Pastoral Regions

Most Recent News from the Regional Pastoral Council

Posted on Monday August 4, 2008

San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council

San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council
Most Reverend Alexander Salazar
Deacon Bob Miller
Meeting Minutes
May 27, 2008

I. Gathering and fellowship: The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, David Kennedy. Present were Deacon. Bob Miller, Msgr. David Sork, Rev. Antonio Garnica, MSC, Rev. Michael Gleeson, Deacon. Frank Dieter, David Kennedy, Hank Cierpich, Kathy Hamrock, Earl Lovett, Jim Dela Torre, Tom Connolly, Marisol Meza, Rosalie Marquez, Frances Jonte, Charles Salfity, Ana Rosal, and Nora Rodriguez.

Guest included Maria Elena Uribe, Synod Office, and Lou Cassani from St. Anthony, Long Beach.

Absent (Excused): Bishop Alexander Salazar, Deacon. Matthew Nguyen, and Sr. Kathleen Burns, SND.

Absent: Francisco Gonzalez, and Rev. Michael Sears.

II. Opening Prayer: Scheduled to lead us in prayer was Rosemarie Kelley who went home to the Lord last month, however, David Kennedy asked Rosemarie to lead us in prayer and everyone remained silent and listened attentively as Rosemarie spoke to us independently and collectively.

After Rosemarie’s opening prayer, the video “Fishers of Men” was shown emphasizing vocations to the priesthood. The video emphasized interviews with priest who showed their humility by being chosen to represent Christ in this special ministry. “You have to be a real man if you want to become a priest.”

Some of the comments made after the video were in reference to Rosemarie Kelley and how she epitomized the definition of fishers of men, by doing things quietly. It was noted that even on the night of her death, she was busy doing the work of the Regional Pastoral Council by visiting a parish.

Other comments made were in regards to how many men are considering being called to a late vocation. Fr. Gleason commented that when he entered the priesthood, he was 22 and at that time, he was considered a late vocation. David Kennedy closed by stating this Friday is World Priest Day and this year’s theme is “Priest of Prayer”.

II. Agenda Confirmation: David Kennedy noted one change to the agenda and that was Maria Elena Uribe was here in Deacon Dave Estrada’s stead.

IV. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved.

V. Moderators’ Comments: David Kennedy commented that last month we dropped the ball. We were supposed to have the nominations for the Executive Committee; however we never got around to it. He asked that if nobody objects, we will have the nominations and elections tonight. He then named those presently on the board.

Hank Cierpich expressed his concern to the election being held on the same night as the nominations and made the following motion: That the election be postponed until the July meeting so those nominated tonight might have some time to reflect, pray, and discern whether or not they want to accept the nomination.

Discussion followed as to whether or not this would be a violation of the Charter. Tom Connolly offered an amendment to the motion: That those nominated to the executive committee let Deacon Bob Miller know by Friday, May 30th, at noon, whether or not they accept the nomination. Ballots will then be sent out to all council members via e-mail to be voted on and then sent back to Deacon Bob Miller by Friday, June 6th at noon.

After more discussion, the motion was seconded, voted on, and approved. The nominations for the San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council Executive Committee are:

Moderator: David Kennedy,
Hank Cierpich,

Vice Moderator: Earl Lovett,
Charles Salfity,
Tom Connolly,

Secretary: Nora Rodriguez,
Hank Cierpich,

At Large: Deacon Matthew Nguyen,
2 positions): Sister Kathleen Burns,
Ana Rosal,
Rosalie Marquez,
Nora Rodriguez,
Charles Salfity,

VI. Bishop’s Comments:

Deacon Bob Miller stated that Bishop Alexander Salazar was unable to attend tonight’s meeting because of scheduled Confirmations and sends His apologizes for His absence.

VII. Old Business:

A. Initiative #1, report on Evangelization:

There was no report on Imitative #1.

B. Initiative #2, report on Structure, Participation, and Accountability:

Tom Connolly submitted a written report that stated the present number of parishes within the San Pedro Region that have Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC) is 45. The present number of parishes visited by a San Pedro Regional Committee member (Initiative #2 presentation) is 30. The present number of parishes with PPC in process is 9. The present number of parishes without a PPC is 9. Our Goal is to visit all of the parishes in the region by 6/30/08. Tom Connolly also submitted a written report on the present status of the upcoming San Pedro Region Pastoral Council Workshop. The date has been set for October 18, 2008. The committee met on 5/13/08 and we are continuing to work with the Synod Office to organize event. Tom also met with San Gabriel region representatives for lessons learned. The event should start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. The theme will consist of three segments followed up by group discussions. The focus is for all the San Pedro Regional Parish Pastoral Councils with emphasis on parishes with PPC in work and parishes without a PPC.
The Initiative #2 Committee will meet on a regular basis leading up to workshop and will hold a preparation teleconference with Dr. Fischer and the Synod office to firm up agenda, advertise, contact parishes. We will be soliciting the entire regional council to help with this. Our goal is to have a successful workshop that inspires current parishes with PPCs to share their knowledge and resources within our region. For parishes with PPCs in work, the workshop will provide valuable tools for their progress in establishing a PPC; and to assist those parishes with no PPC with the resources and tools needed to start and maintain a successful PPC.

C. Initiative #3, report on Ongoing Education and Formation:

David Kennedy announced that Jim Dela Torre will be chairing this committee.

D. Initiative #4, report on Ministry and Leadership:

Marisol Meza reported that the committee met and reviewed the notes from past committee meetings. She stated that nothing definitive was decided and that the committee brainstormed ideas on how to get more people involved so as to have a better representation of the region.

E. Initiative #5, report on Eucharist and Sacramental Living:

Deacon Frank Dieter said that Rosemarie Kelley had volunteered to chair this committee, and unfortunately we now need to find a replacement. Hank Cierpich shared past experiences with Rosemarie as the committee usually met at her parish, American Martyrs. The difficulty the prior committee had was that it was extremely difficult for a committee of three to develop policies or procedures for an entire region with such little representation. Our hope was that in the future, more people would volunteer to be on the committee, giving it a better representation of the San Pedro Region.

F. Initiative #6, report on Social Justice:

Frances Jonte reported that they had a good meeting and agreed to get a hold of all parishes to determine who has a social justice committee and who the contact people are and work the process by deanery.

G. St. Vincent DePaul Society:

No report.

VIII. New Business:

A. Election of Executive Committee

The election of the executive committee has been postponed until June 6, 2008.

B. Day of Reflection

The day of reflection for the SPRPC has been postponed until the new council members have been seated and a new date has been chosen that is amiable to all.

C. SPRPC future meeting dates:

The following are the meeting dates for the San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008,
Tuesday, September 23, 2008,
Tuesday, November 25, 2008,
Tuesday, January 27, 2009,
Tuesday, March 24, 2009,
Tuesday, May 26, 2009, and
Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

The days of discernment will be on January 31 and February 7, 2009.

IX. Synod Office Report: Maria Elena Uribe summarized the progress being made on the pastoral council seminar to be held in October of 2008. She said the place is yet to be announced as we are waiting to hear from St. Raymond in Downey. Dr. Mark Fischer has agreed to be the speaker and the next priority is to get the word out to all the parishes within the region. Maria went on to say that the use of a fax is the best way to communicate. She mentioned that the cost is going to be reviewed and she looks forward to working with our committee to make this event a success.

X Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Report:

Kathy Hamrock submitted the following written report.

Papal Visit:

Cardinal Roger Mahony reported that the visit by Pope Benedict XVI was an inspiring and grace filled time for the United States. The media reported positively on the visit. The Cardinal was grateful that the Holy Father spoke directly about the sex abuse issue to the media and was able to speak privately with victims and families.

Finance Meetings:

The Cardinal also spoke about the overwhelming response and apparent success of the Finance presentation that was held in each deanery. He felt the contact with so many members from within the deaneries was a positive experience. Plans have been made to continue meeting with each deanery next year. The Regional Councils will help shape the meetings presenting one or two items which are specific to the Region.

Communication Committee:

The Archdiocesan Communications Committee met and has decided to merge with the existing Synod Media Committee. The committees are focused on defining the role of the group, and to establish a vision and goals. This committee will seek guidance from the APC for direction.

Synod Report:

One purpose of the APC is to study, reflect and provide recommendations to the Cardinal on the manner in which the Regions have implemented the Synod Initiatives and to prioritize the information derived from these reports. To facilitate this effort, an Ad Hoc committee was formed. This committee proposed a timeline for the reports which will be completed by Nov. 2010. The committee also proposed two instruments to assist the Regions with the reports, an Excel document and a narrative format. The purpose is to create a consolidated report to the Cardinal which describes the best practices and replicable programs of the Regions regarding the Synod Initiatives. After a brief discussion, the proposal of the Ad Hoc committee was accepted and plans for the first meetings were made.

Inter Regional Pastoral Council Dialogue:

A proposal was made and accepted to have a day once a year for all members of the Regional Councils to meet, celebrate and confer with one another regarding the efforts made in each Region for Synod implementation.

XI Announcements:

Deacon Bob Miller announced that this would be the last meeting attended by Msgr. David Sork as his term has reached its end and he will go on to enhance other ministries within his parish as well as within the region. He thanked Msgr. David Sork for all his hard work and dedication to the council and assured him he will be missed. All agreed by giving him a round of applause. Fr. James Cavanaugh, from St. James Parish in Redondo Beach will be replacing Msgr. David Sork on the San Pedro Regional Pastoral Council.

XII Closing / Night Prayer / Fellowship:

Rosalie Marquez stepped in for Deacon Matthew Nguyen and led the closing prayer.

Our next meeting will be on Tueasday, July 22, 2008, in the St. Pancratius conference room. Opening prayer will be proclaimed by Rosalie Marquez. The closing prayer will be led by Marisol Meza. Refreshments will be served by Nora Rodriguez.

Respectfully submitted:
Hank Cierpich,
Secretary, SPRPC