March 2024

Pastoral Council, March 19
Members Present:  Nathan Heitz, Elizabeth Amsberry, Leo Beschorner, Michelle Even, and Mary Jo Stromberg, Sandy Risvold, Fr Doug Wathier.   Via Zoom, Joe Barber and Elaine Lawler. Others Present:  Phil Paladino, Will Kurtt

Meeting was called to order by Nathan Heitz, Chair at 7:10 pm.  Opening Prayer lead by Father Wathier
There was a motion by Sandy Risvold, seconded by Leo Beschorner to accept the minutes of the other committees and the motion was passed.
Joe Barbar discussed finance minutes and gave update from tonight’s meeting regarding offertory contributions and potential car raffle for the Building Fund
The 2023/2024 Budget amendment:   Revised Endowment capped at $16,500 already withdrawn and any short fall covered by unrestricted savings.     Mary Jo Stromberg motioned to accept the amendment and Michelle even seconded. And the Motion was passed.  
Will Kurtt proposed a plan for replacing the parking lot be included in the current building campaign, or to consider where funding would come (as about 6 years ago the estimate was $500K) to fund it separately.  
Phil Paladino discussed Phase 2 Building Campaign committee plan- education to the parishioners is priority and talking to them secondly.   They were to meet tomorrow, but a motion by Michelle Even was made to delay the Capital Campaign, to await parking lot replacement/repair decisions.    And seconded by Joe Barber.   The motion was passed. 
Elaine Lawler is completing her term in June, she has been on the Council since 2018.   She was thanked by the other present members for her service.   Nathan Heitz and Elizabeth Amsberry are at the end of their term but agree to stay on.      Discussion was to find someone from another community to represent the parish, such as Janesville, Shell Rock or Clarksville. 
Mary Jo Stromberg motioned to adjourn the meeting.   And was seconded by Leo Beshorner.  


Finance Council  –  Mar 19, 2024
Present: Kelly Flege, Becky Willson, Becky David, Joe Barber, Katie Crouse, Scott Danner, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs, Will Kurtt.
Monthly Financials:  Feb offertory was above last year’s giving, and did make up some of the budget deficit. Offertory is about $4000 below budget year to date. No extraordinary expenses to report. Kelly made a motion to accept the financials as presented. Scott seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
Raffle: A summaries from a phone conversation with the Dubuque and Cedar Rapids’ parishes on their car raffles was reviewed. Both parishes’ had similar process. The winner can select the new car or a cash payout, which is $20,000 in Cedar Rapids. The car dealer retains ownership and covers insurance until/if the winner claims the car. They have to work hard to sell enough tickets to meet their goal. Cedar Rapids increased ticket prices from $5 to $10 this year, and getting complaints. Winners have selected the cash payout instead of the car for quite a few years. The finance council requested feedback from Ted Scheidel, who presented this last month, and will make a decision at the Apr meeting.
Website Redesign: Dixie is working getting feedback on our website. Tabled until April.
Building & Grounds Committee: Will Kurtt, building & grounds manager, presented concerns about the parking lot discussed at this week’s Building & Grounds meeting. The lot is in bad shape and the committee has some safety concerns. If we do not replace it now, the cost will continue to rise. The preferred concrete lot would be approximately $500,000 (estimated over 5 years ago) or more. Asphalt would be less, and has a shorter user life. The committee discussed doing the lot in sections, but are recommending a complete install. If it isn’t done with the current campaign, the parish need to do another in 3-5 years to complete the lot. The current building gifts and pledges can only be used for the 2 building projects, classrooms and breezeway. Council expressed concern adding the lot as a 3rd building project for the mini-capital campaign increasing it to at least $1.1 million. Concern we cannot raise double the current mini-campaign’s goal. Do we need to consider changing the scoop of our projects? Can we afford all 3? The finance council is asking for a recommendation from the Building Campaign Committee and Pastoral Council.
Building Update:  With the information on our parking lot, the campaign committee meeting will be cancelled tomorrow. They will reschedule after the information on the lot is sent out to members for review.
Budget 2024/25: A draft budget including committees and staff input, Archdiocesan update to priest package and property insurance were included. COLA is 3.2%. The draft included the net if the lay salaries were increased by 1% (-$24,200), 2% (-$30,000) and 3% (-$35,700). This includes a 4% withdrawal from the religious ed endowment and savings withdrawal to cover the tractor/equipment lease. The council discussed the higher return on endowment compared to general savings. Apr a draft budget will include a withdrawal from unrestricted savings instead of an endowment withdrawal.
Motion – Endowment Withdrawal: Joe made a motion to not take the budgeted 4% spring withdrawal from the endowment, but instead withdrawal the same amount from unrestricted savings. Kelly seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
April Meeting: Phase 2 update, monthly finances, raffle, website, budget 2024/25, members terms ending.

St. Mary Building & Grounds Minutes: Monday, March 18, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
Budget review and facility walk through – outside and inside
Committee members present: Matt Steuer, Sandy Schutz, Janet McCullough,
Will Kurtt, Fr. Doug Wathier, and Todd Tatroe
 
The 2023 budget report for B & G was under the amount budgeted for the year.
There are a few months remaining to complete the fiscal year so there may be adjustments. Will Kurtt reported areas where savings occurred (snow removal) and where expenses increased (repairs).
Facility Walk through – Outside:

• As discussed during previous B&G meetings, the continued drainage issues near the entrance of the building (including cracks in the sidewalk) will be addressed in the upcoming Phase II of the building project.
• Temporary, alternate entrances to the church will be created to accommodate construction of the new entrance and porte-cochere.
• In addition, the landscaping and trees planted at the main entrance of the building and along the east side of the church will be altered.
• Various outdoor electrical fixtures (that are currently along the
  temporary’ east wall) will be moved during the next phase of construction.
• One of the light fixtures on the rear of the building (back entrance to church) is scheduled to be repaired.

Ongoing Outdoor Maintenance:

• Snow removal was significantly reduced this winter (Nov 23- March 24) and the budget for B&G reflects this savings compared to previous years.
• The church prairie is on schedule to be burned every 4 years, in collaboration with Andy Hockenson, who is the current Director of Bremer County Conservation.

Facility Walk through - Inside

• Will reported that there are no issues with the  furnaces and HVAC system.
• The steeple seems to be holding steady and stable although on very windy days there are notable creaking sounds inside the church.
• The flooring in the kitchen area near the dishwasher has been replaced and the need for the black, rubber mats was eliminated. The overhead door (for fire safety) along the coffee and meal serving line may need an update in the years ahead due to the manufacturer no longer making parts for this model.

 
Discussion

• The church facility, as a whole, recently passed inspection by our current insurance provider. One recurring topic is the steadily declining parking lot and sidewalks.  The committee discussed the essential parking lot improvements in the context of our capital campaign:
• Currently, parking lot improvements have not been included in Phase II planning and budget. However, the realization that not only is this area critical to the overall safety of St. Mary’s parishioners, but if this project was completed in concert with Phase II construction, it would provide significant cost savings and result in a long lasting (20-25 years) parking area.
• Communicating inclusion of this additional budget item to current capital campaign efforts in an informative, non-threatening manner will help people understand the impact on the building project, efficiency of construction efforts and long term cost savings.

 
The minutes of the inclusion from this meeting will be shared with the fundraising committee for further discussion.
 
Meeting adjourned: 7:20 pm.  Next meeting Oct 2024 with date tbd - Submitted, Janet McCullough
 
 
Peace and  Justice Meeting Minutes, April 8,  2024 @ 7:00 p.m.
The Peace and Justice Committee seeks to mobilize the St. Mary community to care for
the  poor and marginalized in the name of Jesus through the lens of our Catholic faith.
Attendance: Jan Kriener, Phil Paladino, Val King, Teresa Moerer, Wayne Green
Opening Prayer :  Wayne @ 7:00
Mary’s Meals for Lent 2024

• Last check of the total was around $7,400. Still some donations coming in.
• Wait a week or two and if still short maybe put a note in the bulletin.
• Think of another idea for next Lent.

Habitat for Humanity

• Dedication for the Waverly home is going to be on May 7th at 4:00pm, at 3707 Viola Drive
• Wayne will check with Kristy of Habitat to see if St. Mary may be able to gift something to the homebuyer.

Walking with Moms

• Val will check with Anna Rawerts about leading.

Bulletin Articles

• Val giving Dixie two articles for the next couple of weekends
• Jan will write an article for the National Day of Prayer for 4/27-28
• Teresa has a couple of articles written and ready for May

Miscellaneous

• Jan will check if there is a rosary planned for May and if so, maybe give it a Peace and Justice theme
• Reviewed the Peace and Justice section of the Parish website and gathered changes that Val will talk to Dixie about

Tithing:
National:   Retrieving Freedom $500
                                Guiding Star  $1000
International:  Caritas $1000
                                Mary Meals  $1000
 
Next meeting is May 13 @ 7:00 p.m.
Closing Prayer @ 7:30:  Group Hail Mary                . Minutes prepared by Wayne Green
 
 
St. Mary Parish Life Committee Meeting Minutes March 18, 2024 7PM
Present: Gerri Dix, Helen Melichar, David Voves, Mindy Hart, Ruth Schluter, Mary Lou Ungs, Liz Poock, Will Kurtt, Fr. Wathier
Meeting called to order by Mindy. Prayer was given by Ruth S. Correction on the February minutes....
Spring Tea should be April 20 (now has been moved to May 4).
Recent Events
KC's Spaghetti Dinner/Mardi Gras 177 attendees. Kids had fun with games and loved the prizes. A couple of high school students did help with the activities.
February 3 Bingo: 60+ people. Katie Devereaux was the guest caller. Walking tacos were served. It was a fun
Upcoming Events:
Easter Egg Hunt: March 23 Karen Kuhlman and her family are in charge. Need about 7 more volunteers. Mindy will check with Mariah about confirmation students helping. Egg Hunt is at 10:45. Games begin at 9:00. Bingo: April 6 after 5:30 Mass. Designated as Wartburg (K)Night. An email will be sent to invite Wartburg students. Parishioners who are employed at Wartburg will be asked to be involved. Gerri and Lynn will arrange to have subs and chips. Helen will arrange for bars. This will be announced at the Masses the weekend of March 2324 for Wartburg students. Wartburg themed prizes will be given out. There was additional discussion about having prizes for adults. Also discussed the question that had been asked by parishioner about having bingo go til 8:00 or longer.
Outreach to Wartburg Students: Treats will be provided from St. Mary after the Masses the weekend of April 1314. Helen will cal' for cookies and buy the bags. Mindy will get a card ready that will be attached to the bags. We will plan for 24 bags. The bags will be filled at the Parish Life meeting on April 11. Wartburg graduation is on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (May 26). After May 25 Mass (Saturday), Wartburg grads and families will be invited to celebrate at the Brewery. Mindy will contact Grace Ivey about organizing this event. (High School grads will be recognized on Sunday, May 26, after 10:00 Mass. Egg bakes/fruit cups will be served.)
Spring Tea: Has been changed to May 4 due to conflicts with local Prom dates in April. No Cost Entertainment: Cedar River Readers. Future Events:
Parish Picnic: June 4 6-7:30 Planning for 200. Will will pick up and return the soft serve ice cream machine. Will K. is also in charge of the baked beans. Lynn will purchase the meat and also be in charge of making the potato salad. Mindy will arrange to get the popcorn machine. No mini-donuts. Mindy will be in charge of the outside games...possibly a movie. There will be bingo in the hall.
Other
Mindy may work on the Welcome Packets after her term as chair is over.
Need to be thinking of movie nights during the summer...outside.
Possibly arranging for another bike rodeo in the summer.
Discussion of possibly moving Parish Life to the 3rd Monday of the month, rather than 2nd Thurs.
Mindy closed the meeting with "Hail Mary."  Next meeting: Thursday, April 11, at 7 PM