Pastoral Regions

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Posted on Monday March 17, 2008

Minutes from the Our Lady of the Angels Regional Council Meeting of January 15, 2008

Our Lady of the Angeles Regional Offices
5835 West Slauson Avenue
Culver city, California 90004

REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Held - January 15, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Carolyn Wallace at 7:20 p.m.

Members Present: Bishop Edward Clark, Fr. Jim Barnes, Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Loraine de Jesus, John Fisher, Tanya Gutierrez, Fr. Damian Kabot, Andrew Knox, Mary Kosalka, Sr. Pauline McDonald, Caitlin Morais, Dn. Scott Palmer, Carolyn Wallace, and Peter Wong,

Members Absent: Hosea Alexander, LaVerne Andrews, Hortense Bradley, Berenice Escobedo, Dn. Manny Martinez, Alex Moran, Joy Eliseo Nicdao, Fr. Allan Roberts, Oscar Rodríguez, Felix Rac, Doris Tims, Luis Villa and Linda Watts

Also Present: Art Ledesma from the Office of Synod Implementation and Stewardship and Jane Leung from St. Timothy’s Catholic Church.

Opening Prayer:

The opening prayer and faith sharing, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, was led by Andrew Knox.

Ms. Wallace thanked Deanery 14 for providing the Council’s dinner, featuring a sampling of Filipino cuisine.

Welcome and Introduction of Priest Representatives:

Ms. Wallace welcomed the Council’s two newly appointed priest representatives, Fr. Damien Kabot, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Deanery 16 and Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Deanery 14. The Council Members then introduced themselves.

Bishop’s Report:

1. Regional Finance Presentations by Deanery: Bishop Clark reported that the purpose of the regional finance presentations is to discuss the questions that people have concerning the settlement of the sex abuse claims: 1) who is responsible for the settlement, 2) the first round of settlements that were not covered by insurance, 3) the second round of settlements to be paid by the Archdiocese totaling approximately $250 million of which loans have been secured through bank loans, with a three year expiration date, and private loans; and 4) what the recovery program for the Archdiocese would be. Bishop Clark emphasized on the importance of communicating the correct information concerning these settlements and noted that the settlements varied from one region to another. He then informed the Council that there would be 19 meetings scheduled (see below) by Deanery starting January 23, 2008 to March 7, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. and that the presentation was designed primarily for members of the Finance Councils, Parish Councils and Parish Staff Members to attend.

Schedule of Finance Presentations
Day Date Location City Deanery
1 Wednesday 01/23/08 Mission San Buenaventura Ventura, CA D-3
2 Thursday 01/24/08 American Martyrs Manhattan Beach, CA D-19
3 Tuesday 01/29/08 John Baptist de la Salle Granada Hills, CA D-5
4 Wednesday 01/30/08 St. Felicitas and Perpetua San Marino, CA D-10
5 Friday 02/01/08 St, Charles Boromero North Hollywood, CA D-7
6 Tuesday 02/05/08 St. Anthony Long Beach, CA D-20
7 Tuesday 02/12/08 Salesian High School Los Angeles D-9
8 Wednesday 02/13/08 St. Gregory the Great Whittier, CA D-18
9 Thursday 02/14/08 St. Rafael Goleta, CA D1-D2
10 Friday 02/15/08 Holy Family Glendale, CA D-6
11 Monday 02/18/08 St. Dennis Diamond Bar, CA #12
12 Tuesday 02/19/08 St. Maximilian Kolbe Westlake Village, CA D-4
13 Wednesday 02/20/08 St. Monica Santa Monica, CA D-13
14 Thursday 02/21/08 Blessed Sacrament Hollywood, CA D-14
15 Friday 02/22/08 St. Vincent Los Angeles, CA D-15
16 Monday 02/25/08 St. Bernard Bellflower, CA D-17
17 Tuesday 02/26/08 St. Louise de Merillac Covina, CA D-11
18 Tuesday 03/04/08 St. Clare Santa Clarita, CA D-8
19 Friday 03/07/08 St. Frances X. Cabrini Los Angeles, CA D-16

Bishop Clark noted that the Council encourage other members of their own parish councils and finance councils to attend. Fr. Barnes commented that the council members would help communicate and maintain a certain amount of sanity when this information becomes public. Fr. Barnes noted that the more people from each parish who attend these presentations would benefit the parish in the long run and be of assistance to the pastor. At this point, Dn. Scott Palmer distributed a copy of a pamphlet prepared by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles entitled, “Our Children Are Our Most Valuable Treasure, Important Questions and Answers about the Clergy Abuse Scandal.” Dn. Scott noted that Pastors will be asked to distribute the pamphlet to the parish and finance councils, staff, and lay leadership. He indicated that the hope is that the people who come to the regional presentation would have read the pamphlet, which would be available in both English and Spanish, in advance of the finance presentation. Dn. Scott further noted that the pamphlet is quite informative and will correct the information that the media had incorrectly disseminated. At this point, Ms. Morais distributed a copy of a chart prepared by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles indicating the number of perpetrators alleged to have committed abuse in each year from 1931 through 2006. Bishop Clark reported that the chart indicated when the incidences occurred, noting that the majority took place in the late 50’s until the early 80’s. Bishop Clark noted that Cardinal Mahony was at the forefront to address these sexual abuse cases. Bishop Clark then discussed the legislative process of implementing the guidelines approved by all of the US Bishops, except for the Diocese in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bishop Clark noted that the chart reflects the decrease in abuse because of these guidelines and further noted that the chart indicated that once we became knowledgeable of these sex abuses cases, the Archdiocese took action. Fr. Barnes commented that there is a better screening in the seminary/formation process. Carolyn commented that it is very critical for us to have this information because most people only read the L.A. Times which disseminated incorrect information. The Times have chosen to create a bad impression.

2. Mr. Fisher asked for the status on the parish audit’s concerning the abuse. Bishop Clark reported that the audits were completed in early September 2007 and that the Diocese had passed by 100%. Bishop Clark noted that the parishes and schools that were randomly selected were very well prepared and that the Diocese had received a good report without questions. Dn. Scott reminded the Council that audits would continue every year, but that there would be different variations to the audit. Bishop Clark further reported that the Bishops have contracted for a professional “causes and context” study, and noted that now that we have the information we need to know the “why” in order to better prepare ourselves for the future. Ms. Morais commented that the bell curve indicated on the chart was across the board, and was not only indicative of our Diocese. Fr. Barnes commented that in the early days, interventions were never done because the pastor’s job was to protect the priests, gradually this began to change. Fr. Barnes indicated that this was also a big problem in families. He noted that we are changing how we view “dirty laundry”. This is what we believed, now we have intervention and it is being reflected today.

3. The Diocese has been working on a teleconference (interactive media) capability with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Diocese currently has 10 teleconference sites and is looking for a total of 22 sites by the Fall of 2008. For the OLA Region, the teleconference sites are currently located at the ACC and at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Teleconferencing would allow for remote meetings, remote training programs and interaction among remote sites. Teleconferencing would eliminate the increasing difficulty of people having to travel long distances or having to duplicate the same presentations over and over. The goal is to eventually have all parishes invest in their own teleconferencing system, in the future, in order to connect to the Archdiocese system, allowing parish individuals (e.g. pastors, priests, lay ministry, etc.) to have access from their own parishes.

Stewardship Update from the Office of the Archdiocese:

Carolyn Wallace introduced Art Ledesma, representing Dn. David Estrada. Mr. Ledesma indicated that he actually works for RSI together with Dn. Estrada at the Office of the Synod and Stewardship. Mr. Ledesma reported that there are 18 parishes participating on the stewardship pilot program. Mr. Ledesma indicated that the stewardship program is primarily is a holistic approach -- giving back to the Lord for what we have been blessed, the motivation is not all about money. Mr. Ledesma reported that they are currently evaluating the process and noted that the Archdiocese would be signing up for another wave to the initiative to begin sometime in April or May 2008, which would conclude in October. Dn. Scott asked how the parishes welcomed the stewardship program. Mr. Ledesma commented that he had attended many ministry fairs and talked to many lay people and received favorable responses. He also noted that the evaluations that were done sent out to the leadership teams at each of the participating parishes. Mr. Ledesma further stated that the stewardship program is a way of inviting people to think outside of the box and encourage them to share their time, talents and treasures. Mr. Fisher asked what the difference was between “Together in Mission” and “Stewardship”. Mr. Ledesma replied that the increase in stewardship at each parish, makes for a stronger parish, which makes for a stronger diocese because there would be more money. Also, by teaching people about stewardship, we are contributing to the archdiocese through individual parish growth. More people who take ownership of their parish will give more because they care. Bishop Clark noted that Together in Mission provides emergency grants to churches and schools and offers rebates to parishes that surpass their commitment goals.

Committee Updates:

1. Social Justice Update – Ms. Wallace reported, on behalf of Ms. Bradley, the following:

a. The Committee discussed the purpose of the Committee’s existence and its call to service throughout the region; as well as various means of communication between regional council and parishes;

b. Recommendation to the OLA Regional Council:

• A letter from Bishop Solis with a personal salutation to the pastor and one to the parish council contact requesting that each parish council have a liaison for the purpose of receiving and sharing information on social justice issues and activities. This letter should also articulate Synod Initiative VI.

• Respectfully ask each parish for feedback on the status of their social justice ministry. Do they offer Just Faith? Offer any assistance they may need from the regional council.

• Gather information from parishes with active social justice ministries: What are they doing? What has the response been?

• The regional council sponsors a speaker on Human Dignity inviting all parishes to attend.

• The regional council should touch base with the Archdiocese’s Office of Justice and Peace for guidance and resources.

• Discuss the possibility of establishing a Health Cabinet for the region to promote fair and equal accessibility to healthcare.

2. Evangelization – Mr. Fisher reported that the Committee reviewed and discussed:

a. the ecumenical approach to evangelization; and

b. evangelization through the website media.

Bishop Clark informed the Council that he would be leading the Catholic delegation, on behalf of the Cardinal, together with Jewish and Islamic representatives to Rome and Israel. Bishop Clark indicated that this would be a very powerful ecumenical experience. Ms. Wallace commented that this was very critical that we know what was going on since there were so many Christian cities being demolished due to violence.

Council Membership – Update

Ms. Wallace next reviewed the terms of the Council members, as indicated below.

Three Year Term Four Year Term Five Year Term

Eliseo, Joy
Guzman, Saul
Kosalka, Mary
McDonald, Pauline (Sr.)
Rodriguez, Oscar
Wong, Peter Bradley, Hortense
Caitlin Morais
De Jesus, Loraine
Gutierrez, Tanya
Martinez, Manny (Dn.)
Moran, Alex
Rac, Felix (Dn.)
Wallace, Carolyn
Watts, Linda
Alexander, Hosea (Dn.)
Escobar, Berenice
Fisher, John
Knox, Andrew

Priests were not included due to reassignments, resignations, order priests moving periodically.

Dn. Scott reported that deacons were elected by the deacons and priests were elected by their deanery. Ms. Wallace reported that the first problem is that we have people who have resigned as Council members prior to their term expiration date and would need to be replaced. Ms. Wallace then indicated that the second problem was that the Council did not have enough members on the sub-committees to address the Synod Initiatives and recommended that the Council hold a discernment day in order to recruit new members. She then suggested that the sub-committees meet within the next month so that the Council could address some of these issues. Ms. Wallace then recommended that the Lay Ministry Committee and the Structure and Governance Committee should meet jointly to set-up training teams to assist parishes in forming parish councils and finance committees.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Report

Ms. Morais next presented the following update on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council that would affect the regional councils:

• The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council will review and discuss a proposal by Dr. Mark Fisher on evaluating the implementation of the Synod. If approved, individual reports on each of the six Synod initiatives would be evaluated based on information gathered through each of the five regional councils. Dr. Mark Fisher was invited to sit on the Archdiocesan Council.
• The concerns of the regional pastoral council concerning communication within the Archdiocese was brought to Cardinal Mahony’s attention. As a result, the Cardinal has requested that a Communications Committee be formed to provide recommendations on strategies to increase the level and effectiveness of communication.

Fr. Damien asked what the difference was between the evaluation of the Synod initiatives and the viability study. Bishop Clark responded that the viability study was part of the Synod initiatives. Dn. Scott commented that the viability study was a starting point for the review, but that there were certain details that were not included on the viability study (set- up on the five aspects of what it is to be a parish). Dn. Scott further mentioned that there were misunderstandings of what the Synod initiatives are and that the evaluation would help clarify any understandings of the initiatives.

Review of Minutes of Meeting held September 18, 2007

The next item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the Council’s meeting held September 18, 2007. Ms. Morais requested to replace the name of Dn. Mike to Dn. Eric Stoltz, under Media Committee – Update on page. After discussion, the minutes were approved as corrected.

Closing Prayer and Meeting Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the closing prayer, entitled, “Prophets of a Future Not Our Own,” was read by the Council and Ms. Wallace announced that the next Council meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2008, with Deanery 13 providing dinner.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________
Loraine de Jesus, Secretary