Sept. 2020 Minutes
Pastoral Council Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020
Members Present: Julie Harman, Marla Neal, Lou Angles, Kevin Nordhues, Libby Hernandez, Patrick Schaub, Hugo Mendoza.
Members Absent: Steve Gregoire, Arsenio Arciga, Dan Bacon,
Guests: Father Mike & Jim Newell
Opening prayer by Julie, and then she opened the meeting at about 7 pm. Minutes from the August 2020 meeting were approved.
Jim Newell’s Discussions:
· Jim reported nearly the same thing as last month in that the revenue coming in is paying the monthly bills because we are holding the budget to 2/3 that of usual.
Father Mike’s Discussions:
· Capital Campaign payments remain good. Parishioners are remaining faithful to their pledges, and some have completely paid off their pledge promise.
· Masses
o At 10:30 mass last Sunday, Sept. 13th, attendance was up to 300, and the church looked pretty full with social distancing, but we are still allowed 50% capacity (600).
o We are having trouble with an inadequate number of ushers at the 10:30 mass. We have enough ushers for the other two masses.
· Helping Hands program – We are not really in need of much help yet, as the number of parishioners that have returned to mass still remains relatively low.
· The Altar Society’s recent request to have their storage room moved from the basement of the rectory has been granted. Their room is now in the basement of the new church by the social area.
· Lori Tajchman is presently handling the responsibilities of both the Religious Education Director and Youth Director.
· Appreciation event for those mowing the church grounds – Invitation to watch “Fatima” at B&B Theatres on Sept. 9th.
· BBQ Contest and dinners went very well.
o TMIY won the contest with their BBQ
o 500 pulled pork dinners were served resulting in a profit of $5,000
· Hugo mentioned that the Knights were also planning another dinner on Oct. 16th, but this time with tacos.
· School
o Now in session for the 5th week with no COVID cases reported.
o The children are all wearing their masks and seem happy to be back.
o 324 students total. She mentioned that attendance would usually be up near 400, if not for the pandemic.
· St. James School Auction will be held virtually on Oct. 10th using a corporate Zoom link, and including:
o Curbside meals to go, like what the Knights of Columbus have been doing. Set meals to include:
§ Salad
§ Mushrooms
§ Chicken
§ Pasta w/veggies
§ Fresh fruit
§ Beer or wine
o Purchases will be done online
o Videos will be made for the auction showing classrooms and what the day of students looks like.
o Everyone has been very generous, even with pandemic concerns
o Auction tickets can be purchased online at $50 each – stjamesschoolauction.org
o 150 tickets had been sold at the time of this meeting with 400 as the goal.
Jim Newell discussion:
· Jim reviewed items regarding the new church
o 2012 – Commission Plan
o 2014 – Parking Lot installed
o 2013 to 2020 – 3 Capital Campaigns
o 2018 in April – Start of new church construction
o 2019 in Oct. – New Church Dedication
· Jim also mentioned that he’d be retiring on Dec. 10, 2020. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE JIM!!
Next meeting – The next pastoral council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12th. Hugo Mendoza will be doing the opening prayer.
Closing Prayer – Father Mike