SEPTEMBRER 2013 MEETING MINUTES

Genesis Vicariate Pastoral Council (VPC) Representative Meeting

6:30 p.m. ~ September 30, 2013

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Offices

AGENDA:

  1. OPENING PRAYER
  2. MEETING DATES & STRUCTURE
  3. RELIGIOUS FORMATION & THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
  4. VICAR’S REPORT
  5. REGIONAL MODERATOR’S COMMENTS
  6. ANNOUNCEMENTS
  7. CLOSING PRAYER AND DISMISSAL

PRESENT: Parishes – St. Moses the Black, St. Bartholomew-St. Rita, Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady Queen of Heaven, St. Raymond-Our Lady of Good Council, Our Lady Queen of Apostles, AOD – Alton James, Fr. Eduardo Montemayor. Sean Calvin, Patty Chase.

GREETING & OPENING PRAYER

The meeting was called to order and everyone was welcomed by Chairperson Stanley Bloch. Msgr. LeFevre led the people in prayer.

MEETING DATES & STRUCTURE

We will be returning to the alternating meetings of Pastoral Council one month and Priests & Pastoral Ministers the next month. The schedule for the year:

Vicariate Pastoral Council - September 30thNovember 25th

January 27thMarch 24th

May 19th

Pastoral Ministers Meeting - October 15thDecember 17th

February 18thApril 15th

June 13th

Council structure:Vicar: Msgr. Mike LeFevre

Chair: Mr. Stanley Bloch

Vice Chair: Ms. Mable Jones

Treasurer: Mr. Mark Justice

Secretary: Ms. Donna Tschirhart

RELIGIOUS FORMATION & THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

Stan introduced Patty Chase, AOD Central Region Coordinator for Catechetics, Fr. Eduardo Montemayor, SOLT, AOD Associate Director of Evangelization and Hispanic Ministry, and Sean Calvin, AOD Assistant Director in charge of Ministerial Certification. The AOD office is there to support parishes and help people to be formed in the faith. It would greatly help Patty to know who in each parish is working in catechetics and evangelization. A current list will compiled from parishes. Patty will send Msgr. LeFevre and Alton James the list she is working with now.

Sean explained the Certification process and listed the areas of ministry that offer certification. More information can be found at:

Fr. Eduardo is working with and supporting parishes in the New Evangelization, as well as Hispanic Ministry. The premise is that you have Jesus in your heart and need to bring Him to the hearts of others. Fr. Eduardo shared handouts – “Model for the New Evangelization in Stages,” and “Kerygmatic Encounters with Christ.” More information at: as well as a registration form for training at:

VICAR’S REPORT

Msgr. LeFevre shared that Abp. Vigneron is moving toward a new direction for the diocese – from Changing Lives Together to Synod 2016 & New Evangelization: the Family. The archdiocese needs to be in preparation for the events of 2016 now. More information to follow.

Points of discussion:

  • Is an RCIA vicariate process practical?
  • Dcn. Hubert Sanders can speak to the experience of Alpha for Catholics.
  • Central Region Faith Formation Leadership Meeting on October 23, here at Blessed Sacrament.
  • Michigan Catholic Conference is proposing a new payroll corporation for parishes – have your Business Manager evaluate it – checks and balances are in place to allow transparency of finances.
  • CLT – closing celebration a success and a 6th wave to begin.
  • Capuchin ministries reminds us that they will provide a Healing Mass in your parish if desired.
  • The challenge of increasing African-American vocations – is the lack due to less schools, not enough visible leadership, SHMS not the best environment for young African-American men – may need to have formation in a more deliberate culture: NOLA, Chicago???

REGIONAL MODERATOR’S COMMENTS

Alton reported that TIF II continues to unfold. St. Bartholomew/St. Rita is looking at merger with Our Lady Queen of Heaven. Discussion on the geographic and financial situation of the parishes. What happens to the parish boundaries when they merge if not geographically contiguous?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Various activities in the vicariate were reviewed.

Immigration reform is a topic of concern. Keep this situation in your prayer.

Please send notices of parish events and/or other programsto the Genesis VPC email so that we can list them on the website. We will continue to update / create our website to answer the communication needs of the VPC. We are in the process of creating a “bulletin board” of Vicariate and AOD events on the website as well as a photo page of events in our vicariate. The monthly Vicariate Newsletter that is sent to each parish will continue to highlight the Vicar’s column, vicariate concerns, and the directory of parishes.

Email:ebsite:

CLOSING PRAYER AND DISMISSAL

Meeting ended and Msgr. LeFevre led us in prayer.

Next meeting: Priests & Pastoral Ministers – Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 12:00pm at Blessed Sacrament

Vicariate Pastoral Council – Monday, November 25, 2013 at 6pm at Blessed Sacrament