(For a full account of the meeting, see the minutes in the Western Kentucky Catholic, May 2002. )

Present: Perry & Betty Elder, Larry Higdon, Sr. Audry Recktenwald, Tom Hayden, Sharon Ebelhar, Jim Shanahan, Fr. Jerry Calhoun, Steve Shoulta, Jim Scott, Marilyn Chandler, Dorothy Lee, Charles Rucks, Janet Thomason, Fr. John Vaughan, Bishop John McRaith and Cathy Hagan — Executive Secretary.

Staff present: Sr. Pat Froning, Joe O’Bryan, Betty Medley, Tom Buehrle, Tom Lilly, Sr. Joseph Angela Boone, Mel Howard, Dick Murphy. Guest: Mary Prante

Bishop McRaith’s Remarks: Bishop McRaith said his homily at the Chrism Mass (March 26th) will be focused around vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He stated that he feels strongly that there are vocations out there that are not being realized. He went on to say that these are difficult times for the priests because of the negative publicity that is out there. He stated that much support is needed at this time of the priests from the people of the diocese.

Br. Ken Grondin: Br. Ken Grondin suffered a severe heart attack on February 24th. The bishop reported that Br. Ken is home and waiting to see what the next step will be. Bishop McRaith asked for continued prayers for him.

Diocese of Mandeville: Bishop Boyle asked if the diocese had any more Mass Offerings that could be sent to them. Bishop McRaith asks parishes that have any extra Mass Offerings to send them in to the diocese, so that they can be forwarded to Mandeville. Bishop Boyle was very appreciative of all this diocese has already done for them.

Sacramental Policy: The Liturgical Commission asked that this document be tabled for the time being. They want to revisit the document and make some changes.

Discussion of DPC Terms and Nominations of Officers: Nomination forms were distributed. 2nd terms were ending for Jim Shanahan, Sue Gray, and Jim Scott; they are not eligible to serve another term. Nomination forms are to be returned to Cathy Hagan by April 15, 2002.

Someone suggested that a deanery representative invite a deanery council member to come to the DPC meeting with them to let them meet the DPC members and see what it is that we do. Replacements will be sought for those whose terms are expiring. If no replacements are recruited right away, those currently serving will be asked to continue serving until a replacement is found.

Budgets & Diocesan Assessments: Sr. Joseph Angela explained that basically the same formula was used for the assessments as last year. She explained that what had been done differently was in regard to parishes who had $30,000 or less net assessable revenue. In those instances the assessment formula was dropped and a smaller assessment was placed on those parishes (not to exceed $1,000). She went on to explain that if, in the next fiscal year, a parish went from under $30,000 to over $30,000 the assessment is gradually brought up to the formula level year by year.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council approved the diocesan budget and assessments as submitted.

Diocesan Goals and Objectives: At their November, 2001, meeting the DPC reviewed the proposed diocesan goals and objectives. They suggested some revisions and then sent them to committees and councils for their review and input. These revisions were reviewed at tonight’s DPC meeting. It was decided that the goals and objectives would be given back to diocesan staff and their committees with the suggested revisions. They are asked to:

1. Read the comments for their particular section. Take seriously and incorporate the suggestions if possible.

2. Polish their goals & objectives. In other words, make sure a goal is a goal (an action statement — needs a verb), and that an objective is an objective (a concrete step that moves toward the stated goal). This will allow for more uniformity throughout the document.

3. If using abbreviations, make sure it is indicated as to what it stands for.

4. If there is a mission statement included with the individual goals and objectives, the DPC asks that it be deleted. All goals should come from the diocesan mission statement (which will be added to the document).

5. The revised goals are to be sent to Cathy Hagan by July 19th. The Diocesan Pastoral Council will review the goals & objectives at their August retreat. (August 24 & 25.)

Future Agenda Items:

• Discussion of recruitment and participation of deanery councils and Diocesan Pastoral Council. (August agenda.)

• Election of Officers (May)

•Retreat —August 24th & 25th — Fr. John Vaughan, Sr. Audrey Recktenwald and Janet Thomason have agreed to come up with some thoughts and ideas for the retreat. They will bring this to the May meeting.

•Mandeville Committee Report

•Bishop’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

Announcements: Fr. John Vaughan stated that Bishop McRaith’s 20th anniversary of being the Bishop of Owensboro is December 15th. He said that the Priests’ Council has discussed this and come up with a couple of suggestions. They were thinking of inviting the people of the diocese to Mass and a reception on Sunday, December 15th. That evening the presbyterate could have dinner with the bishop. (For Bishop McRaith’s 10th anniversary, the DPC planned the celebration.) The DPC will discuss this at their May meeting. They were in agreement that the bishop’s 20th anniversary needed to be celebrated!!!!!

The next meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is Monday, May 20th. Marilyn Chandler will facilitate pages 58-61 of "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us."

- Submitted by Cathy Hagan