Saint John the Evangelist Parish and Newman Center at OSU

Saint John the Evangelist Parish and Newman Center at OSU

210 N. Knoblock

Stillwater, OK 74075

405-372-6408

Parish Council Minutes: February 13, 2007

Present: Fr. Yew, Barbara Stalzer, Debbie Schroeder, Patty Weir, Rhoda Easley, Kelly Edwards, Mike Lawson, Marie Saatkamp, Clem Ward

Absent: Lisa Healey

Fr. Yew opened the meeting with a prayer about 7:00 PM.

The January minutes were approved as distributed by e-mail.

Parishioner Comments and Concerns: A parishioner asked about nursery hours. The nursery is available for the 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses. Cathy is arranging someone to coordinate staffing the nursery since Shirley Lewis is recovering from surgery.

Another parishioner asked how to contact parish council. Names/addresses of parish council members can be found at the St. John website. They was previously printed in the Lilly and Eagle newsletter, but the newsletter is being discontinued. The primary reason is apparent lack of interest as many of those copied for distribution were not being taken by parishioners.

Program/Committee Reports:

Religious Education – Marie distributed notes from the January Board meeting. She noted that plans are to only have a Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer and not the Totus Tuus due to poor attendance for Totus Tuus last summer.

Early Childhood Center – Questions and answers regarding the move to the Montessori curriculum were distributed.

Finance Committee – The finance committee met to reviewed revenue and expenses for the first six months of the fiscal year. While revenue is down, expenses are also lower and close to the level they should be for this point in the fiscal year.

Long Range Planning – The committee has not met. The Chancellor of the Diocese wants to meet with two more architectural firms. Following that, a plan will be implemented to identify all the needs of the parish as input to the architectural firms.

Deaconate Concerns – An informational meeting regarding the permanent diaconate program was to be held this evening but no interested parishioners came.

Parish Life – There was some question as to whether this group is still active.

Campus Ministry/Newman Center – Six students went on the pro-life trip to Washington, D.C. in January. The trip was jointly funded by the students individually and Campus Ministry. The third annual art auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, possibly at the Knights of Columbus hall. But the location may change.

Student Concerns/Comments – None

Business Manager – Barbara distributed several regular reports (calendar of activities, monthly revenue, and monthly sources and uses of funds) and periodic reports (summary of restricted accounts and second quarter summary of revenue and expenses). It was observed that two years ago, 70% of the children in CCD were from St. John, this year it is 60%, thus reducing St. John’s share of CCD expenses.

Barbara noted our DDF contributions to date total $30,551, 53% of our goal ($57,220); and a 35% participation rate based just on registered parishioners. Fr. Yew indicated that 50% of all DDF contributions over our goal is returned to the parish.

Pastor’s Comments – Fr. reported that St. John does not have to make phone calls and visits as part of the Catholic Charities capital campaign. Their solicitation letter will be modified and mailed directly to St. John parishioners.

Old Business: None

New Business: A discussion took place regarding the rosary before the 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses. Given that some parishioners like to pray in silence before Mass. The rosary will begin 30 minutes before Mass time and end 10 minutes before Mass begins even if all decades and prayers following the rosary have not been finished. Barbara will place an announcement to this effect in the bulletin.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 PM, at St. John.

Fr. Yew led the council in a closing prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Clement Ward, Secretary