St. Valentine Parish Council Meeting Minutes for September 22, 2015

 In Attendance: Fr Socorro, Fr Henry, Lisa Alexander, Walt Bankowski, Dan Benard, Ron Fron, Anthony Janisse, Joe Kelly, Jeff Kramer, Mike Nowak, Alan Pawlik, Stephanie Toth, Allison Wright, Frank Zbikowski.

Election of New Officers: Chairperson: Dan Benard, Vice Chairperson: Ron Fron, Secretary: Alan Pawlik

Old Business

• Parish Picnic Report – About 180 attended, moved to gym due to weather forecast. Considering having the next picnic in the school gym due to success, ease of use and reduced cost.
• Coffee, Cider & Donuts – Next date: 18-OCT-2015, sponsored by Parish Council. Dan Benard and Lisa Alexander to setup; Alan Pawlik to assist with cleanup.
• Increase Mass Attendance – How to identify parishioners who don’t currently attend mass? Possibly speak with non-Catholics about their conversion.
• Church Cleanup – 10-OCT-2015 from 9AM to 12PM (barring a funeral). Coordinators Eileen MacDonell (outside), Dan Benard (inside). Eileen to reach out to the Men’s Club for assistance with trees and bushes.

New Business

• Christmas Card – Dan Benard to contact Ann Brighton.
• Parish Picnic will be 28-AUG-2016 next year.

Commissions Pastoral update:

• RCIA starts 24-SEP-2015. (10) Catechumens so far.
• We have raised $10K so far for PSA. • Selecting (5) to attend “Amazing Parish Confidence” April 18th-20th 2016. • Synod – November 2016.
• Potentially adding another second collection for St. Valentine School tuition assistance.

Finance Commission:

• Met with Michigan Catholic Council for a risk assessment of the church and school grounds. Small items found needing updates, such as GFIs, carpet trip hazard in choir loft. Worship:
• 2017 is St. Valentine’s 70th anniversary.

School Advisory

• “State of the School” to be requested from Rachel Damuth for next meeting. Evangelization Committee
• One year Formed.org membership purchased by Our Lady of Loretto. They will share with St. Valentine parish. Possible link to resources put on parish website.

Roundtable:
• 07-FEB-2015 Mass Mob. Have a PC member attend one; scope it out.
• Fund raising ideas – 50’s or 60’s themed event at the school gym?
• Walt Bankowski suggested having veterans or young people speak before the parish occasionally.

Blood Drive

redcrossOur next blood drive is Sunday, November 15th from 8 AM to 2 PM, we have lots of appointment times to fill. Blood donations are down and we need to increase them, the hospitals need blood in our area. So you can sign up after mass, call me at 313-531-3220 or send an email to cgallredcrblooddrive@gmail.com.  Please donate if you can and if you can’t and would like to participate we will be feeding the Red Cross staff we need a main course, salad, rolls and a dessert.

 Thank you and God bless,
Cecilia Gallagher – Blood Drive Coordinator