Present:  Fr. Steve, T.Jack, , K. Goldenstein, D. Kennedy, B. Montgomery, J. Gilberg, P. Kempe, L. Sellars, S. Clarke, M. Olson.  Guest: R. Dunn (EAC)

Absent:  J. Sekevich, J. Finnegan, W. Nelson

Pastoral Council & Discernment:  Fr. Steve offered an outline of the Parish Community Mission, definition of authority, list of responsibilities, and description of the decision process.  Parish Council will meet with 4 of the most recent former PC presidents between the 8am and 10:30am Masses on March 14 to discuss.  The goal is to get resolution and communicate this to the St. Matt's community by June, 2004.

Child Care Proposal:  Coordinating efforts between St. Matt's daycare and the Neighborhood House continue.  Parish Council voted in favor of passing the West Side Child Care Initiative, which outlines both organizations' leadership positions for communication and cooperation regarding child-care on the West Side.

To summarize:  St. Matt's will lead the direction of the Child Care Center (CCC), with Neighborhood House (NH) sharing in it's benefits.  NH will lead the direction of working with the home-based child care providers, while both will promote child care advocacy. 

Fr. Steve suggested "backup" child care services provided by the CCC for parents who need temp. alternatives for child care when their regular home-based provider is ill or on vacation.  B.Montgomery suggested approaching charitable foundations to underwrite the costs, and possibly establishing an assistance fund available to families based on need.

Parish Center Elevator Update:  Cost will be in $130K ballpark.  Work will be done by the same firm as Church unit, both will be on combined maint. contract.  A $100K bequest has been made for the project, the bal. will be paid from cap. camp. fund.  Lobby, firewall will need to be installed in the Parish Center.

 

Meeting adj. at 9 PM. Respectfully Submitted, M. Olson, Sec., Parish Council