Council & Committee Minutes

Councils do not meet in December

Pastoral Council Meeting 11-27-18
Attendees: Renee Aschbrenner, Ruth Schluter, Jennifer Siech, Mary Ann Hinders, Trent Lockard, Elaine Lawler, Phil Paladino, Father Ambrosy, and Kelly Flege from Finance Committee.
October 16, 2018 minutes were reviewed and approved.

The council discussed the task force that will be formed to move forward with the long-term planning process for the parish. Thus far the following people are willing to serve as representatives: Scott Danner - Finance Committee, Tab Ray - Knights of Columbus, Ellie Hilbert - Liturgy Committee, and either Tom Singewald or Jim O’Donnell for general outreach. The task force is still in need of a representative from Faith Formation Committee and someone to represent the younger population. It was decided that since the Pastoral Council will be updated by the task force on a regular basis that there is not a need to have a member form the council on the task force. A suggestion was made to extend an invitation to other parishioners to serve on the task force, possibly through the bulletin, to ensure a balanced representation of the parish. It was also suggested to put updates in the bulletin often to help with transparency of the planning process.
A brief update from the Finance Committee was given. The taxes paid to the archdiocese were lower than anticipated and offertory is currently down from previous years. There is a sizable recurring contribution that has not been received yet. The committee may revisit the budget after December to determine if an adjustment is needed.
Finance Council – Nov 27, 2018
Attendance: Steve Phyfe, Kelly Flege, Scott Danner, Kelly Willis, Fr David Ambrosy. Also present: Deacon Phil Paladino, Dixie Jacobs.
Membership: Karen Gebel submitted her resignation. The council extended their appreciation for her service. The council welcomed Kelly Willis, who was appointed by Fr Dave.
Monthly Financials: Offertory has been strong, but a large portion of offertory gifts are received in Dec. If this year’s end-of-calendar gifts are not as strong, the council will review the budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. A withdrawal was made from the memorial fund for a folding shelf unit (faith formation program) $840, nativity (partial set) $2500, prairie rehabilitation $2377, hymnals $6875. In addition, a general savings withdrawal of $7,408 was taken in Nov. (total savings withdrawal $20,000). The liturgy expenses were over budget but includes a $1120 expense to add a humidifier and extensive tuning to the new piano. One of the commercial refrigerators had a broken coil. It was replaced for $900. The confirmation class had their retreat at Loras College, Dubuque. We rented a bus for $800 to transport them and the retreat was $550. The council agreed the bus was a good decision for the safety of the teens. Steve made a motion to accept the financials, Scott seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
Task Force: A task force is being organized of 6-8 people. This group will identify the parish needs. The next step will dissolve this task force to form a new committee, who will identify the facility/physical needs of the parish. Angie Beck, office assistant, will provide the communication for the task force. Scott agreed to be the finance council representative for the task force.
Next Meeting: Agenda – task force update, offertory/budget. Next meeting Jan 15. Meeting adjourned.
Faith Formation Commission – Dec 4, 2018
Present: Julie, Michelle, Mariah, Fr. Ambrosy, Wayne, Terri, Sigrid, Amy. Absent:

1.  Opening prayer
2. Faith Formation Report – Michelle
   1. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3 weeks/month) - “works like they said it would”
      1. Next year all will be CGS
      2. Mid-Year update
   2. Faith Formation (traditional) going well
   3. First Reconciliation
      1. All but 2 attended retreat
      2. 12 attended communal reconciliation - ADVENT
   4. Deposit made for Totus Tuus
   5. Participate in community VBS

 

1. Youth Ministry Report – Julie
   1. EDGE - average 55 kids / session
      1. 11 groups led by adults
      2. Advent Unit - 18 parents also participating
   2. CHOSEN - confirmation
      1. At lesson 19/24 (2nd yr)
      2. At lesson 7/12 (1st yr)
      3. No complaints about Sundays
      4. No complaints about not having a meal
      5. 6:30 - 8pm followed by adoration
         1. Small groups choose reflection to share at adoration
   3. CONFIRMATION -  MAY 19, 2019 at 10AM
   4. NCYC - registration is due on Friday - NOVEMBER 2019
      1. $100 non-refundable deposit ($50/$50) --- total cost $575 to attend
      2. Parish will offer scholarships for those who fundraise and fill out form
      3. 65 teen spots / 15 adult spots
      4. Spaghetti lunch after return with students sharing what they learned
   5. jOURney
      1. Need to increase/strengthen communication with youth leaders
      2. Fellowship, book club, service - additional component to come….
      3. Mariah Stauffer is advisor for group

 

1. Adult Formation - Sigrid
   1. 6 small group leaders (may be 5 groups) - groups will be 6-8 or 8-10 people
   2. Have had 3 meetings - next meeting will trial the structure that will be used (1 hour meetings)
   3. Groups can meet longer than an hour
   4. Groups will begin meeting during Lent
   5. Angie and Michelle will work on marketing for these groups

 

1. Introduce “LOTEC” – Julie
   1. Contacted by Archdiocese about taking a squad (Kevin Fien?)
   2. Julie and Phil Paladino would be available to go with the students and do the 13-weeks of preparation prior to departure.
   3. NO additional fundraising WILL BE DONE - due to NCYC fundraising
   4. Kevin is willing to come speak in January to promote the retreat (look into regional meeting)
   5. Transitional activity from living in Waverly to future life after high school/away from St. Mary.
      1. Motion for Julie to continue planning work = Andrea, Second = Terri

 

1. Mariah Stauffer--Love and Logic (Michelle)
   1. Request to use the parish to teach Love and Logic
      1. Provide opportunity for parents to learn skills
      2. Teach responsibility, problem solving for students
      3. Course Materials: workbook, video, lending library
      4. Works for all age groups
   2. 6 week course (2 hours/night)
   3. Cost $125 per household
   4. Basic curriculum with additional components for preschool, teenagers, etc.
      1. Motion for Love and Logic to be included in Adult Faith Formation = Sigrid, Second = Andrea

 

1.   Building a Calendar of possible faith formation offerings
2.   Vetting future programs
   1. Faith Connection
   2. Cost
   3. Need in Parish
   4. How will it benefit the Parish?
   5. Qualifications of leader

 

1.   Parish Mission in Lent (Michelle)
   1. www.burningheartsdisciples.org
   2. March 24&25
2. Measuring success of Faith Formation Programs
   1. Measure attendance / How many catechists
   2. What is goal?
   3. Potentially use a likert scale (4-item)
      1. Use picture scale for youngest children

 

1. Long Term Planning Discussion
   1. Who will rep from FFC be?
   2. SPACE issues
   3. Adults to lead
   4. Additional Staff???

 

1. Any other items
   1. Sunday Night - Generations Serving Together
      1. Packed 50 boxes for Children of the Dump
      2. Interactive stations

 

1. Closing Prayer

NEXT MEETING FEB. 5
 
Building & Grounds Committee - 10/30/18
Attendees:  Tim Dreesman, John Raap, Jon Elsamiller, Becky David, Chris Schaedig, Fr. Dave Ambrosy
Called to order @ 6:08 pm
Fr. Dave led the group in prayer.
Expense/budget update:

• Addition to spending: $338 for weed control actual of $500 budgeted
• Parking lot sink hole repair was included in Parking Lot Crack repair & repaint lines; think there might be a $1115 error in the bill he sent.  We budgeted $2500 for this that we will not spend.
• Painting – will do this in the spring; council approved $1000 to begin.
• Reseeding; will do this in the spring – use a prairie mixture

Outside issues: 

• Statue of Mary had some mold on it.  Julie Paladino cleaned it last week. 
• In front of the statue is a low-profile evergreen that Duane would like to pull it out and replant with spirea; approved 
• Arborvitaes are sickly looking most likely due to the wet conditions; we have sod on top of clay so it does not drain well.  Will see what they do next year.
• Front entry re-grade – the beds out front are raised and direct the water towards the door; when we get heavy rain water runs into the entryway and is ruining the floor.  We have mats covering the floor now to hide the ruined flooring.  Should we re-grade that area and put in tiling to direct the water across the parking lot.  Is there anything in the facility plan to build on the front; if so we should wait because that may affect the same area.

Inside issues:

• Kitchen floor – tile is pitting between the dishwasher and counter.  Duane will get someone in to look at it and see if we can figure out what is causing it.  We have some extra tile.  It is not at the point that we need to replace it now.
• Sacristy counter – seam line by sink is raised; gets wet when washing dishes after mass.  There is a tray but it is not always used over the edge of the sink so it gets very wet.  Monitor to see if it gets worse.  Don’t want anyone to get cut or the cupboard to rot.
• Hall nail head popping – there are nail heads popping in multiple areas around the hall; not sure of the reason for this; will have issues if sheet rock starts to come off the wall.  Will repair when we repaint.

Snow removal:  hired Crystal again this year; concerned about whether they can handle it because they picked up a bunch of Baker’s customers as he is no longer doing it.  Hopefully we will not have any issues.
Facility Planning meeting – consultant says that you never plan more than 5 years out.  Cannot save funds back for long term maintenance items like replacing the roof.  The archbishop would like us to have a rectory on site.  A study group is forming to start discussing what the 3-5 plan is.  Would like to see membership from the other committees.  If anyone is interested let Father know.
Meeting schedule:  the 5th Tuesday works best for father; could also do the 4th Tuesday.  Next meeting will be looking at budget.
Fr. Dave led the group in closing prayer and offering of intentions.
Adjourned 7:00 pm.  Jan. Agenda: Follow-up to leadership mtg, monthly financials.
 
 
Community Meal Planning Meeting December 2018
Attendees:  Tom Singewald, Dolly Kreger, Jan Kriener, Nancy Carlson, Jim & Linda O’Donnell, Jim and Sue Aubrey.
Last month we served 226 meals of hot turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, dressing, ice cream and bars.
The December meal will be both macaroni with cheese and ham or hamburger casserole, roll & butter, jello with fruit, cookies with ice cream.  We will serve the macaroni and cheese through the carryout window.  This will clean up items from the freezer.
The January meal will be hot turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes with gravy, squash, bars and ice cream.
We will order pork chops for the February meal and hamburger for the March meal.  They do not have hamburger or pork chops available at the food bank very often, so when they have it in stock we need to take advantage of this.
We will draft a thank you for the support our parish provides for the ministry after we serve the December meal when we update our numbers.
We asked for a volunteer to attend the long range planning meetings and it appears Jim O’Donnell will be the designee from Saints Café.
The next meeting will be Wednesday January 2nd at 9:30 AM in the conference room at St. Mary Church.
 
Community Meal Planning Meeting January 2019
Attendees:  Jim & Linda O’Donnell, Jan Kriener, Dolly Kreger, Tom Singewald, Nancy Carlson
Last month we served 253 including the women’s shelter a meal of macaroni with cheese and ham or goulash, squash, jello with fruit, bread with butter, ice cream and cookies.
The January meal will be turkey with mashed potatoes & gravy, squash, bars and ice cream.
The February meal will be pork chops in mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, apple sauce, cookies and ice cream.
The March meal will feature hamburger.
There is a food bank meeting on January 18th for all who provide community meals and are involve with the food bank.  Jim and Tom will attend.
There is a large group meeting on January 24th, 6:30 PM at St. Paul church.
An article for the bulletin was drafted, but did not make the Christmas bulletin.  It should be included in the next bulletin.  The article thanks the parish for their support for this ministry.
The current list of volunteers was reviewed to determine if any names should be deleted as they have not been active.
The next planning meeting will be February 6th at 9:30 AM in conference room at St. Mary Church.