ST. THERESA
CATHOLIC CHURCH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 15, 2008
On April 15,
2008, Fr. Thomas Vellappallil, members Keith Ellender, Mike Field, Bo
Finnie, Craig Louviere, and Archie Thomas, trustees Eddie Taylor and
Charlotte Trahan, Financial Committee Chairperson Paree Prejean,
Mothers’ Day Out Director Alicia Clements, and St. Louis High School
Representative Kenneth Ebersole convened for the Pastoral Council
Meeting of St Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Carlyss,
Louisiana. Fr. Thomas handed out a prayer he uses for the Listening
Sessions that we read as an opening prayer.
President
Mike Field acknowledged a motion that Archie Thomas made to accept the
minutes from the March meeting, Eddie Taylor seconded it and the motion
was approved unanimously. Then Alicia Clements, director of the Mothers’
Day Out (MDO) program, spoke about her meeting with Fr. Thomas
concerning the feasibility of continuing MDO. She told us that they now
have 30 students but the maximum is 51. In order to gain more children,
she plans to change the program to four days next year, Tuesday through
Friday, from 8A.M. to 2P.M., to advertise more, and to raise the price
to $37.50 a week for 2 days a week or $70 for 4 days. When Archie
suggested putting a sign on Hwy 27, Alicia agreed that it would attract
attention. Since the children attend less than 24 hours a week, no
license is required. The Children will continue to bring their lunch.
Because the question had previously arisen as to whether MDO was a
“ministry”, Bo Finnie asked if the children were learning any Catholic
teachings. Alicia replied, “We talk about Jesus and God, and we teach
them the Sign of the Cross.” When Fr. Thomas commented that since the
families seem to enjoy the program so much, that we are not losing that
much money and that he would like to try it again for another year, all
agreed.
Representing
St. Louis High School, Kenneth Ebersole reported that there was burglary
in October in which about $30,000 worth of computers and technology
equipment was stolen. It was covered by insurance and now they have
installed security cameras. The capital campaign, Opening Windows, is
about 90% complete, earning $2.5-2.7 million. They have opened the new
library. The new administration consists of a rector, Marcus Johnson; a
president who is in charge of finances; Principal Jim Hughes; and 2
assistant principals. Registration is complete for the fall. Because
there is a waiting list for freshmen, the first time in years, they are
considering expanding to accept more. Kenneth wants to rank the
in-coming students on their commitment to Catholic education with
respect to the number of years they have attended Catholic school. Some
people want their children to have priority because they live in the
70601 zip code and have no alternative high school, whereas others wants
students enrolled based on placement tests. The School Board does have a
non-Catholic member, D. C. Flynt. When Archie asked what percentage of
the 500-600 students are Catholic, Kenneth said he would ask. St. Louis
is doing well in athletics and Literary Rally.
Under the
topic of Old Business, Fr. Thomas commented that the Holy Week
celebrations were well attended and went very well. He reported that he
had his first Listening Session at Charlotte Trahan’s house with 15
parishioners attending. After they ate a delicious meal, Fr. Thomas
followed an agenda where he asked questions and received input. Several
other sessions are scheduled. Two people have applied for the job as
receptionist. When Fr. Thomas asked about a committee to interview the
applicants, Keith Ellender and Bo Finnie volunteered, and Ann Anderson
and Evelyn Chamblee were named as other possible interviewers. Fr.
Thomas said Charlie Moore, maintenance manager, had gotten a higher
paying job and that Ken Warren would work until someone is hired. Craig
Louviere said Buddy Sonnier will help. Charlie said we do not need a
full time person but if there is a problem, it is so convenient to have
a maintenance person on the premise. On April 3, the Building Committee
met to discuss the problems that need attention in the
Educational/Office Complex: the leaky roof, the ceiling tiles damaged by
the leak, and the HV/AC system and drains that are not working properly.
Mr. Myers assured the committee that everything will be fixed. Paree
Prejean strongly urged that Randy Broussard’s architectural fee should
be paid with only 5% held back until completion of these final repairs.
On the subject of finances, Paree Prejean said that the new budget is
almost complete and the financial statement will be in the bulletin
soon. We currently have a net cash balance of $527,000. Of that,
$505,000 belongs to the parish and the rest belongs to clubs and
organizations. We owe $168,700 on the rectory and $732,000 on the
Educational Building. The revenue in excess of expenditures is $57,000.
In order to form a Financial Committee, Fr. Thomas asked each Pastoral
Council member to think of the name of one person to nominate at next
month’s meeting. The discussion turned to the Dance/Auction/Live Bands
World Youth Day Fundraiser to be held at Wayne and Layne’s on April 19.
Jaie LaFleur had written a letter to Fr. Thomas explaining that no teens
would be allowed to work, only parents. Archie Thomas said that Fr. John
had spoken to Wayne about it. Mike Field said we can’t shut it down this
late, and Fr. Thomas said he didn’t want to shut it down. Edie Taylor
said that Judy Gregory said that Wayne is absorbing a lot of the cost
himself. When the subject changed to how much money had been earned for
World Youth Day, Fr. Thomas said it cost $3289 per person for the trip
to Australia. The cancellation penalty was reduced from $1600 to $1000.
Keith recommended that before another WTD trip, a committee is formed to
make regulations and Bo Finnie added that the parents should be required
to pay the remainder if the children don’t earn enough. The Men’s Faith
Sharing Group, which has decreased to only 3 or 4 people, voted to
suspend their meetings. A. J. Boullion said he wants to revive the group
in September. When Keith Ellender asked about the Family Picnic, it was
voted that it would be held on April 27. The Bible Study has only 2 more
classes and only 15-20 are attending. Fr. Thomas said that Deacon
Stearns came to see the old rectory today. If it is intact, the diocese
has no liability when it is moved away. When the bishop returns from
seeing the Pope, they will meet and make a decision. Fr. Thomas proudly
reported that 20 children will make their First Communion on April 19,
and 35 on April 26. On Tuesday, April 29, Bishop Provost will be here
for Confirmation for about 30 students.
Fr. Thomas
said the closing prayer. The next meeting will be at 6:30 P.M. on
Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Sincerely
Bo Finnie,
Secretary
