St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 755 Hwy 49, Tennessee Ridge, TN 37178 US - Parish Council Minutes

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Meeting

October 22, 2009

Members Present:  Kathy Joiner, Susan Hahn, Tony Arthon, Tammy  Arthon, Joan Kupiec and Norma Gomez

Members Absent: Gregg Lill and Glenn Lill

Ex-Officio present:  Michael Lewis (Parish Pastoral Assistant)

Ex-Officio absent:  Beth Arthon (Bookkeeper), Fr. Michael Baltrus (Administrator)

Guests:  Diane Lill (Parish Finance Council), Britni Manners

Fr. Hendricks opened the meeting with prayer at 7:00 pm.

Minutes were read and passed with corrections.

In the absence of Gregg Lill (PPC Chairman) Kathy Joiner (PPC Vice Chairman) led the meeting

Parish Finance Council Report –

Diane Lill - gave the PFC budget report.  SEAS will not be receiving the extension society grant this year which is used to pay Mike Lewis’ annual trip to England for studies. Roughly $10,000 is not part of a restricted fund listed as future parish growth, of which $4,800 was used to pay for Mike’s trip this year.  Diane also stated that the parish was behind on Diocesan payments for August and September.

Committee reports –

St. Vincent de Paul – Joan Kupiec stated that the SVdP currently had $35.00 in the checking account and 3 families were helped with their electric and water bills. On behalf of the SVdP, the “Why Catholic” group was collecting items needed for families and that it was open to the parish.

Christian Home Fellowship Group – Kathy Joiner stated that the CHFG had decided not to have the rummage sale in conjunction with the car show on October 24, 2009

DOI – Tammy Arthon stated that the DOI would again be holding 24hr adoration open to the parish on November 6, 2009.  DOI will also be supplying side dishes for the Chicken dinners which will be sold during the car show on October 24^th, 2009

Knights of Columbus – Mike Lewis stated that the KoC would be supplying the chicken for the BBQ in conjunction with the car show on October 24^th, 2009. Also, congratulations to Jeremy Broadwater on making his 4^th degree

Renew (“Why Catholic”) – Kathy Joiner stated that the Renew was going well, there are two meeting times: Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm at Marlene and Jimmy Edwards home and on Tuesday evening at 6:00pm which is rotated to different parishioners homes.

RCIA – Mike Lewis stated that this years RCIA group consisted of three persons, possibly a 4^th person who would be coming back into the church and that it is going well.

Youth Group – Mike Lewis stated that the group is doing well, still making adjustments to the program but they had a lot of volunteers

CCD – Mike Lewis stated that 3 families and 3 teachers were out the weekend of October 18^th, 2009 due to Stewart/Houston county fall vacation and that they are considering changing the class times to 9:00 – 10:30 am in order to accommodate the rosary schedule.

Old Business –

Parish Pastoral Handbook – Mike Lewis stated that the current handbook is still in place by the Diocese until a new one is produced by the Bishop.  Glenn Lill, Susan Hahn, Tony Arthon and Mike Lewis comprise the group which is reviewing the by-laws and constitution for our parish and that we would be meeting directly after the PPC meeting.

Britni Manners gave a report on the upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner at SEAS; she stated that there would be sign up sheets available after mass on October 25^th, 2009 and there would also be a short meeting.  She hopes that this will become a strong presence to the people of Houston county of our parish, She also stated that she would be in contact with the Bethesda Mission and Head start in Houston county and that this event would be by RSVP only through these two groups. She also stated that she would be putting out flyers and would ask for an RSVP through them as well.  Mike Lewis stated that Fr. Baltrus would like to offer a mass before the dinner and that he would also stay for the event.

Britni Manners also gave an update on the coat drive; the parish would collect the coats after Christmas and would distribute them in January, more to follow.

New Business –

Britni Manners also asked the PPC if there could be a treasure box (consisting of candy, little trinkets or small toys) which could be used if the kids of the parish brought a friend to mass then they could receive something from the box and that it would be given after mass. All Agreed

Mike Lewis stated that Kathy Colon (new family) had offered to come into the parish office once a week to help do the Spanish bulletin and that the bulletin was correct in the verbiage.

Mike Lewis also stated that SEAS Penance Service had been schedule for Sunday December 13^th, 2009

Mike Lewis also stated that the Quilting group had asked to become an official group within the Parish; they are doing charitable work for our Parish and our community. The vote was tabled till next meeting in the absence of Fr. Baltrus.  The group is also going to be doing a project quilt that would consist of the Diocese shield surrounded by the 53 parish shields within the Diocese and that the Diocese had agreed that they would hold and auction for the quilt with the proceeds going toward the Bishops Annual Appeal.  The quilters are also doing baby quilts for the Baby shower which the DOI is having and that Fr. Baltrus will bless the quilts, the quilters had also agreed to do repair or light sewing for anyone in the parish that was not able to do themselves (elderly, handicapped, etc.)

Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm with prayer.

Next meeting is November 12, 2009 following Mass