Parish Council Minutes
January 4, 2021 – 6:30pm – Via Zoom

PRESENT:  Father Hammond, ​Roger Durbin, Marcia Durbin, Ed Gardner, Barb McComb, Sheryl Mickley, Joe Tapocsi, Dave Rashley, Keith Mickley, Bill Durbin, Marie Mosher, Chris Mehringer-Smith, Marie Holland, John Fongheiser, Linda Bratton, Shelby Mickley, Frank Meravy EXCUSED: Tammy Harrmann,
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were change as written and approved.

EDUCATION: Sheryl Mickley reported that PSR and Youth group are suspended until February with the hope that Knox County will be out of the red. Sheryl will get in touch with all parents. Sheryl will start the Youth group back in Danville when we are able.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Drive-thru Fish Fry will be January 15 and January 29, 2021 with donations. New Deputy Grand Knight is Kevin Murphy and Dave Rashley will be the Community Director.
Support our Seminarians: Donation were $58.30.

PARISH COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN: ​ Marcia Durbin reported that they are talking about a Drive-thru Valentine Dinner.

COMMUNITY LIFE: There were 38 Christmas baskets distributed. 33 boys and 28 girls were helped with gifts. Christmas decorating was a success and a big “Thank you” to Monica Blanchard for reviving the wreaths with new bows. We will be taking down the Christmas decorations on Sunday January 10.

DEANERY: The Deanery has not met since Covid-19 back in March of 2020. Fr. Hammond reported the deanery meetings are postponed until pandemic is under control.

MAINTENANCE: Roger Durbin reported that they changed the light switch in the Sacristy that was bad. The center floor has been repaired. The choir loft vent ducts have been patched. The electric in the garage was checked, new shelves were added along with a new fluorescent light.  A security light was hung at the center. Rugs have been placed inside the doors of the Church for the snow and salt coming in. Rectory is good. All outside projects have been completed.
The 2020 Renovations Committee: Joe Tapocsi reported the candle rack is being re-engineered to support the glass back splash that sits behind the candle rack. Keith Mickley suggested to remove 2020 Renovations from agenda.

SOCIAL CONCERNS: January is Poverty Awareness Month. 9 Days for Life will take place January 21-29. This is a multi-faceted novena for respect and protection of human life. Each day a different intention is accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions and related information. Sign up to receive the novena by email, text message (pro-life-activies.plages.com) or an app at www.9daysforlife.com. Respect Life Mass/Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children will be January 22 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Cathedral. Our diocese will be joining all dioceses of the US for this day of prayer. Mass will be live streamed on the Diocese of Columbus YouTube Channel. For more information call 614-241-2540 or contact [email protected]. Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor the Roe Remembrance at the Ohio State House on Friday January 22 from noon to 1pm. Details to be TBD. For updates GCRTL website.
In 2019 Pope Francis announced the National Migration Week was moving from the week after Epiphany to the last week in September starting in 2021. This year it will take place September 20-26 with the Vatican’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees taking place on Sunday, September 26.

RESPECT LIFE: No report.

BEREAVEMENT: There is one death from the parish to report. Donald Butts passed away December 12. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Luke, Tuesday December 15, followed by burial at St. Luke Cemetery. Former member Michael H. Quinn died December 1. A private funeral has been held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Marble Cliff, Ohio. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated when the pandemic is controlled enough to allow people to gather. Additionally, the following non-members have passed away. Jonathan (Jon) Hedge, the brother of Mark (Judy) Hedge, died December 9. Irene Guy, mother of Romona (Michael) Compton died December 30. Please remember to keep these families in prayer during this difficult time.
Plans are being formulated for the annual Memorial Gathering scheduled for December. We have received a donation from a parish member to honor the memory of their loved one. We are most grateful for that donation, which will be used in support of the ministry. Father Mark Ghiloni of Church of the Ascension in Johnstown has expressed interest in starting a Bereavement Ministry at his Church. We plan to discuss this further after the pandemic has subsided.

WORSHIP: Father Hammond thanked and welcomed the new council members: Marie Holland, John Fongheiser, Linda Bratton. Two extra confessions were held in December. We will do it again for our sacramental ministry during Lent.

SAFETY: Dave Rashley reported the ushers are good. Barb McComb has made an usher instruction sheet for new ushers. We still need more cleaners after Saturday night Mass. We also need more outside lights turned on and Keith Mickley will take care of it. Ed Gardner met with the hearing loop installers and it needed upgraded and adjusted. Fr. Hammond approved a purchase of a new camera system for recording the Mass that can be used multiple other ways. It is $3,300. Also needed will be a new laptop to run it. It will be $750. Donations are accepted, contact Dave Rashley. We will be having a meeting with maintenance committee and Rochelle Adam about the system.

FINANCE: Father Hammond reported donations are slightly lower than budgeted when the report was written. A big thank you for all the parishioners’ continued generosity. The bequest has been invested in the Foundation and in the Parish Aid fund.

Old Business: Raccoon Supper – Sheryl Mickley reported on February dinner. They have the raccoon and are trying to decide what they will do. Eric Siekkinen and Pat Crow (Lion’s Club) are still in charge. Amy McDonald and Duane Mickley are running it.
Snow Removal – We are in need of a volunteer or a contractor who will be able to take care of the Church parking lot when it snows. If interested please contact Bill Durbin, maintenance chairman. Marcia stated Aaron Sapp invested in a snowplow for his mower to take care of the Cemetery for snow removal.

New Business: New officers elected for 2021: President-Keith Mickley, Vice-President-Bill Durbin, Secretary-Marie Mosher. Fr. Hammond thanked the out-going members: Joe Tapocsi, Roger Durbin, and Shelby Mickley for their dedication to the council.

NEXT MEETING: February 1 at 6:30pm via Zoom.