Parish Pastoral Council Minutes - February 26, 2024
Parish Pastoral Council Minutes
Monday, February 26, 2024
In Attendance: Fr. Guy Roberts, Deacon Tom Hosty, Matt Sierp, Patty Cain, Mark Rund, Connie Merkel, Steve Looney, Amberlie O’Toole, Ryan Schnarr, Joe Sheehan, Ben Laker, Jeremy Schoettle, Ja-Deen Johnson
Father Guy opened the meeting with a prayer and shared a reflection.
The minutes from the November meeting were approved since the quorum wasn’t met to approve them in January. The minutes from January were also approved. Elections were held. Ben Laker will step up as chair for the rest of the year until January. Steve Looney has agreed to remain as vice chair until January. Amberlie will continue as secretary.
Pastor’s Report: Father Guy shared that the National Chin day was last week. Father Guy’s Lenten series began last week. Our priests just did a penance service at Roncalli High School, the parish fish fry was Friday, the men’s prayer breakfast was Saturday, and the ministry leaders’ dinner was Sunday. The Welcome retreats are coming up the next two weekends.
In other news, Deacon Tom will be leaving his role as Director of Operations at the parish and taking a new job with the Archdiocese. Ja-Deen is stepping into the role of Business Manager, and Matt Sierp is taking on Ja-Deen’s prior role as the Accounts Manager.
Deacon Tom’s last day will be March 8th. Deacon Tom will still have his Deacon duties at our parish and he will be the clergy liaison on the Engagement commission.
Principal’s Report: Ryan shared that the school currently has open enrollment. 90 percent of current families are re-enrolled. 50 students are already enrolled for kindergarten and a waitlist has started.
7th and 8th graders just participated in quest for excellence at Roncalli. 34 students received ribbons. The St. Barnabas Super Quiz team were champions again this year.
March begins testing with state required assessments. 2nd graders will take IRead. The 3rd quarter ends in 2 weeks followed by spring break. It will be Holy week when we return. On April 8, we will have remote learning for the solar eclipse as was recommended by the Archdiocese. The 6th-8th graders have started preparing for their musical - the Wizard of Oz.
The Archdiocese has extended their contract with Power School. This has been a topic of discussion with the School Commission. St. Barnabas has been using Jupiter while also keeping records in Power School. Jupiter is preferred by teachers as being more user-friendly. Discussion continues as to whether we will maintain two information systems.
Financial and Operational Report:
Steve Looney shared that tithing is running lower than budget by about $30,000. Expenses are in line with budget. Property and facilities are up but that was to be expected. Tuition rates for the 2024-25 school year have been approved. Warrior Grants are available to anyone who didn’t qualify for the Choice scholarship.
• We have met 80% of the ArchIndy’s goal for the United Catholic Appeal.
• The new HVAC project is complete. We will be getting a rebate.
• The contractor had completed the lighting project, but they will be coming back to increase lighting in the altar area.
• The Annual report has been published.
• The Covenant renewal will be available beginning this weekend. Joe Coffman will be a lay speaker this weekend. Father Guy will speak the following weekend.
• Two of the 7 projects for the safety grant have signed contracts.
• A 3 year budgeting plan has been done for the school including projected income level and ramping up teacher salaries. Finance Council made a model as a guide as to how to fluctuate things if tithing did change. The finance council can review year by year if tithing goes down significantly.
Pastoral Vision: The Engagement Commission will be checking in with the different commissions/ministries. They are getting ready to have their 3rd meeting.
Youth Ministry: Father Guy shared that we are the only southside parish to have a full-time youth minister.
He expressed the need to focus on youth ministry and our music ministry.
Faith Formation: Joe Sheehan shared that the Parish Mission is happening in March. Father John McCaslin will be presenting. Joe asked everyone to share this with their commissions.
Outreach Ministry: The Bi-laws have been updated.
New Business: On Holy Thursday, we will have a bi-lingual service with the Chin community.
There is a proposed change by the council to amend the definition of a quorum required to conduct business.
Proposed: Article VII: Decision-Making A quorum necessary to conduct Council business shall be a simple majority of number of appointed members at the time of the meeting.
We will vote to change this at the next meeting as it cannot be proposed and approved at the same meeting.
Deacon Tom closed the meeting with a blessing.
The next Parish Council meeting will be Monday, March 25th of Holy Week at 7 pm.
