November 10, 2020

No council or committee meetings in Dec 2020

Pastoral Council Minutes,  November 10th, 2020
Present: Jeff Keen, Phil Paladino, Father Doug Wathier, Wayne Green
Zoom: Kris Dunkin, Kelli Flege, Elaine Lawler, Trent Lockard, Ruth Schluter, Jennifer Siech
Not present: Jenne Seward

• Meeting called to order by Trent
• Father Doug started with prayer by leading us in the Litany for the Holy Souls.
• The October 20th minutes were reviewed. Ruth moved to accept the minutes, Jennifer seconded, and the Council approved.
• Discussion about having the Long-Range Planning Team start meeting. It was mentioned that there is a lot of work to do before any action takes place, so starting sooner than later would be good. Jeff made a motion to have the Long-Range Planning Team start meeting after the 1st of the year. The motion was seconded by Kris, and the Council approved.
• Kelli gave the Finance Committee report.
  • Offertory is running about $25,000 below last year. No budget cuts are being done as of now. The Finance Committee will continue to monitor.
  • The PPE has been forgiven.
  • Plans to include a communication in the Advent newsletter reminding the parish about giving options
  • A full financial report will be sent out the end of January and will include a gentle ask for giving.
  • The expense on the fire alarm and sprinkler system was paid
  • We are working with Cardinal Construction on the roof work needed on the church with the vent at the peak. There is hope that the material will be covered under warranty.
  • The Finance Council recommended an increase in the cafeteria benefit for full time staff and the addition of a Long-Term Disability benefit for eligible staff. A motion was made by Kris to approve these recommendations. Elaine seconded, and the Council approved.

 

• Wayne gave the Faith Formation Commission report.
  • Sessions are in progress
  • There is still a need for teaching assistants
  • There is discussion of doing a parish survey about Faith Formation in the Spring. Potentially combining this with a survey from other Parish groups.
• There was discussion on Covid.
  •  The Archdiocese is keeping the current policies in place for now.
  • There was more discussion on the Christmas masses. The plan is to go to three masses on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas day. There was consensus that we need to keep a sense of hospitality and that frequent communication is vital.
  • Jeff mentioned that St. Pats in Cedar Falls had closed all in person religion classes for two weeks.
  • Angie is keeping tabs on local schools as far as in person attendance.
• There was discussion on the Peace and Justice recommendation to do Mary’s Meals as the Parish Lenten project. Ruth made a motion to approve that recommendation, which was seconded by Jeff and approved by the Council.
• The next Parish Council meeting is December 15th at 7:00pm.
• Kelli made a motion to adjourn, Ruth seconded, and the Council approved.
• Father ended the meeting with prayer.   - Submitted by Wayne Green

 
Finance Council Meeting – Nov 10, 2020
Attendees: Kelly Flege, Joe Barber, Steve Phyfe, Scott Danner, Becky David, Fr Doug Wathier. Also present: Dixie Jacobs, Deacon Phil Paladino.
Fr Wathier led prayer.
Monthly Financials: Offertory is about $10,000 behind budget. The end of calendar year gifts are a significant portion of the offertory budget. This year, households have chosen to donate less frequently with larger donations. The deficit could be eliminated by January, if parishioners make larger than expected end of year donations. Online giving continues to be strong and used more often. In-person Mass attendance is about 20% of pre-covid levels. Expenses are below budget due to the reduced activities and events we can safely offer. The archdiocese has not changed any policies or precautions for covid mitigation.
Fire Alarm Panel and Roof Vent Update: The fire alarm panel struck by lightning will be replaced the end of Nov. Our insurance has issued a $4450 check for the portion covered by insurance less our $500 deductible. We will need to pay out of pocket for the additional sensor updates. We are scheduling the inspections with the new companies. The roof vent has been reviewed by the construction company, who installed it. They are checking with the manufacturer and their staff; they will notify us when they have a plan and estimate in place for the replacement of the vent material.
Staff Cafeteria Plan: Staff benefits provided by the parish through the archdiocese’s programs are updated in Dec. Currently, our staff is offered a cafeteria plan. This is pro-rated for staff working fewer hours and/or months. This can be used toward benefits or taken as a cash stipend. The health insurance premiums are increasing in 2021. To meet the ACA requirements, St Mary needs to increase the cafeteria to $325/mo. (% of premium archdiocesan sites need to provide for staff participating in health insurance program). This would be about $300 per year. Becky David made a motion to increase the cafeteria benefit to $3900 for 40hr/wk 12mo/yr staff and prorated according to hrs/mo. worked.
Staff Benefit: A new benefit option was offered to parishes through the archdiocese for a long-term disability insurance. It has to be 100% employer paid, and is $.28 per $100 of payroll.  It would cover employees working 30hrs/wk, but not pastors. Our cost would be about $600/yr. A plan is currently offered to staff as an option, which is employee paid based on their age and salary. Steve Phyfe made a motion to provide this benefit to 30hr/wk staff at St Mary, if the final premium is no more than $600/yr. Joe Barber seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be Nov 10 due to a scheduling conflict. January agenda items sprinkler and roof update, offertory update. Feb agenda item budget religious education endowment withdrawal.
 
 
Faith Formation Commission Minutes -  December 1st, 2020
In attendance: Angie Beck, Wayne Green, Becky Prostine, Mariah Stauffer.  Via Zoom: Bill Flege, Jennifer Nus. Not in attendance: Father Doug, Terri Cruise

• Opening Prayer & Reflection
• Faith formation update from Angie
  • Attendance has been consistent
    • Elementary about 75%
    • Edge about 50%
    • Confirmation and Chosen are very well attended. Not sure if Bishop will be coming.
    • Youth group - 6 families took part in the service project of making tie blankets for home bound
  • Mollie is the point person for RCIA – 3 candidates
  • Potentially doing 1st Communion in May at separate Masses
  • Adult – Racial Healing sessions finishing up
• Discussed Adult formation
  • Peace and Justice may have future offerings
  • Walk with Christ retreat was something that is being considered for Lent, but not sure now
  • Talked about another Holy Week Retreat with both an in person and at home format
  • Talked about using the Matthew Kelly book “I Heard God Laugh”
    • Give the book out during Advent/Epiphany
    • Use the book for small group discussion during Lent
• CGS on hold for now
• Closing prayer
• Next meeting is Tuesday, January 5th.

 
 
St. Mary Parish Life Minutes, November 18, 2020            
Sixteen people in attendance (includes 6 thru Zoom). Gerri started the meeting with a prayer.
Helen briefly reviewed the October meeting.  Linda shared the communications that had been sent to all funeral list callers, funeral workers, group leaders and those on the linens list.  She has also sent a note to the parishioner who donated money (in memory of a loved one) that purchased the new mixer for the kitchen.  The parishioner was pleased with the purchase.        
Gerri shared her role within the Parish Life Committee.  She is the committee’s liaison with the other staff members. Gerri shared that terms for a Parish Life Chair and Vice-Chair would run from July 1 to June 30 of each year with the vice-chair moving to the chair position. Mary Jo Stromberg volunteered to fill the position of Chair and Amy Price volunteered to fill the position of Vice-Chair.  These positions will go from the present to June 30, 2021.
The group brainstormed the many activities in which Parish Life could possibly be involved.  Gerri recorded these ideas on chart paper.  Five pages were filled.  Gerri also noted that there will be a time when funeral support will come back.                                                                                                                                                  The following activities were identified as those on which the committee will focus efforts for the next 90 days: 
Phone Pals   --   Bernice, Ruth, Nancy and Jan have started this                                                                                                                                                      Welcome new parishioners                                                                                                                                      Outreach
Current parishioners
--Grieving families
--Prayer chain follow-up
--Sending cards
Recognize sacraments                                                                                                                                               Grocery delivery   --    Veronica  volunteered to coordinate                                                                                                                            Meal Train                                                                                                                                                                      Sewing groups  --One is scheduled for Friday (Nov.20) morning.
Anyone who has a special interest in any of these activities and wishes to organize the involvement of others needs to contact Gerri.  Gerri will meet with Mary Jo and Amy to brainstorm parishioners who might be interested in a specific activity.                                                                                                           Communication was also identified as a need.  It was clarified that all church committee minutes are on the website, but they are listed under the heading:  “Parish Council”.  It was pointed out that this title is misleading, as it leads one to believe these are only Parish Council minutes.  It was suggested that this title be changed to accurately reflect that this includes all committee minutes.  The minutes are included in the packet that Parish Council receives before each of its meetings.  Communication between groups would allow for enhanced working together within the church towards a common purpose.                                    The meeting was ended with a group prayer.
Next meeting is at 7 PM in January…DATE TO BE DETERMINED.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend.