Archdiocesan
News Archive
Posted on Wednesday April 21, 2010
The San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council Meeting Of January 26, 2010
SAN PEDRO REGIONAL PASTORAL COUNCIL Most Reverend Oscar Solis Deacon Bob Miller Meeting Minutes January 26, 2010
I Gathering and fellowship:
Present were: Bishop Oscar Solis, Deacon Dale Sheckler, Ana Rosal, Marisol Meza, Jim Dela Torre, Rev. Michael Sears, Hortense Casillas, Rosalie Marquez, Becky Maffucci, Alfonso Perez, Charles Salfity, Martin Clement, Frances Jonte, Mary Baum, Rev. Michael Gleeson, David Kennedy, Nora Rodriguez, Lou Cassani, , and Hank Cierpich
Guest included: Myra and baby Alfonzo Perez, Gigi Rivera, Ginger Silvera, Librada Pardo, Carlos V Garcia, Toni Madrid, and Virginia Farias.
Excused were: Rev. Antonio Garnica, MSC, Deacon Carl Gibboney, Deacon Bob Miller.
Absent were: Sister Kathleen Burns, SND, Rev. James Kavanagh, Erik Rubalcava, and Earl Lovett.
II Opening Prayer:
The opening prayer was from the Gospel of Luke 4: 21-39, proclaimed by Jim Dela Torre and Ana Rosal. Sharing on the scripture readings followed with emphasis on prophets not being accepted in their own place, Jesus walking away from the crowd, and rejection when challenged to go beyond your own comfort zone.
III Bishop’s Comments:
Bishop Oscar Solis welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the council for sharing and supporting the vision and direction of the church of Los Angeles. He said that Cardinal Mahony was very grateful for everyone’s service. His Excellency concluded by saying that he looks forward to a closer and more efficient collaboration in the future working with all of us on the council.
IV Agenda Confirmation:
The agenda was accepted as submitted.
V Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved.
VI Moderators’ Comments:
Charles Salfity introduced himself to the guest at the meeting. He then introduced the executive team of the council, and then the rest of the council.
VII Initiative Committee Reports:
• Initiative I - Evangelization
Becky Maffucci introduced herself as the new chairperson of Initiative I and then gave a brief overview of the Initiative and its goal, Pastoral strategies, and priorities. She stated that she is struggling with the process and welcomes everyone’s input and help.
Bishop Oscar Solis suggested that she review past documentation to help guide her. Hank Cierpich said that he will forward to her all the documentation he has on file for this Initiative.
• Initiative II - Participation and Accountability
David Kennedy said that the Initiative II committee will be conducting another survey of Parish Pastoral Councils within the San Pedro Region to determine their current status and efficiency.
Mr. Kennedy stated that he is working within the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council on setting up training for Finance and Parish Pastoral Councils.
• Initiative III - Education and Formation
Lou Cassani stated that the Initiative III committee is reviewing the Archdiocese report on education. Mr. Cassani said that he would like to get more people involved with this Initiative. He said that they are planning another meeting soon and all are invited to attend.
• Initiative IV – Ministry and Leadership
Martin Clement stated that in a recent phone conversation with Fr. Ed Benioff, Vocation Director for the San Pedro Region, he learned that about half the parishes within the region have a vocation plan. Mr. Clement said that the Initiative IV committee plans on gathering this information together and devise a plan to get parishes to communicate with each other.
Mr. Clement said that he talked with the “Tidings” about placing an article for a plea for membership, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Clement also said that the committee is striving to get bereavement training for the region.
Deacon Dale Sheckler mentioned the different programs used to promote vocations and encouraged communications between vocation and non vocation groups.
Vibrant discussion followed on collaboration processes used in recognizing culture, age, needs, etc. and how the focus needs to be on ordained and non ordained.
There was also fervent discussion on tapping into the seminary for workshops on teachings on collaboration and how to get all Pastoral chairs to such a workshop.
Bishop Solis added that a portion of his upcoming meeting with Deanery 20 will be devoted to vocations to discuss prayers of intercession, hourly devotions, and other concrete ways to promote vocations. The Bishop said that he will also be meeting with the Deacons in February to discuss what ministries they are involved with and also invite them to be a part of the synod implementation process. He will also meet with the Women Religious to do the same.
• Initiative V – Eucharist and Sacramental Living
Becky Maffucci introduced herself as the new chairperson of Initiative V and then gave a brief overview of the Initiative and its goal, Pastoral strategies, and priorities. She stated that she welcomes everyone’s input and help.
• Initiative VI - Social Justice
Frances Jonte referred to her written report that stated their January 21st meeting had to be cancelled because of the weather. They are planning to re-schedule for February 4th or 11th. A notice will be sent out to everyone. At the meeting they will pay tribute to Sister Marilyn Rudy, who passed away on December 26, 2009, in Santa Monica.
The meeting will also focus on developing a workshop to raise the awareness of the need for Social Justice Committees in every parish and to broaden the membership of the committee to include at least one member from each deanery. Once the Committees are formed and flourishing, we will also need to share the need for advocacy as well as charity.
Member of the Committee went to South Pasadena on Saturday, January 23rd to attend the Creation Sustainability Committee (CSC) meeting. Sub-committees that would be working with facilities, public relations, environmental education and environmental justice were formed and will report at the next meeting of the CSC.
Bishop Solis asked if at our next meeting if we could have a summary report on all Initiatives as to their progress, history, and future plans.
VIII Second Annual Regional Pastoral Councils (RPCs) Inter-Regional Gathering, January, 2010
Charles Salfity commented that the Inter-Regional gathering felt like a rewarding spiritual journey as it went from last years frustrations to this year’s progress. He invited those who attended the Inter-Regional Gathering to share their thoughts.
Deacon Dale Sheckler shared that he felt the gathering was a process in the making and we wouldn’t necessarily finish but was a good processes.
Mary Baum said she felt excited by the process and was inspired by everyone involvement.
Beck Maffucci stated she was impressed with the process and information that was made available. She said it was really wonderful.
Marisol Mesa said that the first year was more frustration than satisfaction. The second year was more structured and enjoyed it and listened to everyone’s input. She also said that she was encouraged by the Cardinal Roger Mahony’s presentation and the concept of a retreat.
Fr. Michael Sears said this was such a huge undertaking and it was good to see the people working together.
Ana Rosal was on Initiative I and was impressed with the San Fernando Region’s plan for the initiative and said it seemed like a good plan for our region as well.
IX Discernment Days
Lou Cassani said he’s been diligently working on the agenda for the discernment days with Charles Salfity, Nora Rodriguez, and David Kennedy and thanked them for all their hard work. He asked all Council members to contact their assigned parishes to get the names of those who will be attending the discernment days.
David Kennedy commented that he will change the order of some of the items on the agenda. He explained that the two day discernment process is to allow the candidates to get the involved and experience the ministries of the council first hand. He then reviewed those whose terms are expiring this year.
Bishop Solis asked the members if they contacted their parishes and what were the results. More discussion followed as to the lack of response from the parishes, the logistics of the meeting and the agenda.
Marisol Meza shared her thoughts on the discernment process and added that more people should have been involved with the process as part of the ad-hoc committee.
X Deanery Meeting Presentations
David Kennedy stated that each initiative chair should be ready to give a presentation at each deanery meeting. The meeting schedule is:
Deanery 17 will be on Monday, February 1st, at St. Bernard in Bellflower.
Deanery 18 will on Thursday, February 18th, at St. Pius X in Santa Fe Springs.
Deanery 19 will be on Tuesday, March 2nd, at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach. Deanery 20 will be on Tuesday, March 16th, at St. Anthony in Long Beach.
XI Synod Office Report
There was no report from the Synod office.
XII Announcements
Charles Salfity asked the guest to comment on our meeting. The following were some of the comments.
“It was very interesting to hear about all the initiatives. I don’t understand it, but it gives me great hope to see representatives from all the different parishes’ coming together.”
“As a council, you are very united and focused.”
“I liked the format of the initiatives and asking the parishioners to be more involved.”
“You are facing the challenge and communicating. I applaud you for your effort by coming into our church and asking us to be involved.”
“After experiencing this meeting I want to be more involved with the process.”
Bishop Solis said that for future meetings we need to invite neighboring parishes to attend our meetings and participate. He thanked everyone for their hard work, a work in progress.
XIII Closing / Night Prayer / Fellowship
Everyone joined in the closing prayer which was “A prayer for Our Priests” led by Martin Clement.
NEXT MEETING:
March 23, 2010
Sagrado Corazon y Santa Maria Guadalupe
4239 Clara Street, Cudahy, CA 90201
