ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Lanesville, IN
Council Members Present:
Regrets:
PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES – November 18, 2015
Eileen Timberlake, Lisa Thomas, Michael Clark, Charles Ringle, Melissa Schellenberger,
Meg Hiser, Barbara Murray
Lynn Harbeson, David Henke, Rick Cooper
Others Present:
Fr. Bob St. Martin, Lisa Reed, Jeff Layman, Jane Timberlake, Martha Felton
Opening Prayer
Michael Clark called the meeting to order at 7:00. Father Bob said the opening prayer and shared that we should
remember the role of the apostles. He also spoke of how Philip du Chien taught the Indians.
Approval of Minutes
The October minutes were emailed to Parish Council members ahead of time. The minutes were also attached to the
agenda. Father Bob wanted to verbally clarify that the Parish Council is responsible for repairing the stained glass
windows in the church. He said that David Allen has been looking into it. Charles Ringle made a motion to approve the
minutes with Father Bob's verbal clarification, seconded by Melissa Schellenberger. The October minutes were approved
by a unanimous vote.
Committee Reports
The Archives Committee requested 5 minutes for a presentation.
Present from the Archives Committee were Jeff Layman, Jane Timberlake and Martha Felton. Jeff shared how the
Archives Committee was working creating a formal database that documents every plot. They will publish the database
on grave locations and it will allow for additional information to be added. He also shared how information about who is
buried, and where, is not available in the office for burials made from 1993 to the present. He also shared how difficult
it can be to find graves because the cemetery has rows that began with letters then switched to numbers some time in
the 1970s. Jeff, Jane and Martha requested money for row markers, which are standard in cemeteries worldwide. They
proposed purchasing the aluminum markers to be put in at ground level. These markers would not cause any problems
with regular maintenance lawn mowing. Each marker is $4. They need 2 markers for each of the 75 rows, for a total of
150. They proposed that $1000 for the purchase of the markers come from the Cemetery Account. Jeff Layman
proposed that we approve the use of the funds from the Cemetery Account. He also said that there is a 3 month lead
time on the aluminum markers, and the Archives Committee would like to get approval as soon as possible and not have
to wait a whole month for approval. Michael Clark said that no one was present from the Finance Committee. Melissa
Schellenberger said that she would call Jeff Layman with the Parish Council's desicion. Jeff, Jane and Martha thanked
the committee for listening then left. Michael made a motion to approve the money for markers pending approval from
the Finance Committee. Charles seconded. Melissa said that she would call Jeff after the meeting and let him know.
Buildings and Grounds
There was no representative.
Faith Formation
Lisa Reed was present to deliver the report from the Faith Formation Committee. Lisa Reed handed out a summary of
Faith Formation highlights from their November 15th meeting. Lisa said that Tara Dye declined to join the Faith
Formation Committee, but they are not going to try to add new members until the next committee cycle. Ten children
in 2nd grade are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on December 10th. Father Bob will hear
confessions on the first Wednesday night of each month, starting at 7 and going until 8:30 or when all confessions are
heard. Notification was sent home to Faith Formation families that several children had confirmed cases of lice. The
1
Faith Formation facilities have been cleaned and treated. The Advent Wreath Workshop is November 30th. Lisa also
handed out the minutes from the October 14th Faith Formation meeting. Father Bob elaborated on the Faith Formation
minutes about annulments. He said that Pope Francis said there is no longer a Court of Appeals. There are also new
forms and questionnaires that have been modified by the Pope. There are now no fees, either. Lisa said that the Pope's
USA visit sparked more interest in annulments. Lisa said that Michelle wanted to get the word out that we have this
process in place. We have functional ecclesiastical courts.
Finance Committee
There was no representative from the Finance committee.
Liturgy Committee
There was no representative from the Liturgy committee.
St. Anne’s
There was no representative from St. Anne’s.
Youth Committee
Angela De Krieger was present to give a report on the Youth Committee. She shared that, in December, the Youth group
has an ice skating trip, a Christmas party, a youth party for the feast of Immaculate Conception, and an ice cream party.
She was disappointed to learn that she could no longer have movie nights because Christine Bloom sent out a mass
email about copyright infringements with watching movies at an event. Meg said that she would look into if movie
nights truly violated copyrights. Angela said that she can't advertise the movie nights, even if it's at her house.
Angela shared that NCYC money was short by about $999. She asked for approval for anyone donating money to NCYC
that it go to the shortfall. There was some discussion. Michael asked if poor parents or grandparents might ask for a
refund with any extra money. Rick asked if donations were meant for additional children. Angela said that any money
coming in is too late to help any additional people or refund parents, that defraying costs is the only way she can see
using the money. We voted to approve her request.
Melissa asked if Angela finalized the volunteer policies. Angela said that Lynn emailed her policy to get approval to
council members. Michael said that he made some changes. Melissa had also emailed a suggestion to follow
archdiocese requirements. Angela said that the Youth Ministry abides by the archdiocese requirements, but that she
created a new requirement to the volunteers policies to add that they should obey traffic rules, stay with youth, and not
drink when chaperoning youth. Not all members received the email with the new policies; therefore, it will be vote on
next meeting.
Angela shared that her volunteers have completed Safe and Sacred. She's clarified with the archdiocese that if she's
alone with a group of youth members that it is okay. If more than 6 youths then there should be another person if
possible. If there can't be another person it's okay, but she or any adult leader cannot be one on one with a youth
member.
Old Business
Any follow-up on previous discussion regarding participation on more than one committee commission.
Father Bob said that there was no problem with a person being on more than one committee. He said he was
indifferent, that he can't find anything against it. Rick said that he was not sure if it limited involving more people. Meg
said that it was not an archdiocese rule. There is nothing that prohibits it in the constitution.
2
Any further comments on Youth Policies sent via email last week.
Some members did not receive the email; therefore, it will be voted on next meeting.
New Business

Melissa wondered, after seeing Pete fall at Rita's funeral, if there is an emergency plan in place? Maybe bring a
wheel chair over? Do we need a plan? Fr. Bob said that we assist the person, and if needed, we call 911.
Charles said that there is also usher training that covers it. Rick said that when 911 was called for Tony that it
went very well.

Connected in the Spirit was brought up. The cohort for St. Mary's has already met once and will meet again on
December 2nd. Rick Cooper and Carol Fulkerson are the co-chairs and Joe Wade and Larry Schwinzer are also in
the cohort. Rick said that the first part is basic information gathering: the number of sacraments, evaluate what
we do and how we do it, what to improve. They may send evaluations out to committees for input. In February
the cohorts will get together and talk. 3-4 people are in each cohort. Seymore and Bloomington are awaiting
their final decisions. January 2017 is our timeline when we begin to implementation. Rick also said that they
will put information in the bulletin to keep people up to date.
The meeting was adjourned by Michael Clark.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 pm.
3