Pastoral Regions

Most Recent News from the Regional Pastoral Council

Posted on Monday June 14, 2010

The San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council Meeting of March 23, 2010

PASTORAL COUNCIL
Most Reverend Oscar Solis
Deacon Bob Miller
Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2010

I Gathering and fellowship:

Present were: Bishop Oscar Solis, Deacon Bob Miller, Rev. Antonio Garnica, MSC, Marisol Meza, Hortense Casillas, Rosalie Marquez, Becky Maffucci, Charles Salfity, Martin Clement, Frances Jonte, Mary Baum, David Kennedy, and Earl Lovett, Nora Rodriguez, Lou Cassani, and Hank Cierpich.

Guests included: Richard Scholtz, Nestor Valencia, Guadalupe Romo, Jena Romo, Guadalupe Garcia, Arnarlo Orosco, Fr. Florentino Victorino, Jesus Barrios, Bernarda Calix, Isaura Rodriguez, Salvador Rodriguez, Antonio Rodriguez, Teresa Perez, Jane Comitz, Elizabeth and Jorge Nalvarte, Martha Perez, Mario Williams, Hector Duarte, Esther Duarte, Hilda Sylvestre, Refugio Urzua, Juan Flores, and Alejandrina Barrios.

Excused were: Sister Kathleen Burns, SND, Rev. James Kavanagh, and Erik Rubalcava.

Absent were: Rev. Michael Gleeson, Rev. Michael Sears, Deacon Dale Sheckler, Deacon Carl Gibboney, Ana Rosal, Jim Dela Torre, and Alfonso Perez.

SPECIAL NOTE: THE MEETING WAS INTERPRETED IN SPANISH AFTER EVERY SPEAKER

II Opening Prayer:

The opening prayer was from the Gospel of Luke 28: 21-40, proclaimed in Spanish by Marisol Meza, and in English by David Kennedy. Sharing on the scripture readings followed with reflections on the total faith and confidence the disciples had when retrieving the donkey as Jesus instructed them and the disciples’ uncontrolled joy when Jesus entered the city, which was similar to the cries heard when Jesus came into the world, and now were being repeated as He prepared to leave the world.

III Bishop’s Comments:

Bishop Oscar Solis welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked all for their attendance. He stated that the synod implementation process is very important because it promotes and fosters collaboration among the ministries within the church. This is why we bring the meetings to the different parishes, so it will encourage the people to participate and learn more of what we are doing and hopefully participate.

IV Agenda Confirmation:

The agenda was accepted as submitted.

V Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved after a grammatical corrections and clarification of statements were made.

VI Moderators’ Comments:

Charles Salfity introduced the executive council to the guests present. Marisol Meza interpreted what was being said for those who only spoke Spanish. The Bishop announced that Sister Regina Robbins S.N.D. will be joining the council.

VII Initiative Committee Reports:

• Initiative I - Evangelization

Becky Maffucci introduced herself as the chairperson of Initiative I and then gave a brief overview of the Initiative and its goal, Pastoral strategies, and priorities. She stated that the committee met on March 3rd, and the word ‘formation’ kept popping up as each member shared their evangelization experience within their parish. The committee agreed that evangelization is needed on every level of parish ministry and leadership. The committee’s goal is to ascertain a model for evangelization for all parishes. The model needs to be formed in a way that each parish can apply it and make it their own. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 21st, at 7:00 p.m., at St. Mary of the Assumption, 7215 Newlin Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602.

• Initiative II - Participation and Accountability

David Kennedy stated that the Initiative II committee met on March 22nd and reviewed the committees past accomplishments. It was noted that the biggest challenge continues to be communication with “people in the pews” as well as pastors. The committee’s current plans and goals are to help establish and improve Pastoral and Finance Councils in every parish of the Region. Specific strategies are being worked on for the development of workshops in training and formation and also a seminar for current pastoral and financial councils to share best practices and offer mutual assistance to each other on common issues.

• Initiative III - Education and Formation

Lou Cassani stated that the Initiative III committee met and in their discussion the key word was also formation. Mr. Cassani stated that the committee will be going back to the Archdiocese to get further information and will have another meeting in April.

• Initiative IV – Ministry and Leadership

Martin Clement stated that the committee met on February 24th and outlined their goals and objectives which are to encourage all parishes in the San Pedro Region to compose a written Parish Vocation Plan and to increase the number of lay presiders within the region. Their strategy is to identify all the parishes in the San Pedro Region without a written Parish Vocation Plan and encourage those parishes to create one, and to schedule Bereavement Training in calendar year 2011 to prepare lay presiders in the San Pedro Region.

All committee members present were given assignments and will report their progress at the next meeting which is scheduled for April 14th.

• Initiative V – Eucharist and Sacramental Living

Becky Maffucci stated that the committee met on March 10th and those present discussed what was going on in their parishes and what was being done on this initiative thus far. Rosalie Marquez added that they want to focus on programs that keep children more involved in church activities and ministries and used as an example those who make their 1st communion and then don’t show up again until confirmation. What happens in between?

Becky Maffucci shared her disillusionment with those of Catholics who don’t realize that Jesus is present in the Eucharist. The committee felt that religious education needs to be restructured to address these issues.
Bishop Oscar Solis said that we need to be cautious when talking about restructuring the religious education system.

First we need to identify the needs of the people and give them the opportunity to learn more about the Eucharist and then address their question, concerns, and needs.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 12th.

• Initiative VI - Social Justice

Frances Jonte stated that the Initiative VI committee has held two meetings since our last council meeting and has accomplished two of their goals. The first goal attained was to have at least one representative from each deanery, and the second goal achieved was the involvement of parish priest in the initiative committee. The overall goal of the committee is to establish Social Justice Ministries in all parishes within the San Pedro Region to promote justice and advocacy.

Workshops are being planned to help promote this goal. The committee is also planning to have a conference call to discuss the upcoming gatherings on social justice within the region. The next meeting is scheduled for April 14th.

VIII Discernment Day on March 27th

Charles Salfity announced that he has invited many to this meeting as part of the discernment process. The second day of discernment is Saturday, March 27th, in Long Beach at St. Cyprian. Lou Cassani said that he hoped everyone will be there to participate.

IX Deanery Meeting Presentations

David Kennedy stated that the four deanery meetings were held on the following dates and locations:

Deanery 17 was held on Monday, February 1st, at St. Bernard in Bellflower.

Deanery 18 was held on Thursday, February 18th, at St. Pius X in Santa Fe Springs.

Deanery 19 was held on Tuesday, March 2nd, at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach.

Deanery 20 was held on Tuesday, March 16th, at St. Anthony in Long Beach.

We were able to recruit members for the initiative committees from these meetings. Bishop Oscar Solis thanked those who came to every presentation knowing how busy they were. He said that our presence was greatly appreciated and thought the Deanery 20 presentation was the best. Congratulations.

X Nominations for the 2010 / 2011 Executive Committee

Hank Cierpich read Articles V, Executive Officers, VI, Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Officers, and VII, Executive Committee, from the Charter for Regional Pastoral Councils. Nominations were then accepted for the Executive Officers and Executive committee.

A motion was made to keep the nominations open until April 30th to allow those not present the opportunity to nominate the candidates of their choice. The motion was approved.

Another motion was made for those who are nominated to accept or decline the nomination by May 15, 2010. The motion was approved.

A third motion was made to select the vice moderator from those nominated for moderator. This motion was declined because it did not give anyone an opportunity to be nominated just for vice moderator.

The following were nominated for the position of Moderator: Hank Cierpich, Marisol Meza, Earl Lovett, and Nora Rodriguez.

The following were nominated for the position of Vice Moderator: Nora Rodriguez, Becky Maffucci, Lou Cassani, and Alfonso Perez.

The following were nominated for the position of Secretary: Mary Baum, Marisol Meza, Ana Rosal, Nora Rodriguez, and Hank Cierpich.

The following were nominated for the two At Large positions: Frances Jonte, Martin Clement, Hortense Casillas, Deacon Carl Gibboney, Deacon Dale Sheckler, Becky Maffucci, Mary Baum, Nora Rodriguez, Earl Lovett, and Ana Rosal.

XI Synod Office Report

There was no report from the Synod office.

XII Announcements

Deacon Bob announced that there is an upcoming conference on stewardship that will be taking place in San Diego in September. He stated that he recently e-mailed this information to all council members and asked that they communicate this information to the parishes on their contact list.

Bishop Oscar Solis had distributed from synod office immigration cards and asked that they be distributed to the parish social justice advocates for social reform. The cards were simple letters to the US Senators and Congressional Representatives in Washington DC asking them to support immigration reform.

The Bishop then thanked everyone for their hard work, a work in progress.

XIII Closing / Night Prayer / Fellowship

Charles Salfity thanked Fr. Antonio for his hospitality. The guest at the meeting then introduced themselves.
Bishop Oscar Solis gave the closing prayer.

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NEXT MEETING:
May 25, 2010

St. James Parish
415 Vincent Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310 372 5228