OCTOBER 2007 Sister Parish Meeting Minutes

MINUTES   10-20-07   for  SISTER  PARISH  COMMITTEE
Prepared by:  Anne Brenaman

In attendance:  Fr. Jim ,Susie Meisch, Anne Brenaman, Michael Van Winkle, Jay Wilson, Dale Bly

Fr Jim reported that Assumption parish (north Seattle) raised $10,000 for one of Fr. Christopher's subparishes, St. Mary's.  Fr. Christopher had spoken to this parish on one of the sundays that he was here.  Fr. Ollie Duggan let Fr. Jim know about the money that was raised.
Fr,Jim's vision is to have a different Seattle area parish sponsor one sub parish!!

Kenya trip plans

  • Depart June 23 and return July 10
  • We need some preparation meetings for culture, exploration, our goals, etc.
  • A brochure is needed to get the word out.  We hope to get 10 people for the trip.  We will hopefully get 10 parishioners, but if that number is not reached, we can open it up for others.
  • We need to think about transportation from and to Nairobi. (Fr. Jim told us that Fr. Christopher would arrange that.)
  • Fr. Christopher thinks that we will be able to stay in the "youth center".  The cost for room and dinner is about $15/night.
  • We do not know the exact cost of the airfare but we think it will be about $2500.
  • The purpose of the travel....
    • .a spiritual journey, a planned project-not yet defined
    • possibly meet with folks about "adopt-a-student",
    • computer lab (this will depend on who goes!)
    • people to people/witness of Christian love,faith, education
  • Fr. Jim, Michael and Anne will have a little prelim meeting and then meet with Taryn at Arl. Travel .

 

PEN  PALS.....

There have not been any responses from the African pen pals.  We need to check with Fr. Christopher about this.

ADOPT  A  STUDENT

  • School starts in Jan. Need a deadline for donations.
  • At times, some families ave requested money for a car or a home.  We need to have a response carefully worded.
  • We also need to evaluate the program.  Susie will draft a letter for Adopt....folks.  We also need to have a meeting for the "Adopters" !

 

NEWSLETTER

  • Michael will contact a few people to see if they will write about their experiences with Fr. Christopher and John.
  • Fr. Jim has written Raven, a Peace Corps volunteer who is in Bungoma!!! She is from a Bellingham parish.
  • Anne will follow up with Raven, to see if she can write something for the newsletter.
  • Pictures are needed (and Fr. Jim will send digital ones to susie.) 
  • Also, Anne is responsible for writing the newsletter: Susie will fomat it and possibly print it.  Susie needs to be reimbursed $200 for this....budget or anne??

 

RETREAT

Susie brought up the thought of a retreat for this committee....where??? not sure....Camp Brotherhood, at Fr.'s lake place if a small number.  No actual time was set .....

HEIFER...

Anne will contact Sr.TB....note, Sr TB has not heard from the women recently.  BUT, she did receive an email from John, wondering what is happening with the "parish Heifer program."  John has been contacted by Sr TB and Sr. Margaret Parry that if this Heifer program goes forward it is NOT a PARISH program.....

Some addendums regarding Kenya trip....

  • any computer classes
  • what are the health issues there- ?life expectancy,what illnesses, childhood illnesses and life expectancy
  • possibly these issues can be addressed prior to and during the trip

Fr. Jim and Anne had to leave at 9:50am....If anything more was decided, that needs to be an additional note to these minutes.

Submitted,

Anne Brenaman