Archdiocesan
News Archive
Posted on Thursday July 9, 2009
Minutes Of The San Gabriel Regional Pastoral Council Meeting Of September 20, 2008
SAN GABRIEL REGIONAL PASTORAL COUNCIL: Keeping the Synod Alive Highlights for Saturday, September 20, 2008
SAN GABRIEL REGIONAL PASTORAL COUNCIL: Keeping the Synod Alive
Highlights for Saturday, September 20, 2008
Welcome and Introductions
On his arrival, Anita welcomed our new member Humberto Ramos. Bishop Gabino also welcomed Humberto and introduced him as the Parish Life Director from St. Marcellinus in Commerce.
Prayer, reflection and sharing
Our prayer was based on the first section of the Cardinal’s letter on Evangelization. It was prepared by Sr. Mary and led by Fe Musgrave. We reflected on Sunday’s Gospel, Matt 20:1-16, the laborers in the vineyard.
Regional Council Theme: Keeping the Synod Alive-Anita
While the council members were still in small groups, Anita introduced a theme that the Executive Committee suggested for the SGRPC to use throughout the ministerial year. Members were asked to reflect on the theme "Keeping the Synod Alive" and what ways could be taken to use it. Also, members were asked to reflect on ways that the Synod Initiatives could be implemented at the parish level.
Next Steps for Implementation Plan:
Before listening and interacting with the standing committee liaisons, each Council member received a sheet of paper to help with their note taking. Besides jotting questions for clarification, they were asked to detect in the reporting steps taken to meet the milestones for year one and indications that concepts that needed to be addressed were being incorporated.
Standing Committees:
Synod Initiative I – Evangelization and the New Evangelization
No Report
Synod Initiatives II (Participation and Accountability) and Synod Initiative IV: (Parish
Leadership: A shared responsibility)
Synod Initiative II continues to work on the commissioning of parish council members, scheduled for January 24th. Anita Ford and Sr. Kathleen Callaway have been working with Yolanda Brown on a joint Initiatives II and IV proposal. They have proposed a Region-wide gathering to foster collaborative leadership. This gathering would host the deans, parish teams and parish councils. The program would include a keynote speaker, who would give a motivational address based on the document Communion and Consultation. The speaker would be asked to address the collaborative role of the laity and the Region’s expectation that every parish have a parish council within the next three years.
Synod Initiative III – Ongoing Education and Formation, Adults, Young Adults and Youth
Mary Charles reported that the Standing Committee continues to work on a Faith Formation and Religious education Resource Guide. They intend to get in touch with Directors of Religious Education, Directors of Faith Formation Programs, Colleges and Universities and the Archdiocesan Offices to inquire about existing programs or offerings. Letters will also be sent to parishes asking for information about existing programs.
Synod initiative V: Eucharistic and Sacramental living
No report
Synod Initiative VI: Social Justice.
No Report.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council:
Anita distributed and reviewed a letter sent out by Cambria Smith, Moderator of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. The subject of the communication was a study of the efforts being made to implement the Six Synod Pastoral Initiatives. In the letter Cambria addresses the process to review the progress made with regard to Synod Initiative II. Attached was the questionnaire sent to parish leaders about participation, collaboration and accountability.
Noted was a change in the due date. Responses are due by November 15th. Questions are to be directed to Anita Ford, who chairs the Special Review Committee for Synod Initiative II.
The Council members were reminded of their commitment to serve as contact persons for the parishes in the Region. As a way of approaching the president of the parish pastoral council, Chris Caenepeel prepared a letter of introduction to go along with the questionnaire gathering information on Synod Initiative II. Responses to the questionnaire are due to the Regional Council contact member by October 15th. Survey results are to be forwarded to Sister Kathleen Callaway by November 1st. She will forward everyone's responses to the APC by November 15.
January Interregional Gathering
The interregional meeting of Synod Initiative Standing Committees will take place on Jan. 10, 2009 at Notre Dame High School. Eighteen representatives from each of the five Regional Pastoral Councils are welcome to attend. This is an opportunity to share progress and struggles, to explore sharing resources. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.
SGRPC-Finances
Chris led the continued discussion about budgeting. He prepared a handout, which was distributed and reviewed. While acknowledging that this is an area that we will need to be prepared for in the future, Chris walked us through a strategy for project planning and budgeting.
Considerations in planning a budget include: establishing a clear goal; identifying tasks, personnel and resources needed to achieve this goal; projecting the time required for each task, and an estimation of income and expenses involved.
Updates:
SGRPC Spiritual Retreat
Anita announced the date for the SGRPC retreat. The retreat will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, at the RSHM Provincial Center at 8:30 A.M. and ending after the 2:30 P.M. Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Gabino. The retreat will be led by Sr. Peg Dolan and based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius for everyday life.
Council Chronicles
Anita reminded us that the quarterly newsletter about the SGRPC is available. There now seems to be a distribution problem that we need to address. It was suggested that Council members be responsible for reminding the three parishes they “adopted” about this newsletter and ask them to ensure distribution. Perhaps it could be a parish bulletin insert and a means to keep the Synod Initiatives alive.
Synod Office
Deacon Dave shared with the Council that the purpose of the Synod Initiative Review Process was not only to be able to assess where the Archdiocese was in terms of implementation but to assist the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in establishing priorities. He also mentioned that better communication and use of the media is in process and that in the near future email addresses will be available for each parish.
Deacon Dave spoke of a new project that is underway. Called the “The Hollywood Project,” its purpose is to inject Gospel values into Hollywood productions.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council
Chris reported on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. He noted that much of what he had to say had already been addressed. He reminded us that the Synod Initiative Review Process is presently concentrating on Synod Initiative II and that the same process, eventually, will take place for each of the Synod Initiatives.
Bishop Gabino
Bishop Gabino reminded us that this is our council, a new ministry year and a time to keep the Synod alive. He encouraged Council members to reflect on their experience and to lead with wisdom.
Bishop Gabino noted that the landscape of the Region continues to change. He reviewed the parishes with new pastors and/or administrators in the region. He also explained the difference between a pastor and an administrator.
Bishop Gabino reviewed the document: Moving from Settlement to Recovery. This paper outlined Parish/Donor participation in moving us forward, as a church, to recover from the sexual abuse scandal. Also, quite a few of the priests have given a month's salary to help raise the necessary monies. Bishop Gabino mentioned that Cardinal Mahony is 72 years of age and he hopes to bring closure to the settlement before he retires.
