Pastoral Regions

Most Recent News from the Regional Pastoral Council

Posted on Monday January 28, 2008

Minutes from the San Fernando Regional Pastoral Council Meeting of November 3, 2007

Present: Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, Deacon Richard Medina, Fernando Baeza, Jean Brown, Karen Brown, Ben Decenario, Jack Dunn, Fr. Raymond Finerty, OP, Rosy Hungerford, Frank Luciano, Regi Meehan, Sister Rochelle Mitchell, SSS, Msgr. Peter Moran, Lito Reyes, Exiquio Ruiz, Monica Ryoo, Kathleen Schwartz, Willis Veluz-Abraham, Dennis Young

Absent: Timothy Donahue, Dn. Ken Elsey, Annabelle Farmer, Mike Gonzales, Msgr. Ed Renehen, Deacon Bob Seidler, Cambria Smith, Jim Soliz, Rev.Richard Zanotti

1. Opening Prayer and reflection on Sunday’s Gospel

2. Moderator Jean Brown -Thank you for everyone’s help on our Parish Council Formation Day

3. Minutes were approved from September meeting.

4. Bishop’s Report–

a. Update on Abuse Settlement
b. Low enrollment of elementary schools is being addressed

o Schools needed to promote our faith
o Parents send children to Catholic schools for a safe environment and discipline
o Bishop is working with pastors to enhance the quality of our schools, quality education, and the enrollment soars
o Parents’ income plays an important roll
o Dialogue with members regarding concerns on how to keep schools open

c. USCCB Parish Audit regarding Safeguard the Children: This audit was to make sure that the guidelines for Safeguard the Children are being followed. The committee felt that the parishes being audited were following these guidelines.

d. An explanation of “Lobbying and Electioneering at Parish and Archdiocesan Facilities”: These are guidelines used by the Archdiocese because many groups, especially during an election year, want to pass out petitions. There are guidelines to follow.

e. Discussion on UP article on Sexual Misconduct in public schools. The Bishop wants to emphasize that this is a social problem facing all of us. We need to be advocates of safety for all children everywhere.

5. Review of Parish Council Formation

Moderator Jean Brown summarized our successful Parish Formation Day at Providence High School. She thanked Ben Decenario and Karen Brown for setting up the environment. Fernando Baeza did a beautiful prayer. Thank you to Lito Reyes and Jack Dunn for doing the readings. Exiquito Ruiz did a great job as our Spanish translator. Thank you to Kathleen Schwartz, Frank Luciano, and Rosy Hungerford for their help in setting up. It was greatly appreciated. Specials thanks to Cambria Smith for being an outstanding presenter.
o We had 268 participants.
o Overall, the day was successful with great presenters.
o Feedback was very positive.
o The pre-registration process was confusing with two different flyers
o Next time, a closing prayer service should be added to the workshop

6. Adopt a Parish

More members are needed to choose a parish to adopt, due to the recent resignation of SFRPC members. When you have chosen a parish, you will keep in touch through the Parish Council Meetings.

o Regi Meehan Blessed Kateri Parish & Sacred Heart Parish (Lancaster)

o Lito Reyes Holy Family Parish (Glendale)

o Fr. Raymond St. Dominic

o Exiquio Reyes Guardian Angel & St. Ignatius

o Msgr. Peter Our Lady of Lourdes

o Kathleen Schwartz St. James the Less/Holy Redeemer

o Sr. Rochelle St. Didacius

o Ben Decenario & St. Genevieve

There are a few parishes without Parish Councils. Check with the pastor to make sure there is a council and when they meet. Next year we will offer a Finance Formation Day.

7. Synod Committee Reports

a. Synod III Post Baptismal Program

o More people are needed to sign up. The materials are ordered for members to take to their assigned parish. You will be responsible to find out meeting dates with the parishes” Pastoral Council meetings. Immediately following the February 2nd meeting, time will be set aside to give out information and a format to use when you visit your “adopted parish”. Bishop Wilkerson will encourage all the pastors to be open to begin this program.

o Committee will meet before Feb.2nd.

b. Synod VI Social Justice

o They had a good quality meeting with about 13 people from nine different parishes and three regions.

o Cambria has offered to do presentations for the other regions.

o A lot of information in just two hours

o The goal is to have a Social Justice Ministry in every parish

o They will continue to present these seminars

o They feel an impact has been made with these workshops they have offered

o We do well with charitable works and need to work on the justice aspect of this ministry

c. Synod I Evangelization

o More help needed. They would like to start all over and ad Monica Ryoo to their committee.
o Need a new leader. Frank Luciano offered to be leader under certain conditions.

d. Synod IV Ministry and Leadership

o Kathleen Schwartz and Sr.Rochelle will co-chair

o Vocations need to come under this Synod committee

e. Synod V Eucharist and Sacramental Living

o Exiquio Ruiz will be the new chair

f. Synod II Structures

o Co-chair Karen Brown and Rosy Hungerford

8. Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Update

There was no update at this time. Meeting is coming up.

9. Tenure for Volunteers – Ben Decenario

Idea- In various Ministries and Councils he feels there should be term limits. He feels that we become stagnate with no change. Others might feel intimated by those who have been around for along time. The discussion brought about many ideas-it is up to the pastor, each parish has their own guidelines, this should be handled on the parish level. This will be turned over to Synod IV to look into further.

10. Next year project we will work on a Finance Council Workshop for our region.

o Meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM. Next meeting will be February 2, 2008