March 2023

Pastoral Council Minutes, March 21, 2023 @ 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:  Leo Beschorner, Nathan Heitz, Val King, Elaine Lawler (by ZOOM), Mary Jo Stromberg, Joe Barber, Sandy Risvold, Phil  Paladino, Father Doug Wathier
Call to order: Nathan Heitz at 7:05 p.m.  Prayer: Father Doug
 
We reviewed and approved minutes from the February Pastoral Council and the February Finance Council.
Finance Council

1. Review of tractor proposal tabled until the April meeting as Will was not available to discuss. 
2. Draft budget reviewed.
   1. We are falling short on operating income for the 22/23 budget, so we did not increase the budget for 23/24. Operating income at $549.750.
   2. Our largest expense is salaries. We have included a 5% increase for existing staff. It is unlikely that we will be able to fill both of our existing open positions. So, budget dollars for salaries are reduced to $354,750 from the $364,037 proposed in the draft budget.
   3. Goal is to keep the overall operating loss to less than $40,000.  PPP money will be carried over to next year to cover this loss, if it occurs.
   4. Three motions:
      1. Motion for a 5% wage increase for existing staff. This was seconded and approved.
      2. Motion to increase the rental rate for the hall from $100 to $200 and for the kitchen from $50 to $100. We can only rent to parishioners and non-profits per our insurance. We do not charge the few non-profits that use our spaces. This was seconded and approved.
      3. Motion to forego our April endowment withdrawal as the dollars are not needed now and reconsider whether or not to withdraw any dollars in November. This was seconded and approved.

PHASE 2:

1. Capital campaign going well. We have met our goal of $1.5 million dollars with raised funds at $1,545,000.
2. Proxy has been received back from the archdiocese.
3. Architecture plan is being tweaked along with the final budget estimations. This is expected to be completed in the next week or two.
4. A committee has been formed to review and approve the submitted architectural drawings.
5. There will be another parish meeting to present plans to parishioners.
6. The Archdiocese has to approve final plans and determine percentage of revenue due to the Archdiocese. Excluded from this percentage is any revenue related to youth faith formation
7. We could accept bids in August and begin digging in October.
   

 Faith Formation Commission Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Members Present: Fr. Wathier, Angie Beck, Sue Rand, Sandy Risvold, Becky Prostine, Laurie Masters, Jessica Hass
Meeting Notes:
1. Opening Prayer
2. Review of Budget
     a. Parish budget being reduced by $12,000, $2,000 of which is being reduced from Faith Formation
               i. VBS with St. Paul’s, no Totus Tuus
               ii. K-4 materials purchased every other year
3. Discussion of members’ ideas for summer ideas for middle school and high school students
         a. VBS- shared with St. Paul’s; St. Paul’s expressed interest in St. Mary’s hosting after our expansion project is complete
          b. End of VBS- high school volunteers get coffee/ice cream gift card and plan celebration for middle school volunteers at end of the week
            c. Serve and Slide
4. Upcoming Sacraments: 25 First Communicants April 15/16 and 22/23; and  21 Confirmands Nov. 11
5. Closing Prayer
6. Next meeting on Tuesday, May 2, from 6:30-7:30

St. Mary Parish Life Committee Meeting Minutes, March 16, 2023    7PM     
Present:  Gerri Dix, Helen Melichar, Jane Green, Mindy Hart, Mary Lou Ungs, Liz Poock, Laurie Masters, Grace                          Ivey, Will Kurtt, Fr. Wathier
Gerri opened the meeting with a prayer. February meeting minutes were reviewed.  No corrections or additions.
Updates                                                                                                                                                  
Bingo:  No bingo in April. Gerri will check with David about May bingo.  There will be bingo at the parish picnic in June.
Simple Suppers:  All Tuesdays are spoken for…only two simple suppers remain. Attendance is 35-50.
Current Events:                                                                                                                                                                 Winter Blues: February was Painting with Angie Steuer.  March Frozen meals will not be held. Winter Blues for next year needs to be revisited.  Ideas are needed for what might be done for the homebound in December 2023.
Easter Egg Hunt:  April 1 @9:00-11:00 (the hunt is at 10:45) Grace Ivey has planned for activities/games/face painting in addition to the egg hunt. Must be under 10 to participate. There will be 3 stations by age group. There will be a photo booth. Planning for 120. College students have agreed to help. This event had been advertised in the bulletin, newspaper and social media.  Grace encourages all ages of parishioners to attend.  Juice, coffee and snacks will be served. Liz and Mary Lou volunteered to help in the kitchen. Event will go on even if the weather is bad...just no egg hunt outside.
Spring Tea: April 29 @1:00- Food will be in 3 courses. Mindy handed out a sheet detailing the planning/organization for this day. Maximum seats available is 120. Attendees must make reservations. Angie has centerpieces ready. Cedar Valley Harmony Chorus will provide entertainment. Signup sheets for volunteers are in the hall. Also looking for individuals who would like to bake one of the scone or sweet options.
Graduation Breakfast:  After 10:00 Mass on Memorial Day weekend.  Need to check with Wartburg to see if seniors would be available to join in. Could possibly be the weekend before Memorial Day….dependent upon the Wartburg seniors. More checking on this is needed and more information will come. Food to be served is egg bakes, fruit cups and rolls.
Church Picnic:  Tuesday, June 6, after 5:30 Mass. Picnic will be catered.  Gerri will check with Lynn about contacting Randalls in Hudson.  There will be an ice cream machine. Bingo will be held as well as outdoor activities…much the same as last year.
Other: May possibly have a movie night in June or July…one for adult interest and another for kids/family interest.
No Reports on Welcome Packets or Fall Dinner. Meeting ended with “Hail Mary”                                                                                                                                                
Next meeting:  Thursday, April 13, at 7 PM. Respectfully submitted,      Helen Melichar
 
 
Peace and Justice Meeting Minutes, April 10, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
The Peace and Justice Committee seeks to mobilize the St. Mary community to care for
the poor and marginalized in the name of Jesus through the lens of our Catholic faith.
Attendance: Ted Mulert, Phil Paladino, Wayne Green, Jan Kriener, Val King
Opening Prayer : Jan @ 7:05.  Mar minutes not on Google Drive. Was a copy sent to Dixie for the tithing that was approved and for the next Pastoral Council meeting? Check with Lindsey.
Habitat for Humanity
- The house that was to be built by inmates at the Newton Correctional facility is completed and has been delivered and on the foundation in Heartland Hills in Waverly. Even came with kitchen cupboards! Habitat will complete flooring, stairs to the  basement, and garage.
- On May 24, there will be a “panel build” at CUNA where the walls (internal and external) of a house planned in Waterloo will be built.
Mary’s Meals for Lent 2023 - $6883 collected so far and does not include dollars collected Easter weekend. The school needs $7371 for support for a year. The parish goal is $8000.
“Walking with Moms; video - it was agreed by those present that we will watch this video for discussion at our next meeting. The video recording and presentation slides are available at these links.
We think we should do some type of program this fall, perhaps as part of a “Holy Spirits” Thursday session. Please think of ideas for an interesting session to present.
Tithing: None for this month. Need to verify last months tithe is paid and get an updated Parish Tithe report for the May meeting.
Next meeting is May 8 @ 7:00 p.m. Closing Prayer @ 7:35: Ted.  Minutes prepared by: Val King