Church of St. Henry Faith Community
Minutes of the Pastoral Council
Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Members Present: Fr. Tony Vanderloop, Mike Benedetto, Steve Andrews, Pat Ray, Colleen Weiss, Mark Fluharty, Dan Gregory, Jerome Baier, Jeff Larch.

Members Absent: Kathleen Massman, Cheryl Petykowski, Mark Berning, Hank Knott (alternate) and Kathy Metzger.

1. Call to order at 7:20 PM with opening prayer.
2. Minutes for February 2012, had been approved and posted to the website. Some members stated they had not yet reviewed the minutes. One member stated that he did not read them because they were dated January and not February and he thought they were old minutes. One change was made to New Business, Paragraph c (miss-numbered) number ii. Instead of reading “there currently is a MN state amendment” – it should read “there currently is a MN State statute.” Changes will be made and re-posted to the website. It was decided that Colleen will send copies to everyone as soon as she receives them and it is our responsibility to read them, respond and approve as soon as possible so that Susan can have them posted to the website.
3. Father Tony handed out copies of The Constitution and By-Laws of the Parish Community of St. Henry to those who were not present last month.
4. Open Forum (Parishioners Questions)
a. How is food being handled at funerals? Is it true that there will be no more food (ie bars and salads) from the parish family? Father Tony and other members stated that is was not a parish decision, it is a State decision mandated by State Health Code.
b. Rediscover Catholicism book. Several parishioners approached Mike Benedetto about this new book that is being provided to the parish. It was funded in part by the Knights of Columbus and CCW. More copies have been ordered and the booklet will be handed out at Mass after Easter. In the meantime there are copies available on a shelf in the Fireside Room for anyone who would like to have one. Mike is very impressed with what he has read.
c. Jeff Larch has been approached by parishioners concerned about the content of the Homily regarding the Marriage Amendment. Jeff was asked should the parish expect to hear more such homilies? Father asked “was it too harsh?” No definite answer was given.
d. Will there ever be a larger Crucifix in our church? Standing Art Committee could discern. There are currently no plans but may eventually enter into discussion again.

Old Business:
A. Discuss Parish Council Election. Four terms are ending. Kathleen Massman is resigning. Mike Benedetto has one year remaining, therefore there is a two year term to fill. Dan Gregory is resigning. Mark Fluharty is undecided. Monica Martin and Pat Ray will continue in their positions. Council members were encouraged to provide names of parishioners they think would be good for the positions and willing to become a member. Susan, with help from the council, will develop ballots to be placed in the pews for the first Sunday after Easter. Those nominated will be called and invited to a discernment meeting sometime in May where their names will be placed into a hat.
New Business:
A. Capital Campaign – a long discussion was held about the best way to approach our current debt. Father had a discussion with the Finance Committee on how to tackle current debt. There is a $350,000 street assessment that Father would like to see paid off. He also met with the Trustees who thought our first step should be to develop a vision and present it to the parish. We would begin the process through the spring and summer and begin the Campaign in the fall. Questions from Pastoral Council included: Could the campaign be done in-house, using parishioners with knowledge? Do we need a strong Communication/Vision Committee (Strategic Action Committee) that would stay with the process even after the Capital Campaign was completed? Is an outside firm, costing $30-50,000 a necessary expense.
B. Update on St. Henry’s Real Estate Taxes – We are currently paying taxes on the property we own by McDonalds. Father has met with our attorney who is working with the Wright County Assessor, who is sympathetic to our cause, but believes that in order to relieve us of these taxes we will need to go to the MN Tax Court. Father also said that once the freeway overpass is completed on Fallon Avenue, the piece that connects with our property, the city will compensate St. Henry’s for “unbuildable land.” That compensation is probably way into the future. The question was asked “why not sell the land by McDonalds now, even at less than we would possibly get in the future, just to relieve ourselves of this tax debt.
C. Building and Grounds – possible subcommittee. Father stated that there are definite opinions on how to treat the interior of St. Henry’s. In the past there was a Standing Art Committee that met to discuss and discern what art would be placed in the space, etc. The committee has become a response committee, only meeting when something is donated to the church. Father thought perhaps they could be reformed, including new parish members with a thought to moving forward in our ideas without compromising the integrity of the space. He wonders if this should be a subcommittee of Building and Grounds or would that weigh down the work of that committee. Mike Benedetto made a motion that Father form a committee for dealing with the plans and intentions along with the preservation of the history of St. Henry’s. Jerome Baier seconded the motion, council approved.
Liaison Reports:
Finance – Dan Gregory – At last meeting talked about the 2013 Budget. There is no “wiggle room” in the budget. Spent time talking about a possible Capital Campaign to relieve some of the current debt.
Liturgy – Cheryl Petykowski – absent. Pat Ray stated we are set and ready for the Easter environment. Father stated he has written about some of the changes in a flyer that will be in this week’s bulletin.
Cemetery – no meeting
Fall Fest – Jeff – will be in September.
CCW – Kathleen – Colleen will continue to forward CCW minutes to the council
Hispanic Community – Monica – They are meeting every two months. More families are coming to the Sunday Evening Mass – new families are attending and returning. They have better organized the announcements and music. Easter Vigil service will be bi-lingual.
Faith in Action – No meeting
Faith Formation – Meet Next Week
Mission Outreach – Pat – Very busy with Hadfield Benefit and the Monticello United Campaign.
Building and Grounds – No Meeting
Adult Education – no report.
Knights of Columbus – Jeff did not attend meeting

Motion to adjourn meet.
6. Closing Prayer with Colleen.
7. Next meeting will be April 17 at 7:15 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Holmes, Administrative Assistant