MINUTES OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007

Present:          Don Cairns (Chairman), Fr Dave Rogerson (Pastor), Bob Stephens, Bob Johnson, Anusha Fernando, Gary Smith, Lauren Sing and Will and Diane Boegel

Apologies:      Debbie McCormick

The Meeting was opened with the introduction of Will and Diane Boegel at 7pm.

Opal House:   Will and Diane presented the Pastoral Council with a brief synopsis and TV presentation of  their mission to facilitate the opening of an orphanage in Gautemala. A corporation had been formed and  it would apply for Section 501 3(c) Non-Profit status. They had personally put a deposit on the property and would be fundraising in the near future. One of the events would be a dinner in St Judes Hall.

                        The Pastoral Council would encourage support for the program, and give them visibility and accessibility to the parish. Opportunities arise for adult and youth  enrichment, as well as volunteering.

                        This presentation raised further questions about how the Pastoral Council would determine criteria and discern which projects it would or would not support in the future. A more formal process may need to be put in place.

Pastoral Council Elections:

                        Don listed some possible candidates and would contact a few of them. The process should start weekend of April 14^th/15^th giving parishioners an opportunity to nominate someone or volunteer to stand for election. Elections should be held on third Sunday of May.

                        Potential members would be invited to our May meeting.

Mission statement:

                        The progress on the Mission statement seems to have stalled. Don will be in touch with Sr Betty for ideas to get back some momentum.

                        The Finance Council preferred version B, but did not respond to the questions put to them. Don felt that we could not just email the missions statements to the different groups and ask for their preference without some further information  and explanations. He would try a different approach using the Finance Council and Stewardship Council, meeting with them and giving them some background. Some felt the statements were too long.

Tent City:      The City council overturned the Hearing examiner’s ruling and St Jude’s has a valid permit in place. The issue of fines had not yet been resolved.  

There are about 70 residents at present and the number fluctuates constantly. Tent City will leave a week later than originally planned on May 19^th.

A pot luck is being arranged for May 4^th, as a Thank you to all.

Seminarians: St Judes will host two seminarians this year.

Ordination: There is a possibility that St Jude might host the ordination of Mark Guzman (not sure if this should even be mentioned)

The meeting was closed at 9.05 with a prayer.