St. Catherine of Siena Pastoral Council
Meeting Minutes – February 9, 2013
Submitted by: Gary Hunt
Attendees Present:
George Bruzza, Judy Bruzza, Chip Everett, Candy Krymis, Linda
Furtaw, Patrick Martin, Tammy Lafaive, Janet Ingersoll, Colleen
Semler, Mimi Wilger, Fr. Bob Creagan, Fr. James Adams, Gary
Hunt
Attendees absent:
Steve Reasoner, Gina Kling
Call to order:
Meeting called to order by George Bruzza – 10:03 AM
Opening Prayer:
Led by: Patrick Martin
Review of November 10, 2012 minutes: Minutes approved.
Announcements
George began meeting with individual introductions including new members.
Reports
Steward reports
 George complemented the stewards for their completeness of their reports
 Colleen was pleased to learn there is a young adult group started
 Mikes music report
o Two different music leaflets, both white, will be two different colors next year.
 First communion was discussed.
o Fr Bob clarified that a separate mass takes place Sunday afternoon and he likes
keeping them together in one mass.
 Pastoral Council roster was reviewed.
 Preschool is going well and recently passed state inspection.
o Will be holding fundraising activities for playground equipment
 George noted that the display Sister Rita explained at our last meeting has been built by
Max Walters and is in place. There crosses with names of the deceased in the parish are
displayed for 12 months between November 2nd and November 2nd of the following year.
 Finance Council report: Linda Furtaw
o Christmas/New years collection was $48,000
o Fiscal year through December expenses are below budget
 $9000 under heating budget
 Snow removal and office expenses are under budget
 Angela’s duties being picked up by other staff members has reduced
payroll cost
 Between July and December $9,600 extra has been paid off the mortgage
principal
o Bishops appeal going well, will wrap up end of March. New one starts April 1st.
Target amount has not been set per Fr Bob but he is anticipating a 7% increase.
o In November our heat exchangers went out. We were very fortunate to get an
anonymous $12,000 donation to cover the cost.
o Stewards are beginning their budgeting process for next fiscal year.
o George asked about an emergency/maintenance fund and Linda said the Finance
council is considering re-instating a facilities fund.
Old Business
 70 people attended new parishioners dinner including 10 new families
o Plans are to do again, every 6 months
 Assisting elderly and handicapped at west entrance
o 7:30 and 5:00 Sunday mass doesn’t have enough extra ushers to help per Sr Rita
 Volunteer recognition
o Subject has been discussed with Fr Bob
o Volunteer of the month starting in April. Stewards will take turns nominating
 Fr Bob: maybe administration can recognize a volunteer too
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 50 anniversary committee
o Mary Hunt, Joe Yankech, Linda Root, Linda Furtaw have volunteered
o Key date: August 28th 1966 (first mass was held)
o Fr Bob ideas: (Note: August of 2016 will begin celebration to August 2017)
 Mass of thanksgiving
 New directory
 Recipe book
 Recognize charter members
 St Catherine’s Feast Day April 29th
 Musical presentation (Mike)
 Special emphasis during religious education
 Include former pastors
o Committee ideas: Parish picnic, community festival
o Fr Bob asked council to help gather ideas and bring them back to the council
o Patrick mentioned the possibility of an article in Faith Magazine from the Diocese
of Lansing.
o Patrick also mentioned to Linda that he is willing to help on the committee.
New Business
 Communications - Phone call reports
o George explained phone call process and passed out updated target lists based on
those who contributed to the Bishops annual appeal.
o Phone feedback
 Adoration feedback:
 Patrick said people seemed to like the adoration idea but weren’t
willing to volunteer. Some offered concerns about manning it.
 Candy received the same feedback
o She also heard about safety concerns
o Some wondered about guards, key codes, security
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Fr Bob said adoration will be held on Fridays to start
Tammy said some wondered if Polly Pollard room could be made
into an adoration chapel.
 Fr bob said that since this type of adoration is only familiar to
older generations we should start out small/slow.
 Linda also brought up safety issues
Tammy was asked again about the priest schedule
 Fr Bob said they have been asked often too. Our priests have been
helping at several other parishes.
Tammy received positive feedback about the choir at 7:30 mass.
Candy mentioned concerns about the incense
 Colleen mentioned allergy issues
 Fr Bob said he was asked if there could be a mass held w/o
incense. There will be no incense in Marion hall masses (low
ceiling) or during any children’s mass. He may plan one particular
mass without incense based on the feedback.
Candy heard about some mix-ups on commissioning Sunday.
Chip heard a complaint about exiting the church is too hard because of
congregating around font
He also received Art and Environment concerns from a parishioner and
that list of concerns will be funneled through administration
Colleen was asked if there could be opportunities to get more women
involved with an alter society or women’s guild.
E-Mail feedback:
 George said pod cast now available of homilies
 He received a sign idea e-mail: “Go now and bring Christ to
others”
 Letter received on content of homilies stated that “Social justice
and serving others is lacking from homilies”.
New business
 Year of Faith events
o Day of reflection February 23 at St Catherine
o Diocesan pilgrimage at St Augustine August 18, Nazareth November 3rd 2013
o Flu precautions
 George suggested
 Anti-bacterial hand lotion
 Hand sanitizer
 Linda mentioned challis germs
 Deacon Al Bell retirement
o End of April
o Cake receptions being planned after all masses
 Sr Rita 50th celebration September 8th
 Fr Bob 25th celebration November 24th
Closing prayer: led by George
Next meeting date May 18, 2013
Meeting adjourned at 11:30