Minutes March 29, 2007

St. Albert the Great Worship Commission
Minutes – March 29, 2007 Meeting
(items in bold require member action)

1. Signed-up to write petitions for next couple of months.
April Kathy Sales
May Therese Frick
June Laura Arber

2. Kathy Sales presented the second part of our refresher mini-course on the Liturgy, giving us information on the Liturgy of the Word. Many members are finding these instructions very useful. There was discussion on looking into a way to get this information to all parish members, perhaps in a Bulletin insert. Kathy will work on this and have something ready to begin possibly next September – these may be in a Q & A form. At our next meeting, Kathy will present some information on the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

3. Angel reported that the Charter revisions are completed. She also gave an update on the Worship Commission Resource Binder that she has put together for use by future Worship Commissions – it is just about complete. The Charter Appendix and the Resource binder both still need job descriptions for RE, Music ministry, Eucharistic Ministry and Ushers. Coordinators of these ministries should try and email these to Angel – she wants to have this completed by our May 3 meeting.

4. Lent and Easter Subcommittee
-Kathy Sales gave an update on Lent and Easter plans. The silver Gospel book will be used during the Easter season. During the Holy Thursday Mass, the oils will be brought up right before the Offertory gifts. Plans for the feet washing have been made. Easter Vigil plans are set.

5. Staff Reports

-Jeff Hall reminded us that by our next meeting he will be an ordained deacon. Deacons assist the priest – they are servants to the priest and the people. All will be able to congratulate and celebrate with Deacon Jeff Hall after all Masses on April 29. Look for an article on Jeff and the deaconate program in the next Gazette.

-Kathy Sales reported that 4 adults and 2 children will be coming into the Catholic Church this Easter Vigil. Seven others are still continuing in the year-round RCIA program and 8 new ones may be joining the program this summer.

-Dave Zink reported on the number of parishioners attending the parish Lenten Mission Dare to Believe.
Sun. Mar.25 379
Mon. Mar.26 432
Tues. Mar.27 254
Wed. Mar.28 286
Totals 1340 (average per night 335)

Dave also brought up a question concerning which bowls and cups distributors are to use and which bowl the priest wants to use for distribution. It was also discussed to possibly have an extra cup for reception by the Eucharistic ministers or have them receive from the priest’s cup. The purification procedure was also brought up again – the possibility of doing this right after Communion was discussed. Jeff Hall will get a clarification from Fr. Tom concerning the bowls and cups to be used and purification procedure.

-Jeff Shawhan reported that there was a distributor of ashes on Ash Wednesday who wouldn’t give ashes to children. He also heard that a wine distributor refused to give wine to someone who didn’t say ‘amen’. He teaches in training that distributors should not deny Communion to anyone. Those distributing ashes next year will receive some additional training. Jeff also announced that there will be a new Eucharistic Ministry Coordinator – Mike Fitzharris – and he will do training. Connie Dias will continue as scheduler. A letter will be sent to all Eucharistic ministers introducing Mike and also giving some reminders, like the policy that distributors should not deny giving the Eucharist in either form to anyone and that it would be helpful if all distributors signed in at least 10 minutes prior to Mass.

-Mary Miles reported that she has obtained a Mass coordinator for the 12:30 Mass. She also has written two articles about Worship Commission that got missed being put in recent Gazettes - they will appear in the May and June issues of The Great Gazette. She has plans to write two more articles to inform parishioners who the Worship Commission is and what they do.

-Alicia Risko showed a sampling of some pamphlets that other parishes have available addressing all sorts of issues. These are published and may be purchased from Our Sunday Visitor and Ligouri Press, among others. We may look into the prices and possible purchase of these pamphlets for next year.

-Karen Gould Angel reported for Karen that the Liturgy Planner software has been purchased. It is on a computer in the Rectory Office and all are encouraged to use it. Karen reported that Baptism within the Mass is an option, but that many are still choosing Baptism separately after the 12:30 Mass.

-Angel reported that the Spring Worship Sale of religious articles sold $568 of various items, of which Worship Commission will receive $113.67 to be used towards Bulletin inserts, reflection booklets or purchase of information pamphlets. Angel reported that Worship Commission received a number of nominations. We need 3 new at-large members to serve 3 years and there are still spaces to fill from previous years where 2 new members to serve 2 years are needed. Angel will be deciding how to proceed with making phone calls to those who were nominated to see if they will agree to accept the nomination.

Next meeting: Thursday, May 3 at 7:30.

Minutes March 1, 2007

St. Albert the Great Worship Commission
Minutes – March 1, 2007 Meeting
(Items in BOLD require member action)
REVISED


1. Signed-up to write petitions:

April – Kathy Sales
May – Therese Frick
June – Laura Arber

2. Meeting was opened by Therese Frick with prayer. Present at the meeting
were Jim Butler, Laura Arber, Connie Dias, Therese Frick, Julie Gilmore, Karen Gould, Jeff Hall, Evan Marlin, Mary Miles, Alicia Risko, Kathy Sales, Jeff Shawhan and Stephanie White.

3. Discussion was held concerning the Charter and Appendix.

a. Reminder that the job descriptions for all Ministries need to be turned in to Angel by March 29, 2007. Angel presented the Charter to Parish Council and they made the suggestions that are typed in “blue” at the end of each section. Please send any final comments or changes to Angel.

b. Discussion was held concerning the minimum and maximum number of years that a coordinator for a particular ministry should serve. The suggested term was a minimum of three years, no maximum. The discussion was if the Coordinator wanted to remain longer than the three years and was handling the job well, they should be allowed to. This discussion brought up the question of who should be present at Worship Commission meetings to represent each Ministry – it was decided that the Coordinator should be there as it is one of the specific duties of the Ministries and should not be delegated.

c. The Baptism Ministry needs to be added to the Charter.

4. Stephanie White, Director of the Office of Religious Education, presented a report on “Sacrament Preparation.” Copies of the report were distributed to all present and Stephanie went through the report with the members. Discussion outside the information provided in the report included a parent question to Angel about allowing girls to try on the priest’s vestments during a retreat day. The parent felt this was not appropriate since girls cannot become priests and it gave an unreasonable expectation. Jeff Hall said the purpose of the vestment “trying on” is to explain to all the proper way they go on, what they are called, most importantly knowing that the priest says a special prayer as they don each piece. Jeff also pointed out the need for the children to see the reverence with which the priest puts them on. It gives all of the children a sense of the prayer life revolving around the vestments. Stephanie will discuss this concern with Fr. Tom Meyer.

5. Petitions – We were reminded to refer to the Handbook that goes with the Petitions. It sets forth that the Petitions must include each week a prayer for four specific things – the needs of the Church, our public authorities, those burdened with difficulties and the needs of our local community. Also, we have been asked by parishioners to include a prayer for the War on Terrorism and for all those serving in the military.

6. Lent and Easter Subcommittee – Kathy Sales reported that all is proceeding nicely. She has been finalizing plans for Easter Week with Jim Butler and Fr. Meyer. At this night’s Evening Prayer, approximately 25 people were in attendance and approximately 70 people attended the Friday night Stations of the Cross. Kathy will email a final update on the plans to all members. No Mass Coordinator will be needed for the Saturday evening vigil.

7. Staff Reports

a. Jim Butler – Nothing new at this time, has not received any feedback on the Advent and Christmas music from parishioners.
b. Connie Dias and Jeff Shawhan – Jeff will be conducting training sessions for 8th graders and some of their parents.
c. Mary Miles – needs Mass Coordinators for an 11:00 a.m. Mass and a 12:30 p.m. Mass. She asked if she could send letters to Ministers of Holy Communion and Readers to solicit coordinators. It was agreed that she could. Other suggestions were personal invitations to people, asking for name referrals and possibly looking at young couples in the parish.
d. Kathy Sales reported that she has 4 Adults and 2 Children in the RCIA program, 8 Catechumens. They meet on Monday evenings and she is in need of one or two sponsors for a couple. She and Pam Prew have called 40 parishioners to ask if they would be a sponsor and were told no. Therese Frick volunteered to be a sponsor.
e. Karen Gould passed around a baptismal liturgy that she had created with the new “Liturgy Planner” software from Liturgical Press. The new software can be used outside of the Church business office if you can download your information on a flash drive. Karen said the computer in the business office does not have a USB port so she is going to download the software onto a laptop so it can be available to everyone. She needs people to use the “Ministry Scheduler” so we can determine if it will be a worthwhile investment. The Gearhardt family has volunteered to purchase the software for the Church; the Church will be responsible for a yearly licensing fee of $96.00. The information for the “Ministry Scheduler” can be loaded either through Excel or typed in manually.
The “Liturgy Planner” can be used for baptisms and funerals – perhaps weddings but it has not been tested for that yet. Example - for baptisms, it incorporates personal information on the children being baptized directly within the liturgy wording so the Priest or Deacon can smoothly move through the baptism.
f. Laura Arber learned that we have received one response from “View from the Pew.” A tall parishioner said he/she has problems with the kneelers in the pew behind them being left up. Discussion was held on how to handle responses including this one. Laura will be taking this under advisement – consideration given to sending a letter to the parishioner if they listed their name (this one did) and/or answering any queries in the Great Gazette. She will discuss this further with Angel and Father Meyer.

g. Evan Marlin said they are recruiting Readers for the Easter services and will be having training sessions for Readers of the Passion on March 24, 2007 and March 31, 2007. He has prepared Reader Introductions for Palm Sunday forward and provided copies to Kathy Sales, Jim Butler and Fr. Tom Meyer. Evan also mentioned that they have a wonderful number of trained Readers and are scheduling people to read every six weeks.

8. Other Business

a. Baptismal cloths will be embroidered by a friend of Mary Gearhardt’s. This was discussed with Katie O’Neill and Angel.
b. Religious Article Sale – Will be held on Sunday March 18, 2007 at the 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses. The sale will have two tables – one will be solely to take orders for First Communion needs; a second table will be cash and carry like the Advent sale. Reminder that First Communicants will be at the 11:00 a.m. Mass that day. Please let Angel know if you can help. It was mentioned that notice of the upcoming sale needs to be placed in the Bulletin for a couple of weeks prior to the sale date.
c. We need to be thinking about elections – perhaps we know of someone we think would be an asset on the Worship Commission. We also need to be thinking of who the officers will be for next year.d. Alicia said that there is now a website at www.radiomaria.us to allow you to listen to Catholic radio.
e. Transfiguration parish in West Milton will be offering a mission with Fr. Pablo Stroub and The Romans will be providing music.

9. Final prayer given by Jeff Hall. Jeff has 56 days to go before his ordination to the Diaconate.


NEXT MEETING: MARCH 29, 2007 DUE TO A CONFLICT
WITH EASTER WEEK.

Next Meeting

Next Worship Commission Meeting:
Thursday, February 1 at 7:30.

The March meeting will be March 1.

Note - The first Thursday in April (April 5) is Holy Thursday. We will move our meeting
up a week to March 29.

Minutes Oct 2006

St. Albert the Great Worship Commission
Minutes – October 5, 2006 Meeting

(items in bold require member action)

1. Signed-up to write petitions for next couple of months.
Nov.     Angel Hopkins
Dec.     Jim Butler

2. Members are asked to look over our Charter and the previous Constitution/ Appendix and continue to hand in any suggestions or comments to Angel Hopkins. There will be a new revision to look at for the December Meeting. Angel also passed out a Liturgical Calendar and Notes for Year C.

3. Planning Committee for Advent

-The following members agreed to serve on the Advent Committee: Laura Arber, Jim Butler, Therese Frick, Jeff Hall, Pat Higgins, and Dave Mattie.  Therese will chair the subcommittee. Fr Tom Meyer and a representative from Art & Environment will be contacted and invited to attend.  Therese will contact everyone concerning the date and time for the meeting.  Plans for Advent will be finalized at the November meeting.

-Jim will talk with Fr. Tom concerning the Christmas Mass schedule.

-Karen Gould suggested selling bundled Advent candles before Advent starts.

4. Staff Reports
     
     -Jim Butler gave an update on the Children’s’ Choir.  He reported that they already have 16 members with little advertising.  A committee of mothers has been formed.  A letter written by Erin Schmitz and signed by Fr. Tom Meyer went out today (Oct. 5).  Letters will be sent to all St. Albert and RE students in grades 3-6.
     -Someone said that in the past they remember a book of Advent Songs – Jim will look into this. There have been good comments about the music from parishioners. Jim also reported that the Hand bell Choir is in need of new members.

     -Jeff Hall reported that their will be a Blessing of Pets on Sunday, October, 22 at 2:30 pm.  Fr. Gary will be the celebrant.  Angel will make sure it gets in a couple of Bulletins.

     -Therese Frick reported that she did contact Pat Metzger concerning Evening Song on the Thursdays in Advent. Pat would like to meet with Fr. Tom and is interested in doing these.  Jeff Hall said he could be a presider and Dave said he would help get readers.  Therese will follow-up with Pat and report back at November meeting.
     -The new Prayer of the Faithful binder is being used; please remember to place copies of your petitions in the binder when you are through. Julie Gilmore suggested that maybe we could solicit petitions from parishioners. A line in the revised View from the Pew could be added for this.

     -Dave Mattie reported that the new Year C books for lectors are in the lower sacristy.  He also will be soliciting readers for All Saints, Thanksgiving, Immaculate Conception as well as the Christmas Masses.

     -Mary Miles presented an article she wrote for The Great Gazette.  Members should read over this and email or call Mary by October 9 with any suggestions or corrections.   It should appear in the November issue and Mary will be writing a few more articles for future issues.  Alicia will email her the group picture of the Worship Commission that she took at the August meeting to possibly be placed in a future issue.

     -Alicia Risko gave a report concerning greeters at each Mass.  Most parishes use some sort of greeters – couples, families, students earning service points fro Confirmation.  One thing she pointed out was that ‘Welcome and Greeting’ start before you come to church.  You attract people by being a friendly community and having convenient Mass times. Simple things like introducing yourself to people you sit around all the time can lead to a friendly atmosphere. In some parishes the priest who will be celebrant for a particular Mass will actually greet parishioners before the Mass begins.  
     -Angel met with Frank Spolrich and discussed why our efforts to have official greeters in the past failed.  Frank had useful information since he was a greeter.  He said there were never any meetings and the program lacked organization.  If we want to bring back greeter program we should talk to past greeters and have much more organization.  Using various groups – scouts, commissions, bible study groups, Women’s Guild, RE teachers, etc. –may be an option.  Dave Zink again mentioned the role of ushers as greeters.
     -Alicia also reported on the Advent/ Christmas Sale of worship and religious items.  It will be after Masses on December 2 and 3. There was some discussion concerning whether to have the sale set up in the Gathering Space or cafeteria – Friends and Fellowship does not take place at the 4:30 and 12:30 Masses.  Final plans will be firmed up at the November meeting.

     -Dave Zink reported that ushers will being doing the annual Mass attendance count during the month of October.  These numbers are submitted to the diocese, but they will be available to us for future planning of Mass times.  Dave also announced that he has officially entered the Deaconate Program; he may be seeking someone else to coordinate the ushers.

     -Karen Gould reported on the proposal to celebrate Baptisms within the Mass.  After taking it to Parish Council it was decided to go a different route than the Special Request form present at our last meeting.  Karen presented a new Proposal for Baptism within the Mass that offers a regular schedule for baptisms taking into account all five Mass times on a rotating schedule.  Council supports this idea and wants the final proposal to come from the Worship Commission.  It was emphasized that one can still opt to have the baptism celebrated outside of Mass.  All members should look over this new proposal and get comments and suggestions to Karen.  Karen will incorporate everyone’s ideas into the proposal and present it again at the November meeting.  A proposal should be ready to re-present to Parish Council at their November meeting.  It was stressed from Parish Council to have in the proposal a limit or the number of baptisms to take place in any given Mass and to still offer baptisms outside of Mass.  It was thought that this would be ready to implement in January with a trial period of about 5 months.

     -Laura Arber met with Pat Rau concerning the existing View from the Pew form.  Laura presented a revised View from the Pew that should meet the needs of the parishioners better.  In the future these forms will be returned to Worship Commission. All members should look over the copy they received and send comments and suggestions to Laura.

     -Angel reported that things are still being considered to insert in our Bulletins once a month concerning matters of faith and worship.  The group that does our Bulletin may already have something for just this purpose.  The first insert will be on the 1st Sunday of Advent.  
     -Angel also met with Katie about a section in The Bulletin for Worship Commission – our first article will be the weekend of November 11 and 12, and Angel thinks maybe it will be an introductory article about information may be found in this space each week.
     -Name tags for Worship Commission members have been ordered.
     -Minutes of our meetings are now being posted on the website.  There is still some concern over old information coming off and timeliness of the addition of new information.  Angel continues to be in touch with Eileen Maloney.

Next meeting Thursday November 2 @ 7:30.