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March 19,
2008
Welcome: David Klaus
Opening Prayer: Deacon John Crego
Attendance:
Council Members: R.Campoli, J. Crego,
Fr. Deckman, D. DiFilippo, D. Feller, D. Klaus, A. Miraglia, E.
Montesdeoca, L. Pabon, J. Simeone, C. Torres, D. Wells, Fr. Tomasso
Future Task Force Members: F. Pullano,
R. Van Sice, R. Campoli, C. Mastrella, B. Stifter, J. Crego, Fr. Tomasso
Approval of Minutes: There was a
brief review of the 2-27-08 meeting minutes. DeWain Feller and Joe
Simeone made a motion to approve.
Future Task Force: (FTF)
-The members have come tonight to give
the council a recommendation on finances.
Fran: Three scenarios for
a unified community budget were projected, A worse, B moderate, C
optimistic. Notes show reasoning, issues, comments, cuts and restored
$10,000.00 for youth/children/faith formation. In B the new community
needs an additional $1,300.00 per week even with 50% of collections from
HF added in. Thus the HA English and Spanish parishioners must increase
giving. These scenarios (attachments A) are based on the HA finance
report of 6-30-07.
DeWain: I am concerned that
we are hoping that the survival depends on the HF money. We need to
think about what is truly the best option for the parish.
-A single parish with two worship sites.
Fran: We have gone through
every scenario and we need to make a decision because the Task Force
doesn’t see a long term solution but to merge.
Father Tomasso: One
problem in going to one priest and three Masses is that it will be hard
to keep two worship sites going. Dropping three Masses will have
financial impact.
Dawn: We have been at this
community site and I see a competition going on. By having Masses at
either site would get people to go to both sites. English/Spanish it’s
the people and we need to keep the parishioners. It would give the
people new ideas to fund raise etc. I am stunned to see the impact
for the children. All the facilities are at the HF site. HF has the
gym, playground, etc.
Father Tomasso: We need to
get back on track. I agree with Fran in that we can not afford both
sites.
Bob Van Sice: I keep track
of the funds and attendance each week. These are the facts and numbers.
(Attachment B)
Fran: The numbers have
been given to the FTF and revised for options.
Bob: HF takes more money
to run and we don’t have the money to run it.
Father Tomasso: It is
about maintenance, money and HF is too large for our needs. It is a
beautiful church but too large for our needs. We need to get back on
track.
DeWain: I am afraid that we
are basing our hopes in something that is really unrealistic. The bottom
line is that we retain as many HF parishioners as possible. We need to
look at other experiences from other parishes. There are costs to be
acknowledged.
David: Budgets are based on
estimated income.
DeWain: We just can’t make
assumptions as to what will be the best. We can’t afford to lose
parishioners.
Fran: We have a half
million dollars in expenses. The collections are not carrying it.
HA school has been rented for a long
time. Bingo has been going on for years.
We will have to keep on doing it. We
don’t want to lose what we have.
Joe: Having the experience
of losing St. Anthony’s, we could have major problems if we continue to
carry two sites. FTF broke their backs and I give them credit.
Father Tomasso: We
revisited information trying to find other solutions. What will provide
for the most viable church community for the future? This was the
question that the FTF had to answer. I thank the FTF and finance
committee for their hard work.
Bob: We were under
restrictions. We wanted to look at Most Precious Blood. The Diocese
told us no.
Father Tomasso: Regarding
the Most Precious Blood site diocese said no b/c there needs to be a
presence in our neighborhoods. I do foresee that even if we were to
sell HF tomorrow, we would still have it for approx. a year before
closing and we could still use the buildings for what we need, such as
socials, youth, ….
General Question: Why is
there not a youth group at HA?
Father Tomasso: B/c we
can’t afford another youth minister. HA youth join with the HF group. We
now need to try to focus on central questions.
Thank you to the council members. I also
want to thank the Joint Finance Committee and the FTF for sharing one
meeting. Airing these challenging projections and especially for their
faith and vision in recommending that we go forward, accepting a deficit
budget. It is much like a start up business, as a path to building for
the future. I want to thank the FTF for all their agonizing work and
continued willingness to go forward for the sake of providing church
presence and gospel service into the future.
I support the FTF recommendation as
stated in my January 2008 letter to parishioners. I support the JFC and
FTF recognition of a probable deficit budget as we begin implementing
the recommendation but also I am confident that parishioners will
eventually embrace supporting the new community, tithing and stewardship
efforts will bear fruit, fundraising can be built up significantly. As
Pastor I need to hear from you, members of the Pastoral Council. Again,
we’ll ask everyone to speak briefly. There can be discussion and
questions but after everyone has an opportunity to speak.
-Questions: Can I live with the
recommendation to unify at the HA sight over the next several months
knowing a probable deficit budget is projected in the initial start up
year or so? And, do I see myself helping build up the new community,
including works to help erase any deficit?
David: A lot of what is
going on is b/c of ego. Ego stands for edges God out. Ego causes us to
cherish what we want for ourselves. It is not about what I want or you
want. Ego causes us to covet what we have. Ego causes us to be selfish
with our gifts, talents, time, money, etc. Big stands for; Bring God
Into our Life. Big will cause us to want what we need. Big will allow
us to give up what we have to build something better. Big allows us to
share our talents, time, money and take ownership of our parish. I
support this merger and I will be here for the parish.
Joe: We don’t have a
choice in keeping both communities. We need to move to one sight and
one community and I will help as much as I can.
DeWain: One of my concerns
is the impact on the community. We need to be a positive presence in
the city. This hasn’t factored into things. I would like to see more
information about two worship sights and money in retaining
parishioners. We need to go to a single parish. We need to make
careful decisions and think about the wider community. I am concerned
about making the right decision before we vote.
Dawn: I can’t live with
the deficit budget. If we weren’t so rushed and try to truly build
community. The scenario that works is the 100% but you won’t get that,
the 25% doesn’t look good to me. I feel that people don’t feel
comfortable with this that is has been pushed on them. At HA sight what
are you doing to bring in revenue? What about the Organ Cultural
Committee? If it is done, in a way that it is 100% equitable, exciting
and positive then I will be behind you.
Rick: Accepting the
deficit, I can live with it. I still feel that it might be to the
community advantage to merge the new community but we still have the one
worship at HF. I feel that we would retain 80% of the parishioners.
People said that they would come to the 4pm at HF if that is retained.
No matter what we do we still have to maintain heat in the buildings,
having the rent from HF would be beneficial. In the future, if we have
to sell, it might be a warmer reception to move b/c we tried. I would
stay on as far as finance/council and will do what we need to do. We
would still merge but having the church open on Saturdays would be
good. The finances committee needs to work on some of the small things
that we could cut. There may be some room to use volunteers. May I
read something from Rick Paris who is not here tonight? Father
Tomasso: yes.
Rick P.:
To all council members, first of all I would
like to apologize for being unable to attend tonight's meeting. As we
all are aware, the futures task force recommended that we merge to Holy
Apostles. This suggestion was based on recent financial difficulties.
During the Finance meeting on March 12th, a suggestion was made that we
continue to keep Holy Family open for one weekend celebration,
Saturday. There are several benefits for both parishes in doing
this. The task force estimated that 25% of the congregation would come
over to Holy Apostles. By having a celebration at Holy Family, over 80%
of the people would still be contributing to the collections. An
argument to this could be, "What about the loss of attendance from the
Saturday mass at Holy Apostles?" Knowing that they too, truly love
their church they would try to attend the Sunday services. Another cost
saving reason would be that you would not have to heat both churches the
days they do not have services. Considerations could be made to rent
the churches to another religious affiliation on the days that they do
not have celebrations. Finally, instead of having empty buildings
during the transition, these could also be utilized for our spiritual
life. After seeing the projected budget that was presented to the
Finance Council, I feel that it is necessary to reconsider the task
force recommendation to close Holy Family church in June. It is my
recommendation that we change our mass schedule as stated above. During
this time a suitable tenant may be renting the school. Besides it will
take time to sell the entire campus at Holy Family, so during this
process we should try to offset the projected budget deficit as much as
possible.
John: I have attended many
finance meetings and have been involved in the work that the city west
parishes has. We poured over the data, we looked at various
alternatives. I feel that we came down to the best possible scenario
that we could. I continue to support the FTF decision. I don’t get paid
for what I do. I try to interject myself into HF and love the
community. Going forward I see us coming together and see us as a
vibrant community. We have the ability to draw new people.
Luis: As stated before,
the Latino community has gone through multiple moves. Each time it has
been hurt. I experienced this once and did not come to church for
6yrs. Another move would be extremely hurtful. Moving again will be
hurtful. I believe that coming together will work but we have to come
together. I do approve of the recommendation and I will continue to
help in any way I can. It is one of the things that we can do to help
make it work.
Father Peter: It is
painful and I think we face the pain and hope the we can build something
new and it is very important. HA is going to change. It is very
important that we build. We take the bricks and mortar from each parish
and build the vision and willingness to build and move. I support the
recommendation and will help.
Debbie: I feel that I have
no choice. It is what it is. I had a vision for a new community. I
have great concerns as we need the volunteers and also in light of the
staff hours that will be cut and will not have the staff to fall back
on.
Eddie: Personally I don’t
think I could live with it. The Latino community will not go to HF.
When do you expect to notify the parishioners of the close? How soon
would you tell them that their church will close? Father Tomasso:
It would take at least two/three weeks after we hear from the diocese.
Eddie: I feel that the parishioners would be in a state of
panic. The parishioners know its coming they just want to know when.
Father Tomasso: It could happen quickly/slowly but there has been
communication about this recommendation. Eddie: I think you
need to tell them straight out and tell them they are closing.
Carlos: I can’t live with it. I
am a member of the youth group, I feel like that I am being forced into
it. I will stay regardless. If you go to HA, the facilities are
different. Different isn’t always good for everyone.
Annie: I support it and I
will be around.
Father Tomasso: I do
believe that it is sad and difficult. I recognize that both HA and HF
have their benefits. They cannot use their assets against each other.
We need to pool our strengths. It can work. We talked about it a great
deal. I am going to write the letter to Bishop and send on the
recommendation. I really feel that it is time to pass it on and let
someone else take a look at all our work.
Even in our sadness, many see this as a
viable future.
The minutes/letters/all documentation
goes to the Bishop.
Bob: Is it a consensus or
consultation?
Father Tomasso: If anyone
feels that they need to say more please write to the Bishop. I am not
going to say anything to the Bishop that I haven’t said in these
meetings. All documentation will be forwarded. I am sorry but I do
believe that we need to do this. I need to send the recommendation
because there is support from the Futures Task Force, the Joint Finance
Committee and here, and no viable alternative.
Fran: From the FTF we are
talking about both parishes changing. HA has significant reserve money.
HF has supported a school but it is pulled closing. HF is giving up a
location and feels it harder. If we don’t come together we will both
fall apart. If we can’t support it nothing will work. We have looked at
both sides. I ask that you consider it.
Faith Formation: Easter Vigil 7pm
at HA. There are 2 catechumens.
HA- First Eucharist 4-27-08
9am/11:30am
HF- First Eucharist 5-5-08
10:45am
Confirmation- 6-4-08 at Sacred Heart
Cathedral
First Reconciliation- HA- 3-29-08
2:30pm; HF- 4-5-08 2:30pm OR you can choose a Saturday of their
own.
We are going to have a growing in faith
day 4-19-08. Dinner and movie- Perfect Stranger.
Latino Ministry: Holy Thursday
7pm Mass. 4pm Good Friday begin at school, outdoor procession and end
at HA church. Prep for holy mission Aug 11-15 at HA for city Latino
community.
Communications: News letter went
out three weeks ago. Committee will work on “Spirit Alive”renewal
themes and information.
Website: Couple weeks ago lap top
crashed, lost all documentation that I had, I may need some of you to
provide me with information. (D. Klaus)
Youth Min: No report.
Spirit Alive: Continues three yrs.
Advent to Pentecost.
Had our Growing in Faith day 2-24-08.
Reconciliation Service on 3-24-08
Healing Mass on 3-13-08
Next Growing in Faith day is 4-19-08. We
are also advertising for more volunteers.
Nominating Committee: We need to
recruit new members for council. Several peoples terms are up and we
need a new nomination committee. Choices need to be made by Pentecost
which is 5-10-08. Convener is David Klaus who will recruit Nominating
Committee.
Pastors Comments: Stewardship day
4-26-08 at Burgundy Basin Inn. Registration forms available.
Today I learned I will remain
here as pastor until December 30, 2008 and then be pastor of the
Catholic community in Geneva. A new pastor will come here 12-30-08.
But Fr. Peter will retire in June and we will begin a new Mass
schedule.
New/Old Business: None reported
Next council meeting: April 16th
2008 at the Urban Center; 7pm. Opening prayer: Rick Campoli. Closing
Prayer David Klaus. Adjourn: Joe Simeone/Luis Pabon.
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