Update from the pastor to parish pastoral council
10 April 2003

Finances
The Finance Council spoke to the parish the weekend of March 22/23 noting the significant shortfall we are facing. Parishioners were asked to begin/continue use of envelopes; contribute a one shot extra gift; and increase weekly giving by 5/10 a week. Some requests have been coming in. The one shot gifts are proceeding apace for which we are grateful. It is yet too early to evaluate the level of weekly giving increase. The council is meeting later in April to reflect on the response and to look to the future.

Lenten Renewal
Attendance at the March 16th evening was small (a couple of dozen) but well received. A few groups are beginning to form.

Office of Child Advocacy
The parish Child Abuse Prevention Team will host five three hour sessions: Mon May 5 at 7 p.m., Sat May 10 at 9 a.m., Thurs May 15 at 7 p.m., Sun. Jun 1 at 12 n., & Tues Jun 3 at 7 p.m.

AIM
The Archdiocesan AIM seminar on The Triduum and the Liturgical Year on six Monday evenings beginning March 3rd went well (until a snow date cancellation April 7th. )

Youth Commission
The youth commission is meeting next Aril 30. They hope to send some to the leadership training program in July. Also exploring expansion of concern to the middle school population.

Parish Pastoral Council Election
Mike Statkus has agreed to help.
In 1999, in addition to the regular election of members a number of additional parishioners were appointed. Thus no election was held in 2000 and no members are completing terms in the summer of 2003. To get back into regular rotation it was decided to have an election of four new members in the spring of 2003 for a three year term 2003-2006. The council should move on this in February or March.
Ideally we would look to electing four members in May to serve until the summer of 2006. Thus a slate of candidates (eight) should be available by May 1st. Thus active recruitment should begin early April. Thus notices have been in the bulletin.

First Eucharist Retreat
A new concept this year which proved very successful.

Confirmation Retreat
The young men and women will go to St. Elizabeth parish hall for a program we will run with the help of a team from Holy Cross College.

May Procession
Typically done on the Saturday evening of the weekend before Memorial Day weekend; this year confirmation is scheduled for that hour so we will move to Sun. May 19th after the 10:30.

Vacation Bible School
Being planned for the week of July 14-18. Notices going out at this time. We are ready to go forward if there is sufficient advance commitment.

New Bulletin
We shifted to a new bulletin provider and things look good with a colored cover and stapled inserts.