ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A. Next Pastoral Council meeting is Wednesday, February 7th, 2007.

Call to order: Cathy called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm and asked Fr. McCain to lead us in an opening prayer.

Roll Call: The following Pastoral Council (PC) members were present: Tom Berg,

Holly Holderby, Steve Morris, Cathy Timmer, Tim Troy and Fr. McCain (ex-oficio member).

Guests: Patrick Reeder.

Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting: Cathy made a motion that the minutes of the November 29th meeting be accepted and approved. The motion was seconded and all were in favor.

Capital Campaign. The PC again discussed a Capital Campaign agreeing on the need for our parish. The age of the buildings and updates are becoming a necessity. The PC advised Father that specific plans (drawings) to present to the parish, as well as counsel and recommendations from a professional company that helps to establish Capital Campaigns, would be the best approach.

Father said that there are 2,000 families, 6,800 people in our parish. Through a Capital Campaign he wants to build a new school, renovate existing buildings with upgrades such as handicapped accessible bathrooms in the parish hall. He also will ask for endowments of one million dollars for the parish and one million dollars for the school, leaving the future of it in good fiscal standing. The Pastoral Council will be proceeding in this direction.

Pastoral Council Committees: The PC discussed existing committees and clarified their functions. All of the committees have a Chair except for the Community Formation Committee.

Discussion of combining Spiritual Growth Committee with Christian Enrichment Committee ensued. Cathy said that she would ask Bob Cretti (CEC) if he had any objections to combining the two Committees. As this combination would involve a change in the By-Laws, the PC will bring this issue to vote at the next meeting.

Of concern is how to get more parishioners involved with the many activities of the parish and interested in participating with the Committees, while also avoiding volunteer burnout. Father commented that he thought a good way is one to one, asking people if they would be willing to help or participate with a Committee or a parish project. Holly said that she thought it would be a good idea if we asked the Chairs of each Committee to be present at the Pastoral Council meetings on a quarterly basis. This would hopefully bridge some of the communication gaps and also be a means of mutual support. Father said that we would have to give sufficient advance notice to the Committee Chairs for their attendance at the Pastoral Council meetings.

 Father introduced Patrick Reeder to the PC. With the sudden decision of Deacon Mitchell’s retirement, and the reality that Our Lady of Loretto would not get another Deacon, Father McCain decided to employ Patrick Reeder as Parish Administrator. Patrick will be taking charge of the many things that need attention at the parish, which previously had been done by Deacon Bill. This will free Fr. McCain and Fr. Jess for ministry to the parish, instead of having to deal with a leaking pipe or a fence that has blown down. Patrick will also serve as an ex-officio member of the Pastoral Council. We welcomed him.

Youth Committee: Both Steve Morris and Tim Troy reported that employing a Youth Minister has all come down to them. They have been interviewing and the ads are out there but so far they have not found their candidate. Tim said that he was skeptical of finding the right person for the position with the salary that would be offered. Father insisted that they try saying that there are people that are looking to increase their family’s income, while not being the primary source. The Committee is hoping to find their candidate and that they could begin in July. It will coincide with the Confirmation program, which will be under the direction of Mary Furnanz, Religious Education Director of Our Lady of Loretto Church.

Chair: Cathy reported that she had asked Kris Wiley, Communications Committee, to change the pictures in the front vestibule reflecting the current Councils. She said she would also ask Kris to follow up on the Olan Mills directory. She reminded the PC of the upcoming school crab feed. Michael Pritchard will be speaking on parenting issues January 23^rd. A farewell party for Deacon Bill and Barbara Mitchell will be planned.

Vice Chair: No report.

Secretary: No report.

From the Pastor: Father McCain said that he had made his selection for the appointed seventh member of the Pastoral Council. He has named Libett Magaña and she will be joining the PC in March.

Father led us in a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm

Respectfully submitted, Holly Holderby, Secretary