April 2026

Parish Council Minutes, April 21, 2026
Present: Nathan Heitz, LuAnn Scallon, Katie Crouse(Finance Council), Ron Reusche, Theresa Buss, Phil Paladino, and Fr Doug Walthier.
1)  Call to Order by Nathan Heitz @ 7 PM.       
Journey in Faith Prayer Led by Fr Doug
2) Reviewed Minutes     
      a)  Parish Council Minutes, 4/21/2026, no changes.
     b) Peace & Justice, 4/13/2026, no changes, but noted an anonymous donor brought Sisters Water Project to a total of $16,855.97.
      c) Faith Formation, 4/7/2026, no changes.
     d) Parish Life, 4/13/2026, no changes.
    e) Finance Council, 3/17.  Draft budget recommends 2.8% Cola increase. Ron moved we approve the 2.8% Cola increase, LuAnn seconded, motion approved.
3) Other information, May 22 Mass announcements will include new mass schedules for St Mary within the new pastorate.
Meeting adjourned
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
 
Finance Council, April 21, 2026
Present: Tom Kuhlmann, Adam Losey , Regina Peters, John Holden, Katie Crouse, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs.
Meeting opened with Journey in Faith prayer.
Minutes: Adam made a motion to approve the minutes as written; John second. The motion passed unanimously.
Monthly Financials: Offertory is still strong; about $30,000 above budget. Repairs were completed on the zero turn mower; this has not been billed yet.
Religious Education Endowment: Budgeted withdrawal of 4% ($20,000) will be requested beginning of May. Withdrawals can only be requested the first 2 weeks of Nov and May.
Building Loan $75,000:  Current (April) balance is $40,000. Building received income less expenses is currently netting at +$5000.
Building & Grounds: Reviewed 2026/27 projects, which will be part of the draft budget for May’s meeting.
Budget 2026-27: A draft budget was reviewed. Suggestions will be included in the draft budget at the May meeting. Several line items will be impacted by the Pastorate; waiting on more information to estimate these items such as priest housing, salaries, etc. The offertory will be increased to projected end of year, and will be increased like this year’s offering to balance the budget. The faith formation commission is reviewing the fees. The commission is aware our fees are significantly less than the other two parishes in our pastorate, and we have not raised fees in many years. The next NCYC is Nov 2027; we will check with others in pastorate on how they fund it.
Staff Salaries: Council reviewed staff increases for 2026/27. Adam made a motion to increase staff salaries and cafeteria plan by the COLA rate 2.8%; John seconded. The motion passed unanimously to send the recommendation to the pastoral council.
Journey in Faith: The council members were encouraged to complete an online survey to express interest in 1yr term for parish finance council or pastorate finance commission. Discussion on other diocese who have implemented a similar structure as Journey in Faith. The Archdiocese consulted 4 diocese, two urban and two similar to our Archdiocese, who are 5 years into their restructuring. They experienced a dip in giving initially in these diocese, but have seen an increase after the parishioners experience the benefits of the restructuring.
Agenda for Tues, May 19: monthly financials, Journey in Faith, budget 2026/27.
 
 
Faith Formation Commission Minutes, Apr 7, 2026
Review march minutes.  All approved
1. JIF Updates
July 18th Starts the changes
April 11th information to all
April 30th online survey for interest of Pastorate Pastoral and Pastorate Finance
All parish level committees will transition into a Pastorate level by june 2027
2. Budget
RCIA line item should be changed to OCIA
As of April 7th, FFC does not approve budget listed due to incomplete data. We agree to receive email and vote on it electronically before April 21 Finance meeting if it is received.
3. Catechist appreciation idea
Kickoff meeting with catechist is just as important as end of year gift. Keep the idea of both! Waverly bucks is good local option
4. Faith Formation Session Times
Could it be earlier? 4:30 to 5:30 and 6 to 7
5. Children’s Liturgy
Is the provided booklet meant for the age of kids? We are going to maintain for the next year to see how JIF goes.
6. Christ is our Life COL 2026
Be aware of event coming up in Sept. Buy ticket early if interested
7. Evaluate Lenten/Easter Activities
Ash Wednesday was well received
Shadow Stations was well received with a large crowd
8. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 5th.  Closing Prayer
FF Commission Email Vote May 13-14, 2026: Commission members unanimously approved raising faith formation fees from $25/youth to $65/youth, family maximum from $50 maximum to $130. Sacramental fees of $25/child or maximum $50/family to remain the same.
 
 
St. Mary Parish Life Minutes, Monday, May 4, 2026
Present: , Father Wathier,  Cindy Franzen, Gerri Dix, Mary Lou Ungs, Liz Poock,  Mindy Hart, Helen Melichar                                                                                            
Meeting called to order by Co-Chair Liz Poock
Opening Prayer:  Liz led “Journey in Faith”
Added to the Agenda:  Welcome for new priests and any transferring Catholics
Review of March Minutes:   No additions/corrections
Old Business:
Spring Tea:   Saturday, April 25.  It was a very enjoyable day.  About 75 attended. Some middle school students helped with serving.  High school speech team entertained.  Hope that the Spring Tea can be held again next year.
Parish Picnic:  June 7 after 10:00 Mass.  Lynn is in charge of potato salad.  KC’s will do the grilling.  Will - cowboy beans. Gerri will get ice cream toppings, and sign up sheets for workers. Amanda Wente will coordinate games. Set up for picnic will be on June 6, Saturday, from 2-5 ( Mary Lou, Liz, and Cindy).  On Sunday, June 7, at 10AM final set up for food, etc., so everything will be ready to serve directly after Mass.  Set up will be for 150. Games will start at 11:30 and end at 12:30. The games will be held down the hall.  Mindy will check with Amanda about the games.  Will also hold a cupcake walk. Asking for donations of a dozen cupcakes. Cupcakes need to be delivered by 5:15 on Saturday.  Clean up will start at 12:30.  Gerri will put out the sign-up sheets and also put an item in the announcements.
 
New Business: 
Graduation Breakfast:   Sunday, May 24 after 10:00 Mass.  Lynn and Pat Colsch will make the fruit cups.  Lynn and Gerri will do the cinnamon rolls.  Junior parents will be asked to make 3 egg bakes.  If they do not volunteer, the egg bakes will be made at church.  Sign up  sheets will be out the weekend of May 9-10.   Students need to be at the church by 9:15 on the 24th.  There will be a few college students here to visit with the seniors about college.
Retirement Recognition:  July 12 after 10:00 Mass. Mary Lou made the reservations for ice cream machine.  Sign up sheets for pie.  Lynn will do the potato salad. Will will do the cowboy beans.  KC’s will help with the meat. Planning for 200.  Set up on Saturday, July 11.  Sign up sheets will be put out after the parish picnic.
Additions to Agenda:
Welcome for New Priests and any Transferring Catholics to St. Mary Parish:  
Molly has arranged for a speaker from Colorado, Steve  Angrisano, to be at St. Mary on August 9.  This will possibly be a fundraiser for Mary's Meals.  St. Mary will fund his speaker’s fee.  This event could be used as a welcome for new priests and also invite any new/transferring Catholics. The event would be scheduled for the afternoon.  This event will be put on the June agenda.
Closing prayer:  Father led “Hail Mary”                       
 Next meeting:  Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM ( no meeting in July and August). Respectfully submitted, Helen Melichar
 
 
Peace and Justice Minutes for May 11, 2026
Present: Phil Paladino, Wayne Green, Sharon Denner, and Jan Kriener
Opening prayer: Wayne
Food Bank: 21 volunteers assisted putting together 754 back packs. Next work day will be Saturday, June 8th.
Sister Water Project:  Sister will let Wayne know when they start working on the 3 wells donated by our parish and will send pictures of the process. Wayne will write an article for the bulletin including this information. The finished wells will have plagues with St. Mary’s name on them.
Habitat: 13 home buyers are working on sweat equity. They have 133 mortgages valued at 9.6 million dollars. 11 home repairs being worked on. 17 people are being educated with the Blueprint program. They had their Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. TruStage volunteers will be doing panel building this month. Restore sold $142,500 of merchandise in March.
Nursing Home Volunteers: Jan will continue to try to get volunteers to fill requests of help needed and  update bulletin board.
No tithing this month.  Closing prayer: Wayne.
Next meeting: Monday, June 8th.  Minutes written: Jan Kriener