Parish Council Minutes
March 7, 2022 - 6:30pm - Via Zoom

Present: Father Hammond, Linda Bratton, Bill Durbin, Marcia Durbin, John Fongheiser, Ed Gardner, Marie Holland, Frank Meravy, Barb McComb, Sheryl Mickley, Marie Mosher, Dave Rashley
Excused: Brenda Arnold, Tammy Harrmann
Approval of Minutes: Dave Rashley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Marie Holland. The motion carried. 

Education & Youth Report:  PSR: This year’s closing will be held Wednesday, April 6th. First Communion students will have a retreat Saturday, April 9th from 10am until noon. First Communion Mass has been moved from Sunday, April 24th to the Saturday Mass at 5pm on April 23rd, 2022. 
Confirmation: Confirmation Mass has been set for Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, with a practice scheduled for June 7th.  More information will be coming regarding the dinner for the students and what a Mass for Confirmation without a Bishop will look like. The students have a retreat this Saturday.  
Youth Group: Students have two remaining sessions: March 13th and April 3rd. Group leaders are planning a game night for April 3rd. A meeting will be scheduled in June to get feedback and to plan a calendar for next year. Mass for Graduating Seniors will take place in June. A notification to families who would like to participate will be sent out by the end of March.

Knights of Columbus: There was a collection for seminarians last Sunday with $214 collected. There will be in person fish fries each Friday through April 8th. The Knights are collecting money for Ukrainian Relief as well as selling Super Bonanza tickets at the fish fries. The price of fish is up 50% so a collection jar was put out for those who got extra fish. 

Parish Council of Catholic Women/ Community Life: The Valentine’s dinner dance was well attended and enjoyed by those who participated. The Catholic Women’s Conference was livestreamed at the St. Luke Center on February 19th. About 20 ladies were present throughout the day. On March 23rd food will be provided for the priests who come for the Lenten Penance Service. PCCW hopes to have a Mother-Daughter brunch this year.  

Maintenance: The maintenance committee repaired a door lock and springs on several doors. They cleaned and painted the collection baskets. They also worked on wiring and repaired the doorbell. They touched up paint in the church and cleaned up trash at the cemetery. A more comfortable chair was placed in the confessional.     

Finance & Administration: Father Victor left a K of C annuity to St. Luke Church.  We are grateful for this gift.

Social Concerns: Brenda Arnold is working on determining the members of this committee.  She will be sharing updates from the Social Concerns office of the diocese with our parish. We will be having a special collection for Ukraine through Catholic Relief Services next weekend. Be sure if you donate outside our Church that these are effective and “real” organizations. The FBI suggests the following tips: 1) Beware of groups with copycat names similar to those of well-known organizations. 2) Don’t click on links to open attachments from strangers. 3) Don’t provide personal information in response to an email robocall or robotext. 4) If you want to donate, use a check or credit card. Remember, if a group asks you to donate using cash, virtual currency, or a wire transfer, it’s probably a scam. 

Respect Life: The Solemnity of St. Joseph is March 19th.  In preparation for this feast day, all are invited to pray the St. Joseph Adoption Novena invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. This novena invites you to pray that the Lord blesses all who travel upon the path of adoption. Visit respectlife.org/adoption to join. Consider signing up for news updates from 40 Days for Life. This campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil runs from March 2 through April 10. To stay informed on the respect life issue you can watch EWTN Pro-LIfe Weekly which airs on Thursday at 10pm. Every week a team of pro-life experts shine the light of truth on abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the culture of death. In addition to supporting mothers with our prayers, you can financially support a maternity home, volunteer at a pregnancy care center such as our local Starting Point in Mt. Vernon or accompany mothers in need with the gift of your friendship.  
 
Bereavement: Since the last meeting of Parish Council on February 8, 2022, there are no deaths to report, either within or related to the parish. We have been blessed to receive 3 additional donations to the ministry for which we are extremely grateful, as they help us continue to provide support to our parish family. Father Olvera has given permission to return to visiting the homebound for communion, which we will start this coming Friday, March 11.

Worship: Weekend Masses at St. Luke will be covered by either Father Olvera or a visiting priest through Easter. Masks are no longer required at Mass except for the priest or Eucharist Minister when distributing Communion.  

Real Presence/Real Future:  The Real Presence/Real Future committee will meet next week for a face-to-face meeting. 

Safety: There was some discussion about safety. This discussion continued in the Executive Session.

Old Business:  

1. Review Committees:  Committee heads and members are still being confirmed. When

           the information is correct, it will be printed for parish use.  

2. Snow Removal: Snow removal is still being worked on. The decision was made to not

           purchase a salt spreader.

3. Generator: Bill Durbin is gathering information about purchasing a generator for the

           center.

4. Parish Festival Date: A tentative date of July 16 has been set for the St. Luke parish

           festival. A committee will be meeting soon to begin planning. 

5. Synodal Process Meetings: This meeting for our Deanery is at Blessed Sacrament

           Church on Sunday, March 13, 1-3pm.  Ed Gardner plans to attend.

New Business: 

1. Lawn Care Contract:  The contract with Fast Eddy’s expired on March 1st. The council

           discussed some options available. Marcia Durbin made a motion to sign a new contract
           with Fast Eddy’s with Barb McComb seconding the motion. The motion carried.

2. Bible Study: Men’s Bible Study will start this week. The groups will be meeting in the

           Center on Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:30pm.
c.        Eucharistic Adoration: There is a need for volunteers for Tuesday evening, 8:30-9:30
           Please contact the parish office if you can fill this time slot.  
 
Next Meeting Date: April 4, 2022 at 6:30pm via zoom.

Motion to Adjourn: Bill Durbin. It was seconded by Marie Holland.  The motion was carriedvvvvv