Pastoral Regions

Most Recent News from the Regional Pastoral Council

Posted on Wednesday March 17, 2010

Meeting of November 24, 2009 of the San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council

PASTORAL COUNCIL
Most Reverend Oscar Solis
Deacon Bob Miller
Meeting Minutes
November 24, 2009

I Gathering and fellowship:

Present were: Bishop Oscar Solis, Deacon Bob Miller, , Deacon Carl Gibboney, Rev. Antonio Garnica, MSC, Ana Rosal, Rosalie Marquez, Becky Maffucci, Rev. James Kavanagh, Charles Salfity, Martin Clement, David Kennedy, Earl Lovett, Nora Rodriguez, Lou Cassani, Erik Rubalcava, Hank Cierpich, Marisol Meza, , Frances Jonte, Rev. Michael Sears, and Rev. Michael Gleeson.

Excused were: Deacon Dale Sheckler, Mary Baum, Sister Karen Wilhelmy, CSJ, Sister Kathleen Burns, SND, Hortense Casillas, Alfonso Perez, Roger Enriquez and Jim Dela Torre.

II Opening Prayer:

The opening prayer was a prayer of Thanksgiving led by Hank Cierpich followed by reflections of all we have to be thankful for.

Mentioned were: health – hospitality - people not complaining – generosity - people willing to share and give - hardships and getting out of them - Gods presence in life - God answering prayers - ministers throughout the Archdioceses - faith – Eucharist - and the gift of the priesthood.

III Bishop’s Welcome:

Bishop Oscar Solis announced that he came to archdiocese five years ago and he looks forward to being a part of the church of the San Pedro Region. He stated that he comes here to serve and would like to start to build bridges and partnerships. His Excellency also stated that he has been a Priest for 30 years and is looking forward to working with all of us.

Those present shared a brief history on their church involvement and ministries.

IV Agenda Confirmation:

Charles Salfity announced that the agenda would be modified to include: Voting for a new member to the Archdiocese Pastoral Council.

V Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed, grammatically adjusted, and then approved. It was noted that handouts distributed at prior meetings should be available for those members who missed that meeting.

VI Moderators’ Comments:

Charles Salfity welcomed Bishop Oscar Solis. He also announced that we need someone to step up to Chair the committee for Initiative V. He said that every meeting we will have a couple initiative chairs share the initiative they are working on.

VII Initiative Committee Reports:

• Initiative I - Evangelization

Becky Maffucci said she would like to have a committee meeting soon. She also shared that the Office of Religious Education is offering information Evangelization and Adult Faith formation sessions on the Catholic Catechism titled “Come and See” sponsored by RENEW International. A flyer was made available to those interested.

• Initiative II - Participation and Accountability

David Kennedy stated that we need to continue compiling the statistical information on parishes within the Region that have Pastoral and Financial Councils.

Fervent discussion followed on the viability non-viability of Pastoral Councils existing within some parishes and why some Parishes still don’t have a Pastoral Council. Bishop Oscar Solis said that he would like an updated list of those parishes with councils and those without.

David Kennedy explained that the contact person for parishes should try to find out as much as possible about the parish and keep current records and stay in touch with the parish informing them of what the region is doing.

Extensive and inquisitive discussion followed on the “contact tree” concept. Earl Lovett made a motion to table this discussion until more members are present to discuss.

• Initiative III - Education and Formation

Lou Cassani stated he’s been having trouble getting the committee to meet. He went to the archdiocese for more information on this initiative. The next meeting is scheduled for December 16th and hopes that more people will attend.

Discussion ensued on the recent survey completed by archdiocese on Initiative III. Lou Cassani said that the purpose of the survey was to establish a data base on what is available at what parish so Catholics can take advantage of it.

The next scheduled committee meeting will be on December 16, 2009.

The topic then turned to the communications being sent to parishes and the parishes claiming they did not receive the information, or, they did receive it but it wasn’t relayed to the right person to respond accordingly.

Bishop Oscar Solis mentioned that the mode of communication being used by all parishes is now electronic and all Parishes should be linked to the "ACES”, which stands for "Archdiocesan Community E-Mail Services".

The question is if the pastor doesn’t get the message, who is the back-up person to respond. Our role is to see how the communication system is working.

• Initiative IV – Ministry and Leadership

Martin Clement stated that the committee for Initiative IV met on November 11, 2009. He shared his vision on Initiative IV that would focus on the vocation campaign that is now in progress throughout the Archdiocese.

The committee discussed the various vocation programs and activities that are being used in some parishes in the region such as the Chalice program, the Stole & Cross program, the Adopt a Seminarian program and Vocation Sunday.

The committee went on to discuss methods to bring these programs to all parishes within the region. The committee also discussed ways to invite more members to participate in the committee. Their next meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2009.

Bishop Oscar Solis said he sat down with Fr. Ed Benioff and the other priest to discuss the topic of vocations. Erik Rubalcava shared that Junipero Serra High School just had a vocation fair and two students will be going to Juan Diego house for formation.
Fr. Michael Reardon stated that St. Cornelius Parish recently had a vocation fair organized by the Serra Club.

• Initiative V – Eucharist and Sacramental Living

Bishop Oscar Solis asked for names of active parishioners within the San Pedro Region who would enhance the initiative V committee and he will call them personally to invite them to participate.

•Initiative VI - Social Justice (Frances Jonte)

Frances Jonte announced that the Social Justice Committee met on November 19, 2009 at St. Peter and Paul Parish in Wilmington. She stated that the committee is looking forward to working with Bishop Oscar Solis. The committee’s goal is to assist in the establishment of Social Justice Committees in all parishes.

Other aspirations of the committee are to have at least one representative from each deanery on the committee, prepare bulletin announcements defining social justice for parish bulletins, encourage “Just Faith” graduates to become involved in social justice, and to receive more support and partnerships for their endeavors. The next meeting will be on January 21, 2010 in Redondo Beach.

Charles Salfity said that we need to select two Initiatives to focus on at our next meeting. Bishop Oscar Solis interjected that all six initiatives should be discussed at every meeting. He said that we need to establish partnerships and discover the riches of the region. He said that he will make a pitch at the deanery meetings on the Initiatives. Deacon Carl Gibboney said he would also bring this up at the deacon deanery meetings.

VIII Second Annual Regional Pastoral Councils (RPCs) Inter-Regional Gathering, January, 2010

Charles Salfity announced that the Second Annual Regional Pastoral Councils (RPCs) Inter-Regional Gathering will be held on January 16, 2010 from 8:30 – 2:00 pm. at Notre Dame High School. The address is 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks; CA 91423 He said that we have been asked by Deacon Dave Estrada to be the host of the event.

David Kennedy said that he has attended two meetings on this matter and the San Pedro Region will be responsible for the environment, opening prayer, set up and clean up. We will also be responsible for making signs for the student ambassadors who will direct the groups to the break out rooms. The signs will have the Initiative numbers on them. We will also help the synod office with the registration. It was suggested that we try to carpool to this event and arrive early enough to accomplish all our tasks.

IX Synod Office Report: Voting for a new member to the Archdiocese Pastoral Council.

David Kennedy stated that the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council will meet on Saturday December 5, 2009. There is a vacancy that needs to be filled. Charles Salfity, as moderator, has filled one vacancy and the council needs to select another member for the other position. Earl Lovett suggested we need to allow time for discernment. Rosalie Marquez and Becky Maffucci were mentioned as possibilities.

X Announcements

Deacon Carl Gibboney announced that the LA Archdiocese Religious Education Congress is coming in February of 2010 and had registration books for those interested.

XI Closing / Night Prayer / Fellowship

Everyone joined in the Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.

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NEXT MEETING:
January 26, 2010
Conference Room

Volunteers for:

Refreshments…Nora

Opening prayer/Gospel reading…

Night prayer