Open Forum

The meeting began with the parish prayer at 6:50pm.

Discussion topics:

• That Man is You – first planning meeting will be 3/16 for the program scheduled to start in September.  This program has two 13-week sessions, for a period of 3 years. Online resources and a source book are part of the materials.
• Blue Ribbon Panel was created 2/29 to address solutions for our space needs.  Saint Vincent de Paul and San Jose Home Makers are two ministries with bulging storage needs. (San Jose Home Makers recently rented a warehouse with a sponsor’s support for 2 years). There are 2 possible donations (a trailer and property) that are being addressed as possibilities – we must be prepared to move forward.
• The tent for Easter Masses may be located in the back (west) parking area, thus freeing more parking potentially and allowing us to forgo the expensive flooring option.
• The Easter sunrise service attracted over 1289 faithful last year; a new layout has been discussed.
• The Lenten Fish Fry team served 792 meals last week, which amounts to 150 served every 30 minutes.  The serving team could use some help!!
• Our APA donations amount to nearly 50% (47.56%) of goal as of March 9. ($170,0787.87 pledged)
• Our Building Our Future Together Campaign is up to $1,810,819, which is ahead of projection; should be 30% of goal by 3/30.
• Parish debt is still being paid off at the rate of $20K/month.  The balance may be below 1 million dollars by July 2012.
• Christ Renews His Parish weekends are 3/17-18 (Men) and 3/24-25 (Women). There are openings for the Men’s weekend only at this time.
• The Building Committee will be meeting again after 3 months.
  1. Drawings completed in early November after the “stop work order” are now being reviewed closely.  Arts and Environment are also reviewing with the architect the two contracts, including the liturgical furnishing.  Two proposals for the memorials are being evaluated for appropriateness and appeal.
  2. The church we were hoping to contract with for church windows is among the 13 parishes given an override permission by the Vatican to re-open; our search may start again.
  3. There are small changes to the county building code that will require revision on our plans.
• Father Bill has asked for a new strategic plan to be drawn up, since the old one is 6-7 years old.  Usually there are both 5-year and 10-year plans.

Questions were asked about where to get more information about the school issues and news from the Building Committee.

• The Spring Jubilee – more roles are being filled weekly.  Wells Fargo has given a $10K award to the committee to be earmarked for free tickets for military personnel.  We are working on the credit card and EMS connections to be improved this year.
• Stephen Ministry is not functional yet.
• Electricians are working on the 100 watt mercury lighting on the east side parking lot. The dim lights are a problem, and there is talk of how to improve this, or to shine lights on the building for reflection.  The problem is, explained Tim Donohue, the wiring is limited to the watts and ampheres we have presently; we cannot put more highly-powered lighting in at this time.

 Meeting closed in prayer at 7:30pm.