GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH

Evansville, Indiana

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

October 25, 2016

The regular meeting of the Good Shepherd Parish Council was held on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with a prayer.

ROLL CALL:

Parish Council

Father Zach Etienne Dana Blanke Shari Hirsch Ken Schenk

Deacon Dan DeCastra Mary Beth Davis Judy Miller

Sarah Gahagen Tony Fehrenbacher Donald Patton

Sue Ballard

ABSENT: Chad Schnarr and Brad Will

Mary Beth motioned to approve the minutes for September 27, 2016. Don stated a second, a vote was taken and the minutes were approved.

COMMISSION REPORTS:

SCHOOL COUNCIL—emailed report from Kristen Girten is attached

HEALTH MINISTRY—emailed report from Sharon Sutton is attached

HOSPITALITY/FELLOWSHIP—emailed report from Mary Payne is attached

YOUTH MINISTRY—emailed report from Cindy Shoulders is attached

SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION—Mary Beth Davis

The Haiti Parish has requested $19,800 for their school. The Priest sent spreadsheets of the Parish financials. Mary Beth will perform a test run of sending money to the Haiti Parish to be sure the system works correctly. The Rice and Bean dinner is on 1/21/17. This is more of an educational tool for the other Parishes than a fund raiser. ST started the Haiti project in 1983. Documentaries are on the website. There is no guaranteed amount to the Haiti Parish; they understand funding amounts can fluctuate.

BINGO COMMISSION--the committee did not meet this month. A member asked when the last meeting was held. It has been several months. The commission was established for the purpose of trying to encourage new workers to volunteer.

FINANCE--- Sarah Gahagen

  • Sarah distributed a Financial Commission report. The balance sheet for 7/31 has been consolidated to include both GS and ST. The Parish is now operating with one financial statement.
  • The expense for Vectren utilities for ST is being matched to convert from a cash basis to an accrual basis.
  • There have been some capital expenses: an awning has been added on the west door of the ST Parish Hall, the floor has been repaired. A new roof was put on the garage, and technology updates were done.
  • The net proceeds from the Fall Festival booth are about $10,000. The profits are being donated to our sister Parish in Haiti.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Capital Campaign:
  • An update letter was received from the Diocese, there are 6 weeks left in the campaign, the goal is be done with visiting assignments by 11/11, and a final appeal in Church will be on 11/19 & 20.
  • As of this date over $753,800 has been pledged, 55.7% of the goal amount.
  • Parishioners who received visits have pledged 66% of the pledged amount, $209,000 has been pledged by the ambassadors and 35 Parishioners not receiving visits pledged $44,000.
  • 124 cards have been returned by Parishioners receiving a personal visit, 215 are still out. Sarah will schedule another meeting. A letter to non-Catholics with children attending Good Shepherd will be sent asking for a gift towards the parking lot.
  • The Zuki Restaurant will contribute 50% of all sales on Sunday, October 30, to the capital campaign.
  • Tim McGuire reported the professional firm handling the capital campaign said excellent progress is being made by GS.
  • ST Property:
  • The nuns will continue to pay rent to the Diocese.
  • The final transfer date is still to be determined. George will continue maintenance until the transfer is finalized.
  • There are still many items in the kitchen; some of the items will be brought to GS.
  • The statues have not been moved. Father Zach hopes to have this done by the Christmas program on 12/1.
  • Funeral Masses can still be held at ST if desired.
  • DressingSale: Many people have volunteered to work. Sarah suggested putting the location change on the billboard advising the sale will held at GS. The information will also be in The Message. Judy will have to bring supplies from ST.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Date for next meeting: the next Parish Council meeting will be on 12/6 due to the holidays. It will be the only meeting in December.

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

  • Father Zach advised the visit by the Seminarians has gone well, the last day is Oct. 26th.
  • Confirmation will be on Saturday, Oct. 29at 4:30 p.m. Mass.
  • Christmas Masses will be at 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.
  • Jerry Pratt will be visiting during Christmas.
  • The Brute Awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at St. Ben’s.
  • Memorial HS Girls’ Lacrosse would like have a “lock-in” at GS and has contacted Kristen. The Lacrosse team is currently using the fields. The team will have chaperones and will pay $200. The team is doing a service project—the “Soul Hope” project. There will be 53 girls. Memorial has had an after-Prom program at GS. There was a discussion regarding granting this request. There will be some GS Parishioners’ children in attendance. It was decided to consider the request if the following conditions are met: a Parishioner must rent the facility, the rental fee of $200 must be paid, the guests must stay in a confined space, the event cannot be an overnight-- must end by midnight and the space must be cleaned. A vote was held, and it was decided to allow the event in accordance with the terms.
  • The Mass for the deceased will be on Nov. 1st.
  • Father Zach will be out of town from l1/7 to 11/10.
  • The Christmas tree program is being revamped, and will be handled by another group. Families must apply through Catholic Charities to be eligible to receive gifts. Families who have received gifts in the past will be notified of the changes.

ACTION ITEMS:

  • Updates on the capital campaign.

The meeting ended with a prayer.

ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

NEXT MEETING –December 6, 2016

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Ballard