Nov-Dec 2025

No Council Meetings in December.

Pastoral Council Minutes, Nov 18, 2025 @ 7 pm
Present Nathan Heitz, Elizabeth Amsberry (via zoom), Mary Jo Stromberg, LuAnn Scallon,  Theresa Buss, Katie Crouse (finance council), Ted Mulert (Faith Formation), and Fr Doug Wathier

1. Call to order:  Nathan Heitz at 7 pm. Journey in Faith Prayer led by Father
2. We reviewed and approved as written the Pastoral Council minutes from 10/21/25.   We also reviewed minutes from Finance Council  10/25/25, Faith Formation Commission 11/4/25,  Peace and Justice 10/2025, Parish Life minutes 10/13/25. 
3. Katie reported on the latest finance council meeting, noting that offertory “strong”.  

We approved $3500 for expense of cabinets, Refrigerator and Sink in John classroom as this is the space that can be rented.

1. Journey in Faith Meeting was Nov 2nd.  Fr reported good attendance (more than the Oct mtg).   The feedback was reported to the Archdiocese.   Next step is for the pastorates to be determined.  
2. Next Meeting- Tues Jan 20, 2026 at 7pm 

 
Finance Council, Nov 28, 2026
Present: Becky David, Adam Losey , Katie Crouse, Regina Peters, John Holden, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs.
Meeting opened with Journey in Faith prayer.
Monthly Financials: Offertory continues to be strong: almost $25,000 above last year’s giving July-Oct. IRA’s and online giving continues to be more popular with parishioners. A budgeted withdrawal from savings of $106,334 was taken to cover the parking lot drainage repairs and tractor payments (tractor and attachments are on a 5yr payment plan). The tuckpointing will be done in the spring, and the $14,000 will also be paid from savings.
Update Nave Furnace & Stained Glass: The stained glass angel for the vestibule is in progress, but we have not been given an installation date. It will definitely be after the new year. We have not received an invoice for the nave furnace. It is working again. The mower required $500 in repairs at the end of season so it will be ready for spring mowing.
Journey in Faith: Good attendance at the Nov 2 parish meeting for Journey in Faith. Both the Oct and Nov were well attended. Feedback is being compiled to submit to the Archdiocese. The next step will be to review the feedback from parishioners, then deciding the pastorates.
Agenda for Tues, Jan 20 Monthly financials, Journey in Faith, update on nave furnace and stained glass.
 
 
Faith Formation Commission Committee Minutes, November 4, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:40 PM
Present: Father Wathier, Laurie Masters, Sandy Risvold, Sue Rand, Ted Mulert, Levi McClimon, Kelly Behrends, Kayla Tatroe, Jessica Haas
1. Opening Prayer – Journey in Faith Prayer
2. Election of Officers
     - Chairperson: Chris Schneider
     - Vice Chairperson: Ted Mulert
    - Secretary: Levi McClimon
3. Subs and Saints went well after mass Saturday night. This was the 3rd year.
    - 12 students had a Saint
   - 130-135 people attended
4. Totus Tuus weekend
     - We usually alternate every other year with St Pat’s. They hosted last year.
     - It can cost $2,170 - $3,100 for materials/fees, food, etc and this doesn’t cover staff
       salary in this. The missionaries also need housing for this event. The 1st payment would
       have been due in November.
   - We decided to skip this event next summer due to low numbers and cost
5. Faith Formation Statistics
    - The Confirmation schedule is changing a little
  - We continue to increase in numbers
     - Confirmation – 17
     - High School – 27
       - Edge - 81
       - Elementary – PS = K 33   and   1st – 4th = 91
      - no financial concerns for Faith Formation Program
6. Archdiocesan Women’s and Men’s Conferences
    - Women have a watch party at church Saturday, January 31st from 9 AM – 2 PM. This year is called
      “Grace for the Journey”. There are breakfast and lunch provided. Last year there were 12 in attendance.
      We are looking for someone to oversee this event if we want to have.
   - Men is an in-person event in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, March 28th at St Pius X.
7. Celebration of First Reconciliation dates and numbers
   - There are 33 students
   - March 8th at 1:30 PM with the parish at 3:00 PM
   - There are classes on February 1st, 15th and March 1st
8. Brainstorm service opportunities for Middle School and Elementary
    - 3rd and 4th cleaned the Nave. It took 15 minutes
   - Middle School will put Journey of Faith cards in the Bulletin
   - have them decorate plain placemats for nursing homes, homebound, etc
9. Other Business
    - OCIA - 4 are participating now, 1 just finished, 2 want to start
                  - in need of sponsors 
                  - meet once a month on Sunday from 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM after mass
                  - have a topic to discuss and have breakout topics
10. Next meeting is January 6th, 2026, at 6:30 PM
11. Closing Prayer
 
 
Peace and Justice Minutes for December 15,2025
Present: Wayne Green, Phil Paladino, Lindsey Kuhlmann and Jan Kriener
Opening Prayer: Wayne
Food Bank: About 12 volunteers helped in December. Food bank set next date for Saturday February 7th.
Habitat: Wayne reported 5 volunteers from our parish helped on construction project at work day  November 22nd.
On 12/16 Habitat is having an open house at the Grout Museum from 4-6 PM.
This is 10th year anniversary for Restore. Wayne reported that in those 10 years, 79,000 donations been made and they’ve made $7,922,000 in sales, which gave them 2.5 million dollars to put back in their programs.
Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of the Unborn: It is January 22, 2026. Phil will discuss with Mollie at staff meeting. Discussion of how to spark interest and get more people involved in the day’s prayers.
Lenten Project: Wayne will check on details how our parish could provide money for a well in Tansania through Sister Water Project.
Tithing: National: $500 to Camp Courageous
              International: $1,000 to Catholic Medical Mission
Closing Prayer: Jan
Meeting Adjourned: 7:40. Next Meeting: January 12, 2026, Minutes written: Jan Kriener
 
Parish Life Committee Minutes,  Monday, November 10, 2025
Present:  Mindy Hart, Fr. Wathier, Helen Melichar, Cindy Franzen, Liz Poock, Gerri Dix, Lynn Darnold                                                                                                                
Meeting called to order by Co-Chair Liz
Opening Prayer: Liz led  the “Journey in Faith Prayer”
Added to the Agenda:  None
Review of October minutes: No additions or corrections
Old Business:
Subs and Saints:   130-135 in attendance. Students did a good job with displays. Older kids helped the younger ones. Enough bars and cookies.  168 sandwiches were made.  Size of Walmart buns was good.  Too much meat was purchased.  Extra was frozen. Subs were made on Saturday afternoon.  We need procedures written for this event.
Journey in Faith Breakfast:   Nine egg bakes were made on Saturday afternoon, because they could not be purchased from the caterer.  Two egg bakes were left.  Cinnamon rolls were purchased from Kwik Star.  They always go over quite well. Donations received: $267.00
Wartburg Finals Treat Bags:  35 will be assembled on Friday, Dec. 5, at 1:00 in the church office. Helen, Liz, Mary Lou, Lynn, and Gerri will assemble the bags. The procedure will be the same as last year. Helen will call for cookies and bring the treat bags.   Father will provide a prayer card. Mindy will provide a tag. These will be given out after Masses on Dec. 6-7.  Liz will hand out on Saturday, Gerri at 8:00 on Sunday, and Mary Lou after the 10:00 Sunday Mass.
New Business:
Deck the Halls:  Mindy handed out the schedule of activities for the day.  Many prizes left from last year. Mindy will check with Mariah about having students help with assembly of goodie bags.  Mariah and St. Mary youth will work the games.  Gerri is in charge of Photos with Santa. Mindy has craft activities identified. Donations will go to the women’s shelter. Nestle will donate the cocoa.  Lynn will pick up the “tops” for the hot chocolate bar. Gerri will get the insulated cups for the hot chocolate as well as coffee.  Liz and Mary Lou are in charge of the Sweet Shop. They will decorate this area.  Phyliss Fuller will be asked to help.  Gerri will put out sign- up sheets (for volunteers and baked goods) the weekend of Nov. 22-23.  Mindy will arrange an announcement to be put in the newspaper.  Gerri will promote via facebook and flyers.
Bingo:  December 6.  Mindy made a sign. Callers will be KC’s.  KC’s will also work the kitchen.  Helen will call for bars. Pulled pork from the freezer will be used for sandwiches.  Cowboy beans will also be on the menu.
Trivia Night:  Jan 10.  Waverly VFW has been reserved. Mindy will follow up with Mariah. Number of teams can be expanded from last year. Six to a team. Meet after Mass for a 6:30-7:00 social time and start the activity at 7:00.  Sign up can be online or on a paper form.  Possibly order hors d'oeuvres from the VFW and ask for donations.  Have free will for food.  PL budget could be used.  The entry fee covers the cost of the prizes.
Welcome for Transferring Catholics to St. Mary:  Discussion on this topic.  No clear decisions…conversation is needed about this.  This topic will be on the December agenda.
Closing Prayer:  Father Wathier led “Hail Mary.” Next Meeting:  Monday, December 8, 2025, at 7:00PM.
Respectfully submitted, Helen Melichar
Other: Knights Spaghetti Supper Friday, Feb. 6;  Bingo on Saturday, Feb.7