November 3rd, 2005

Members Present: Steve Boyle, Pat Murphy, Janet Brown, Susan Sell, Mark Abeln, Mike McCloskey, Vicki Underland-Rosow, Christopher Hermann, Norine Larson, Peter Eichten. Guests: Art Bowman & Jim DeBruycker

  1. Opening Prayer:
    Was led by Janet. Janet brought cards for the recently confirmed SJA youth and the Council members all signed those cards. Group shared mission statement and there was a brief check-in that served as an introduction for Fr. Jim.
  2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the Oct. meeting were not approved. This will need to be done at the next meeting. There were no agenda additions.
  3. Old Business:
    1. Transition Team Update: Susan began the update by saying that the transition team is looking forward to helping Jim in his transition and that will probably go into the next few months. Steve noted that the Communications Committee would be doing short items in the bulletin that will be about getting to know Fr. Jim.
    2. Thanking Fr Jim Cassidy and Transition Team: Vicki asked when and where? The Council felt late January would be a good time, and that it should be done here at St. Joan’s. A committee was created to plan this event: Janet and Christopher volunteered to participate and they can recruit other parishioners to help.
    3. Liaison Reports: Norine noted that the Archbishop did the Confirmation, and that there is already a new confirmation group starting. She also put in a pitch for the Advent Retreat scheduled for Dec. 3. She noted that there are 13 requests for the Justice Fund. Susan reported that the Women’s group session scheduled for this Sat. has about 40 registrants and more will probably come in late. Pat reported on Cabaret and said that Anna Mae felt it will be the most successful ever, but the final numbers are not in yet. She also reported that liturgies are going fine with Fr. Tom Garvey, and that it has been a challenge to make the liturgies work, but the liturgy committee and the staff are working to make that better. Mike said he met with the Communications Committee, and he was impressed with their professionalism. Christopher met with Kathy Itzin and reported that things are going well for Kathy. She wants to do SCCs for GLBT families, but hasn’t been able to that yet. Mike also mentioned that he went to Family Camp and it was an excellent event. Vicki reminded the Council of the New-Comers Dinner on Monday, Nov. 7, and all Council members are encouraged to attend.
    4. Parish Report: Peter gave a report on parish activities, which are numerous. Cabaret was a huge success. There’s a group meeting discussing air conditioning in the gym, and they will meet tomorrow to get better numbers as far as cost is concerned. The plan is to do a survey at a Sunday mass to see what the response of the parish is, and then perhaps a parish meeting. Last Sunday was Housing Sunday and it went well, the ministry is going well and putting affordable units on the market. The Stewardship event scheduled for Oct. was postpones, and the Stewardship Committee is looking to do the event in January. Laura Gaines and family are dong well, and there is a great group of volunteers that are working closely with her and supporting her. Financially we are down, and there is some concern if it doesn’t turn around some time soon. Things will change when Fr. DeBruycker comes on board!
    5. Finish the discussion from last month on Hospitality as it relates to gays in the seminaries: Steve gave a brief review of the history of the GLBT issues and the Council. There has been a long history of SJA welcoming the GLBT community. A couple of years ago there was noise from the Vatican about banning gays from seminaries. The Council took action at that time and wrote the Archbishop, and his response was that he didn’t see the statement to say that. Then came the Mel White incident, and we learned how to deal with that difficult issue with non-violence. Then came the Kathy Itzin issue, and again we dealt with it non-violently. Then a year or so ago another issue when the Vatican stepped in. All of there incidents have been difficult on the GLBT folks here at St. Joan’s, and for the entire SJA community. These issues are about human rights and not just a GLBT issue. Now we are at the issue of limiting gays into the seminary. Jim made the comment that the harsh statements that have been made about this issue actually came from a Fr. O’Brien who is working on the issue, but he stated them out of turn and the Vatican has had to make corrections of what he has said. The official document is still not out. Norine shared a story of a man that comes every other week from Fargo because he finally has found a place where he can be Catholic and gay. There was concern by the group that this mandate on the seminaries is in response to the pedophilia cases and is really misguided. Jim stated that St. Paul seminary actually does a pretty good job in working with seminarians on sexual health. It’s important that the real issues be named – which seems to be about power. The Council agreed that we need to be ready to respond to the next noise that comes from the Vatican that is in the papers. Susan felt we should meet with the Archbishop, and Vicki will put forth an invitation to meet with him that will come from the Council. We need to keep inviting and recognizing the GLBT community!
  4. New Business:
    1. Discussion on Youth: Janet began the discussion and she stated that she will be meeting with the youth leaders next week. She said that the youth are excited about the idea of having Council members come to their meeting and to listen to what they are up to. Janet said that it might be good to have the Council do that on Jan. 29. She will check this out to make sure it works.
  5. Closing Prayer Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Next regular meeting is at 5:00 at the home of Vicki Underland-Rosow, Dec. 1, 2005. Meeting will go until 6:30. At 6:30 your significant other is invited to join us for dinner.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Eichten

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