Mary, Mother of God Parish Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 7:00 p.m. St. Ita Jubilee Hall Present: Soledad Andrade, Frank Ativie, Lucy and Maria Cordon, Kokou Dagawa, Eunice Daniels, Mark Franzen, Fr. Alejandro Lopez, Br. Ayub Mwenda, Jack Nuelle, Lionel Osaghae, Joyce Ramirez-Knight, Susan Silvano, Deacon Paul Spalla, Cheryl Sporlein, and Fr. Bob Sprott. Not present: Ms. Christine Boyd, Friar Tarcisius Bucca, Fr. Thomas Fetz, Stephanie Held, Yasha Hookens, Robert Krug, Chris Grant, Greg Lindeman, Heberto Machado, Jr., Mercedes Mac Laughlin, Michael Magada, Fr. Romert Morales, Lorena Nava de Machado, James Murphy, Eva Niewiadomski, Deacon Juan Ramirez, Vince Singvongsa, Deacon Ron Stricker, Diane Trinh and Friar Jason Warrer. Guest: Ellen Credille Opening Prayer Introduction Welcome to new members of the PPC. An amendment was made to the minutes from December 7 about the location: meeting was held in the Rectory Basement not Jubilee Hall. Approval of Minutes from the 12/07/2023 meeting approved through a first motion from Mark Franzen, followed by a second motion from Lucy Cordon. Followed by unanimous approval. Operations Physical Plant Building and Grounds Committee Report: The lantern lights in front of SI were completely restored. Many thanks to Mike Mahoney at Mahoney Metals in Niles who donated his time and material. Parishioner Sheila Stranc, who lent her stained-glass artesian skills. The lanterns were installed with solar controlled LED lights. A new sound system was installed at SI. At STC, the wireless mic system was replaced. The panic bar exit door hardware was upgraded on all church doors. With the Parish assuming operation of the Food Pantry and the continued operation of the Soup Kitchen, new equipment was installed, and the space was thoroughly cleaned. The SGG Msgr. Klassen Memorial Gymnasium had several steam heating pipes replaced. The gym level bathrooms were repaired, cleaned and painted. Annual maintenance of the gym floor was completed over the Christmas holidays. The Social Hall kitchen was deep cleaned/painted, old cabinets were removed and replaced by chrome wire shelving, new flooring/ceiling tiles installed, and refinishing of the exterior church doors was started in the Fall and will be completed once Spring arrives. The Committee’s 2024/2025 Capital Project Plan and Budget for the Parish which will be presented to the Finance Council in April. Parking Lot The parking lot situation before/after the 10:30am and 12:30pm Masses at SI has gotten out of hand. The two options are to a) hire a security guard or b) obtain a group of volunteers to oversee the parking. Outreach We welcome back Br. Ayub Mwenda as the coordinator of the FP operations. He is glad for the improvements that have been made with the facilities and what has been done for the client’s shopping experience. There is a big need for volunteers during the morning hours at the FP (9am to 11:30am). And on Wednesday’s (10am to 12pm) to receive the food deliveries and to restock the shelves. It is a plus if we can have those who speak other languages to accommodate our client’s needs (i.e. Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin/Cantonese, Korean, and Polish). Br. Ayub Mwenda believes that the Holy Hour that is offered at STC on Tuesdays is what has kept any incidents away from the FP and encourages the Council and those present to continue praying for the needs of the FP and SK. St. Gregory’s Hall Report Canterbury House The father from the family living at STC has passed his driver’s license exam, the children’s English is improving, and parents are both in ESL classes. The mom will begin her own cleaning business; a worker owned Co-Op. 11/28 Roundtable with Fr. Alejandro Lopez on the first Nativity scene at Greccio. 1/18 Roundtable discussion on the economic vision of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin (Catholic Worker Movement founders). 1/28 Roundtable discussion with author Lincoln Rice on black Catholic physician and Chicagoan Dr. Arthur Falls. Ongoing weekly Bible Study on Tuesday nights (10-15 people present). Ongoing Monday hospitality 1-5 p.m. Ongoing community dinners Wednesdays with migrant families. Working with Deacon Munoz, Lauren Franzen, and Mercedes Mac Laughlin to prepare adults and children for Sacraments of Initiation in June. James Murphy was not in attendance because he attended St. Ignatius College Prep as an invited speaker along with 2 of the refugee moms who spoke on their experience and reception in the United States. Mount Carmel High School students will receive a tour of the SK and FP. James Murphy is working with Thresholds to house two individuals. A group of refugee migrants wish to begin their own Composting Business. Solidarity Gardens begin their planting season - Loyola University to provide an intern over the summer to help. SGG/STC will continue to plant in their raised beds and donate the food to the SK, FP, and neighbors in need. In September, there will be a Peter Maurin conference. The Homelessness Taskforce has helped with the individual who was at STC. Saint Gregory’s Hall Sacred Music 12/17 Convivium Marianum: Marian lessons and carols for the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Bartosic presiding, featuring 3 choirs! 1/6 Solemn Choral Evensong (vespers) for Epiphany. Upcoming: 3/19 Choral Mass for St. Joseph and St. Joseph’s Table at reception. 4/8 Choral Mass for the Annunciation with Bishop Perry. Sacred Art 3/9 Lenten Retreat: Christ the Bridegroom. Talk by Byzantine Catholic priest Fr. Thomas Loya Icon workshop with Sarah Crow (12 people attended). 3/15 Roundtable on Creating a Worker-Owned Cooperative Business in Spanish at CH. Pastel still life workshop, bread, grapes and chalice. 3/16 Monthly life drawing with live model. 3/22 Co-Hosting a virtual event on the Peter Maurin Academy of Thought on Personalism. Adult Faith Formation Course led by Fr. Bob Sprott, OFM on The Canterbury Tales. Upcoming: Course led by Prof. Scott Moringiello on contemporary Catholic memoirs. Course led by Fr. Bob Sprott, OFM on TBA. Course led by Prof. Alfredo Mac Laughlin on Art and Beauty. School Report Graduation is on Friday, May 24. Half of the graduating class was accepted into St. Ignatius College Prep; the other half got into Loyola Academy. Liturgy and Worship Spanish Mass on Thursdays at 5:30pm with Adoration and Vespers prior to the Mass have not had great numbers. A poll was taken on Ash Wednesday and first Sunday of Lent; majority have asked for a 7pm on Thursdays. Thursdays will have a 5:30pm in English, with a 7pm in Spanish; that will begin in April. A parishioner has requested that communion be given with both species. People will be trained again for this. It will begin slowly, with 1 Mass per week: 10:30am and 12:30pm on Sundays. A Special Mass will take place at Mary Queen of All Saints on June 29 at 5:00pm. A team will need to be formed to create an altar for the field Vicariate Procession; Mark Franzen has volunteered to assist. New secretary for PPC Jack Nuelle has volunteered to take the position of recording secretary from Soledad Andrade on the PPC. Religious Education and Sacraments Religious Education Update Total current numbers preparing for sacraments: First Year Communion: 23. Second Year Communion: 29 (26 + 3 from second year Confirmation). First Year Confirmation: 27. Second Year Confirmation: 31. Parents have been asked to cover full tuition by April 20th, 2024. RCIA/RICA Update 18 will receive their Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. The Young Adult ministry continues their 3 monthly gatherings: a game night, faith-sharing potluck, and a pub outing. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Will have Stations of the Cross with Fr. Alejandro Lopez on Thursday at 4:30pm (40 children). 8 children are preparing for First Communion with the Religious Education program; 3 are from our parish. On April 27, they will have a retreat and reflection; with a conclusion of First Reconciliations. Parish Life Deanery Reconciliation Service at Saint Ita on 3/25 at 7pm with different priests from the diocese and Bishop Mark Bartosic. Lenten Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent. Triduum. Easter Sunday/Week. Parish Census - is needed. Hope to launch something in the summer to understand who is at the Parish, best ways to contact them and what their interests/needs are. New Business Long time parishioner, Sarita Picart passed away. She was a member for about 40 years and was usher at the Sunday 5:30pm Mass. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Greg Lindeman has resigned from the PPC due to personal commitments. Next Meeting Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 7:00pm in Jubilee Hall. Closing Prayer by Fr. Alejandro Lopez. Meeting concluded at 8:05pm. Comments are closed.
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