Present:  Fr. Steve, T.Jack, D. Kennedy, J. Finnegan, B. Montgomery, P. Kempe, K. Goldenstein, J. Gilberg, S. Clarke, J. Sekevich, M. Olson

Absent:  L. Sellars, W. Nelson

Listening Sunday:  Suggestions received from parishioners include information on construction status with assurances that costs are “fixed” and not escalating.  Other comments regarding cosmetic appearances (facing, plantings, etc.) and many comments about hand railings (ramp to front entrance, near chapel entrance, the Robie St. entrance to the school) as well as accessibility (caskets will need to go up stairs) were brought forth.   Concerns were raised about collection baskets reaching all parts of the church & further encouragement from Fr. Steve for children to attend Mass with their parents.  Also raised was the issue of parking & congestion during Loaves & Fishes, a St. Matt’s sporting event, & the Y After School pickup rush.  A “mini-statement” of each parish department could be made available for parishioners.

EAC Committee Report:  More discussion of possible partnership with Neighborhood House (NH) & St. Matthew’s Child Care Center (CC) with a meeting set for Monday, Jan. 27.  Will be a discussion to outline financial support for NH families to cover their flat rate and CC rates.  A financial commitment is needed to secure the partnership.

Finance Committee Report:  Topic of tuition delinquency came up, with possibility of applying existing funds allocated for tuition aid to bring some accounts current.  S. Breimhorst will also meet with Archdiocese to find additional tuition aid funds.  Fr. Steve will also talk with families who could benefit from tuition aid and inform them of their options.  Stewardship timing will be reviewed and could be shifted toward a Spring / Fall twice a year campaign, for further discussion with finance committee. 

MLK Breakfast:  Very good event, fair turnout and food was exceptional. (editorial note:  we should host these kinds of events more often, our location and facility are very conducive).

Development Director(DD):  Suggested that DD position would benefit from a “mentoring” relationship with other organizations (Cretin-DH, Pax Christi) as well as dialogue with NH & NSFRE.  A job description of the OpsMan is taking shape with job description information from online sources.  Applicants could come from a variety of sources.  Fr. Steve will announce the search for a DD, through an article in the Bulletin or at Mass.

Changing Bylaws for upcoming elections:  Discussion relating to defining the selection process for Parish leadership positions, retaining current process VS changing to a different selection process (Pax Christi’s process being one model). Further discussion with input from Pax Christi Parish Council members and St. Matthew’s could be possible at next meeting.  .

Meeting adjourned 9:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Marty Olson, Secretary, Parish Council