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OCTOBER 2008 MINUTES
MEETING MINUTES
Combined Genesis Vicariate
Clergy & Pastoral Council Meeting
7 p.m. ~
October 13, 2008
St. Anne Parish,
Warren, MI
AGENDA:
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Report
from AOD Rep., Jim Keifer
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Vicar’s Report
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Tracking Committee Report
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Announcements/Open Discussion
REPORT BY ARCHDIOCESE REPRESENTATIVE
The meeting was opened at 7 p.m.
Jim Keifer, the AOD representative, reported that there
were still 4 parishes that had not yet filed their
Outreach Survey and requested they do so by the end of
October. At the November meeting he will distribute the
completed pinpoint map of each parish’s outreach
services by zip code.
VICAR’S REPORT
The Vicars discussed parishes' policies regarding
funerals. They were concerned that some parishes are
charging fees for various services. This is not and
acceptable policy. Cardinal Maida had written a document
to priests and deacons about how funerals should be
conducted. A copy of this letter can be obtained by
contacting the Cardinal’s office.
The Vicars also addressed CSA goals and the
difficulty parishes are having reaching their targets.
Even though the parishes’ income may be going up, so are
their bills. The Cardinal is aware of this difficulty.
Furthermore, the Archdiocese is struggling as much as
the parishes are. The Cardinal is trying to insure that
the "downtown" offices are running efficiently without
any extra overhead or ‘fat’ in the budget. However, this
concern will be discussed by a special meeting with the
Diocesan Financial Council.
The Vicars listened to a presentation about the funding
of Catholic schools. No workable solution has yet come
to light. Currently, the financial burden is falling on
the parishes which have schools. It is a difficult topic
to resolve, and remains an agenda item.
One VPC member asked why St. Anne’s school isn’t
receiving any money from the money that is collected
from the vicariate parishes that have charter schools.
Fr. Bondy responded that the Distribution
Office believes that St. Anne does not have a large
enough minority group’. Fr. Kotlarz suggested that, in
the interest of transparency, the Archdiocese
should publicized a list of those who are receiving
funds.
The Vicars also wanted to know how if the priest’s
pension fund is protected. Currently, 63% of the pension
is completely funded, which is remarkable considering
the economic climate. The fund is funded in part by the
special collection that each parish takes up for the
priests. The parishes pay between $13K - $15K per
priest. Each parish may have a special collection, or
take the money directly from the budget.
There is a new director for the Office of Black
Catholics, John Thorton. His goals are to
strengthen evangelization among minorities, encouraging
more men to come to the seminary and having more black
people certified in their roles in the Church.
There is a group of lay Catholics who are helping to
strengthen marriages by teaching Catholic husbands and
wives to pray together. The group is called “Couples
Prayer”. Many couples don’t pray together as they often
find it uncomfortable or embarrassing. "Couples
Prayer" wants to help people understand that praying
together is a good thing and that there is a series to
help them prayer together. There is an introductory CD
as well as the entire program available on CD. This is a
worldwide program but their center is in Royal Oak , MI
. The materials and more information are available at
www.coupleprayer.org.
Nominations for “Keeping The Dream Alive”, the Martin
Luther King Award are due November 10th.
TRACKING COMMITTEE REPORT
Fr. Andy received the AOD Tracking Committee Report.
This committee review the progress being made in each
parish and has asked each parish to respond to their
observations. Fr. Wesley distributed a copy to each of
the members which was reviewed by all present. If you
have questions regarding your parish’s updates, please
see your pastor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/OPEN DISCUSSION
St. Cletus held their “Right-to-Life Chain” on October 5th
and a group of 85 people stood along Ryan Road in silent
protest. This is the first time they’ve held this event
and they even had 20 parishioners of their neighboring
parish, St. Josaphat joined in the rally. Fr. Sid
encouraged the other parishes to do the same.
Fr. Sid also suggested that a workshop be held in our
vicariate for Lectors and EME’s .
St. Cletus will be having a Parish Mission at all the
Masses with Fr. Bob Weiss, starting on November 23rd.
More information is available by calling
586-755-1313.
At St. Lad’s on October 26th at 3 p.m. the
Council for Polish Affairs and the Seminary at Orchard
Lake Schools are sponsoring a reception and presentation
on John Paul II commemorating his 30th anniversary of
his elevation to the Papacy.
The “Sacramental Record Keeping Workshop” is offered by
the AOD Office for Christian Worship and the Archives
Office. All pastors deacons, parish secretaries and
others who have responsibility for maintaining
sacramental records are invited to join.
A Saturday Evangelization Series “The Call of St. Paul:
Evangelization & Building Communities of Disciples” at
the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and take
place 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. For more information, please call 313-237-5702.
“A Lenten Journey: Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul”
Greek Pilgrimage and Cruise, March 19-28, 2009. You will
trace the steps of St. Paul , including stops in
Thesslaloniki, Ephesus , Phillipi and Corinth/Athens.
You will also visit the ancient cities of Pergamum and
Patmos and reflect on the writings of St. John and The
Book of Revelations. For more information or to
reserve your spot on the trip, go to
www.csconcierge.com
or call Judy Maten at 313-268-1985.
Two pamphlets from The Office for Family Ministry were
distributed; the first “Your Are Not Alone” deals with
homosexuality. The church is called to welcome
homosexuals into their community, seek out those on the
margins and avoiding stereotypes. It can be “stressful
and isolating and that ‘you are not alone’. For more
information on this topic, please contact the Office for
Family Ministry at 313-237-5892.
The second pamphlet is entitled: “Seminar Style Marriage
Preparation Programs 2009”, which 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.
The AOD presents a Gospel Of Life Concert titles
“Requiem for the Innocents” in memory of those affected
by abortion. It is composed by Louis Canter & performed
with a full orchestra and chorus. It will take place at
the St. John Retreat Center on Sunday, October 19th
at 3 p.m.
As a reminder, the combined Clergy & VPC meetings at
St. Anne each month at 7 p.m. and the schedule is as
follows:
A closing prayer was said and the meeting was adjourned
at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monica Archibald
Recording Secretary
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VPC
MEETING MINUTES - OCTOBER 2008
