June 2014

Present: Fr. Arock, John & Ann Mitchell, Carolyn Large, Becky Estep
absent but responded via email: Sue Sopala, Joe & Ginger Osteen

Called to order at 7:05pm with parish meeting prayer and reading from John

Fr. Arock led a short discussion on the importance of outreach to all parts of the church community. Singles were identified as the sometimes overlooked portion of our community.

Carolyn Large and Becky Estep shared the positive experience of a small group using ‘Rediscover Catholicism”. The response has been very enthusiastic and has created much discussion. Several potential leaders have been identified for future groups. Further information will be forthcoming.

The committee collectively went over the recommendations from the task force, section by section.

• Environmental and welcoming – all were in general agreement with the following suggestions and questions 1-6 with the following caveats:
  • #4 point out to greeters that there are double doors on all entrances. This is often observed as not being manned.
• In task area 7-13, several seemed redundant in regard to the Information Center.
  • #8 led to discussion of where the desk could be located at lesser cost. Staff with separate volunteers and not task the Greeters with further responsibilities.
  • #10 Consensus was very favorable. ‘ Ask Me’ tags worn by volunteers could be useful.
  • #12 extremely important item for both bathrooms.
• In task area 14-17,
  • #14 why compromise the space for the music ministry any more with childcare? Long range initial plans were to build a day chapel to be used also as a ‘cry room’. This needs to be a part of long range planning.
  • #17 was highly recommended (pew information cards)!
• In task areas 18-21, all similar in nature, all concern ongoing education and re-education of parishioners. Further information is needed on space limitations, materials to be used, and formation of leaders. Clarification of committee tasks is still needed.
• In task areas 22-32, there was general agreement but with the following caveats:
  • #22 (survey) drew a negative response.
  • #28-29 should these not be addressed by the Liturgy Committee and the Music Director? Why did the ‘performance’ issue arise?
  • #31 CRHP post-weekend groups are underutilized for outreach. This area would be an excellent way to involve neophytes in the greater parish community.
  • #32 Fr. Danny Schwendeman wrote an excellent multi-part series on the Mass while he was here that was used as an insert in the bulletin for several weeks. These are available and could be reused.
• In task areas 33-44, seemed interconnected with many other areas.
  • #33 the term ‘social media’ was not understood. There was expressed concern about this and how it would be monitored.
  • #34 why another survey? Have the past ones been productive and successful?
  • #35 Is ‘Welcoming Home’ to be considered a separately created program just for Mary Queen? Could this not be combined with the successful program at Christ the King? Why re-invent the wheel?
  • #39 Recommend that this parish re-education not be combined with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Rather, have an open house / meeting with the RCIA team, sponsors, and past participants to explain how the RCIA process works as part of a welcoming package to new parishioners.
• In task areas 40-44, agreed that areas of outreach are very important to the parish. The items listed under these task areas need further explanation and information before being undertaken.

The chair opened the floor for discussion about the continuation of the Evangelization Committee. Problems noted were the lack of enthusiasm of some of those committed to serve who seldom participate. The consensus was that we need to focus on one action at a time, such as re-education. Limit focus to an achievable action. Work with other committees for a combined effort.

Recommendations from those present were for a sabbatical for July and August. Meet in September to re-evaluate the question. The book ‘Nine Words’ by Allen Hunt was recommended for summer reading. Think about an Advent event for the committee to consider.

Those present thanked Fr. Arock for his faithful attendance, leadership, and contributions. We wished him success is his new assignment and pledged our continuing prayers for him.

Meeting close with prayer and adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted, Ann Mitchell

Attachments:
from Sue Sopala:
This felt like a kid in a candy store for me. I love all the work the committee has already done and this is exciting that even a few are incorporated a time, it will show we are moving in the right direction. For somewhere in scripture it says if we are standing still in our faith, we are actually going backwards. Thank you John and to your committee for all the hard work they have done.
I agree with: 1 4 6 8 9 11 12 17 20 21 23 24 25 28 32 33 37 39 40
I disagree with: 2 3 5 15 16 22 29
Further discussion: 10 13 14 19 26 27 30 31 34 35 36 38 41 42 43 44

From Joe & Ginger Osteen:

SECTION	REFERENCE	RECOMMENDATION	Joe & Ginger's Input	DEPENDS ON	COMMITTEE	PRIORITY	DURATION       IN MONTHS	COST	TRAINING	comment
ENVIRONMENT/           ACCESS
	1.00	Create visitor parking spaces	No, unless very limited in number.  They may often be idle or misused.		B&G		1	$$
	3.00	Establish additional handicapped parking spaces for 4pm mass	Yes		B&G		1	$$
	5.00	Path to Rectory front door from side entrance	Yes	5.01	B&G		1	$$		handicapped access?
	5.01	Side entrance procedures in place	No, due to security concerns.  Use signage to direct to front door.	5.03	Front Office		1		T
	5.02	Conduct study on Rectory Handicapped accessibility	Yes		TBD		?	??
	5.03	Improve signage for Parish office	Yes		B&G		1	$$
	13.00	Expansion of Greeting Area	No		B&G		12	$$$		Possibly Expand area to partially enclose the porch area
HOSPITALITY
	4.00	Name a leader for Greeting Ministry	Yes
	4.10	Handicapped greeting and assistance into and out of church	Yes	4.00,4.20	Greeters		1
	4.20	Training for handicapped ministry	Yes		Greeters		1		T
	2.00	Visitor recognition/Welcome			TBD
	2.01	at parking places	No		Greeters				T
	2.02	at Mass (??)	Yes		(??)
	12.00	Bathroom Check before Mass	Yes.  Minimum pickup, no cleaning.		Greeters		1			need leader for greeters;  inserted as item 4.0 sequence 9.0
	8.00	Develop centralized Information Center	No, seems fine where it is.				3	$$$	TTT
	8.01	IC  Planning and Design phase*			TBD
	8.02	IC Development of materials			TBD
	8.04	IC Contruction			B&G
	9.00	Staffing of new Information Center	Yes.		TBD				TTT
	17.00	Comment cards in pews to ask for information and followup	No, use our comment box.		Communications, Ushers, Staff			$$$	TT	Brackets with pens installed on pews
	10.00	Train volunteers to be able to answer questions; provide Ask Me badges	Yes		Greeters		1		TTT
	10.01	Need leader for Greeter ministry	Yes
	6.00	Continue doughnut Sunday every month after 8:15 - 11:00 masses	Yes		Parish Life		1	$	T	sign for donations to offset cost
	11.00	Encourage everyone to greet their neighbors before the bells at Mass	Yes		?? Celebrant or Music ministry?		1			Quick
MASS EXPERIENCE
	14.00	Nursery for children under 3	No		Early Childhood Formation		6	$$$	TT
	15.00	Offer a better explanation of the children's dismissal at mass for newcomers so they will know purpose and age of children	Yes		Liturgy, Children's Liturgy of the Word		1	none		Quick
	29.00	Prayerfully evaluate Music ministry--Music to lead attendees in worship vs passive listening	Yes		Music		2			evaluate
	28.00	Add Contemporary music (songs and isntruments) to the youth mass	No		Youth, Liturgy, Music		6	$
	32.00	For four consecutive weeks explain portions of mass during Homily	Yes		Celebrants		6	$		Evaluate
		Thematic topics over several weeks in homilies	Yes
	24.00	Living Stations	No		Liturgy?		12		T	Quick
	23.00	Corpus Christi	Yes		Liturgy		1		T	Quick
	16.00	Greet baptismal visitors and invite them back	Yes		Celebrant		1			Quick
	22.00	Conduct a survey of those that attend Mass	No		Evangelization, Ushers		3		TT	see additional notes
FORMATION
	18.00	Establish an ongoing Catholicism 101 Course	Yes		Adult Formation		6	$$	TT	see additional notes
	20.00	Offer Catholicism 101 courses online or in a self study format	Yes		Adult Formation		6
	19.00	Establish and ongoing large group formation event with a meal	No, we believe that small groups are more effective.		Adult Formation		8	$$$		Fellowship and basics
	21.00	Reintroduce the monthly whole community assembly for extended catechesis	Maybe		Adult Formation		6	$$	TT	Provide discipleship training; Refreshment
	25.00	Get the youth more involved in ministries	Yes		Youth Ministry		1			Quick
	26.00	Small groups to create disciples and light their fire	Yes		Adult Formation				T	Evaluate
	27.00	Create small groups for new parishoners	Yes		Adult Formation					Evaluate;      This could be new youth as well as adults
	31.00	Develop a discipleship training program for those completing RCIA, CHRP or other interested persons	Maybe		Adult Formation		8			redirect to monthly training
	30.00	Establish a program much like the pray for a country program to have members of the congregation pray for a specific ministry	Yes		Devotions		2	$		Similar to the pray for a country program.
	38.00	Educate the parish on importance of sharing faith.	Yes		Adult Formation, Celebrants
OUTREACH
	39.00	Invite the community to an RCIA inquiry session with a meal	No		Adult Formation, Parish Life			$$	T	Open House
	35.00	Semi Annual Catholics Returning Home event	Yes		Parish Life, Adult Formation			$$	T	Evaluate; While aimed at non-practicing Catholics, encourage parish to invite friends and family
	34.00	Non- Practicing Catholics Survey	Yes		Evangelization		6	$$		unchurched
	40.00	St. Paul Street Evangelization	Yes		Evangelization, Adult Formation				TTT	Evaluate
	36.00	Train teams to go door to door asking for prayer requests and inviting people to attend MQ	No		Evangelization, Adult Formation		12		TTT
	37.00	Mail a postcard to all addresses within parish boundaries with upcoming events; centered around Christmas and Easter	No		Communications			$$$		pick a zip code
	41.00	Reach out to Congolese community inviting them to church and forming relationships	Maybe		Diversity				TT
	42.00	Hold an event targeted for the refugee group	Maybe		Diversity			$$
	43.00	Follow up with Debbie Goonan for best methods of outreach	Maybe		Diversity					Evaluate
	44.00	Reach out to Louisville parishes that are already assisting refugees.	Maybe		Diversity					Evaluate
COMMUNICATIONS
	7.00	Redesign the Bulletin	Yes				2	$		Quick
	33.00	Establish a Communication sub-committee for social media	Yes		TBD		3			Goal is to reach out with a consistent and effective message abou the parish, events and education programs