Parish Pastoral Council Minutes - June 15, 2023

Mary, Mother of God Parish Pastoral Council
Minutes June 15, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Present: Frank Ativie, Lucy and Maria Cordon, Kokou Dagawa, Eunice Daniels, Mark Franzen, Stephanie Held, Yasha Hookens, Robert Krug, Fr. Alejandro Lopez, Heberto Machado, Jr., Michael Magada, Fr. Romert Morales, James Murphy, Lorena Nava, Eva Niewiadomski, Lionel Osaghae, Joyce Ramirez-Knight, Susan Silvano, Deacon Paul Spalla, Fr. Bob Sprott, John Stimler, Deacon Bede Thigpen, and Friar Jason Warrer.
 
Not present: Soledad Andrade, Ms. Christine Boyd, Fr. Thomas Fetz, Chris Grant, Peter Jansen, Pat Kenny, Greg Lindeman, Mercedes MacLaughlin, Deacon Juan Ramirez, Vince Singvongsa, Deacon Ron Stricker, and Diane Trinh.
 
Minutes from the 02/16/2023 meeting were approved through a first motion from Robert Krug, followed by a second motion from Michael Magada.

Introductions and attendance
 
Discipleship Maker Index

• People given a survey (taken at home)
• Only given to ministry heads
• Data set for the Parish
  • Gender break-down
  • How do parishioners think about preachers?
  • Standard questions for all parishes - 30 minutes to fill out
  • Fr. Alejandro Lopez asks group if it would be a useful tool for the parish - has yet to access the data. Needs to look at it and determine what the parish could do with this information.

Operations

• Proposition from the Fund-Raising committee read - 1 page document asking if a Parish Census could be given to parishioners. A QR code in the Missalettes to find out about events/donating. And to update all registered parishioner’s information.
  • Fr. Bob Sprott commented that the Census and DMI would be too much for folks. Wondering if we could consolidate/integrate. There was some confusion about if the survey would be shared with all parishioners.
  • QR code takes you to website - Donating should be more obvious on mobile. What would the purpose be? What about parishioners who do not use mobile phones - would there be ways to reach them and encourage donating? What about preaching about donating?
    • Questions for the Fund-Raising Committee: the current QR code is too broad and confusing - could two be set up instead 1) for volunteering and 2) for donating? How do we reach parishioners that don’t use QR codes? Overall approval from the PPC for the Parish Census.

 
Outreach

• No updates about the Food Pantry or Soup Kitchen
• Jim Eder’s portrait from our artist-in-residence, Sarah Crow, was blessed and unveiled on June 30th by Fr. Richard Simon (former pastor of STC).

 
Saint Gregory’s Hall Report

• Sacred Heart Workshop was very popular. A second workshop was added.
• Shakespeare class to begin in June and conclude in July - led by Fr. Bob Sprott.

 
Canterbury House

• Solidarity Gardens are producing food - i.e. Swiss Chard.
• Loyola students, Jace and Kathryn, have been helping on Thursdays. Paid by Loyola. It has encouraged neighbors to participate and spark conversations. Neighbors are helping to water the garden and community building is being encouraged. Blessing of the garden at STC 6/11 - fellow neighbors asked for blessings for their gardens too.
• Summer Bible Study - Gospel of Mark after Vespers on Tuesdays. 7-8 people each week.
• Roundtable Discussion about Credit Unions. Folks from Romero Center were present.
  • Upcoming discussion with Romero Center about new book, “Blood in the Fields.”
    • Following a very successful clothing and underwear drive from Parish.
    • Discussion for August 15 (Oscar Romer’s birthday)
• Hospitality from 1pm to 5pm, every Monday at Canterbury House. 5-10 people attend.

 
School Report
•     No updates from STC school

• 14 students did their Confirmation with the Religious Education program on 4/25
• Graduation at Saint Ita Church on 5/26

 
Liturgy and Worship

• May Crowning’s at all three churches.
• Corpus Christi (6/11) - processions canceled due to weather.
• Santacruzan (6/20) - Fr. Alejandro Lopez presiding.

 
Religious Education

• Registration for next year continues.
• Confirmations (4/25) - total of 24 students - 4 did FC also. Bishop Casey presided.
• First Communions (5/13) - total of 25 students from RE and 4 from CGS. Fr. Alejandro Lopez presided.
• RCIA numbers are down due to the summer.
• RICA had 3 Confirmations at the Easter Vigil. Registrations have begun for next year. Classes will begin 9/10.

 
Upcoming

• Larry Treiber’s Memorial Mass 6/16 at 11am.
• Sacred Heart Mass and Reception - advertised on Facebook and Website.
• Father’s Day Novena ending on Sunday (6/18).
• Tastes of Summer
  • Meetings have been taking part since last Fall.
  • Veronica Rodriguez putting together multi-cultural entertainment.
  • New this year: table for Mary, Mother of God Parish - everything happening at the parish and resources offered to the community. Event team will reach out to Ministry teams for hand outs for the table.
  • Volunteers needed - forms in the back of our churches.
  • More food vendors are always welcome.
  • Postcards and posters are on the way.
  • Handouts requested for table.
• Announcements after Mass - no more announcements after Mass unless it is an event about to happen in the church.

 
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7pm

*rescheduled to Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7pm
 
Deacon Bede Thigpen motioned to end the meeting. Robert Krug seconded the motion. 

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