PAC meeting minutes

Saint Patrick’s Church

Pastoral Advisory Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

5:00 to 6:00 PM

 Minutes

Members: Fr. Beto, Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong, Jim Souza, Maurine Minnis, Joan McKenna, Jim De John, Cynthia Owen, Rich Benson

Present: Fr. Beto, Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong, Jim Souza, Joan McKenna, Cynthia Owen, Jon Conti, Maria Ramirez Farley, Rich Benson

Ex Officio Members: Fr. Abraham,  John Conti, Clarence Cabreros 

1. Opening Prayer

   1. 5:00 pm By Fr. Beto

2. Approval of August Minutes

   1. approved

3. Finance Council Report and SP School Updates by Clarence C

   1. Nothing to report today as CC was unable to attend. 

4. Chairman Updates 

   1. Ministry Faire: Sunday October 12th. 

   2. List of Ministry Leaders and Contact Info: Ministry groups assigned to PAC members to contact. Sample script passed out. Members will make contact asap and no later than 9/17/25.

5. Continuing Discussion of Proposed Parish Projects

   1. Report on International Fiesta - Marie F

   2. MF said it went really well. Nice attendance and food. 

   3. Discussion of PAC Website - Updates - Cynthia O: No updates. The website will be ready by the Ministry Faire. 

   4. Future Work Groups - Rich Benson  Next work group days are: 9/18-9/20

6. Pew Update

   1. Pew and Related Repairs - all kneelers and attachments are in. Torn pew is in progress. Scratches have been repeated, the part of the grain that was coming off was repaired. Choir seating /Chairs for priests on the altar: waiting on a bid from the same company. JC will look into another company as well. 

   2. We were given a $3000 credit due to issues.

   3. We can’t withhold payment because the Diocese approved the contract. A suggestion that we request complimentary altar chairs given the amount of delays and repairs needed. 

7. New Business / Other Business

   1. Rectory repairs update: they are continuing as time and people allow. Trees being trimmed, dead plants being removed, etc. 

   2. Parishioners have requested the return of hymnals to the church and the sign of the order and song #. One consideration is that money doesn’t need to be spent given we have the projector. 

   3. Discussion on allowing parishioner input on selection of songs. Cathy gets a book with the song selection. 

   4. Sr. Gene is planning on a jubilee celebration, do we have information on this: She is staying with Rich. The Knights and Martha’s Ministry will help with food. A point person is needed. 

   5. 11am Mass San Lorenzo Ruiz (First Filipino Saint) Saturday 9/27 Potluck Reception to follow, so bring something to share!

   6. Cynthia would like to hold Saint Patrick’s School and Church Trunk or Treat at the church for 2026. 

8. Date of Next Meeting - October 8th, 2025 5pm

9. Closing Prayer

   1. 5:47pm by Fr. Beto

Saint Patrick’s Church

Pastoral Advisory Council Meeting

Wednesday, August 13th, 2025

5:00 to 6:00 PM  

 Minutes

Members: 

Fr. Beto, Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong, Jim Souza, Maurine Minnis, Joan McKenna, Jim De John, Cynthia Owen, Rich Benson

Present: Fr. Beto, Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong, Jim Souza, Joan McKenna, Jim De John, Cynthia Owen, Clarence Cabreros, Jon Conti, Fr. Abraham, Maria Ramirez Farley

Ex Officio Members: Fr. Abraham,  John Conti, Clarence Cabreros 

1. Opening Prayer

   1. By Fr. Beto @5pm

2. Approval of July Minutes

   1. Passed unanimously. 

3. Finance Council Report and SP School Updates by Clarence C

   1. John presented us with a $1.5 million preliminary budget that he submitted to the diocese.

   2. It includes $120,000 for major building/capital donations to cover things such as parking lot servicing, tower roof, and rectory flooring.

   3. I wanted to make sure we had funds in the budget to implement the flock notes. John assures me it’s in there with his salary and minor computer expenses.

   4. The school board has not met since May. Teachers have been on campus since Monday. School will start tomorrow and I think enrollment is slightly up compared to last year.

4. Chairman Updates 

   1. Status of Ministry Faire Scheduling: We agreed on a date Sunday October 12th. We need a current and correct list of all the Church ministries and their contact information. The purpose of the faire is to introduce the ministries to our parishioners, and to add active members to each ministry. 

5. Continuing Discussion of Proposed Parish Projects

   1. Work Group - Very successful work day. 

   2. Discussion of PAC Website - Cynthia Owen

      1. Discussed ways to improve it and add pages as well as non-editable links to Google Docs. 

   3. Volunteer Support for International Fiesta August 17th, 2025

      1. We signed up for manning a PAC table at the Fiesta. 

6. New Business / Other Business

   1. Question about how we recruit Altar Servers. 

   2. Worked on creating an improved statement regarding the PAC, the purpose and function of the PAC. We looked at a proposed draft by Jim. 

   3. Joan McKenna mentioned Mary Knoll ministry and is asking us to consider social justice under the Catholic view. (Like recycling, are we living the mission to take care of the Earth the way the Catholic Church would like us?) How can we integrate this into the PAC and as a parish? Maybe start a ministry, living life right under Catholic teaching. 

   4. Question about whether this would fall under the scope of the council.

7. Date of Next Meeting - September 10th, 2025 5pm

8. Closing Prayer

   1. Led by Fr. Abraham

Saint Patrick’s Church

Pastoral Advisory Council Meeting

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

5:00 to 6:00 PM

 Minutes

Members: 

Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong, Jim Souza, Maurine Minnis, Joan McKenna, Jim De John, Cynthia Owen, Rich Benson

Present: Chuck Trudeau, Marites “Tes” Diong,  Jim De John,  Joan McKenna, Rich Benson, Fr. Beto, Clarence Cabreros, John Conti

Ex Officio Members: Fr. Beto, Fr. Abraham,  John Conti, Clarence Cabreros 

1. Opening Prayer

   1. By Fr. Beto at 5:pm

2. Approval of June Minutes

   1. Passed by Jim DJ at 5:04 pm

3. Finance Council Report by Clarence C

   1.  The Church's finances are in fine shape and we are on good financial footing.  Numbers were very positive.

   2. Meeting 7/11 to discuss space for Religious Education on Saint Patrick’s Campus. 

4. Chairman Updates 

   1. PAC Social Gathering was a success and Jim extended many thanks to John and Martha Conti for hosting. 

5. Columbarium Update

   1. Father had not received a response from the Bishop yet, so  Jim called Bernice for a status update. She responded that she still needs approval to meet with us even though it is for information purposes at this time.  Berenice needs to get approval from the CFO to meet with us.

   2. After some discussion, Fr. Beto decided that we should not pursue this further until a new Bishop is assigned.  Berenice has not been very helpful to us and without Bishop approval, nothing will happen.

   3. Some questions that came up at the meeting: Can we have more than one Columbarium location on our parish site? How do they estimate the cost of a space? Who would be the point of contact once it’s built? (As far as buying a space and maintenance). 

   4. We can use the procedures that are in place at the SLO cemetery for guidelines. 

   5. Once we have answers from the Diocese, we will present the Columbarium plan to the parishioners to see if we have support.

6. Review of PAC Charter and Role of Council Board Members

   1. Guidelines on what topics the PAC undertakes vs what goes to Business Manager. PAC wants to take a look at the ministries. PAC wants to take a broader look at what goes on at Parish. Jim will think on how to phrase this. Operations go to the parish office, not PAC. 

   2. Discussion: Can we put out a monthly report about what PAC has accomplished? We can publish our minutes on the website. Have a page for PAC on the website. We should have a PAC email for parishioner questions and comments. John C suggested a question/comments section on the website rather than email.  Questions/Comments received will be discussed at PAC and responses posted on a FAQ section of the PAC page. Following some discussion, Cynthia O. volunteered to design a draft of  a webpage insert for the PAC that would be tied to the main parish website. This will facilitate communications between the PAC and parishioners, provide updates and Council activities and a means for parishioners to contact us directly with their ideas, etc.  John displayed a draft of the website for the PAC.  A link will be provided to the PAC for review at the next meeting with Cynthia.

7. New Business / Other Business

   1. Discussion about a ‘work day’ as there is a list of projects that need to be done maintenance wise. Discussed putting sign up sheets out at each Mass (and also an e-sign up) to see who can work where (fence repair, painting, certifications to operate certain types of machines). Knights could BBQ. Note on liability insurance for volunteers needs to be checked out. Rich has organized the signups and work groups are scheduled to start work later in July. 

   2. The PAC decided that our next project would be to organize a Parish Ministry Faire for some time in late August.  Jim and Joan M will work with Marie to put this on the parish calendar and begin advertising.

8. Date of Next Meeting - August 13th, 2025

9. Closing Prayer

   1. Led by Fr. Beto 6:09 pm