ST. EUGENE PARISH ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes from Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Meeting attended by: Fr. Joseph, Fr. Ryan, Geri E., Gene Z., Carol O., Gisella M., Joe H., Vanessa F., Gloria S., Cindy W., Sam F., Steve S., Steve A., Miguel V., Mary K. P., Dan S., Br. Michel, Reina M.
Fr. Joseph opened the meeting by giving the PAC an explanation of what the Dedication of the new church will be like when Bishop Burbidge comes on 3/10/12.
Opening prayer led by Fr. Joseph (from the Dedication of a New Church Rite)
Minutes from the November 16, 2011 meeting were approved
Youth Ministry – Reyna M./Felix C./Justin L.The Hispanic Youth Group now meets on Sundays and it’s been successful with this change in schedule as they have acquired 4 new members. They also offer snacks for the attending youths.
New week they will start rehearsals for the Passion of the Christ play they will put together for the parish with some changes from previous productions. Announcements will start after all masses.
Steering Committee John N./Sam F.
We had to pull a light pole from the parking lot because it was spilling light onto the street and the town didn’t approve. It’s all now resolved.
The Fire Marshal came in today and locked the lockbox to the new church and only Neil has the key so that no one enters until all the inspections are passed.
We are still waiting on the big doors coming from WI.
The cleaning crew will be coming in soon.
The altar and pulpit will be coming in on Monday January 23. The Crucifix is a bit off balance and needs to be straightened. The Presider’s chair needs to be varnished to match the Deacon’s chair.
G & G will mount the stations of the cross around the church because they are best able to determine where to hang them and fix any damages they may create in the process.
The light system in the new church is great and allows for different settings and will be most useful for any events or representations we hold in the church.
There was a discussion on whether we should sell the current pews from the old church as a fund raiser but Fr. Joseph stated that we will not be doing that. The current pews will be placed around the future parish hall and in the trailers. St. Eugene will keep these in case future small churches need to buy any pews.
Discussion of the need of round tables for the parish hall use also came about. It was determined that we will need approximately 12 such tables but they have not been budgeted for. Therefore, we will need to have one or two special collections. Gene recommended getting a holding cart to keep the new tables safely stored instead of stacking them against the wall as we are doing.
Liturgy & Spirituality – Geri E.
December Meeting
** There was no regularly scheduled meeting for December.
** Prepared dinner for the visiting priests who came for the Advent Penance Service on December 6th.
** Training sessions in the new church for all ministries were canceled because of the on going construction.
January Meeting on January 10, 2012
** Welcomed a new member to our Committee--Sharon Benton.
** Completed the Liturgical Preparation Form to be submitted to the Diocese, Gerard Hall, for the Dedication Ceremony for the new church on March 10, 2012.
** There will be a rehearsal, conducted by Gerard Hall, on Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm in the new church for all participants in the ceremony.
** Two separate trainings sessions for all ministries have been held in the new church.
** Father Joseph went over some important dates for the coming Lenten Season which begins on Ash Wednesday with a bilingual service on February 22, 2012 at 7pm.
** The committees, who will be sponsors for the Lenten Soup Suppers and the dates, should have received a letter from Father Joseph. They are:
2/29/12 - PAC
3/7/12 - REFF
3/14/12 - Ladies’ Guild
3/21/12 - Knights of Columbus
3/28/12 - TYM
4/4/12 - Hispanic Young Adult Group
Given past year’s participation, it was determined that each committee should prepare 6 gallons of soup only. Geri passed a list around so that PAC members could sign up for the items they would contribute to the Soup Supper on 2/29/12.
** This year the reflection talks will be centered on the 150th Anniversary of Missionhurst-CICM.
** A bilingual Healing Mass will be held on February 28, 2012 at 7PM.
** A bilingual Lenten Penance service will be held on Tue., March 20, 2012 at 7PM
**There will be bilingual services during the Holy Triduum:
Thu. 4/5/12 at 7pm Holy Thursday
Fri. 4/6/12 at 7pm Good Friday; at 8:30pm Passion of the Christ presentation by the Hispanic Young Adult Group; 11pm Way of the Cross
Sat. 4/7/12 at 8:30pm Holy Vigil will start and will include the Rites of Initiation for RCIA candidates
Religious Education/Faith Formation – Dan S.
we will have to change the class times when the new church is ready to accommodate the new mass times.
1) We will have pr-K through 6 at 10:30 to 11:30 am and 7th through Confirmation from 11:45 to 12:45 pm. Since the majority of the Confirmation and pre Confirmation class goes to the 1 pm class, this will work out the best. Unfortunately I have been receiving some complaints and so if I have rooms available, I will try to add the seventh and eighth grade classes at 10:00. (I am still working that out and will bring it up at the next staff meeting.)
2) we have 3 Adults and 7 children going though RCIA/RCIC
3) First reconciliation will be Saturday Jan. 28. It will be both English and Spanish classes combined. We should have around 80 kids.
4) Fr. Joe will give all the re classes a tour and lesson in the new church. Date TBA when the church is open.
5) The Lenten Recollection services for the candidates to Confirmation will be held as follows:
Sat. 2/25/12 from 9am to 12pm (same hours for all days); Sat. 3/3/12; Sat. 3/17/12 and Sat. 3/24/12. The Recollection talks and activities will be tied up to themes such as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to get across to the young people that Confirmation is only the beginning of their involvement with the Church.
Dan announced that he’d been offered and he accepted the position of Co-Facilitator for the Diocese’s Youth Board. This new position will require him to travel around the different Deaneries and meet with the different Youth Board representatives.
Couples for Christ – Bill & Gloria S.
St. Eugene has four couples and two handmaidens involved in the Couples for Christ movement. On 12/3/11 there was a gala dinner and dance fundraiser for Philippine children’s education purposes.
On 12/14/11 there was a First Groups meeting at Our Lady of Lourdes that was very well attended.
The group was supposed to start having meetings in January/February but due to health reasons these will be postponed until September of Fall.
The group offered assistance with the Soup Suppers, Sunday Socials, Adoration.
They continue to evangelize and look for new members of all ages and stages of life.
Family Life – Steve S./Bruce T.
I have no report. It's been a slow time.
First Friday Seniors met on 1/6/12. Attendees were Br. Michel, Sharon & John Benton, Sue & John Broderick, Edna Cassells-Greer, Lin Cosgrove, Agnes Dalrymple, Elena Eveler, Adrienne Fitzpatrick, Pat Gessner, Ro & Han Hanson, John Mitricska, Elba Paratore, Evelyn Stracqualursi, Pat & Bruce Tarnaski.
Meeting opened with a prayer by Bruce T.
The minutes were read and approved.
2/3/12 meeting - We will finalize our trip to the Jewish Temple - 5315 Creedmore Rd., Raleigh, NC 919-781-4895. Coordinator is Juday Jacobs, carpool, etc.
Tue. 2/7/12 trip to Temple, meet at 11am. Restaurant suggestions given - Lin C. to arrange. Temple at 1pm. Sue & John B. are coordinating the trip.
Tricky Tray is 2/3/12 at 6pm.
3/2/12 regular meeting. Will finalize St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at John M.’s home. We will collect money to defray cost of meal and sing up for sides to bring.
Thu. 3/25/12 at 12pm - Luncheon for priests, Br. Michel and staff invited.
Wed. 3/28/12 Avila Lenten Retreat - $20/person. Money will be collected at March meeting.
Fri. 4/6/12 - Good Friday - no meeting.
Fri. 4/13/12 - Duke Gardens Trip planned. Date and particulars to be announced per Lin C.
Bro. Michel is planning on getting to know parishioners by making a short visit to each.
The Billy Graham trip has been dropped due to lack of enough interest.
Pat G. voiced concern for Christa McGuire who is taking care of Patrick Peterson who has ALS. We may be able to giver her time to attend church. Pat will check with her.
We collected $27 for Juan Manuel Doicela-Vega who we sponsor.
We listened to “The Bible Make Me Do It” by Tim Staple.
Lin C. mentioned Rembrandt Exhibit at the Art Museum - Going Jan. 17 - contact her if going.
Parish Community Spirit – John E.
January Sunday Social was canceled due to the holiday and weather.
Sunday Socials committee met to discuss several issues regarding this program:
1. Tables - Fr. Referred again to a special collection or two we’d need to set up in the parish in order to get the 12 needed tables.
2. Time of Duration - Should they last 1 hour, 1.25 hours? They will take place after 9am Mass on Sunday in between CCD classes.
3. Start date - TBD. Gene offered for the Scouts to host the Social on Sun. February 12. Joe H. said that Community Spirit will host the first Sunday Social once we start this program.
Sam said that the same family that painted the deck around the trailers has offered again materials and labor to repaint the inside of the parish hall once we move to the new church. We should keep this in mind as well as their availability when planning the Sunday Socials.
1. Served refreshments after the 8:00 and 10:30 AM Masses on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
2. Refreshments were canceled for Sunday, January 1, 2012 due to the holiday weekend.
3. Conducted a brief meeting identifying several pending issues with the serving of the Sunday Social in the Parish Hall.
4. Assisted Bruce T. in purchasing kitchen supplies.
5. Served refreshments after the 8:00 and 10:30 AM Masses in honor of Father Joseph's birthday.
6. Special " Thank You " to Bruce T. who donated the sheet cakes for this celebration.
7. Planning another brief meeting in early February to review issues identified during previous meeting relative to the Sunday Brunch.
8. Assigning Sub Committee Chairpersons to coordinate the Dedication Ceremony ( Food and Traffic Coordinators ).
9. Budget for the Community Spirit Committee remains below approved level.
10. Coordinated Social Ministries ( Ruth V. ), Hispanic Young Adults ( Felix C. ) and Boy Scouts ( Gene Z. ) to assist TYM with the Adopt A Highway Program for 2012.
Buildings & Grounds – Ricardo M./Sam F.
Sam has a list of items that need to be repaired among them, three tables that need new tops (the hardware is in good condition) - Gene will give Sam the name and number of a person he knows that helped Gene a few years back do the same thing. We will then compare that cost vs. buying new tables.
Evangelization – Beth A.
Ignited By Truth Conference will take place on 2/24 & 2/25.
Safe Environment – Mary Kathryn P./Joe H.
Gene mentioned the church should look into the price of getting an AED and then train ushers and staff in case of an emergency. He and Steve S. will look into this.
Food Festival – Gene Z.
· Fundraising will pursue another car raffle.
· John E. would like to get one co-chairs to start working with him on the raffle ticket to pick up more responsibilities.
· Looking for new chairperson for handling the games. Would like to pursue the youth group youth leader to run with the support.
Social Ministry – Ruth/Agnes D.
Nothing to report for Social Ministry other than the fact that Brown Bag Ministry keeps flourishing. It involves all groups: anglo and Hispanic, young and old, other religious denominations as well.
Stewardship – Joe H.
Two things: first, a reminder that this Sunday, January 22, we are having a welcoming brunch for new registrant parishioners. I have spoken to several families and, if all of them that have told me they are coming actually attend, we will have more than twenty people to welcome. The Brunch starts right after 8 am Mass at the rectory. Please be there or have a representative of your committee there to explain your ministry and maybe recruit some help!
Joe asked Fr. Joseph that perhaps we could start introducing new parishioners at the end of Mass in front of the Church.
On another related note, offertory has been lagging a bit this month. Once we move to the new church we need to do a little campaign/push to remind parishioners to keep up with their offertories.
Second, I’ve attached the proposed Parish Hall Rules for your review and comment at the meeting. Father Joseph has reviewed and tentatively approved subject to further discussion. One overriding concept that should be kept in mind is that we plan to start out “humbly” with the Hall and will no doubt tinker with these rules as we become more “seasoned” with experience in that facility.
Through the reading out loud of each point listed on the Parish Hall Usage Rules, a few issues that still need working out were highlighted:
-Establish event start times
-Think about parking availability around the 5pm Saturday mass
-We need someone in charge of the hall’s events to make sure premises are left clean and in good condition and who will be in charge of locking everything up after each event (even late at night)
-There should be rules for parish groups and another set of rules for private groups
Hispanic Ministry – Yolanda G./Miguel V./Gisella M.
The Hispanic Ministry met on Jan. 12, 2012. They discussed:
1. Novenas a la Virgen de Guadalupe: The Rosary went really well, there were only a few problems with some of the rosary copies. Some of the copies have some grammar errors, also some of the people who read the rosary were not quite prepared for the readings.
2. Virgen de Guadalupe Celebration on 12/12/11: It all went really well. The festivities began on Sunday the 11th with mariachi for the Virgin of Guadalupe and many people were present. On Dec. 12th the festivities began at 5am with the mananitas to the Virgin, followed b the dramatization of the apparition of the Virgin to Juan Diego, concluding with a little breakfast for the people who attended. In the afternoon we had the service for the Virgin of Guadalupe at 7pm.
3. Concert with Guillermo Valencia on 12/12/11: This took place after the 7pm service for the Virgin of Guadalupe. It was really good and got good feedback about how the people enjoyed it and how soul lifting it was.
4. Rite of Reconciliation on 12/6/11: Many people attended and it went well. We had priests helping from other churches and it was available to the anglo and Hispanic communities.
5. Christmas Decorations: Both communities got together to put the decorations up.
6. International Christmas Carols went very well with the participation of choirs from other churches.
7. Las Posadas (lodging): Attendance was low this year, not many families signed up their houses to accommodate this festivity. We will try to encourage more families next year.
8. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services: The Eve service was good, it began with the Pastorela Nativity Play, followed by the service with a high attendance. Everyone is looking forward to having the play in the new church next year. Christmas Day service was reported as good.
9. Comical Sketch: La Pastorela - The Spanish Youth group organized a comical play for the Three Kings Day on Jan 6th. The play went well and there was high attendance. The message of the lay came through very clearly. Many of the kids and adults enjoyed the play. Miguel will ask the group if they can perform the sketch at the English mass or in a bilingual service once the new church is in place.
Knights of Columbus – Steve A.
Council 10892 welcomes Br. Michael Bineen on his entry into the Knights after taking his First degree on January 11th.
The Knights Would like to Thank the Parish for the generous participation in the Angel tree 104 tags was taken and all gifts were returned and delivered to the Eastern Regional Center in Zebulon on Monday December 12th
Wreaths for the Holiday season were sold after the Masses during the month of October the order was placed and the Wreaths were picked-up the first weekend in December. The Thanksgiving Basket of Cheer was a big success congrats to John Ettensberger winner of the Basket of Cheer.
OP LAMB AKA (Tootsie Roll handout) was a big success our council raised $4400.00 fund’s raised helps people with mental disabilities. All funds raised stay in the area.
The Knights will be holding many activities during the Month of January.
Sunday January 22nd PGK Norman Malisos will be presented with the star council award during the 10:30AM Mass . The award will be presented by John N.
Saturday and Sunday February 4th and 5th we will be selling chili after the Masses.
Tentatively - Friday February 17th we will host a Spaghetti dinner from 6:00PM-8:00PM. This is the last Friday before Lent.
Ladies’ Guild – Cindy W.
The Ladies Guild meet on Jan. 4, 2012. We planned our next event which will be Tricky Tray-Feb. 3, 2012. Doors will open at 6pm and the drawings will begin at 8pm. December was a very busy month for us with our annual Cookie Box Sales, providing refreshments for the Christmas Caroling, decorating the rectory and the church for Christmas. On Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 we provided refreshments following the service for MLK day. Special thanks to everyone who helped with all of these and those who provided food for the many funerals we have had recently. The total net profit from our cookie sales and donations received were $1685.48.
We are looking at have cabinets installed in the old sacristy for the Ladies Guild supplies. This will free up the cabinets that we currently use in the kitchen. We have had one person give us an estimate and some ideas on the best most reasonable way to do this. Hopefully this can be completed by the end of February. If anyone has any ideas or knows of anyone who may want to give an estimate on this project please contact me at 919-816-5308
As to the Sunday Social - Joe said he’d like for us to keep it simple and just start off by charging $1 per person instead of charging per item. This $1 price will include the coffee (unlimited) and 1 donut. Cindy asked the Sunday Social to be advertised on the bulletin and to announce ahead of time that only cash will be accepted that way we can prepare parishioners.
Finance Council – Carol O.
The Finance Council met on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. The following items were discussed.
1. Income & Expense report for Dec. 2011
2. Budget to Actual Income & Expense report for 7/11/11 thru 12/31/2011
3. Parishioners donated the paint and painting of the Parish Hall--The council recommended that Sam Fish, Parish Chair of the Grounds and Maintenance Committee, oversee this project.
4. 10-12 round tables will be purchased for the Parish Hall--This will be financed through a special
collection at an appropriate time.
5. Future donations from funerals and etc. should be designated as a gift to St. Eugene Catholic Church. We no longer have a building fund.
6. The council asked for clarity as to the specific balance of the contingency fund after building fund expenses
7. A review of the maintenance contract was recommended (VanGuard)
8. Monthly meetings of the council will continue
9. Next meeting--February 21, 2012
Cindy suggested the Council look into offering parishioners the option of automatic drafts - this will allow those who travel to still give their weekly offertory even while away. To avoid any embarrassment during the Offertory at Mass to those who sign up for this option, we should advice them to simply write “automatic draft” on their offertory envelope.
Pro-Life – Danny R.
No report submitted
Vocations Committee – Cindy L.
1. Handed out prayer cards.
2. Sign In Sheet passed around, we had a total of 17 in attendance.
3. Opening Prayer by Danny Sprissler.
4. Brother Michel gave an introduction of himself.
5. Father Joe requested we go around the table and introduce ourselves, which we did.
6. Father Joe let us know that Brother Michel is now part of the parish staff.
7. Brother Michel will be interviewing all staff personnel and the chairman of all committees along with other members of the church.
8. We will have a Workshop in Jan. around the 21st to the 24th. Dates to be confirmed. Hope everyone will be able to attend.
9. Our job will be to help Brother Michel in any way we can and to give evaluations along the way.
10. Ended with a Prayer by Father Joe.
11. Next meeting is Jan. 5th at 8pm in room 4. If you can come earlier Holy Hour starts at 7pm.
Father Joe said the opening prayer
Br. Michel commented on interviewing some of the committee chairpersons and sitting in on some of the committee’s. He said he was told he had big shoes to fill by a couple of people. He could see we are one big Community with a deep faith and commitment. He admits he is nervous and has butterflies in his stomach. He provided us with a Learning Covenant.
Feedback from committee was to relax it doesn’t have to be perfect. Learn to project your voice more. Br. Michel looks relaxed and he has participated in the groups well and has learned the languages well and is improving all the time. He has been very faithful about attending committee meetings and has fit in well. He is very easy to talk to. He will do fine and we are here to help him. Very glad to have him at St. Eugene’s and the parish is behind you. Looking forward to him joining the Knights of Columbus. We are impressed by his interest in the people and the committees. It has been a good beginning and it will get easier as you get to know us. Most important is relationship with God. You have been visible to everybody and are on a personal level where we feel we can talk to you. We see a lot of Spirituality in you and can see God working through you.
Coming from another country can be frightening but we are one big melting pot and sometimes there are tensions. God wanted you here for a reason. Do not burn yourself out, balance work and relaxation and prayer and community. Talking about God does not replace talking with God. All of us should always start the day by praying Lord help me not to stand in the way of your work today.
Workshop with Father Rocky will be Jan. 23rd from 7 to 10pm. Hope everyone will be there as it is a very important learning tool.
Next meeting will be Feb. 2nd after Adoration at 8pm.
Meeting closed with a prayer by Father John
Bro. Michel thanked everyone at the PAC and said he feels like home already in the parish and feels parishioners want to help him.
Wendell Council of Churches - Fr. Joseph
175 people attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service hosted at St. Eugene on 1/16/12. Deacon Willie made a great presentation. Thanks to the Ladies’ Guild for the refreshments offered.
The Lenten Series will be held again every Wednesday at 12pm with a Prayer Luncheon at the Methodist Church in Wendell. In the evenings, St. Eugene will also host the Soup Supper followed by Lenten Talks and the Way of the Cross.
Administration – Fr. Joseph/Staff – No report submitted
The staff is working well together in a good spirit of cooperation and excitement about the new church.
Fr. Joseph asked everyone to discuss in their different ministries and to the students in CCD the different ways to enhance their worship at the new church which were published on the bulletin.
The new church schedule will be:
Sat. 5pm English mass
Sun. 9am English mass
Sun. 1pm Spanish mass
Sun. 5pm Spanish mass
It was decided that we will hold off on private rentals of the parish hall until all issues are resolved and the Rules of its Usage are in place.
New General Topics – John E.Fr. Joseph touched briefly on the subject of parking for the Dedication Mass of the new church. Steve A. said he felt confident he could bring 15 Knights to help with this. Closing Prayer by Fr. Joseph
