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:  September 11, 2007

 

Present:  Fr. Crevcoure, Barbara Stalzer, Debbie Schroeder, Patty Weir, Lisa Healey, Marie Saatkamp, Clem Ward

 

Absent: Mike Lawson

 

Fr. Crevcoure opened the meeting with a prayer at 7:00 PM.

 

The August minutes were approved as distributed by e-mail.  They will be posted to the St. John website.

 

Debbie Schroeder read Rhoda Easley’s letter of resignation from parish council for family reasons, effective immediately.

 

Parishioner Comments and Concerns: Maury Campbell reported on plans for the Knights of Columbus Fall Festival, September 23.  The Knights are planning a fish fry, bake sale, St. Francis/St. John Montessori School open house, and health fair.  In conjunction with the latter, Campbell Drug is inviting people to sign up for its one-price prescription program.  When participants purchase specific prescriptions from Campbell Drug, a portion of each purchase is designated for specific fundraising groups.  Current designees are the Montessori School and St. Francis.  Maury invited St. John or other groups to participate in the fundraising benefits as well.  The council agreed to discuss the invitation during new business.

 

A suggestion was made that Fr. or the assisting Deacon announce the purpose of the collection just prior to each second collection.  While it is announced in the bulletin, some parishioners may need a reminder.  Fr. said he has started doing that after the prayers of the faithful.

 

Program/Committee Reports:

Religious Education – Fr. indicated that the last board meeting was spent discussing new curriculum material presented by Angela and Denise.

 

Early Childhood Center – Patty said the board has not met but the parent support organization (PSO) did.  She indicated she will report on their meetings in the future also.  The Montessori School is at or near the maximum for this year.

 

Finance Committee – Barbara reported the finance committee met and tentatively approved the budget for FY07/08.  The collection budget was held at $295,000, the same as last year, and the needed weekly income is $5,673.  The council discussed the need for a stewardship homily and possibly a report or statement presented by someone from the finance committee.

 

Campus Ministry/Newman Center – Lisa said about 80-90 students have been staying for the Sunday evening dinner.  Wednesday night Mass attendance is about 25, considerably more than last year.

 

Student Concerns/Comments – None

 

Business Manager – Barbara distributed the usual monthly reports (calendar of activities, monthly revenue, and monthly sources and uses of funds).  Revenue continues to lag our weekly budgeted need.  After the first quarter, the budget will be revisited and may need to be revised.

 

Pastor’s Comments – Fr. informed the council that OSU has purchased Scholars Inn apartments and is interested in visiting with St. John about acquiring the St. John property.  OSU indicated it can work with us or around us.  There was no indication OSU would force St. John from our current site.  OSU is aware of our needs for a new or expanded facility and our interest in remaining close of campus.  Former OSU President James Halligan has been helpful in identifying OSUs interests and those of St. John.  OSU owns considerable property near the campus so another site for a new church may be proposed.  Fr. expects further communications with OSU representatives and possibly the need to estimate our building costs and evaluate an OSU offer this fall, faster than might have been expected.

 

Fr. said that Deacon Dick Berberet has officially retired from OSU and is interested in working with campus ministry.

 

Old Business: No applications have been received for parish council.  Each person on the council was challenged to invite two people to submit their application.

 

Letters/flyers inviting groups to participate in the Stewardship Fair, October 14-15 will be sent right away.

 

New Business:  The council discussed Maury Campbell’s proposal (discussed above).  Concerns were expressed about supporting a private business when other businesses regularly purchase ads in our bulletin.  St. John will put an announcement in our bulletin encouraging parishioners to attend the Fall Festival.

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 9, 7:00 PM, at St. John

 

Fr. Crevcoure led the council in a closing prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted, Clement Ward, Secretary