Your Standing Committee met on Thursday, April 14 at Mission House in Seaside.
Prayers were offered for Mario Hauttecouer's grandmother and for Juan Erazo's son who has fallen ill while in Rome.
A diocesan review was to be scheduled this year. Since we are in a period of transition, it was decided that the review should be scheduled for 2006 instead. Every year $3K of the budget is set aside for the cost of the review.
A soft copy of a flyer for the next conference on April 23 will be sent to all congregations.
The bishop has invited the Diocesan Leadership Team to meet with him on May 13 from 12 - 3PM. This team consists of the heads of all the major bodies plus the administrator and finance chairs. It meets quarterly.
A joint meeting of the Standing Committee and DIEM will tentatively be held on August 20.
Bishop's Report
The Standing Committee and bishop continue to define the shared authority model as they work together. The bishop reported that he has met with the Deacons and is currently meeting with the rest of the clergy. Two meetings have been held and the third is scheduled for next week.
The clergy retreat is scheduled for May 24 - 25. The questions covered during the prior meetings between clergy and bishop will be summarized and discussed as part of the agenda for that meeting. More information will be forthcoming.
To date, Bishop Romero has visited 17 congregations, presided at 1 ordination and 1 installation, attended 3 deacons meetings, 2 clergy meetings, 2 retreats, and 19 vestry/bishop's committee meetings.
Meetings between the laity and bishop are being scheduled for three Saturdays during the summer.
Administrator's Report
The Convention Planning Team has begun meeting to make plans for the October and January conventions. The October convention will be held on October 29 at All Saints, Watsonville.
The first meeting with the auditors will be on April 19 with the Finance Committee. A draft audit report is expected in June.
Patricia Catalano will be working with the diocese in a new position. Some of her functions will include translation of Along the King's Highway into Spanish and incorporation of a Latino news section which will be translated into English. She will develop workshops to introduce Latino culture and traditions to everyone in the diocese. She will also be developing workshops for missions to help Latino congregations understand US culture and traditions.
Commission on Ministry Report
The following names were submitted to Standing Committee:
- Catherine Wilson for candidacy
- Lance Beizer for ordination to the priesthood
The Standing Committee was pleased to approve both persons.
Upcoming ordinations to the transitional diaconate include:
- April 30 St. Thomas, Sunnyvale 1PM
Patricia Catalano, Melanie Donahoe
- June 4 St. Mary's, Pacific Grove11AM
Kevin Fisher
The Commission on Ministry is working on changes to the discernment process to comply with new canons and to offer increased support to lay ministry.
A joint meeting of the Standing Committee and the COM will be scheduled
for June or July.
DIEM Report
DIEM reported that it has received almost all business plans and budget requests for 2006 from the missions. These will be reviewed at its regular meeting on April 16.
The next Standing Committee meeting is scheduled for May 12 in Seaside.
