Christian Formation Board

Meeting Minutes – February 25, 2008

 

Present:      Janet Herman                     Jane Glynn-Nass                      Absent:

                  Jean Lipinski                       Cheryl Redding                              Mary Janowak

                  Sr. Melanie Paradis            Chris Zodrow                                Lary Francione

                  Mary Michael                     Barb Hetzel                              Guest:

                  Colleen Terry                     Andrea Knopp                              John McGinnis

                  Lynne Roy                         

 

1.      Opening Prayer: (Lynne Roy)

2.      Approval of January Minutes

Minutes were approved with minor changes.

3.      Chairperson’s Report

a.       At Fr. Paul’s request, search committees have begun the recruiting process for a K-5 Director and a Youth Director. Job descriptions have been created by the search committee and are scheduled to be posted locally and at strategic universities.

b.      Marilyn Lieske and Jean Lewis have resigned.  Colleen Terry will be leaving her post at the end of the school year. Mary Stepp will be leaving her position as well.

c.       Jane Glynn-Nass and Lynne Roy have both volunteered for the chair-elect position.  Lynne removed her name from the process, allowing Jane to become the new Chair-Elect.

4.      Director’s Report

a.       Michelle Fischer will be at SJV on Tuesday night to talk to confirmation advisors. Parents and sponsors are welcome to share information and feelings. Michelle may also assist us with our curriculum sub-committee March 5th.

b.      Fr. Paul would like to establish some small group time for prayer and worship for our youth similar to the previous Zion group.

c.       Julie Beres is working as confirmation coordinator, youth retreats, and aiding with the development of a baccalaureate on June 1 at the 11:00 mass. Julie is working on an upcoming workcamp for our youth in South Dakota from June 29 to July 5th. Thirty spots are available.

d.      March 8th is the activity day for first communicants at 8:30 to 12:00.  Eighty children are expected to attend.

e.       Catechists and their families are invited to a thank you celebration planned for April 27th to honor their effort and commitment to the program.  Mary Stepp is willing to help coordinate this activity.

f.        The GIFT program was well attended on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. 170 people attended Sunday afternoon and 70 attended Friday.

5.      Open Forum

No new business.

6.      Business

a.      Continuation of youth ministry plan

1)      All programs are still in progress, with the exception for the “Walk in  Frame Park” for the homeless on March 22.

2)      Additional adult leaders are needed for the 11th grade retreat at the new Tyme Out center on March 14-16th.

3)      Michelle Fischer came to lead a 10th grade retreat of 20 students at Camp Whitcomb/Mason. The topic was chastity and the students were comfortable and enjoyed the retreat.

b.      Department Structure/Restructure

Some organizational changes were discussed to include the following:

·        Department chair responsibilities may be moved to the Pastor or Associate Pastor level.

·        Add an Associate Director for the Youth Ministry. Potential candidates could include recent college graduates.

·        Combine the Youth Coordinator and Child Coordinator into one full-time position supporting both ministries.

The position of Youth Director will be posted within the next two days.

c.       Nomination Sunday

We can only bring in three new board members each year and fill the remainder of the terms of those who have left. A person may only be elected to the board for two terms. Sr. Melanie has volunteered to take one of the open board positions for one additional year.

7.      Sub-committee Report

a.      Finance/CF Organization

The financial plan was presented and well accepted by the Parish Finance Committee.

 

b.      Marketing/communication/website

1)      The school has their webpage up and running. Christian Formation is scheduled to begin outlining their web page in March. It is anticipated that the coordinator and/or the secretary will update the website as needed.

2)      Additional volunteers are needed to help design the website from a layman’s perspective. Ideally, many of the CF forms will be placed on the website for families to complete or at least download.

c.       Family Enhancement

Development of the GIFT program is continuing. The GIFT sub-committee will be wrapping up and formulating their conclusions by April 10th.

d.      Curriculum (6 through 12)

Catechist surveys have been returned providing good feedback. The sub-committee is planning on contacting the more successful Catholic youth ministries within our area for ideas and improvements. Youth ministry students will be included to evaluate what has been successful at SJV and also the areas requiring improvement.  A meeting with Michelle Fischer may help provide new ideas for our 6th through confirmation curriculum. 

8.      Director’s Report

a.      Child Ministry

Details are outlined above.

b.      Youth Ministry

Details are outlined above.

c.       Adult & Family Ministry, Human Concerns

No report.

9.                  Liaison Report

a.      Parish Council

1)      Barb wanted to clarify our new policies to reflect that the CF board does not approve the policies, but can have input to development of policies.

2)      Fr. Paul handed out book on pastoral transitions. Evaluation sheets were completed to aid in the search of a new priest. No one has been hired as a new pastor as of today.

3)      The quad parishes are creating a marketing program to promote our programs and events.

4)      The next parish council meeting will be held n March 13th (Thursday night).

b.      School Board

No report.

10.              Closing Prayer