ST. KIERAN PARISH COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014
MEETING MINUTES
Meeting was called to order at 7:45PM by council president Paul Arment. Lorraine Stemple
presided over the opening prayer.
All Council members were present.
There were new members to the Parish Council, Ray Rivard and Don Amboyer, who have
previously been on the Council and Dan Zechmeister who is new, were introduced to everyone.
REBUILT BOOK AND INITIATIVE:
Pat Radacsy began the discussion with a summary of the book and members of the Council who
attended the Rebuilt a conference at St. Paul Albanian Church spoke of the books many good
ideas. The Parish has purchased books for the Parish Council and the Committees. The time line
for the introduction of the book was introduced by Sandy Avripas, The intention is to start with
Parish Council and begin to discuss some of the ideas in the book to St. Kieran. Not every idea
will be tried, but will review what needs to be done for us and what we can improve on.
Commissions will then be asked to read the book, then committees, then “active volunteers, then
the parish as a whole. The time line is now, beginning September 15, 2014 to February or
March of 2015. There will be discussions throughout the year.
It was shared by the Rebuilt Committee that the Parish that tried these ideas in the book
experienced an increase from 600 to over 4000 families. They took what was a common sense
approach to the offerings of the Parish and used “Modern” terminology for some of the youth
classes. They made Sunday the one stop day to do as much as possible for church related events
so families were not inconvenienced during the week. This is a tactic used by many nondenominational churches. Tom Petz stated that everyone needs to read the book so we can
discuss it at the next Parish council meeting.
It was suggested that the council read at least 3 chapters for the next meeting Three questions
will be posed for discussion. By targeting certain chapters, we can focus on specific issues. We
need to meet people where they are at.
OFFICER ELECTIONS:
Nominations for Parish Council President were conducted. Sandy Avripas nominated Paul
Arment for a second term. Paul accepted the nomination and was voted in again as President.
DESIGN AND PROJECT UPDATE:
Msgr. Johnson indicated that the entire building project was on schedule. He also announced that
Archbishop Vigneron has scheduled a December 13, 2014 Dedication Mass here at St. Kieran.
Will we be done by then? Not entirely, but we are expecting the Sanctuary to be complete.
NEW BUSINESS:
Paul Arment shared a proposed letter for the bulletin indicating that donations would be accepted
for art and environment items outside the scope of the construction budget. While there will be
no campaign for this funding, parishioners will be made aware of opportunities recommended by
the parishioners who make up the design committee. The council approved the direction
recommended. There was a discussion on whether the church should have stained glass
windows or plain windows. For now we will have regular windows. Msgr. Johnson brought
forth an issue from the design committee to the Parish Council. Should we have public
acknowledgement of donated items for art and environment and, if we do, should they be a part
of the new building? He wanted to be clear that there has been no decision up to this time as to
have them or not. The design committee wanted the input of the Parish Council. It was agreed
that there would be no plaques or public acknowledgement of donated items for the art and
environment. In the future, landscaping and related items might provide for some form of
designation of donors. This will be determined in future budgets and planning aside from the
Legacy Project.” Msgr. Johnson asked us to reflect on this for the next meeting.
VICARIATE UPDATE:
First meeting is next week. On the agenda is the nomination for a vice chair. Dawn Pulcer
current Vice Chair will become new chair.
NEXT MEETING:
October 20, 2014
Opening Prayer – Ray Rivard
Closing Prayer – John Bieda
Enzo Paglia