v Parish Council Minutes
February 8, 2022 - 6:30pm - Via Zoom

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

Education & Youth Report:  PSR: Fr. Blubaugh completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation for 2nd/3rd graders on January 12th. Because Wednesday, March 2nd is Mass for Ash Wednesday, there will be no class. Parents are encouraged to attend Mass with their children. Mass books were recently purchased and distributed to students who will be completing their First Communion to help them prepare, recognize, and participate in the different parts of Mass. 
Confirmation: February 13th class time has been moved to 11:00am-12:30pm. The Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for March 12th from 9am-6pm with the class attending Mass as a group.
Youth Group: We have finished the Life Teen “Alive” series and will begin “Censored” with the next class on Sunday, February 20th. This series addresses the controversial “fake” Jesus and assists in fully understanding who Jesus is and separates “fact” from “fiction.” The concept is explored in four parts - Teacher, Healer, King, & Modern Day-Christian Martyrs.

Knights of Columbus: There was a collection for seminarians last Sunday with $252.62 collected. The annual clergy appreciation dinner was well attended with approximately 400 in attendance. The next fish fry is February 18 with fish fries each week through Lent. January 12th was the Free Throw Contest. Only boys participated because of Covid 19 preventing the girls from taking part. An essay contest will be happening soon. Super Bonanza tickets will be available for purchase at the next fish fry. 

Parish Council of Catholic Women: The Valentine’s Dinner Dance is Saturday February 12th. The Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference will be livestreamed here at the St. Luke Center on February 19th. Please call the office or Marcia if you plan to attend so we will know how many are coming. Lunch will be provided.  Father Homer will be available for confessions. 
Community Life: Pictures for the St. Luke Parish Pictorial Directory will be taken June 20, 21, and 22. The Raccoon Dinner was held at the center. It was well attended with 400 meals served. A big thank you to the St. Luke community who provided so much help.

Maintenance:  A refurbishing of the server side of the sacristy was recently completed. A handrail was installed in the hallway leading to the sacristy. New kneelers were put in the choir loft as well as a few other repairs. A consistent method of snow removal in the parking lot and removal of snow from the front steps was discussed and will be pursued. Bill Durbin will look into purchasing a salt spreader. 

Finance & Administration: No report was given.

Social Concerns: No report was given.

Respect Life:  January 20th pilgrims from across the nation prayed for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The following day, January 21st was the 49th annual March for Life. This year there was a growing sentiment among the attendees that it could be the last march before Roe is possibly overturned. There’s hope abortion might no longer be protected on the federal level but that it might go back to the states. January 22nd was the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. 9 Days for Life occurred January 19th through January 27th. Thousands of Catholics across the country joined in prayer and action during the Bishop’s pro-life novena. February 8th was the International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking. The U.S. participated in the global “Marathon of Prayer and Awareness” service. 

Bereavement: Since the last meeting of Parish Council on January 2, 2022, there is one death within the parish to report. Brenda Kay Keller, the mother of Roger (Marie) Holland passed away January 23, 2022.  Father Olvera celebrated the Mass at St. Luke on January 27; interment followed at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. There were also three parish-related deaths to note. Martin Kelley Crumbaker, father of Pam (Scott) Mickley, passed away January 15, 2022. Graveside service and interment with military honors was held Thursday January 20 at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. Cassandra Smith, the daughter-in-law of Dennis and Barb Smith, passed away January 24, 2022. A celebration of life service was held Saturday, February 5 at Faith Outpost Church. Sherry Ann Durbin, sister-in-law of Linda Colopy, Bill (Mimi) Durbin and Jean Lahmon also passed away January 24, 2022. Funeral service was held at Richardson-Davis Funeral Home in Galion, followed by interment at Rivercliff Cemetery in Mount Gilead. Another death to note was that of Father Stephen Metzger’s brother, Chuck, on January 17. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, January 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Junction City OH. Please remember to keep these families in prayer during this difficult time.  All Memorial Ornaments from the 2021 gathering were either delivered or mailed in January.

Worship: Jeff Cavins will be coming to St. Vincent de Paul Church on Monday, February 21st.  All are invited to attend. His presentation begins at 7pm and is free of charge. Father Hammond’s hip surgery is scheduled for February 17th. During his recovery Father Blubaugh will be covering weekday masses with two retired priests from the diocese filling in on the weekends. Father is hoping to be able to be recovered for Easter. There will be a Lenten penance service on Wednesday, March 23rd.  

Real Presence/Real Future:  All sessions have been completed. This is a time of discernment and gathering of information. 

Safety:  Active shooter training was completed by some ushers following Mass. A committee is putting together a plan for the safety of all. There is a concern about the doorknobs in the center not being lockable from the inside. New doorknobs may be needed. There may also be a need to update the present monitoring system.

Old Business:  Live Stream Adoration:  There is only visual streaming of Adoration at this time.

New Business: 

1. Review Committees:  Committee heads and members are being confirmed. When the information is correct, it will be printed for parish use.  
2. Generator:  There was a discussion about purchasing a generator for the center.
3. Parish Festival Date:  There is interest in having a festival this year. No date has been set. There will be further discussion at the next meeting. 

Next Meeting Date:  March 7, 2022, at 6:30pm via zoom. Motion to adjourn: Marcia Durbin. It was seconded by Brenda Arnold. The motion was carried.