• MQHR Parish Pastoral Council Minutes June 11, 2013

  PPC Members in attendance Fr. Dan Noll, Fr. Jeffery Estacio (for first 15 minutes), Walter Leachman, Steve McCauley, Phil Heink, Karen Morgison, Vincente Munoz, Jesus Romero, Cora Mudd, John Mitchell and Ginger Fraser.
   

  Other Attendees  Kate Giuliani, Representative of the School Board.

  Absent Deacon Bill Rood, Omar Mendoza, Norma Flores, Kevin Lamping, Brian Carlson, Carol Lee and Mary Grace Allen.

  The meeting started at about 7:10 pm with an opening prayer led by Fr. Dan.   
   

  Diversity Committee 

  Discussion was held as to the status of the Diversity Committee, the formation of which was approved previously by the PPC.  Though the committee is still not up and running, the consensus of the PPC was that forming a diversity committee, and charging it with planning and conducting events in the upcoming year to increase awareness and sharing of the parish’s diverse cultural heritage, was a worthwhile objective for the parish.
   

  Task Force for Development 

  Steve McCauley reported that the Task Force continues to meet weekly to discuss and review ideas to raise funds from parishioners and/or outside sources to:

        a)  Make principal and interest payments on ELC and Priests’ house; and

        b)  Meet obligations to the Diocese for the One in Faith and Mission Campaign.

  The Task Force recently received input from Becky Brown and discussed the idea of students selling discount cards. Becky expressed concerns about adding another fundraiser when her goal is to streamline fundraising.  Becky suggested, as an alternative to the discount cards, that students sell 10 $25 raffle tickets (rather than the 4 presently requested). 
   

  Phil and Kate reported that at last School Board meeting, the consensus was that a requirement for students to sell 10 raffle tickets (about 4000 total) was not was realistic, given that only 1,099 were sold last year.  The School Board seemed more amenable to the idea of students selling discount cards, or something of value.
   

  Our Parish and Our Mission

   Father Dan initiated a discussion concerning the basic culture of our parish.  Specifically whether our parish should focus on serving the needs of active parishioners; or whether we should turn our focus outward to actively attract and welcome new parishioners.  Input was received from several PPC Members that the primary goal of our parish, and indeed the church, is to evangelize, that is bringing Jesus’ saving grace to others.  Discussion was held as to whether this parish would accept such a cultural shift in light of its history.
   

  Father Dan shared a book he had been reading titled Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost and Making Church Matter.  The 2013 book details the efforts of a parish to increase its enrollment by reaching out to the community as opposed to looking inward to its active parishioners.  Father Dan has shared the book in staff meetings and staff members are reading it as well.
   

  The consensus of the PPC was that the idea of a cultural shift was a big one, but one worth studying further. The Members agreed to obtain a copy of Rebuilt and to read and reflect upon it prior to next month’s meeting. 
   

  Upcoming Elections

  Two Members of the PPC Executive Committee, Steve McCauley and Ginger Fraser (who is completing Bill Drane’s second term) have terms expiring this fall.  The PPC Members agreed to identify and approach potential candidates for the upcoming election.
   

  Minutes of May 21 PPC Meeting

  On motion made, the May 21, 2013 Minutes were approved without dissent.
   

  Next PPC Meeting

  The PPC will meet on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. 
   

  Closing prayer and adjournment

  The meeting was adjourned at about 9:00 pm after the closing prayer led by Ginger Fraser.
   

  last updated 08/24/2013 jm