Saint John the Evangelist Parish and Newman Center at OSU

210 N. Knoblock

Stillwater, OK 74075

405-372-6408

saintjohnparish@yahoo.com

 

 

Parish Council Minutes:  May l, 2007

 

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

 

Absent: Kelly Edwards, Lisa Healey

 

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

 

The April minutes and parish forum notes were approved as distributed by e-mail.  They will be posted to the St. John website.

 

Parishioner Comments and Concerns: The Council briefly discussed last month’s forum.  Appropriate follow-up to having greeters at Mass is continuing.  The Council agreed it is good to see the parish life committee remain active.

 

Program/Committee Reports:

Religious Education – Marie distributed notes from the April board meeting.  She noted positive feedback from the recent children’s retreat.  Work continues on the handbook for the RE coordinators.  The RE board is working on appropriate responses to the Bishop’s letter concerning school safety and emergency preparedness.  Discussions have occurred regarding minor changes to the confirmation program.

 

Early Childhood Center – Patty indicated the board meets every other month.  The EEC is in the process of evaluating personnel and salaries.  She noted the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the ECC served fewer people than in some past years.  The EEC has a tiered enrollment plan for next year, beginning with children currently enrolled and ending with opening enrollment to the entire community.  The Council suggested the EEC host an information night for the community to discuss and answer questions concerning the switch to the Montessori teaching method.

 

Finance Committee – The finance committee did not meet this past month.

 

Long Range Planning Committee – Given Fr. Yew’s reassignment, there was nothing to report on long range planning.

 

Deaconate Concerns – No report.

 

Campus Ministry/Newman Center – Fr. indicated the art auction grossed over $6,000 this year, more than last year.  He thought the tent was a good idea.

 

Student Concerns/Comments – None

 

Business Manager – Barbara distributed the usual monthly calendar of activities and monthly report of revenue.  She indicated the Diocesan facilities and personnel audit of St. John went well.  Small suggestions were made regarding safety.  Hiring procedures are in good order.  This audit is largely for insurance purposes, so parishes can be covered as part of the Diocesan umbrella policy.  DDF is at 92% of our goal and likely not to go any higher.  Participation approached 50%.

 

It was noted a Mother Theresa Fund meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.  Clem commented this is an effort to reactivate using Mother Theresa Fund contributions for emergency or crisis assistance.  Both Deacons Tom Haan and Tom Doyle would like also to expand the Mother Theresa Fund to include assistance to persons with non-emergency needs.  This may involve creating sort of a network of volunteer parishioners who would be willing and able to assist in their area of expertise when needed. 

 

Pastor’s Comments – Fr. Yew indicated Fr. Stuart Crevcoure would be here for the June 9-10 weekend Masses.  Fr. encouraged St. John parishioners to visit firsthand with Fr. Stuart when they have concerns, rather than Fr. Stuart trying to interpret what he hears from others.  Fr. Yew also indicated that if parishioners wanted certain activities, to not look to the Priest but to take the initiative and organize them.

 

The Council agreed with a suggestion to have Barbara put a notice in the bulletin reminding parishioners that the Council is intended to represent parishioners.  In addition, the Council agreed to be greeters at all Masses the first and second weekends OSU student return in the fall.  Mike Lawson volunteered to work with Mona Pratt to organize that effort.  The Council also agree the parish should host a reception for Fr. Stuart after the 9:30 am Mass on June 10.  Everyone was reminded of the going away reception for Fr. Yew tomorrow evening, May 2nd at St. John.

 

Old Business:  None

 

New Business:  None

 

Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, June 12, 7:00 PM, at St. John.  However, the Council will wait for Fr. Stuart to determine when to meet again, preferably before the fall semester begins.

 

Fr. Yew led the council in a closing prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted, Clement Ward, Secretary