Minutes for January 9th, 2008

In Attendance
Fr. John Amsberry, David Mastroieni, Patti LaRue, Lori Burmester, Darlene Greiner, Tim Cook, Mark Butler, Lillian Erwin, Mike Caldwell, Cliff Jensen, Lynette Loumena, Cathy Keathley.

Not in Attendance
Bill Standley

Opening
Father led the group prayer.

David Mastroieni called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm

Old Business
Approved November minutes.

Pray All-Ways Campaign:

Discussion led by Patti LaRue.

Concerns that the parishioners don't really visualize the campaign, it doesn't seem “concrete” to them. Pray All-Ways buttons were a hit, Christian Unity prayer card was a hit. Testimonials and prayer pledges not quite clicking at this point with the parishioners.

Father John will offer up to Christ what prayer pledges there are the week before Lent. Committee will recycle left over prayer pledge cards, blacking out the date and putting them in the pews and Father will ask them to continue to offer their prayer pledges to Christ and will ask them to put them in the collection baskets.

It was agreed to leave the testimonials up in the Narthex and see if the parishioners warm up to the idea during the Lenten Season.

The Campaign Committee will be handing out Prayer Brochures designed by Mike Caldwell on January 19th & 20th as well as on January 26th & 27th in preparation for Lent.

There will be an insert put in the bulletin the week prior to Lent. “Preparation For Lent” written by Mike Caldwell.

Instead of having the Lent Prayer cards printed, Patti will email the weekly prayers to Carolyn in the office to have the prayers put in the bulletin each week. The prayers will also be put on the website as well. The Campaign Committee also suggested that perhaps Father read the new prayer each week at mass to the parishioners.

Father David Brown will be guest speaker for the May 29th, Back to Prayer Night.

Social Justice Committee:

David Mastroieni informed the council that Mike Caldwell has asked that Father Michael Kuebler, Pastor of St. Anne's, to give a presentation on immigration in April sometime. This presentation would be at St. Joseph the Worker in the Social Room. This would probably take place on a Sunday afternoon. The date is yet to be finalized.

Mike and David will meet with Father Kuebler sometime in February to develop the presentation. This will then need to be promoted through the website and the bulletin. As well as plant information throughout the East Portland Suburban Vicariate.

New Business
Italian Dinner:

No one has stepped up to take over as planners. It appears then the dinner will not happen this year.

Cliff Jensen suggested that the spaghetti sauce be sold as a fund raiser.

Cathy Keathley suggested that perhaps it be announced that whomever should take over the position be told that they could set up the dinner in any fashion they wish, that they would not have to follow the plans from previous dinners.

Update on Archbishops Pastoral Council:

David discussed the three committees the Archbishop has asked the council to create:

Social Justice
Immigration
Evangelization

David is in charge of the Evangelization Committee and will have their first meeting on January 12th, 2008.

50th Anniversary of St. Joseph the Worker Parish:

Father John would like a committee formed to plan for the event. It was suggested to have the celebration in lieu of the church picnic. It was also suggested that the Archbishop be invited as well. Another suggestion was to create fliers and have the youth group go out to the surrounding neighborhoods and give them out as invitations for everyone to join us.

Upcoming Council Election:

Lori Burmester will be in charge of getting this organized. Cathy Keathley has documentation of the process.

There will be a need to fill three positions.

It was discussed that the council might want to consider in the future picking new members by discernment and not by having the parishioners vote. By Laws would have to be changed to accommodate that.

Round Table:
Mark Butler discussed the building of a handicap ramp for the basement but said this would be expensive. He also noted that an elevator could also be used instead but again this is an expensive venture and if there are future plans for a new church that it might not be something the church might want to consider at this time.

Repainting of the parking lot lines was suggested.

Discussed the issue of ushers for the 8:30am mass. People don't seem to know where to sit or where to go when the church is full and stand at the back of the church instead of going to the Social Room. This could pose a fire hazard. Lillian Erwin will meet with those who usher at the 8:30am mass and suggest that we keep the Narthex open due to the Fire Marshall.

The need to organize the committee and schedule an Open House for Parish Ministries was discussed and Patti LaRue and Mark Butler will head this project.

Information for Martha and Mary's Ministries will be put on the website.

Guest speaker Carol representing the Haitian Project spoke to the council regarding this ministry and asked that the council review the information about the Haitian Project and decide whether or not the Parish would like to get involved with this project.

Adjournment
Next meeting, Feburary 13th, 6:00 pm in Room 3.

Mike Caldwell led the closing prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Minutes prepared by Patti LaRue, Recording Secretary