May 2025

Councils don't meet June-July.

Pastoral Council Minutes, May 20, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
The mission of St. Mary Parish is to make Christ real in our Communities by living the Gospel, worshipping together and serving others. 
Present: Elizabeth Amsberry (ZOOM), Nathan Heitz, Val King, LuAnn Scallon, Mary Jo Stromberg (ZOOM), Becky David, Sandy Risvold, Phil Paladino, Fr. Doug Wathier 
Call to order: Nathan Heitz at 7:00 p.m. Prayer:  Our Father
 We reviewed and approved as written the Pastoral Council minutes from 4/22//25. We also reviewed for discussion the Finance Council minutes of 4/22/25, the Parish Life minutes of 4/14/25, the Peace and Justice minutes of 5/12/25, and the Faith Formation minutes of 5/6/25.
 Finance Council  - Becky David

• Offertory continues to be higher than budgeted.
• Budget shortage covered with savings dollars instead of endowment as the endowment fund is getting a better return.
• 2025/2026 budget:
  • Increase for staff included.
  • Offertory continues to be higher than budgeted. $509,00 projected offertory income for current fiscal year. $532,610 for this budget is a stretch. We will promote increase tithing to parishioners throughout the year in order to cover expenses.
  • Want to avoid taking out of savings for operating expenses.
  • Moving parking lot expense from this fiscal year to next fiscal year.
  • Special building projects are not operating expense.

Motion by Val King to accept budget as presented. Second by LuAnn Scallon. Motion approved unanimously by committee members.
Building Update

• Meeting rooms are completed and are being set up for use.
• Pledges continue to come in as scheduled.
• The completion date for the front entrance is some time in August.
• Hail Storm Damage:
  • Minimal damage to church side.
  • The new roof on the new addition has to be replaced.
  • Some damage on HVAC.
  • Spot replacing of siding on the new addition.

Pastoral Council Members

• The 3-year terms of Leo, Mary Jo, Michell, and Val expire this year.
• Two of the open positions will be 1-year terms so we have 2 members rotate off in 2026. Then, going forward we will have 2 members rotate off every year.
• Mary Jo stated again that she is willing to fill one of the 1-year terms.
• Need to verify that Leo will continue for another 3-year term.
• One 1-year term and one 3-year term  are open. Possibly another 3-year term if Leo declines.
• Some names were suggested as possible future members of the Council. Fr. Wathier took note and will follow up with those recommended.

Val shared that a member of the community reported to her that the sign at the cemetery was blown down. LuAnn confirmed. Fr. Wathier will notify Will Kurtt, Building and Grounds Manager, to address this.
As there were no further items for discussion, we adjourned at 7:30. This is the last meeting for this fiscal year. The next meeting is August 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.                                            Minutes prepared by Val King
 
Finance Council, May 20, 2025
Present: Becky David, Joe Barber, Adam Losey, Becky Willson, John Holden, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs.
Meeting opened with prayer.
Minutes: Joe made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. John seconded; accepted unanimously.
Financials: Our offertory continues to be strong and is over $20,000 above budget to date. No extraordinary expenses to report.
Budget 2025/26: Becky W made a motion to increase staff salaries by the COLA 2.5% rate; Adam seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Budget 2025/26: Historically, a withdrawal of 4% from the religious ed endowment is budgeted. A consensus was reached to take the withdrawal from general (unrestricted) savings equivalent of 4% of the endowment. The endowment has a significant better growth due to the markets. The 2025/26 withdrawal was also from general savings rather than the endowment for the same reason. The council wanted to avoid budgeting savings withdraws to cover the operating budget. Emphasized working toward a balanced budget for sustainability. The staff was asked to review their budget accounts, and reduce where possible. This was a couple thousand reduction, which left a $29,000 budget shortage. An offertory increase will be budgeted to cover the remaining shortage. 
Parking Lot Repairs: The asphalting to cover the installed drainage cutouts could not be scheduled until the 2025/26 fiscal year. The balance will be moved to the 2025/26 budget $93,979
Building Update: The meeting rooms are being used. Very few pledges are not being fulfilled; less than $15,000 of pledges have been written-off. Work continues on the entryway.
Hail Damage: The church roof will need some shingles replaced. The addition areas suffered the worse damage. The new rubber roof, siding, windows, and HVAC are being evaluated and an insurance claim is in process.
Finance Members Terms: Becky W and Joe are completed their 2nd term. Two new members are needed.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting is Aug 19.

Peace and Justice Meeting Minutes for June 16, 2025
Present: Phil Paladino, Teresa Moerer, and Jan Kriener
Opening Prayer: Hail Mary
Habitat: Wayne not present
Food Bank: 12 volunteers helped on June 7th. Next work day is Saturday, September 6th.
Volunteer opportunities update: Gerri has been included in discussion about coordination of volunteering at nursing homes. Teresa and Jan will come up with a plan by next meeting regarding details and possibly having opportunities posted through bulletin board and/or flyers. All church related opportunities to be included.
Article for bulletin: Jan will write on volunteering and why we are called to serve.
Christmas in July: Have not received information.
Tithing: Not able to tithe since we do not have the report.
Next meeeting: Monday July 14, 2025
Meeting adjourned: 7:45PM     Minutes per Jan Kriener
 
 
Peace and Justice Minutes for 8/11/2025 7PM
Present: Sharon Denner, Wayne Green, Teresa Moerer, Phil Paladino, Lindsey Kuhlmann, and Jan Kriener
Opening Prayer: Prayer to St. Clare of Assisi, today’s patrol saint by Wayne Green
Habitat: Wayne reported August 1st was Parkersburg Fun Days. Habitat sponsored “Kick to the curb”( donations of slightly used articles). Parkersburg football team picked up the articles to be donated to Habitat. Working on several houses. Next dedication is August 19th.
Food Bank: Next scheduled work day is Saturday, September 6th 9-11AM. Lindsey will let Dixie know for advertising in bulletin. Suggested that it could also be put on TV.
Volunteer opportunities update: Will be posted on bulletin board in gathering  space. Teresa’s posters regarding assistance needed for Habitat, Food Bank, and Nursing Homes were posted. The title, Peace and Justice, will be added as a heading. Jan will send Dixie article on Importance of volunteering to be put in this week’s bulletin or next weeks. Lindsey will check with Dixie regarding who picks up pillows and towel donations.
Peace and Justice Corner for bulletin: Article will be in about importance of volunteering. Lindsey will write article about Food Bank for September. Suggestion to write about current social justice problem and how a person can help. Discussion of continuing to write about agencies that Peace and Justice tithe to. In September, we should have an article thanking people for pillow and towel donations.
Tithe: Financial report did not show tithing that was done last month. Lindsey will talk to Dixie about updating that. No additional tithing tonight.
Next meeting: Monday, September 8th, 2025  at 7PM 
Closing Prayer: Hail Mary   
Meeting adjourned: 7:45PM   Minutes per Jan Kriener
 
 
St. Mary Parish Life Minutes,  Monday, May 12, 2025
Present:  David Voves, Mindy Hart, Fr. Wathier, Gerri Dix, Mariah Stauffer                               
Meeting called to order by David Voves
Opening Prayer: Prayer Intentions by Mindy
Review of April Minutes:  No additions or corrections
Old Business

• Pillow and Towel Drive: Peace and Justice Committee has arranged a collection for Friends of Family in August.
• Soft Opening of New Addition: Did not have cookies following 5:15 Mass. Will do a more formal event in August. Parishioners explored the new space following Mass, especially after the 8:00 and 10:00 mass.

New Business:
Graduation Breakfast (Gerri)

• May 25 after 10 a.m. Mass, Egg bakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit cups
  • Gerri and Lynn making fruit cups this week.
  • Two helpers have volunteered.
  • Still looking for individuals to make egg bakes. Mariah will craft an email to send out to junior parents for donations of egg bakes.
  • Will extend an invitation to Wartburg students to be acknowledged at the blessing and stay for brunch.
  • Knights of Columbus will be presenting scholarships at this time

Parish Picnic (Gerri)

• Sunday, June 8 after 10 a.m. mass
• Menu: burgers, potato salad, chips, cowboy beans, and ice cream.
  • Burgers/hot dogs - need grill master: Gerri will reach out to KCs
  • Potato salad - Lynn Darnold in charge of making potato salad
  • Chips - Gerri will order the chips
  • Cowboy beans - Will
  • Ice cream - Mary Lou has reserved the ice cream machine.
• Purchasing of items: Gerri will ask Lynn about purchasing items when getting items for potato salad.
• Sign up for volunteers and donations will be put out at Mass this weekend.

Parish Welcome Protocol (Mindy)

• Reviewed draft of protocol.
• Mindy will make adjustments/updates for review at the next meeting.

Other Business:
Leadership roles for next year

• Chair?  (Mariah is needing to bow out.)
• A spirited conversation was held regarding the sustainability of parish life.
• Plan to present to the Parish Council. Father will check with Dixie about a date to attend.

Closing Prayer:  Father closed the meeting with “Hail Mary”.
Next Meeting:  Monday, August 7, 2025 @7:00 pm
Respectfully submitted,  Mindy Hart
 
Faith Formation Commission Meeting Minutes,  6:30 PM - 7:50 PM, August 5, 2025
Present: Father Wathier, Natalie Even, Sandy Risvold Sue Rand, Ted Mulert, Chris Schneider, Jessica Hass, Kayla Tatroe, Kelly Behrends
1. Opening Prayer
2. VBS recap
    - Overall went well, but waiting to meet with St Paul's to discuss how it went and future plans
    - We had positive feedback 
3. Serve and Slide
   -  There were 43 kids who participated from St Mary, Waterloo and Holy Family cluster (Dike,
       Reinbeck, and Parkersburg). We had 10 middle school kids attend. That was our cap. 
   - It was held at St Pat's on July 22nd and 23rd with a sleep over. 
   - They were in small groups for their service project the 1st day, then went to Lost Island the 
      2nd day. 
4. Faith Formation Registration Process
   - It will be the same as last year, but with some new updates on the form. 
   - They will need to fill out the Archdiocese of Dubuque waiver for each child and 1 Faith
      Formation Form per family. They can do online, QR Code or pick up a paper form. 
   - We have the welcome back letter and schedule done. 
   - Edge and High School will be on the same night and Elementary and Confirmation will be on
     the same night. Edge will be broken out into 5th/6th and 7th/8th rooms.
   - Next year we are going to be raising our rates for Faith Formation to help cover costs and be
     more in line with surrounding parishes. We are looking at costs. Once we have determined
     what the increased costs will be, we will send the recommendations to the Finance Council.
5. Catechist Recruitment
    - We have just begun recruiting and announcing during each Mass.
6. Catechist Formation Day
   - Sunday, August 24th
   - We will have a speaker from the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
7. Faith Formation KickOff
    - The Commission will serve the meal for the KickOff on Wed, August 27th. We are planning the meal.
    - There will be a meal, prayer service, then kids off play while parent(s) attend a meeting.
8. Utilization of new space and program adaptations
    - We may use Luke Room for meetings or parent gathering time while kids are at Faith Formation. 
9. Journey in Faith
    - This will help with the Faith Formation budget.
    - There is a link on the Archdiocese of Dubuque website that gives quite a bit of information. 
      April of 2026 is when this may start. It's regrouping parishes so we may need to streamline
      with other parishes we are paired with. This is still in its early stages.
10. Next meeting, Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30 PM.
11. Closing Prayer