Sep 16, 2012

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="01af8641egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="743" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 100 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="0147b640.jpg" border=0 width="123" height="100" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="100" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="600"><div> <B>St. James Parish Pastoral Council</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> </B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=123 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0167b003.jpg"> <bR> <div>                                                   </div> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f5b5b3.gif"> <div> <I><B>Sep 16, 2012</B></I></div> <div> <B>Meeting Minutes</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="788" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="69"><div> <B>Agenda</B></div> <div> <B>Item</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <B>Topic & Discussion</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 ><NOBR><div> Attendees:</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Fr. Shen,  Annie Chin-Louie, Vincent Fung, Anna Leung, Mee Chan, May Chan, Agatha Tong, Albert Tse, Millie Chan, John Wong, Judy Lew, Stanley Chu, Phillip Chu, Simon Ho, Mary Young, Shirley So, Susan Ho.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 ><NOBR><div> Absentees:</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Fr. O'Leary,  Benny Ho, Ann Lee, Lucy Shum, Tom Louie, Peter Chan, Laura Chan, May May SooHoo, Nasi Huang, Lydia Chan, Francis Sung, Johnny Ip, Connie Tam, Calvin Yum, Synthia Chu, and David Lam.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Opening Prayer</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Mee Chan called the meeting to order at 1:05PM. Judy Lew  offered the opening prayer.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Approval of Minutes of 7/15/2012 meeting</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Minutes approved, finalized and distributed before 9/14/2012</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Chairman's Remarks</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fr. O'Leary was not there.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> 2012-2013 Annual Appeal </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The goal for 2012-13 annual appeal is $60,000, which is $3000 more than last year. We got very good results, we have raised $27590 for last 2 months.  Fr. Shen will make the announcement at Mass again.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=4 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Appeal to the Vicar General on the debts</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Bishop's Quarters.   RCAB will forgive the entire loan, both principle ($29,445) and interest, dealing with the renovation of His Excellency Bishop Hennessey's residence at the rectory and the damages caused by Father Knob's dog. This is the best result possible. Of the $29,445 loan, We are willing for SJ to pay for about $19,000 of it, without the cost of renovation due to Father Knob's dogs. So RCAB went beyond it. SJ does not have to pay anything.</div> <bR> <div> Holy Trinity Loan.   SJ does not have to pay the accrued interest of $58.948.35. However, SJ does have to pay back of the principle, currently calculated at $176,390. John Wong asked Denise Biernat, Parish Services, RCAB, to look into $38,725 of that amount. Father O'Regan thought that amount, supposedly spent for Clergy support (priest stipend, at that time there are 4 priests living at pastoral center, so they could be serving Mass at HT, not SJ) at SJ using HT money, was questionable. So Denise will look into it.  It might be deducted from the $176,390.</div> <bR> <div> To pay off that principle (whatever the final amount might be) Mee Chan and John Wong will work with Denise to create a 20-year, no interest loan between Archdiocese & St. James. Plus I want to create a payment plan, so we can fit it into the annual budget and take care of it. Whatever we paid for interest should be deducted from the principal, John will discuss & work with Denise.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Mary Young motion to accept the settlement agreement as negotiated and stated above.   Simon Ho second, and all in favor.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Other suggestions:  Find other communities to partner with, who has renovate the classrooms into conference rooms, meeting rooms, offices, etc. with an educational focus, like after school program.  See if they can do Pro-bono work.  We should be able to get a commercial loan for this.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Proposed Budget</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">All commission need to send the proposed budget for July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013.to Mee Chan ASAP.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Renovation of the Chinese Pastoral Center and St. James Church</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">St. James roof:   Contractors is looking into the material for fixing the windows & roof (roughly $231,000+).   We can't have 2nd contractors, because we have to use the contractors of the Archdioceses.   We hope to fix it ASAP to avoid any price inflation next year.  We need the interior to be fixed ASAP as well.   We need quality control to make sure that the work is done properly.</div> <bR> <div> John will follow up with Randy the contractor.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Pastoral center renovation is on-going.  There is more damage than expected because the rubber only last 15 years. They will put 2 more inches of new shone and then asphalt.  The contractor is going to use the savings from not using the rubber roof, and then use the savings to fix the internal ceiling and the roof.   Hope to finish it in 2 weeks.  Simon Ho will follow up with Raymond the contractor, to have him take care of the showers first before the external.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> August Moon Festival</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">We have more families participated and involved more Fujianese this time. $480 were spent on snacks & water, and some poster boards.  One of the parishioners donated some flowers. Fund raised by the floral arrangement & T-shirts sales are $432.  There are suggestion that we post the poster boards at church. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=9 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Commission Committees Reports</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> CCD</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Today, we had 11 teaching assistant for the CCD to receive blessings.  We have about 43 - 47 students, most K to 4th grade are from Fujianese group.  We need to cultivate the leadership in the community, and need to have more involvement from the kids at the Mass.  Teachers can go with the kids  to the English Mass. We want to train the kids as readers, in the choir, and in helping out at Mass.    The class is shorten from 1 hour to 45 min., and will end in June this year.  There is $1700 total registration fees.</div> <bR> <div> Annie Louie would like to finalize the CCD calendar, but not sure when we are celebrate Easter/ Thanksgiving/ Xmas/ Parents day.</div> <bR> <div> Mee Chan suggested the church celebrates Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day with the Cantonese and Fujianese together.  Millie Chan:  It could be overwhelming as there will be over 300 Fujianese attending.  Decision was made that the Cantonese will celebrate the Sunday before Thanksgiving.   We will celebrate Chinese New Year on Chinese New Year Day because the New year Day falls on Sunday, and celebrate Easter on Easter Sunday.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Spiritual Development </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Can we set up a ride schedule to pick up/ drop off the elders to come to church?  Maybe have a schedule with the people in need, and have the volunteers sign up to give a ride.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Spiritual movie: Next time is Sept 23 Sunday @11:45am lower church.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Once a month, Fr. Albert will give a spiritual talk, e.g. the Sacraments, on the 3rd Sunday of the month.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Marian procession:  Sunday October 14 @11:30am, we need volunteers to do the chores. We hope the kids will get involved to be part of the procession. We need to cancel CCD that day</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Deacon will conduct an Advent Retreat in December 8 for the parishioners.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=9 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 10</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Other business</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Chinese Liturgical Calendar:   We have been ordering from DC $2.50 - $3 each.  Other network from LA haven't reply yet.  We need approval first as soon as we hear anything.   Motion to approve Mary Young, Judy Lew second.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fund raising opportunity:  (Susan Ho) WorldonStage.com, if there are church members who want to go to an event, they get 15% off, which is a donation to our church. Live music shows, cultural songs, etc.  We probably don't need  pay upfront.  Susan will bring us more info about the performance group.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Pastoral Centre - Millie Chan presents some questions from our parishioners.  Are we putting our money into good use?  We use our church every weekend.  The Pastoral Center is old, any renovations we've done have to comply with the code. Can we use the PC renovation money and use it to  renovate the Rectory and the church instead?   The Committee do see that the PC has a future and have a potential educational use.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Church Cleaning: Mary Young suggests that we have a schedule for routine cleaning of our church on selected areas.  Every commission can take an area.  We need someone to take charge to oversee this Upper church cleaning.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Mary Young requested that the PPC members to sit down with Fr Shen to reflect on his success and to help him set up the goals for this coming year. The council agreed.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">We need  someone to help do the minutes.  Susan Ho will help out with the minute while Anna Leung is out on maternity.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Every Thanksgiving, Fujianese collect a lot of donation.  There is a concern that the Fujianese were collecting monetary donations, but only use it for the Fujianese group.   Should SJPPC know why we collect the money and how they use it?  They claim that they use it for stipend, food after Mass and some other expenses.  However, should the parishioners know that their donation go directly to the Fujianese group or to our church?   Since Fujianese group should be under SJPPC, and SJPPC should get the Fujianese group to clarify.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Parking will end at 3pm.  Parking schedule should be posted at church.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 11</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Next PPC meeting - November 25, 2012</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 pm @ Pastoral center</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="69"><div> 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> Closing remarks and prayers</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="700"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The meeting was adjourned at  2:45 PM followed by the closing prayer.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>