Parish Council Minutes
February 4 ^th, 2020
PRESENT: Father Hammond,​ Roger Durbin, Marcia Durbin, Barb McComb, Sheryl Mickley, Joe Tapocsi, Shelby Mickley, Dave Rashley, Keith Mickley, Tammy Harrmann, Chris Mehringer-Smith, Marie Mosher, Ed Gardner.
EXCUSED: Bill Durbin APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Amended – Keith Mickley was elected Vice President at last month’s meeting.
 
EDUCATION: Youth Group: Completed series on self-image and finished with games on Super Bowl Sunday. A
huge “thank you” to all of the students who came to class and missed the 1st half of the game! Youth will be assisting with moving chairs and tables after 4:00pm Mass this Saturday February 8th for the PCCW event. Confirmation: Retreat is March 14th – very close to completing the outline and agenda. Students are currently working on a presentation for the retreat on their chosen saint for confirmation. Letters were sent out last week reminding parents that sponsors need to have letters completed and turned in by February 16th. PSR: Reminder to Parents – Ash Wednesday Mass (February 26) will be in the Center at 6:30pm – no classes. We will send information out to parents as soon as we get a date on penance service (if this service is in the center, we will be unable to have classes for the evening).
 
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Family of the Month – Council 910 would like to congratulate and recognize John and Alice Blanchard as the January Family of the Month. John and Alice are longtime members of St. Luke. Alice is an RN and has previously helped with PSR. Alice has also been very supportive of John’s K of C involvement. John is a past Grand Knight, involved in Fish Fries, Pancake Breakfasts, annual festival and Adopt a Highway. Knight of the Month – Council 910 wishes to congratulate and recognize Don Blanchard as the January Knight of the Month. Don is a longtime member of Council 910 and is the current Financial Secretary. He is involved in Fish Fries, Pancake Breakfasts, and our annual festival. Squires are still in need of members and event attendance. Contact Mark Hedge or Dave Rashley with any questions. Thank you to all who participated in the Free Throw Contest on January 26 ^th! Upcoming KofC events: Fish Fries – February 14 ^th, 21 ^st, 28 ^th from 5 to 7pm, Pancake Breakfast – February 9^th and 16^th from 11am to 12:30pm.  Father/Son Breakfast is to be announced. The Super Cash Bonanza is set to kick off February 23.   Support Our Seminarians: January’s collection was $107.08.   Thank you, St. Luke’s!
 
PARISH COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN:​ January 14 ^th was the first meeting. It was a Euchre night with soup and sandwiches. Ten ladies were present with a surprise visit from Father Hammond! Father gave an update on the Church renovations. The second meeting was February 2 ^nd with Line Dancing. Around 20 people attended – had a fun time to prepare for the dance. New icicle lights will be purchased to hang before the dance(s). The Valentine’s Dance is sold out and is on February 8 ^th. In March, Wine & Creations Design will be hosting a painting night and the painting will be our Church with the magnolia tree.
 
DEANERY REPORT: The most recent Deanery meeting was held at St. Vincent. The Bishop’s Luncheon will be held soon. February 17 ^th thru March 30 ^th, Deacon Gordon Mott will be holding a meeting every Monday at 6:30pm featuring “How to get More out of Lent”.
 
MAINTENANCE: Thank you again to everyone that helped with the transition to the Center. The rectory basement has been cleaned and the basement door was repaired. There has been another table repaired – Please do not slide tables across floor, it will damage the legs or break the table altogether, Thank You in advance from the Maintenance Committee! The 2020 Renovations Committee: The project Superintendent has informed the committee that things are “on schedule”. There is another update/meeting on February 5 ^th. PLEASE NOTE: It has been advised that no one should enter the Church while renovations are taking place, unless absolutely necessary, due to Safety Concerns, Thank You.
 
COMMUNITY LIFE: The Right to Life March had 15 people attend our trip. The Church would love more people to attend in the coming years. The Raccoon Supper was held on February 3 ^rd, with over 500 meals served. The Seder Meal was discussed and is To Be Determined.
 
SOCIAL CONCERNS: Lent begins 2/26/2020. Lenten Journey for Families – The diocesan office for Social Concerns and Marriage and Family Life have teamed up to provide a Lenten Journey for families with three ways to grow together: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. A Family Mission Rosary can help families discover their own missions and deepen their relationships with God, Mary and each other. The journey focuses on fasting from distractions in your home by dedicating one day a week to a family “day of rest”. Finally, you can share your journey with members of our human family here and around the world through Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. For more details, go to https:columbuscatholic.org/family-ministry-enrichment or call 614-244-2540. The 40 Days for Life begins 2/26/2020. Faithful believers are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America. This peaceful prayer vigil will take place at an abortion facility in Columbus. Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace. For details, and to sign up visit: www.gcrtl.org/40days-for-life.html or call 614-445-8508. On February 20 ^th, 2020, The Mental Health and Recovery Board will present the film premier of “Not so Different”. Meet the cast afterwards. It will be held at 6:30pm at the Knox County Memorial Theater. Admission is free but you must call to sign up.
RESPECT LIFE: Right to Life March (Quote provided by Sheryl Mickley)
“I started out not knowing a soul, I ended up with about a million new friends. Attending the 2020 March for Life in Washington, DC, with the folks from Danville’s St. Luke Church was a tremendously encouraging affair...from praying the rosary together on the bus, to the vision of Catholic solidarity in mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, to listening to Fr. Frank Pavone’s (Priests for Life) exhortations to “Take it to the church, take it to school, take it to politics, take it to the streets,” to meeting people from around the nation and around the world who had come to march for life, to the exuberance of the masses of young people, to the testimonies of men and women confessing their part in abortion and affirming life, to the feeling that we have real momentum in this struggle, for our cause is right and surely God is on our side. On the way, we stopped at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA, and were inspired by the actions of a small group of Americans who resisted evil on 9/11 to the point of self-sacrifice.  We carried that spirit with us as we stood up, spoke out, and marched for the most innocent among us, who cannot defend themselves. This was our time to act and we are better for it.” Ed Valeska Galena, Ohio
 
“I’m Bronson and the DC trip was awesome because of the walk for Life for the babies getting killed, which is sad and I just loved the trip.” Bronson Durbin
There were approximately 650,000 marchers, including International participants at the March. The Parish hopes to keep costs for attending the March down in the future – and hopes for better attendance. The “Being Pro Life” Podcast is now Live. There will be a new episode every week.
 
BEREAVEMENT:  We are pleased to report that there have been no deaths within, or connected to, our Parish in the last month. Barb McComb has met twice with a group of St. Vincent de Paul members to help develop a Bereavement Ministry at their Church. At the meeting on January 30 ^th, it was decided that she would chair their ministry at startup, until someone else expresses a willingness or desire to assume the role. An early goal is to streamline what we do at St. Luke to meet their needs. The next meeting is set for March 20 ^th, at which time Barb hopes to present them with a startup plan. The Memorial Gathering for 2020 is set for Thursday, December 10 ^th. We have received another generous donation to the ministry. The donor shared that she has been blessed by our ministry and in turn will be praying daily that God blesses us.
 
WORSHIP: Father Hammond would like to thank the Parish for their patience and good attendance during this transition. The Penance Service will be March 25 ^th with the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent.
 
SAFETY: A second sound system quote was discussed – Including a TeleCoil system discussion. Bell/Security System appears to be working well.
 
FINANCE: The Parish is ahead of budget, thanks to the Offertory being up – which is necessary during this Renovation Period. Thank You. There are two new members of the Finance Committee: Vic Campanelli and Mark Latorre.
 
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES: Some of Father Snoke’s sermons were given to Deacon Gordon. There is a 9’ Quilting Frame available for anyone interested.
Asbestos Report: No friable Asbestos was found. 23 total samples were taken from the Church, Rectory and Center.
 
NEXT MEETING: March 2 ^nd at 6:30pm