Sharon Reed, facilitator, convened the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at 7:20 p.m.

Present:           Father Albert Maullon, Carl Conder, Jan Garcia, Araceli Leal, Lollie Lopez, Lucia Paragas, Sharon Reed, Susan Schreiter, and Eric Wall

Guest:              Michael Okuto

Excused:         David Ingram, Charles Samson and Kristi Weaver

OPENING PRAYER: was read together by all present, followed by Spiritual Formation: You are my All in All Prayer.

MINUTES:  The minutes of October 10, 2007 were reviewed and accepted without correction by a voice vote.

LIAISON REPORT:  Eric Wall reported on Adult Faith Formation and highlighted a new ministry for Alzheimer’s caretakers – The Gathering Place.  (A second family in conjunction with caring ministry.  People need friends, transportation and be a 2^nd family member.  Would be 3or 4 people per 1 person receiving care.

     ACTS Community is growing and is planning on having Life Teen ACTS in the future as the CORE team is making adjustments.  Lack of projector, screen and space.

ORGANIZATION & FUNCTIONAL GUIDELINES REPORT:  Sharon led discussion on the Organizational and Functional Guidelines of the Saint Paul Parish Pastoral Council (PPC).  There was one addition to the guidelines.  Under VACANCIES AND REPLACEMENTS to add the word: unexcused.  To read:  After three unexcused consecutive absences of a member from PPC meetings, the Convener shall contact the absent member to determine if a replacement should be sought.   All PPC accepted addition.

VISION PLANNING:  Sharon led discussion on the recommended strategy for Vision Planning of St. Paul Catholic Community.  The first step – Parish Wide Survey was completed.  Step two is Affinity Analysis - to put something in bulletin about survey date for analysis meeting.  Affirming Analysis Committee was formed and the following are on the committee:  Sharon, Jan, Eric, Lucia and David.  After some discussion the Ideas Market and PPC Goal Setting Workshop were tabled for next months meeting.  Parishioners want to be informed of the results.

ST. PAUL JUBILEE YEAR:  Sharon reported that when she met with Luis Lopez about The St. Paul Jubilee Year Kick-Off-June 29, 2008, she received suggestions/direction about how process works.  Needs to set headers for Jubilee Year.  Write and give these ideas to Finance Council to create a budget.  Need to inform the parish staff so they will know what vision of the PPC and implement for coming year.  Similar to the 40^th Anniversary celebrations.  Bench Mark Headers should be created and would be to celebrate the life of St. Paul through education, life and ministry of St. Paul.  Some ideas: Education – to have speakers give series of talks on St. Paul.  Worship – celebrate opening and closing Masses.  Mission and Conversion Path – offer parish opportunities for conversion.  Celebration – plan different events.  Pilgrimage – plan an actual pilgrimage and also plan one at the parish to follow footsteps of St. Paul (for those who cannot go on actual trip and share experience).  Scripture/Readings.  Evangelization, Pictorial Booklet, Banner, etc.  PPC was asked to think about Bench Mark ideas for next meeting.

REMEMBRANCE OF CALEB INGRAM:  Sharon presented the beautiful framed painting that will be hung in the new church – maybe in the nursery as tribute to Caleb from the PPC.  (PPC please give your money donation to Sharon).

FATHER ALBERT TIME:  Building Project committee is waiting on final blueprint so they may meet with Nassau Bay to ask permission to increase height of steeple and present final drawings to get permit to start construction.  Plan on starting construction in March or April and will take approximately twelve (12) months of construction.  Prayer is that construction will be completed for the Jubilee of St. Paul.

Met with Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Savings and Loan and the following was reported:

Originally authorized overall budget of 6.4 million and to borrow up to 4.7 million.  Now because of inflation and higher steel prices the overall was increased to 7.7 million and need to borrow 4.8 million for 9 years or less.  Expecting10% reduction off building fund.

PPC took a few minutes to sing and celebrate Father Albert’s 50^th Birthday.

The trip to the Philippines went very well.  They interviewed different artists, wood carvers and contractors regarding the marble, art work, stained glass, doors, ceilings, wood carvings and iron that is being considered for the new church.  Committee wants quality finished work in the new church.  Also met with the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (P.D.D.M.) nuns to identify resources and how we can use art work to tell a story from art.  There is a lot of work ahead.

CLOSING PRAYER:  Father Albert closed with a blessing and prayer.

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday, MARCH 12^TH at 7:00 p.m.

Sharon Reed, facilitator, convened the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at 7:45 pm.

Present: Carl Conder, Jan Garcia, Ray Hertel, Araceli Leal, Lollie Lopez, Father Albert Maullon, Lou Paragas, Sharon Reed, Charles Samson, Susan Schreiter, Eric Wall, and Kristi Weaver.

Excused: David Ingram

OPENING PRAYERS:

A spiritual environment was wonderfully nurtured with candles and other center pieces.

All present united their voices in reading the opening prayer.

Kristi led the PPC in a Responsorial Psalm and a Litany of Humility.

OPEN TIME: No one requested to make an appearance before the PPC.

Ray passed on the request of the parish webmaster, Bob Kosar, to know to whom to direct e-mails sent to the parish website for PPC.  Sharon volunteered to receive them and forward them to the necessary parties. 

MINUTES: PPC reviewed the minutes from the August 8^th PPC meeting and, with correction to an item under “Opening Prayer,” accepted them.    

DISCUSSION OF REMEMBERANCE OF CALEB INGRAM:

Eric recommended dedicating a raffle for Caleb and donating the proceeds.  PPC could combine efforts with either St. Vincent de Paul or the Knights of Columbus.   

Sharon recommended a memorial specifically from PPC: in Caleb Ingram’s name donate something for the new church, or plant a tree.  Sharon proposed that she make a card to describe to the Ingrams the PPC plan for a tree; in addition to conveying to them PPC’s sympathies and fond memories, this would also seek their approval for the project. 

PPC GUIDELINES: The PPC reviewed the updated PPC Guidelines and made one correction. 

VISIONING ACTION PLAN:

PPC will schedule the Visioning Action Plan with parish office to avoid any conflict in view of parish’s calendar.

Unfortunately PPC was unable to coincide the Visioning Action Plan with the new church’s ground breaking.  PPC may have another window of opportunity between women’s ACTS retreat and Thanksgiving. 

PPC will put a flyer in the bulletin highlighting all of the “Seven Essential Elements of Parish Life” on Oct. 28^th and again on Nov. 4^th.  The Nov. 4^th flyer will have, on the back, a survey.  PPC will make an announcement to the parish regarding this survey on Oct. 21^st and 28^th, as well as on the survey date.  Carl will also place an easel in the narthex covering this material on Oct. 28th. 

PPC needs to get information for the bulletin to Lora Ruzicka, the parish secretary, by Oct. 16^th to be included in the bulletin for the weekend of Oct. 21^st .

Discussion Regarding the “Back Three Pews”

PPC concluded that those formerly designated as the “Back Three Pews,” indicating those who participate little in parish life and stereotypically sit in the back of the church, may actually sit anywhere in the church and are more likely to leave before the announcements than are other parishioners.

PPC will not interview those from the Back Three Pews; instead PPC will conduct a survey during Mass and will survey people at the bazaar, including the dinner on October 20^th.   

LIAISON REPORT: Carl presented a report for St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) from Wes Karna:

Each month SVdP helps about 100 families.

SVdP also does follow-up “Home Visits” for repeat visitors to the church office, to try to understand their underlying issues. 

SVdP members are embracing additional training. 

SVdP has connected two families to the RCIA program. 

SVdP has a continual need for food to stock there pantry.   

Spring-boarding off the liaison report:

PPC wondered if St. Paul could replace the annual blessing of bread with a collection of food for SVdP.  Sharon will e-mail staff to get their input.

St. Paul is looking for new Gabriel Project coordinator.

Eric will have a liaison report for Adult Ministry at the next PPC meeting.

FATHER ALBERT TIME:

Building project:

We have an acoustic/sound consultant, a liturgical consultant (who is waiting on the final blue prints to get started), and are considering a security consultant.

St Paul will be granted a 20% discount on the steel required for the new church when acquired through a former parishioner who has moved to Georgia. 

Due to budget restrictions, the church plans are being altered:

Remove the main weather drop-off, but retain the one near the children’s section.

Alter plans to find less expensive roofing.

Remove plans for a prayer garden.

The mini capital campaign has brought in $140,000.00 in new pledges.

The construction start date is unknown.

Fr. Albert is supervising Michael Akntro, St. Paul’s new seminarian.  Part of Michael’s training will be to write weekly pastoral reflections on his experience at St. Paul.  The Parish Advisory Team is considering the learning agreement between Michael and the seminary.

The Jubilee of St. Paul: will be similar to the St. Paul Parish’s 40^th anniversary celebration. 

The Jubilee year will have opening and closing Masses. 

The new church will be dedicated during this time frame. 

St. Paul Parish is considering, similarly to the 40^th anniversary, a Pilgrimage of St Paul’s Footsteps ending at St. Paul Outside the Walls. 

St. Paul Parish would like to have a concert and other presentations at which an Archdiocesan presence would attend. 

St. Paul Parish may need a committee to help organize this celebration. 

St. Paul Parish may do well to present the following survey question to the parishioners: How would you like to celebrate the Jubilee of St. Paul?

The Spanish Mass continues to grow. 

CLOSING PRAYER: At 9:30 Fr. Albert closed the PPC meeting with a prayer.