that was recently donated by the Wood’s.
Evangelization – Beth A.
Beth was not present due a to successful surgery she underwent today. The workshop they conducted on the Prayer Blanket was extremely successful with 52 participants. They will start meeting now regularly the third Friday of every month.
The committee is studying the possibility of having another workshop.
Safe Environment – Mary Kathryn P./Joe H.
Nothing much to report. The Safe Environment cards sent by the Diocese have been shared with the catechists and parent on Friday nights.
The committee to study the Parish Center rental of facilities has been set up. Gail is gathering information about guidelines and policies and procedures. Joe expects to be able to have a fuller report to present to the council at our next meeting.
Food Festival – Gene Z.
The Post Festival meeting had to be postponed due to Jeanette Knuckley’s demise. It has not been rescheduled yet. However, Gene feels comfortable to share with all parishioners that we met our goal of $35,000 at the very least - Silent Auction net profit of $1,144; Renee reported a gross sale of food tickets of $15,100.50 and Raffle tickets grossed $52,775 with a net profit of approximately $36,000.
Social Ministry – Ruth/Agnes D.
Walk For Human Need was Sunday October 2. We did not have as many participants this year, but still a good show of people. Have not heard the final figure as to how much was raised.
Blessing of the St. Francis Statue at the Community Garden October 2
Migrant Good-bye Mass Planned for Sunday October 23 here at St. Eugene
Brown Bag Ministry will be able to make 700 sandwiches this weekend. They currently make 510 sandwiches in 45 minutes.
CPO will send a list of items needed for holidays like winter clothes for kids. They will also send cards out for people to donate food or money for the holidays ($25 feeds a family for a week).
Stewardship – Joe H.
Our Stewardship Ministry Fair was held on the weekend of October 15-16. Candidly, despite a lot of effort, we had minimal sign ups (about 10 people signed up). Much thanks to all those who showed up and made an effort to decorate your spaces. I was disappointed in how many people I was able to produce for you. We’ll reassess our approach but it occurs to me that probably the best approach is a personal one, e.g., direct phone call to somebody, asking them directly after a Mass, etc. I’m working on some ideas and will report on them next meeting.
Hispanic Ministry – Yolanda G./Miguel V./Gisella M.
The Ministry met on September 13, 2011.
1. The Hispanic community decided not to adopt the pilot program presented by Fr. Fernando Melendes; we think we are not ready for it at this time.
2. Fr. Ryan has been organizing volleyball teams between all the ministries in the Hispanic community. This is a great way to get people to know their neighbors. The first games already happened on October 9th, after the 1:00pm mass. We had very good feedback from the people that were present at the games. We now have 50 people participating in the volleyball league.
3. New Parish Directory-We have encouraged the people to make their appointments for the time that they want their picture taken. We also have run into an issue with the time that the photographer will be at the church; many of the Hispanic community work past 7:00pm, we have been asked to ask the photographer for more times during the weekend or during the week, that way more people have the chance for their picture to be taken.
4. Many 15 year old girls will be celebrating their quinceanera on October 22nd 2011. We are not sure at this time exactly how many girls will be there, but we know many girls will be wanting to celebrate their quince at this date.
5. Only one couple is registered to get married on 12/12/11 at 5:30pm
6. Advent will begin on 12/16/11 and we are now encouraging people to celebrate “las posadas” at their home with their neighbors. We also are going to encourage people to sign up with their address for the “las posadas” so others may celebrate with them.
7. Hispanic Ministry Fair (Oct. 15 & 16) - The different Hispanic ministries were encouraged to make signs for their ministry of what they do at church, and to hopefully gain new members.
8. The celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe will be on 12/12/11 at 5:00am along with “las mananitas” and the drama of the Virgen de Guadalupe presented by the youth group. Due to the time and many people working on that Monday, the mass is going to be celebrated at 7:00pm that evening.
Knights of Columbus – Steve A.
The Knights continue to lead the Rosary during the month of October before all the masses.
The council manned the Water table during the Walk, Bike, Run, & Rock for Human need October 2nd
The Knights membership blitz went well 2 possible members and 2 transfers.
Wreaths for the Holiday season will be sold after the Masses during the month of October and we will start selling tickets for the Thanksgiving Basket of Cheer the first week in November as well as hosting the Angel Tree that same weekend.
OP LAMB AKA (Tootsie Roll handout) was held at the WALMART in Zebulon October 15 & 16 we raised $2000.00 during the weekend which goes to help people with mental disabilities. All funds raised stay in the area.
Ladies’ Guild – Cindy W.
Instead of adopting a family for the holidays the Ladies’ Guild will take donations at their next meeting and donate it to the CPO in full in view of the recent grant cuts they’ve suffered.
Sunday Socials-Cindy got in contact with Krispy Kreme and Bojangles: KK offered a price break on the dozens and B offered the senior discount for our groups.
Fr. Joseph wants the Sunday Socials to happen every Sunday to keep the consistency for parishioners. Cindy will speak with each committee chairperson about scheduling their groups to take over each Sunday. She will then be able to see how many groups are there to share in the scheduling and avoid groups getting burnt out.
John asked Cindy to have a comprehensive plan for this project for our next meeting.
Finance Council – Carol O.
The Finance Council met on Oct. 11, 2011.
Items discussed:
New hymnals--Bob clarified that we now have a total of 625 hymnals. Three hundred new hymnals were
purchased. These new hymnals are just like the 325 we already have.
Job descriptions have been obtained for Gail's and Carmen's positions. The council felt that every staff
position should have one.
Bob informed the council that he has generated a report for tracking memorialized gifts.
Pro-Life – Danny R.
We have little to present at this time as we are still pooling resources for the Ministry from the Parrish.
So far many people have made commitments to assist with the Ministry and become strong advocates for The Right to Life Ministry. Currently the plan is to set a date to meet at St Eugene’s to discus interest and concerns of St Eugene’s. Particularly paying attention to programs and involvement of other Ministries within St Eugene’s who already have Right to Life committees.
Once we have established a foot hold we will move forward with a plan that we can present to the Parrish to build interest and concern to support The Right to Life campaign.
Wendell Council of Churches - Fr. Joseph
On Sunday 11/20/11 at 7:00pm the Thanksgiving Prayer Service will take place at New Hope Baptist Church. All of St. Eugene’s choirs will be there. Food donations are welcome for the Food Pantry.
Vocations Committee – Cindy L.
Opening Prayer.
Danny Sprissler reviewed minutes from last meeting and handled old business. Then turned meeting over to Cindy Lake.
What we discussed:
1. We will have Vocations Prayer cards to hand out at Ministries Fair Oct. 15th & 16th. Steve Allen to provide.
2. We will have other pamphlets to hand out also. LMC’s (Cindy Lake), CICM’s (Fr. Ryan), and checking with the Diocese for other pamphlets (Cindy Lake).
3. I will get a poster board to make a Vocations sign for Ministries Fair.
4. Coverage for Ministries Fair: John Broderick 5pm Sat., Cindy Lake and Danny Sprissler Sun. 8am, Norman Malisos 10:30am.
5. We are going to sign and send a Birthday card to Brother Michel Bineen Mukad for his upcoming birthday Oct. 28th.
6. We are going to sign and send a Thinking of You card for Chris Johnson.
7. Discussed getting some of the same people that helped last year for Father Ryan’s formation to help this year for Brother Mukad’s formation. Youth, Spanish, and others.
8. Would like for Fr. Ryan to provide a picture of our two seminarians for us to use at our meetings.
9. Reading for Thought. Read an excerpt from “The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People” Christifideles Laici; Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation by John Paul II.
10. Next Meeting Nov. 3rd, 2011 8pm.
Closing Prayer
Administration – Fr. Joseph/Staff
Alex & Yolanda Romero are now preparing a children’s choir - practice takes place every Sunday after 5:00pm mass.
Dedication of the New Church - will take place Sat. 3/10/12 at 10:30am. There will be refreshments served afterwards. A special liturgy will be prepared with the help of Gerard Hall (the cost is about $2 per program). The Ladies’ Guild and the Hispanic community will be asked to contribute to the refreshments for after the celebration - Gisella was asked to contact 5 Hispanic leaders to help with this project. Fr. Joseph mentioned Gina Mercado, Ricardo Martinez as possible leaders to be contacted.
All choirs will need to work together in order to participate in the celebration. This will be a large ceremony with 10-12 priests concelebrating along with the Bishop.
Advent Calendar:
Mon. 11/28/11 & Mon. 12/5/11 at 7pm - Reflection Talks lead by Fr. Joseph on the Biblical References of the New Roman Missal.
Tue. 11/29/11 at 7pm - Bilingual Healing Service
Tue. 12/6/11 at 7pm - Advent Penance Service with 7 other priests.
Sun. 12/11/11 at 5pm - Vigil of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mon. 12/12/11 at 5am - Youth group performs Guadalupe drama followed by Mananitas, Guadalupan rosary and chocolate & sweet breads. Afterwards there will be a mass and a concert by Guillermo Valencia at 6:15pm
Sun. 12/18/11 at 7pm - International Christmas Caroling with all parish choirs
Sat. 12/24/11 at 4pm - Children’s Christmas Mass
At 6:30pm - Spanish Mass with Pastorela drama
At 12am - Midnight Mass
Sun. 12/25/11 at 9am - Anglo Christmas Mass
At 5pm - Spanish Mass
This is the Christmas program provided our new church is already functioning.
New General Topics – John E.
The last week of October will be the beginning of the Photo sessions for the new Parish Directory. Fr. Ryan will be taking the PAC picture at the 11/16/11 meeting.
**Next meeting will be on Wednesday December 21, 2011 at 7pm at the Rectory followed by our Christmas celebration (each member is asked to bring a covered dish)**
