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Parish Council Meeting Summaries
For information on the Pastoral Council, please contact Rick Gall 876.4221.
June 2008
At its June meeting, the Pastoral Council heard and discussed the following items:
- Transition between pastors will take place in early August. Fr. Fran Gillespie introduced Fr. Bob Hussey to the Council.
- Pat Parrish has made major improvements to the parish web site.
- Endorsed Social Justice Committee’s Just Faith program, which seeks to empower individuals to develop a passion for social justice.
- 2008-2009 Parish Plan is finished. It will be posted on the parish web site and submitted to the Diocese by June 30th deadline.
- St. Raphael Activities Center fundraising will resume in the fall.
- Deaconate Ordination Mass for Hector Velazco, Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in the parish, scheduled for July 23rd.
- Acknowledged and thanked Fr. Gillespie for his six years of service and many accomplishments at St. Raphael’s.
The Council’s next meeting is Monday, August 11. For information on the Pastoral Council, please contact Rick Gall, 876.4221.
May 2008
At its May meeting, the Pastoral Council heard and discussed the following items:
- Social Justice Committee pitched a new program called Just Faith, which seeks to empower individuals to develop a passion for social justice.
- Music Ministry plans include effort to energize children's choir and replace old hymnals.
- Bereavement Ministry will host several sessions on advance funeral planning.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) program has a waiting list. 93 students completed the latest cycle. New college prep program starts this summer.
- 2008-2009 Parish Plan being finalized.
- St. Raphael Activities Center fundraising now over one million dollars.
- Principal Search Committee making significant progress.
April 2008
At its April meeting, the Pastoral Council heard and discussed the following items:
- Review of storm water issues, including pending neighborhood litigation.
- Parish finances in good shape through three quarters of Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
- Overview of expansive Hispanic Ministry plan.
- First draft of 2008-2009 Parish Plan will be completed soon.
- Parish-wide fundraising drive for St. Raphael Activities Center underway.
- Following the resignation of the Provost on April 10th, administrative duties spread out among a handful of the staff. Procuring of provost's replacement deferred for a few months while other priorities are attended to, among which are: school principal's search completed, current phase of Activity Center campaign ends, Parish Plans for 2008-2009 are reviewed and finalized, FY 2009 parish budget finalized.
- Holy Week Services had two venues and were especially well attended in Raphael Hall where our Hispanic faithful worshipped. For the Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil services at Raphael Hall. many were turned away due to lack of space, and thus this space item needs to be addressed before next year's Triduum services.
- Principal Search Committee, now led by Dave Monaco, interviewing candidates.
March 2008
At its March meeting, the Pastoral Council heard and discussed the following items:
- Holy Week schedule and the tremendous amount of preparation involved.
- Parish-wide fundraising drive for St. Raphael Activities Center beginning in April.
- Finance Council visionary subcommittee recommended development of strategic plan to guide parish financial decisions.
- Formation of environmental stewardship group is underway.
- Stewardship Committee to approach various ministries and parish organizations to offer brief stewardship talks.
- Parishioners pledged 120% of St. Raphael’s goal for Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
- Redesign of Early Childhood Center playground, thanks in part to a grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield and NC State School of Design.
February 2008
At its February meeting, the Pastoral Council heard and discussed the following items:
- Steady progress being made toward our Bishop’s Annual Appeal goal. Money pledged is pacing ahead of last year, although number of pledges is down. Follow-up letters to be sent soon.
- 75+ parishioners are signed up for daily Stewardship Prayer through next fall.
- Lenten Liturgical Prayer offered each Saturday, 8:30am, during Lent.
- 200+ people attended our Heritage Festival.
- Fr. Gillespie indicated the Bishop has raised the bar in terms of questions for Confirmation candidates.
January 2008
In an effort to keep the parish apprised of issues brought before the Pastoral Council, the Council will begin publishing a synopsis of its monthly meeting. Here are the major items discussed at the January meeting.
- There will be a fundraising campaign this Spring for the planned St. Raphael Activities Center, which is expected to cost about 3 million dollars.
- A search committee has been formed following the announcement that St. Raphael Catholic School Principal Joanna Burley is leaving at the end of the current school year.
- Per the Finance Council Chairman, parish finances are stable.
- Sherry Hiltbrunner is the new Manager of the Business Office of the parish (the former CFO moved on in December).
- The parish goal for the 2008 Bishop’s Annual Appeal is $219,378.
- Work will begin soon on the 2008-2009 Parish Plan.