VPC MEETING MINUTES - MAY 2009

MEETING MINUTES

Genesis Vicariate Pastoral Council Combined Meeting

7 p.m. ~ March 16^th, 2009

St. Anne Parish

AGENDA: 

1. Bereavement Support Group Presentation
2. Faith Formation
• Freedom Of Choice Act (FOCA)
• Adult Faith Formation
3. Vicar’s Report
4. Tracking Committee Meeting
5. Archdiocese of Detroit Rep. – Jim Kiefer
6. Announcements/Open Discussion

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP PRESENTATION

The meeting was opened with a prayer at 7 p.m. and Brother John Raniscewski of the Henry Ford Hospice Department gave a presentation about the new Bereavement Support Group they are forming in our area to help those who have lost a loved one deal with their grief and loss issues. It will have an inter-religious and spiritual theme and is titled “Through Death into New Life”.

This program will be held once a month at St. Louise for Genesis Vicariate parish members. They need a small group of people to start this program in our Vicariate and this is not just for parishioners who have lost someone in hospice, but anyone who has experienced a death of a loved one at least 4 months ago. If you are interested please contact Brother John at (313) 916-7926.

FAITH FORMATION

FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT

The Freedom of Choice Act is the most liberal abortion law yet and the most serious threat to pro-life policies ever! This bill would create a right to abortion the government could not limit and bring about a national abortion policy far worse than Roe vs. Wade.

For the first time, abortion would become an entitlement the government must fund and promote! FOCA would: Eliminate regulations that protect women from unsafe clinics and unscrupulous abortionists; Force taxpayers to fund abortions; Force every state to allow partial-birth abortions (the law’s sponsors have said a primary purpose of the bill is to ensure that killing partially born children will again be permitted nation-wide); Destroy the “conscience rights” of physicians, nurses and hospitals that oppose abortion on religious, moral or ethical grounds; Strip parents of their right and responsibility to be involved in their minor-aged daughter’s abortion decision.

Your voice is needed more than ever! Please urge your elected officials (at all levels) to oppose FOCA or any similar measure. You can help in many ways by receiving a packet with a fact sheet and cards to distribute. Please go to www.nchla.org and www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/FOCA for more information. You can also speak with your pastor for more information and how you can help! To join the postcard mailing campaign visit: www.usccb.org/postcard.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

The AOD has locally produced a new DVD about Adult Faith Formation that will be released soon. I­­­­­­­­­­­­­t is divided into 8 sections and is available for use at parish council meetings or other group gatherings. Please contact the Adult Faith Formation Department of the AOD at: (313) 237-4805 or by email at: faithformation@aod.org.

VICAR’S REPORT - ARCHBISHOP VIGNERON’S 5 INITIATIVES

1. THE RE-ORGANIZATION CENTRAL SERVICES: The firm of Plante Moran did a review of Central Services six years ago from which Cardinal Maida made some changes. The Archbishop plans to revisit those recommendations again to see if there are ways to further streamline the Central Services office to make it more streamlined, effective and financially responsible.

2. REVIEW FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE AOD: The Archbishop is also reviewing the financial obligations outside what is paid to the employees, such as the subsidies to Sacred Heart Seminary, St. John’s, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, St. Aloysius, John Paul II Cultural Center, etc. He also wants a review of parishes that have outstanding debts to the AOD and others as well as the funding of schools.

3. PROPOSE NEXT PHASE OF “TOGETHER IN FAITH” (TIF): The Archbishop said that he would like to look at the next phase of TIF (the closing and merging of parishes as well as making our parishes more lively and ministering to people), how we can be more effective, what should be done in the next phase and where we should go from here.

4. EVALUATE THE NEED FOR A PRYSBYTERAL COUNCIL AND VICARS: A “Prysbyteral Council” is a group required by Canon Law consisting of people from many different areas (priests, laypeople, professionals, consultants, etc.) to help the Bishops with financial matters, closing parishes, etc. It is suggested that the Archbishop have both a Prysbyteral Council and Vicar’s Council but it has been noted that many other dioceses do not.

5. INSTALL EMAIL TRANSMISSIONS FROM AOD TO PARISHES: By September, the information sent to the parishes from the AOD will be done electronically. Some priests do not know how to use a computer or email, so they will either have to learn or have someone in the parish office help them to receive the distributed information. There will be more information available soon.

DINNER MEETING WITH ARCHBISHOPS AND PRIESTS

The Archbishop wants to meet our Vicariate priests, including those that are retired. After some discussion, a date and location for the meeting was set. A separate meeting will be held for the deacons.

TRACKING COMMITTEE MEETING

Steve Fallon of St. Sylvester represented our Vicariate at the Tracking Committee meeting with Bishop Flores. The group discussed merging and clustering plans within our Vicariate, if we are on track with the “5-year program” and how important it is to have an open dialogue between each and every parish. He also noted that he was surprised to learn that St. Gertrude and St. Germaine have merged. Sr. Angelica, who was also at the meeting, stated that she was astonished that each of those parishes has membership well above 1000 families. The question now is, ‘If that is happening to these large parishes, what is going to happen with smaller parishes that don’t want to cluster, merge or even talk about it’?

There’s also discussion about how much retired priests are helping out and dependent we are upon them. They want to help and we appreciate it tremendously, but it’s still keeping the inevitable at bay. Msgr. Rice, Pastor of St. Louise and Editor of the Michigan Catholic stated that the numbers of those coming into the vocation is rising a bit, but the number is minimal and won’t help the AOD situation very much.

Fr. Wesley, who was also at the Tracking Committee meeting, noted that they addressed many issues and parish plans, but have not yet adequately discussed Youth Ministry, Ministry to Seniors and Catholic schools. Jim Keifer suggested we delegate subcommittees to handle these and other areas of concern, such as working with non-Catholic parishes to offer Christian services, and look at them more in-depth. We will be discussing this further at the May meeting.

ARCHDIOCESE REP JIM KIEFER

PRIEST STASTICS AS OF MARCH 2009

Mr. Keifer distributed the “2009 Priest Statistics” to the group. There are currently 643 priests assigned to the AOD; 451 Diocesan and 192 Religious. Of the 643, 287 are in parishes (pastors, associate pastors and administrators); 10 are assigned to Central Services; 24 are Chaplains; 33 are College Faculty; 143 are of Senior Status; 137 are Retired; 9 are Retired, but Active.

(Please note: 16 priests not assigned to parishes are providing weekend help). The full breakdown is available on the “Priest Statistics page of the VPC website: www.GenesisVPC.org.

Jim also distributed brochures from THAW (The Heat and Warmth Fund) that helps low-to-moderate income families or individuals who are in danger of losing essential heat or electric services. People in need of help may apply for assistance at one of the community agencies serving as THAW screening sites that will verify eligibility. THAW is a last-resort program and those seeking funds must first apply for any other assistance available. Applicants must provide proof that the household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. For more information call (800) 866-8429 or visit their website at www.thawfund.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/OPEN DISCUSSION

Msgr. Rice discussed the problem of declining collections within our parishes. Mike Kosztreba suggested that it is in part due to our demographics within our Vicariate and the mean age of parishioners that attend Mass is about 55. There are some younger people coming to church, but by far the largest number of attendees is older and the majority of the people are retired. Also, many parishioners are unemployed due to the large auto-related manufacturing base in our state. Msgr. Rice suggested that if we’re all in the same position, that we should share things such as parish outreach and personnel. One of the reps noted that they provide furniture donation and there is a lot of need in the community, but not a lot of things coming in. Thefts from the poor box and candle donation money were also noted.

The “Castelot Summer Scripture Conference” is being held at the St. John’s Retreat Center in Plymouth, MI on Monday, June 22^nd thru Thursday, June 25^th. David Neuhaus, SJ, will be focusing on “Reading Mark Again”, and Jan Michael Joncas will be presenting “The Cries of the Human Heart” and “Jewish Psalms in Christian Worship”. For more information please contact the Office for Pastoral Ministries at (313) 237-5954.

The Office for Pastoral Ministries is also sponsoring the F. Gerald Martin “Pastoral Ministry Conference” at, Monday August 3^rd thru Wednesday, August 5^th, 2009 at Madonna University in Livonia, MI. Ronald Rolheiser will present “Good News Unleashed: Being Catholic in a Secular Society”.  Accommodations will be available at the St. John’s Retreat Center. Both events are being co-sponsored by the Clergy Life Ministries. For more information please call (313) 237-5954.

A Saturday Evangelization Series “The Call of St. Paul: Evangelization & Building Communities of Disciples” at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 10 a.m. until Noon. Together you will discuss the letters of St. Paul and discover the call to boldly live & spread the faith. There is no cost to attend and the 2009 dates are Feb. 21^st, March 21^st, April 18^th and May 16^th. A free-will donation for refreshments will be collected. For more information, please call 313-237-5702.

“Seminar Style Marriage Preparation Programs 2009”, contains numerous seminars taking place throughout next year. The Bishops of Michigan have suggested these topics to be included: Marriage as a Sacrament, Conflict Resolution, Careers, Family of Origin, Communication, Children, Commitment and Church, Intimacy, Sex and Procreation, Understanding of Sexuality and Marriage and Natural Family Planning. For a list of the programs offered, their dates and times, please contact the Office for Family Ministry at 313-237-5892.

Any seminars or special Easter services announced that have already passed have not been included in the minutes due to space limitations. As a reminder, the combined Clergy & VPC meetings at St. Anne each month at 7 p.m. and the schedule is as follows:

•  May 11, 2009

•  June 8, 2009 (if necessary)

A closing prayer was said and the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Monica Archibald

Recording Secretary