August 2025

Pastoral Council Minutes, Aug 19, 2025 @ 7 pm
Present Nathan Heitz, Elizabeth Amsberry, Mary Jo Stromberg, LuAnn Scallon, Ron Reusche, Becky David, Phil Paladino, Fr Doug Wathier

1. Call to order:  Nathan Heitz at 7 pm.   Prayer by Father
2. Ron Reusche is welcomed as a new member, replacing Leo Beschorner. 
3. Mindy Hart was present to look for our input regarding Parish life. She shared with us the Mission, Events they host and that the meet the 2nd Monday every month except July.   Parish council members responded that the Parish Life events are vital for an active parish and important for community involvement of all ages.   Also, parishioners can interact in various ways and these are critical for building our community.   Mindy was asking for ideas to support Parish Life and how to recruit volunteers.      She will email these questions to the Parish council to think about over the next month and we will have follow up at our next meeting.
4. Officers elected include:

Nathan will continue to chair (and has been since 2021)
Vice will be LuAnn Scallon
Secretary – Mary Jo Stromberg
Was also noted that we do have an opening for another member.

1.  We reviewed and approved as written the Pastoral Council minutes from 5/20/25.   We also reviewed for discussion the Finance Council minutes (need to add a zero to the budget “$509, 00”.   Reviewed Peace and Justice June 16 and Aug 11 2025,  Parish Life minutes from 5/12/25, and Faith Formation Aug 5, 2025.
2. Becky reported on the latest finance council meeting.   – no major expenses currently,    Parking lot payments are coming, which are separate from the building project and covered under operating expenses.    They decided to take a loan for $75,000 with 2% interest to cover bills as they come in.   noted that there is not a penalty for early payoff. And pledges are still coming in.  
3. Building update-   “basically done” just a few things to check off over the next week.   Huff construction has been very good to work with to help defray some costs that architects planned.  
4. Journey in Fath Regional Meetings will be taking place in the next month.   Fr encouraged us to attend.   On Sept 2nd there will be more information available online.   There will be follow up meetings at St Mary in late Sept/Oct.

Faith Formation news – Natalie Goetz has resigned and will be needing a new Faith Formation coordinator and 1-2 interim assistants.   This will be a paid position.   A degree for the interim is not necessary.    The curriculum is established and this person will mostly be guiding the catechists.   
 
 
Finance Council, Aug 19, 2025
Present: Becky David, Adam Losey , Katie Crouse, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs.
Meeting opened with prayer.
Monthly Financials: July offertory was about $10,000 above budget. The tax benefits of IRA gifts continue to increase these gifts. The budgeted $93,000 balance on the parking lot repairs will be completed in the next few weeks. The asphalt will be poured in the cutout lines where the drainage tile were installed. No extraordinary expenditures to report. Becky made a motion to accept the financials as presented; Katie seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Building Project Update: $143,500 outstanding pledges whichRent scheduled to be paid by the end of 2027. All the building invoices will be paid by the end of September, except about $25,000 for the stained glass in the vestibule to be paid winter or early spring and the Archdiocesan taxa on building gifts to be paid in 2026/27. To cover the fall invoices, a $75,000 loan will be needed. Katie made a motion to take a $75,000 through the Archdiocese; Adam seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff: Natalie Goetz has resigned as coordinator of faith formation. We thank her for her ministry to St Mary’s youth and wish her well on her position. We are advertising for an interim position to help during the search for a full-time coordinator, which can difficult at this time of year. We also advertise for a permanent full-time coordinator.
Rent Meeting Rooms: We rent the hall for $200, kitchen $50 plus another $50 if they use the stoves (extra-cleaning needed), $25 for the 4 standard sized meeting rooms. Our insurance limits use of our building to non-profits who must provide proof of insurance and parishioner (not-for-profit) events such as graduation or anniversary receptions. Rental periods are for 3-4hrs. Meeting room John is twice the size but is becoming popular for family gatherings. Adam made a motion to set a $100 rental fee for John; Katie seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda for Tues, Sept 16 meeting is monthly financials, loan and building update, tuckpointing, faith formation enrollment, and Journey in Faith.
 
Parish Life Minutes, Monday, August 11, 2025
Present: Mindy Hart, Fr Wathier, Helen Melichar, Cindy Franzen, Mary Lou Ungs, Liz Poock, Lynn Darnold, Gerri Dix
Meeting called to order by Gerri
Opening Prayer: Gerri
Review of May Minutes: Date of August meeting was corrected.
Leadership Roles: It was recommended and approved that Liz Poock and Mary Lou Ungs take on the leadership roles of 2025-2026-Co-Chairs. (Cindy Franzen agreed to take on the role of vice-chair?) Thank you to each of them!
Old Business
Graduation Breakfast Went well. 18-20 high school grads at Mass. One Jr. parent helped with serving. 2026 date will be May 24.
Parish Picnic: Very well received....good attendance. June 8 after Mass. Mindy had the games in the hall and a few outside. Kids were engaged. 2026 date is June 7.
Parish Welcome: Tabled until next meeting.
Presenting to Parish Council: Mindy will speak to Parish Council on August 19 about Parish Life and ask for any input.
New Business
Welcome Back Wartburg: Will be coordinated with Mariah. Welcome back bags will be handed out after Mass on August 30-31. Included will be gift cards and raffle, coupons for ice cream, and cookies. 30 bags will be made. Lynn is making 6 doz. cookies, Gerri and Helen will each bring 3 doz. Helen will contact Nancy Carlson for 3 doz. Charlotte will be contacted for her usual treats. Liz P. will hand out the bags after the 5:15 Mass on Saturday. Mary Lou will take care of the 10:00 Sunday Mass and someone is still needed for the 8:00 Mass.
Building Dedication: Weekend of September 6-7. Gerri will order cookies for Saturday after Mass. She will order cakes for after both Sunday Masses. Official dedication will be held after the 10:00 Mass on Sunday. The cookies will be put in bags on Saturday afternoon at 4:00. Lynn, Liz, and Mary Lou will help Gerri with this. Mindy will hand them out after the Saturday Mass.
Bingo: October 4..theme?; December 6; February 7; March 7
Saints and Subs: November 1 Mary Lou, Liz, Cindy and Lester will work. High school will provide entertainment. Menu same as last year-subs, chips and bars. All Saints Mass at 9 AM, All Souls Mass at 5:15. Discussion will continue at the September meeting.
Deck the Halls: December 13 There are lots of supplies since last year was cancelled due to the weather. Mindy is in charge. Mary Lou and Liz will be in charge of the kitchen/bake sale. Gerri will take pictures with Santa. Mindy will contact Buddy.
Other: Gerri will contact the KC's to see if they are doing the spaghetti supper.
Father Wathier closed the meeting with Hail Mary as closing prayer.
Next meeting is Monday, September 8, at 7PM in "Mark"
2025-2026 Parish Life meeting dates:  Oct.13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 Jan. 12 Feb. 9 Mar. 9 Apr. 13 May II June 8 (if needed) July (no meeting) Aug. 10.  Respectfully submitted, Helen Melichar
 
Parish Life – Follow Up to Presentation at Aug Pastoral Council Meeting:
Thank you for your time and thoughtful engagement at your recent meeting. Your input and feedback are deeply appreciated.
As promised, I am sharing the questions I posed for your continued reflection. Please feel free to reach out with any additional thoughts or ideas that come to mind. Our goal is to continue offering activities and events that truly build and strengthen our parish community.
Value of the Ministry

• From your perspective as parish leaders, how important is the Parish Life Committee to the mission of our parish?
• Do you see the ministry of Parish Life as essential to fostering a welcoming, Christ-centered parish community?

Events and Activities

• Of the activities and events we currently sponsor (BINGO, Trivia Night, Parish Picnic, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.), which do you feel are most impactful for building community and living out our mission?
  Are there events or efforts we should consider scaling back, discontinuing, or reimagining?
• Are there new activities or outreach efforts you believe we should explore?

Sustainability and Growth

• Our committee is small but dedicated. What ideas do you have for growing membership and increasing volunteer support?
• Should we consider recruiting a broader pool of volunteers across parish ministries, or adjusting staff job descriptions to include volunteer coordination?
• If volunteers cannot be secured, what guidance do you have on whether certain activities or events should be discontinued?

Future Vision

• What would a vibrant and sustainable Parish Life ministry look like five years from now?
• How can this committee best serve the wider mission of our parish moving forward?

Your insights will be invaluable as we work together to ensure a vibrant and sustainable Parish Life ministry. Thank you for the leadership and care you bring to our parish.
Blessings, Mindy Hart
 
 
 
Peace and Justice Minutes for 9/8/2025 7 PM
Present: Lindsey Kuhlmann, Wayne Green, Sharon Denner, Teresa Moerer, and Jan Kriener
Opening Prayer: Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary prayer read by Wayne.
Food Bank: 19 people assisted on September 6th. Next one is October 4th, 9-11AM. Lindsey will contact Dixie regarding announcement article in the bulletin. 
Habitat: Wayne informed us that Habitat had a celebration this year because they have helped 500 families with services. Wayne is trying to arrange a group to help with building a home either Saturday November 8th or 15th. 
Immigration:  Discussion included prayer and who and how can we help? Sharon will look for prayer cards. Teresa will contact Archdiocese of Dubuque to check for ideas of ways our parish may help. Lindsey will have short summary of the Catholic Bishops of Iowa reflection on Immigration entitled “Pilgrims of Hope” put in the bulletin. Jan will check with staff if our parish has any immigrants or families in need. 
Tithing: Local: $1,500 to Cedar Valley friends of the Family
              National: $1,000 to Habitat and $500 to Special Olympics
              International: Tithe to be made next month
Closing Prayer: Hail Mary 
Meeting adjourned 8PM.  Next meeting: October 13, 2025.  Minutes per Jan Kriener
 
Faith Formation Commission Meeting Minutes, September 9, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:25 PM
Present: Father Wathier, Laurie Masters, Sandy Risvold, Sue Rand, Ted Mulert, Levi McClimon, Kelly Behrends, Kayla Tatroe

1. Opening Prayer – Journey in Faith Prayer
2. Review Archdiocese Commission description

• We did an overview of what our functions are as a Faith Formation member
• Some of the events that we help with are Vocational Bible School w/ St Paul, Journey in Faith, Totus Tuus, Faith Formation programs

1. Staff – functioning with the gap of Faith Formation vacancy

• We have advertised the full-time coordinator position within the Archdiocese listings. It can either be a Faith Formation Director or Coordinator, depending on their education. To be a Director, you need to have a MA in Theology or Religion.

- Once we get candidates, the staff will interview with some of the Faith Formation Commission
               -      Edge 5th-8th needs an assistant – may try to find someone to work @ 15 hours per         
                      week to help with this

• Carolyn White is going through the OCIA program and is interested in helping with Faith Formation classes. She helped with elementary last week and is helping with Edge on Sept. 10th.  She’ll help send out parent letters and help with coordinating.

1.  Journey in Faith

• There won’t be a lot of changes until @ 2027. There won’t be a set program for every parish.
• We have one of the larger parishes based on our Faith Formation numbers. One plan has us with St. Pat’s, St. Stephens, and Reinbeck.  Nothing is set yet.
• It’s a pastoral planning process and there will be grouping of parishes in a cluster.
• There would be 1 pastor and 2 assistant pastors that would live together and rotate where they would have mass.
•  Our parish could go to 2 masses per weekend. This could start @ July 2026.
• We have 66 parishes and there aren’t enough priests to cover them. The plan is to not close any church, but there may not be a mass at some. It would be up to each parish if they remained open or closed if they don’t have a mass.
• Upcoming meetings will be at St. Stephen, St. Ed, Blessed Sacrament, and St. John in Independence. These will be informational meetings in September. You do need to register if you want to attend. The website will offer a place for feedback.
• October 5th and November 2nd at 11 AM (after 10 AM mass) we will have a meeting for discussion, opinions and feedback. We will have an egg bake brunch. We also have a committee for this.

       5.   2025 – 2026 Enrollment numbers for Faith Formation
                 - Total Elementary  - 124
                         PK ……  17
                         K-1st ….. 29
                         2nd ……. 31
                        3rd-4th…. 47
              - 1st Recon./Communion  - 33
                        - the numbers have grown this year
             - Total Edge (5th – 8th)  - 77
                       5th-6th …. 41
                       7th-8th …. 36
              - Confirmation
                       Finishing … 26
                         - The retreat is this weekend
                         - Confirmation is set for October 11th with mass at 10:30 AM
                       Beginning .. 15     
                       - the numbers sometimes go up
              - High School Ministry  - 23
         
        6. We will have election of officers at our next meeting.
        7. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 PM in Mark.