Parish Pastoral Council Highlights - Nov

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The following are highlights from the November 12^th meeting of the PPC.
Present: Monsignor Mike Yarbrough, Father Martin Garcia, Craig Koett, Jan Owen, Yolanda Delgado, Dorothy Morris, Cary Collins, Lourdes Correa, Tony Goei, Luis Jimenez, Luis Lane, Martha Rodriguez, and John Shea.
· Excused: Lorenia Aguirre and Brad Wakely.
· Gathering Prayer: Luis Jimenez opened the meeting with a prayer
· Guests Presentations: Jack Wilder discussed the continuing parish ministry of Habitat for Humanity. This will be the 5^th year for Holy Trinity to participate in this project. Jack reviewed the spiritual intent behind Habitat’s “Why Build?” and shared the financial expectations behind a full or half-build—$52,000 for full-build and $26,000 for half-build. The tentative “build date” is Friday, February 1, 2013, with dedication on March 23, 2013. Funding would come from the Parish’s sharing account. Decision: The PPC approved the build with Msgr. Mike determining funding…Brooke Hausmann made a presentation to the PPC to seek the support of Holy Trinity for a new program—Mothering with Grace. There is currently not a moms’ group at Holy Trinity. The purpose of the program is to build community and to support one another as members grow in their Catholic faith and vocations as wives and mothers. Request was made for room space—two rooms (one for moms and one for children, two days a month, during the day, perhaps on Fridays. Assistance with child care was also requested. Decision: The PPC recommended supporting this program. Craig is to follow-up with Brooke on room availability and other specifics.
· Approval of October 2012 PPC Meeting Minutes: The October 2012 Minutes were approved.
· Old Business: Parish Pastoral Council Election Process – Subcommittee Update: At the August meeting, a subcommittee of 6 Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) members was formed to propose recommendations for future elections. At the October meeting, the subcommittee presented its recommendations to the PPC. The recommendations were discussed in detail and the PPC asked that some changes be made and that the revised version be presented at the November 2012 meeting. The PPC reviewed the revised version and recommended minor word changes. It was agreed that a final version would be sent via email to the PPC members for their approval before the next meeting. The PPC By-Laws will be amended to reflect the revised process…Parish Pastoral Council Members’ Roles and Responsibilities – Subcommittee Report: At the October meeting, the PPC subcommittee was asked to define the roles and responsibilities of the PPC members. The subcommittee’s recommendations were presented to the Council. The PPC approved the defined roles and responsibilities that will be printed on the nomination forms which will be completed by parishioners interested in serving on the PPC. Discussion took place regarding how PPC members can be active and aware of the happenings in the parish. One way is to fill the role of representative or liaison for the various ministries in our parish. A group of ministries will be assigned to each PPC member who will act as a liaison between the ministry and the PPC. PPC members will contact each of the ministries assigned to them at least once throughout the year. Any questions, concerns, or issues raised by the ministries will be addressed by the PPC member by forwarding it to the appropriate person, department, committee, or council. Feedback will be provided to the ministry by the PPC member. In order to facilitate the reporting of the status of our ministries—there are a large number of ministries here at Holy Trinity—it was suggested that each quarter, at a designated monthly meeting, each PPC member will discuss one-fourth of the ministries assigned to them by presenting summaries of their ministries’ yearly self-assessments to the Council. A written summary will be sent to the PPC members prior to the meeting. It was agreed that a form should be designed to assist in the yearly ministry assessment. Jan will work with Father Martin to design the form, which will be presented at the December meeting. Dorothy will obtain a list of our ministries… Formal Mission Statement: At the October meeting, Msgr. Mike asked that at the November PPC meeting, each member share their favorite scripture passage as a starting point for the Mission Statement. Since only a few scripture passages were submitted, the Council was not able to begin crafting the Mission Statement. Therefore, Msgr. Mike asked that each member send their citation to him by November 16^th. He will put together the scripture passages and send them out to the PPC members. He asked the Council to review the passages and to be ready to begin writing the Mission Statement at the December meeting…Winter/Spring Ministry: At the September meeting, the PPC discussed the possibility of having the Ministry Fair twice a year (February and August). Because February is approaching, this item was placed on the agenda for this month. The PPC discussed the pros and cons of having a ministry fair in February or March in addition to one in August. A consensus could not be reached, so it was decided to table this item until April or May of next year.
· New Business: There was no new business.
Msgr. Mike: He had three (3) items to report on: 25^th Anniversary Financial Report ; Msgr. Mike told the PPC that during a financial review of accounts, Cecilia found income that had been debited to the wrong account. Therefore, instead of our initial estimated cost of $25,000 being exceeded by almost $7,800, we may have a surplus. Cecilia will provide a final financial report on the 25th Anniversary celebration in December…Lumen Gentium Award 2013: Msgr. Mike presented the criteria for the Lumen Gentium Award and asked the PPC members for nominations. After discussion, it was agreed that the PPC members would send their nominees to Msgr. Mike at least one week before the next meeting. The PPC will discuss the nominations and make a decision at the next meeting…Pastoral Administrator Position: Msgr. Mike shared with the PPC that there are six applicants for the Pastoral Administrator Position. Craig Koett will be retiring by January 31, 2013.
Open Discussion: Cary asked about the two outreach ministries: Christmas Under the Bridge and Pathways. Parishioners were asked to help these two ministries by filling bags located by the Church doors the last two Sundays. Christmas Under the Bridge is always held during this time of year; however, the question was raised as to whether Pathways could be held on another date. With donations being solicited for Christmas Under the Bridge in November and for the Angel Tree in December, parishioners may be more generous if Pathways was held at another time. Is there a reason why it was held in November? Msgr. Mike will take this to the Social Concerns Committee.
Next Meeting : Our next meeting will be on Monday, December 3, 2012. The December meeting opening prayer leader will be Cary Collins and the closing prayer leader will be Lourdes Correa.
· Closing: Tony closed the meeting with a prayer.