Highlights

Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting - April 5, 2003

Membership of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is comprised of representatives from diocesan committees and councils, and two representatives from each region, who meet five times each year with the bishop.

- The Diocesan Budget for the fiscal year of July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 was reviewed. There is a projected operating deficit of $6,600 in an overall budget exceeding $2,000,000. The budget was recommended for approval.

- A priest personnel policy revision which provides for a 1.5% cost of living salary increase for priests and pastoral administrators was recommended.

- Ten updated education policies for Catholic Schools were discussed and recommended.

- The draft of a response letter to the fall survey of parish pastoral councils was edited. The letter acknowledges the parishes' appreciation of communication initiatives undertaken by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the interest that parishes have in consulting with the DPC on agenda items. The letter also suggests that there will be a fall follow up to the survey. The edited letter will be mailed to parish pastoral council chairpersons and pastoral leaders.

- The study of advanced academic extension programs continued. Evaluations of the Loyola (New Orleans) Institute for Ministry Extension (LIMEX) from various sponsoring dioceses were discussed. A catechist formation program that St. John's University, Collegeville developed with another diocese was examined. The Council recommended a more thorough study of St. John's catechist program and extension possibilities for the next meeting.

- JoAnn Borchert, Diocesan Director of Religious Education, explained "intergenerational faith formation" and discussed how various diocesan parishes have incorporated these opportunities into their programs.