Pastoral Council
april 2025 Pastoral Council Meeting Summary
Liturgy and Worship Commission: There was no report, but the Vocations Awareness Committee, which had been reporting as part of this Commission, will now be a standalone commission reporting directly through the Parish Council. Highlights of that report included Father John’s vision for the vocation ministry in our parish. He feels the best way to promote vocations in our church and parish are not in extraordinary ways, but ordinary ways-such as prayer. It’s also important to be mindful of not placing blame for the decrease in vocations on any one thing. If a Vocations traveling program were to start in the church, similar to the one at school, Father doesn’t want it to be a chalice but rather a crucifix or statue. He would also prefer it be a monthly commitment instead of weekly and given to a family at the first Friday Mass, not Sunday. Jennifer Tucker will continue to lead the ministry and Kathy Kordsmeier will co-lead until July 1st when Kathy will take the lead. The ministry will be praying and discerning a new co-lead for the 2025-26 year.
Social Justice and Charitable Outreach Commission: Missions Committee Report. Father Daniel led off before the report was reviewed talking about the Delta Disciples Mission he and Deacon Joel participated in at McGehee, AR. They had plenty of indoor work to do given due to rainy weather there. The report noted there was discussion about researching management apps to improve and simplify the project request and project completion processes. There was no Border Mission Trip planned for this year. Instead, the funding for that project would be utilized to help families who’ve been screened and whose loved ones are being deported. There were no updates on the Family Mission Weekend planned for 2026. The International Mission to Belize in January was “a wonderful trip” and house #526 was completed. The next scheduled trip is for February 8-14, 2026. There is to be an International Mission to Guatemala (date yet determined) but it is full with no dates for 2026 yet. There’s been no update on another Poverty Simulation event but one is in discussion for 2026. Beth Boucher is new coordinator for the Project Encounter/Blessing Bags with Joe Cordaro as support. A Devine Mercy Medical Mission was planned as a means to help the most disadvantaged improve their quality of life and achieve their best health. Volunteers were to include doctors and nursing students from UAMS. Programs such as Community Assistance, Handyman Services, Missions for Transitions, Pack the Pantry, and St. Paul Street Evangelization were reported. Many workdays were involved and a high number of households benefited.
Education and Formation Commission Report: SJS Principal, Dr. Matt Tucker, reported there have been lots of student shadowing days, assessments and screenings. As of the date of this meeting, PreK3, Kindergarten and 2nd grade classes were all full with waiting lists started. SJS graduates Jacob Bailey and Samantha Hambuchen were hired as new kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers for the next school year. There will be three sections in each of those grades. Concurrent chemistry will be offered at the high school in 2025-2-26 through UACCM. Continued conversations are ongoing for other potential course offerings. Next year, Christy Pasierb will become the SJMS Reading Interventionist. Anna Schichtl will be the new Preschool Director. As of early March, there were five employment opportunities open at SJS. These included Pre-school teachers and aides, a school nurse, a K-6 Library and Media Specialist and a Director of Advancement.
Parish Life Commission: The three Lenten Dinners were well-received as usual, although rain put a damper on the crowd that last night. Over $10,000 was raised for the three benefitting charities. Only had about 220 attend the one put on by the Hispanic Commission which normally draws 400-450 people. The Commission is working to have a farewell reception for Deacon Joel as he leaves here to prepare for his ordination in May. Another ticket giveaway for an Arkansas Travelers game is also in the works.
Stewardship Commission: The Committee was in a holding pattern at the time of the meeting regarding its regular October Stewardship Month efforts. Much will hinge on the new K-6 campus construction plans still under review. More direction should be coming as those building plans and costs become clearer.
Hispanic Commission: The Commission reported that it continues with leadership formation efforts. A retreat was planned for May at which a guest speaker from California, Jose Gomez, will be appearing. Deacon Ramon has been making “Know Your Rights” cards available at all Masses to explain what immigrants’ rights are should anyone encounter or be questioned by ICE officials. Deacon Ramon also had to announce the Hispanic community wasn’t able to stage a Living Stations of the Cross presentation as it had in the past because there weren’t enough persons available to participate.
Old Business: Father John reviewed the “Conversations in the Spirit,” or listening sessions, that took part over the last few months. Emerging themes evolved from those discussions such as being a more welcoming parish, improving Mass music, or “rebranding” the church’s image. Council members expressed their thoughts on these and other issues that came out of those public sessions. Father told the Council members that they should be ready at the May meeting, along with formalizing next year’s budget matters, to dig deeper into these various visions for St. Joseph Church and to be prepared to deal with questions he’ll raise about them. This will essentially be a “mini-listening session” where more “meat” can be put on these themes and hopefully come closer to a consensus for the future direction we as a parish want to take.
New Business: Father Daniel told Pastoral Council members he’d like to see something done here at the Holy Thursday Mass that other churches have done. He’d like to see the Pastoral Council dress the altar for that Mass at 7:00 p.m. Those who said they were able went with Father to the church after the meeting to see what would be required. .
