OLR Parish Council Meeting Minutes

							OLR Parish Council Meeting Minutes -- “Prayers Answered Celebration” Preparation Date: Location: December 30, 2007 OLR Rosary Hall Time: After 10:30 mass

On December 23, 2007, Bishop Jugis and David Hanes from the Archdiocese held a meeting after the 1030 mass to explain the process of investigation that was conducted. Cheers and tears were the common theme in our rejoicing of Father Al‟s return. A Christmas miracle. After the meeting, several members of the parish council met for preliminary planning of a Welcome Home celebration, it was decided that we would have another meeting on Sunday, December 30 after the 1030 mass and invite members of the parish to participate in planning and execution of the community wide celebration. Also at that meeting, we discussed how to respond to members of the press. An interview with The Dispatch was to be scheduled as soon as possible since our home town newspaper had provided excellent coverage in October. A member of the Winston Salem Journal was present when Bishop Jugis presented Father Al to us and other local TV were expected to follow. We were encouraged to speak with TV and newspaper journalists and help in re-establishing Father Al‟s good name. We pray for the accuser. Diocese had sent out a Press Release that morning, but our comments/interviews will reinforce our support and belief in Father Al. Announcements were to be placed in the bulletin on December 30, 2007 and reminder sent out on the phone message line. Announcements also being made after mass on Christmas and this weekend for contributions of finger foods and drinks as well as the presence of all members of the congregation. Today, Kris Joss, Chairman called meeting to order after the 1030 mass. The agenda for this ad hoc meeting was planning and preparation for the “Prayers Answered Celebration” which will take place on next Sunday, January 6, 2008 from 3-6 pm in the Parish Center. Thank you to parishioners who stepped forwarded and attended the meeting and helped with the final planning preparations to our Community Wide Celebration. Earlier in December, the Parish Council started sketching out a plan for the community wide celebration for Father Al‟s return to Lexington. We determined that the date and time needed to be planned to be conducive to OLR family and the Lexington Community as well. „ The first Sunday after his return was chosen, but since it fell between Christmas and New Years and in respect of Father Al‟s wishes, January 6 was chosen. Preliminary plans were made at that time, and we decided that a planning meeting would be opened to all parishioners wanting to contribute their time and talent to the celebration, therefore today‟s meeting. Linda McAdams created a joyful invitation that has been sent to those who provided prayerful support of Father Al and our parish over the past couple months. This included local area pastors and their congregation, local politicians, the editor and reporter of The Dispatch, and members of the community boards that Father Al is affiliated with. There was also an
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invitation to the public of Davidson County for the “Prayers Answered Celebration” in the Dispatch; on Thursday, December 27, 2007. Preliminary plans included:
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The Knights of Columbus – provide plates, napkins and tableware Joss‟s, K. Gwyn, Ritlands – wine Our Lady‟s Guild – desserts P. Thornton – Music to include Polka for Fr. Al. Pat Sniffin – guest book Kelvin. Hughes – welcome home banner to be colored by the children Balloons Mary Rittling, Kris Joss – wine cups Orla Kelly-Rajan – decorated “Welcome Home” cake Patty Barrows, Orla Kelly-Rajan, Carol Sinnott – bottled water Angela Klein, Julie Michaels, LuAnn Staab – cases of small drinks in cans Julie Michaels – photography Rebecca Parker – LCD Projector “Welcome Home” to be projected onto a blank wall. If ice is required, we will get it from across the street as needed. Kris will check with Pat about tablecloth availability, name tags, and guest book Katie Grondy – recruit to be in charge of the children and the banner Kris to check with Jimmy Wooten about small banner to hang over the front door. __ Check with Tom Fabyjanski about balloons for the front door, etc. Make sure the Parish Center doors are opened before 2 pm on Sunday for set up. Chris Joss will send out a phone message reminder on the phone message service on Friday. Kathy will send the minutes of this meeting to the web site for posting

In addition to the above, additional planning and delegations of responsibility included:
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Greeters: All OLR parishioners are invited to assist with greeting the public, especially if it looks like anyone has been missed. 3:00 – 3:30 3:30 – 4:00 4:00 – 4:30 4:30 – 5:00 5:00 – 5:30 5:30 – 6:00
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Lou Ann and Dennis Staab Patty and Jim Barrows Orla Kelly-Rajan and Angela Klein Jim and Dee Lively Jim and Mary Rittling Kris and Chris Joss (alternate Laura Wampler and Josh Weaver)

OLR parishioners are invited to provide: finger foods, cheese, fruits, vegetables, snack foods, appetizers

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chilled soft drinks, bottled water – preferably in smaller sizes (so cups not required) provide CDs for background music assistance as servers and helpers Cleanup afterwards

Foods and chilled drinks can be delivered at mass times to Our Lady‟s Hall kitchen or the Parish Center kitchen. The Knights will be using the kitchen on that afternoon, to cook for the homeless shelter so we will have limited use of the kitchen for this event. Historically, OLR chefs, provide a wide variety of foods when we call for refreshments, so there aren‟t sign up sheets per se. As proven over an over again, OLR cooks meet any challenge. The miracle of the loaves and the fishes will happen again because of the generosity of our parish family. We don‟t know how many will attend, so please be as generous as possible. Don‟t worry about having too much, any surplice bottled water, soda or other supplies that aren‟t used for this celebration can be used in other spring events at OLR. We plan to meet at Parish Center at 2 PM on Sunday 1/6/08 for Parish Center set up.  The men and teens will be recruited to help set up chairs and tables. Parents of the faith formation students will also be recruited for set up.  The cake will be the centerpiece  Plan to have tables on the far end of the hall for food and drinks  An open area in the middle away from the kitchen for dancing and mingling  Chairs around the perimeter of the hall. The classrooms will be locked.  Balloons and Banners hung Submitted, Kathy Gwyn, Secretary.

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