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Minutes of Parish Pastoral Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2019

In Attendance:  Msgr. Jordan, Lisa Cummings,  Jerry Mahon, Nancy Pinto,  Joe DeScipio; Ken Kochis, Mary Jo Enkulenko; Walter Serowinski;  Bill Burke; Liz Strasburger

Excused: Janine Evanish, Alysia Clancy, Ryan Wilson, Joe Nish; John Evanish; Ed Steinmetz; Dan Santaniello; Jim Pinto; Karen Clifford, Ellen Dermody

Jerry Mahon opened the meeting with a prayer.

Msgr. Jordan and Liz Strasburger provided a pastoral report on the preparations and activities underway for Lent, as well as the many events and activities scheduled for the spring 2019. The following highlights for Religious Education were noted:  Confirmation Retreat for 42 students will be on April 6th.  The Graduate's mass will be on Sunday, June 2 at 10 am.  Confirmation will be held on Sunday, June 9 at St. Eulalia's at the 11:30 mass with Msgr. Jordan officiating.  The final children's mass was held on March 31 for the First Grade.  All children's masses were enthusiastically received!  There is a need for Rel. Ed. teachers next year.

Discussion was held on the preparations for our Dedication Ceremony on May 5, at the 11:30 Mass with Bishop Bambera presiding. A dedication Booklet including a history of the parish as well as photos will be compiled and printed.  A light reception will follow. Tours of the new building project will be given by our Youth Group.

The Council discussed possible management and rental arrangements for the newly renovated Parish Center and the sample contract/guidelines for other diocesan Parish Center rental was further reviewed with the group. Council members will continue to review the sample agreement and have a follow up discussion at the June meeting of the Parish Council. Walter Serowinski has agreed to Coordinate Parish Center rentals.

Ryan Wilson, Chair of the Finance Committee and Jerry Mahon reported on the Third Cornerstone Campaign update providing the following financial information:

Net Amt of Building Contract: $2,279,055.67
Campaign Pledges: $1,952,412.00
Paid Pledges to date: $1,693,196.00
Outstanding Pledges Due: $259,474.00

To make up the difference between the contract and pledges made, we secured a line of credit with the Diocese for $1,000,000. Currently we have borrowed $822, 771 at 3%. The outstanding pledges are due in the fall of 2019 and should reduce our loan balance to $533,297. This is payable over 30 years to the diocese.

A number of Parishioners have expressed their consideration to renew a portion of their pledge to help in reducing our debt. The Council expressed their gratitude to all who helped and continue to support our campaign. They mentioned that those interested in continuing a pledge will have that conversation with Monsignor or one of the Committee members.

At the Finance Committee meeting, it was suggested that we ask our parishioners to increase their Sunday Offertory by 5% or to whatever amount, if any, they deem affordable. This will help meet our increased overhead in the new facilities and help meet our interest payments as we look to increased fund raisers to pay the debt.

Lisa Cummings announced that the Parish Council has chosen to honor Msgr. Jordan in the naming of the new chapel. All are in agreement on this designation for our great pastor!

Joe DeScipio provided a Building Report.  The final payment will be sent out. The carpet was installed so the choir loft has been completed and is now in use!  We look to begin installing our required detention pond and final pavement of the loop road.

Walter Serowinski reported on Social Events. High Bridge House will host a Dine and Donate on Monday, April 8, 2019 after 4 p.m. 15% of the evening’s participants’ food profits will be donated back to St. Eulalia’s. Plans are in the works for a Jimmy Buffet style dance party on August 24, 2019.  Tickets will be $25.00 for the event.

Lisa Cummings provided a report for Social Concerns. A cleaning supplies collection to benefit the residents of the Catherine McAuley House is underway and the donations will be delivered on Monday, April 8th.  On Thursday, March 28th, the committee will provided a light reception following the Ecumenical Lenten gathering at St. Eulalia’s. 175 people of all faiths gathered afterward in the hall.   Plans are underway to deliver Easter flowers to all the shut-ins of the parish to celebrate Easter. A collection for baby supplies will be taken up in May for St. Joseph's Baby Pantry.

Plans are underway for the celebration of Msgr. Jordan's 50th Anniversary as a priest!  The Mass of Celebration will be held on Sunday, May 26th at 11:30.  A reception will follow in the Parish Center.

Msgr. Jordan concluded the meeting with a prayer.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday, June 4th at 6 p.m.