OUR LADY OF THE MEADOWS HISTORY
JULY 1982 TO JULY 1983
7-13-82 Crosswinds staff member, Dave Arling, discussed with the Board the dedication material for the paper
Joe Huerta presented the 82-83 budget of $53,479 to be forwarded to the Diocesan Financial Board
Interior Design Committee made final selection s of furniture and beam stain (Gothic Oak #240-69); interior walls (LE-1), ceiling (#1), spouts same color as background, beams to be of clear fir.
John Morgan hired as RE Director , a VIDA volunteer, from Collegeville, MN. To concentrate on Jr and Sr High to adults. Mrs. Bonnie Dehn to assist two days a week @ minimum wage to keep within the $9000 budget
Msgr. Howard J. Delaney joined the staff to take one of the Masses on weekends.
Vernon McFarland joined the staff as part-time sacristan, maintenance and lead singer.
Charlotte Plutt became full time secretary and then executive secretary for the parish
The folk Masses with guitar and other instruments directed by Cass Watson
Discussed possibility of Youth Center - have programs for Youth and adults on Marriage Encounter, Parenting, Search, Cursillo etc.
Parish sponsored basketball teams in city-wide Fr. John Powers Basketball League. C.T. Fitzgerald and Vic Plutt coached OLM teams.
Dedication tentatively planned for September 12, Fr. Schmitt concelebrate with Bishops Tafoya and Buswell. Rev. Tapey of Wesley United Methodist Church, Board members and wives to be in procession. Dedication Rite 2-5p.m., cornerstone to be laid, no Mass. Expect 800-1000 people. Chairperson, Debbie Carleo.
Prior to dedication the pews (donated by three families) to be installed by Modern Fixture Co. of Denver ($20736);Centennial Paving Inc,. to blacktop both sides of church ($18,589), Chris Punnunzio finish building the altar appointments ( he donated), Bill Carara to finish altar appointments ($800, he donated half),organ from Sacred Heart Home replaced by used organ of higher quality ( organ from Sacred Heart Home donated to mission church in Manzanola), kneelers and chairs (donated), plus 400chairs for the basement, sidewalks poured in front and to side of church by Gary Gray Concrete Company of Pueblo ($3106), 52 nylon bronze cushions for chairs donated by Bill and Katie Fertal ( friends of the parish), bronzeware (donated), statuary (donated).
Collections down because of layoffs
8-10-82 Property appraisal done.
$50,000 received from Extension Society, put in Dain Bosworth. Mt. Carmel Credit Union interested in permanent loan at 13 - 13 1/2 % interest. Knights of Columbus will set interest rate at closing.
Pool table and eight balls donated to Youth Center
Need 140 ft picket fence on Milano property to hide “junk”- get supplies on sale
Dedication will actually be September 26, to be limited to Our Lady of the Meadows parishioners, invited guests and Wesley United Methodist Church with a total of 1200 expected. Catered buffet dinner for priests September 29
9-14-82 RE registered 125 students.
Made A T & T contract.
Selected Knights of Columbus loan for $225,000/13.25%/ 15 years, pay $9000 quarterly. Already borrowed $25,000 from Buswell Trust. Extra to be used for blacktop and any extra work
Have more help for the Dedication than asked for; printing done by Susan Doyle and Chris Maddic; Fr. Schmitt did dedication booklet; OLM picture drawn by Bob Miller for the cover; used harvest theme for center pieces; decoration donated.Board members cleaned the church.
Ceremony for dedication will begin outside where all will meet ; Bishop Tafoya bless the cornerstone; Board lay the cornerstone with architect present; architect to present plans to Bishop Tafoya; Mr. Ray Moroney present the church key to the Bishop who will give the key to Fr. Schmitt who will unlock the door and all process into the church; Mass celebrant Bishop Arthur Tafoya, concelebrants Bishop Charles Buswell and Fr. Ervin Schmitt
Fr. Schmitt to try to borrow St. Joseph statue for dedication. Clergy special Mass on the 29th followed by cocktail hour/ dinner catered by Collette’s for $3.90 per plate
Fr. David Ricken to be master of ceremonies and Vernon McFarland to do the commendation. Board and spouses will lead the procession and sit in front
Whitt-Mayflower moved organ and cabinet for $130
Walks and retaining wall done for $3000; blacktop for $18,000; Taylor Fence Company installed chain link fence with 6 ft gate, 2 inch posts and 1 5/8 “ top rail to protect air conditioner and transformer; kitchen counter not done by dedication
Moved 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday to 11:00 a.m.; other Masses unchanged 5:p.m. Saturday and 8: a.m. Sunday
10-10-82 RE registered 237 students ( 183 last year) with 134 families (115 last year)
Added a third 2nd-year class
Dedication/clergy dinner expenses = $1016 with $467 donated - balance $550
Jim Bishop to install two grates for escape windows at $240 for both
Paid Bassett Construction $368,343 leaving a balance of $20,459
Joe Beltramo leveled and put slag on back side of the church at no cost
Roger Hornsby of Design Studios in Chicago designed the stained glass windows to depict the seven sacraments - three each side of altar and one in reconciliation room and purchased through John P. Daleiden’s (Gerken’s) for $2800. Seven families each donated a window. Windows made in Wisconsin.
Statuary made of linden wood from Italy - $10,000. Donated except for plaque of Our Lady of the Meadow`.
Woodwork and bronzeware etc. $19,000. Donated.
From Daleiden’s also purchased Stations of the Cross ($2550) made of linden wood to match the statues. Donated by an individual family.
Used Msgr Howard Delaney’s speakers for the organ for the dedication - to check on getting own
Chris Punnunzio finished the RE Coordinator’s office with paneling the same as behind the altar, walls firred, dry-walled and paneled ($8-9/sheet) on outside wall and the suspended ceiling, window frame and doors done in mahogany
Voted to purchase extra microphones for altar and music group for $425 from Walt’s Radio
59 helped with cleaning the church, Debbie Carleo scheduled four people for each week to do
25 folding padded chairs donated for the offices- need more, got Father new office chair and to build or get shelves
Mr. Sluder took pictures for the Extension Society.
Purchased Lawyer’s Title Insurance.
11-9-82 Received Certification of Occupancy.
Mr. Edward Gerken priced the smaller set of stations at $1600 and the larger set at $3000 and he and Roger Hornsby to check to fit of the stained glass in windows.
Contract with Gray Concrete.
Console stereo donated to the Youth Group
Have a covered dish dinner for the Christmas social event
Lead singer to recite the responses before singing them
Youth Group sponsored Devil Worship lecture
Starting Dec 1st the 9:30 Mass to be geared to children
Expanded the secretaries hours to 9a to 3p
Parish Council Guidelines lack an elective process - suggestions made included have elections every April, have three members from the Board on the Nominating Committee with the others appointed, president to remain one year in ex officio status in advisory capacity
Knights of Columbus loan to close first week in December with $5-6000 left after all is paid. Ordered 400 chairs and 50 tables for approximately $6000
Decorating Committee for Christmas - Louise Scherrer, chair; Judy Stefano, Dave Trevithick and John Skerjanec. Madeline Santos gave the Nativity set. Sr. Virginia gave Scripture Lesson an Advent on Thursday
12-14-82 Ron Dehn stated need for two aspects of computer system TRS 80 to be initiated 1) printer for hard copies, 2) disc drive for backup and storage. Purchase Radio Shack printer ($799) and disc drive ($450) plus maintenace ($30) for a total of $1280.
Christmas Pageant attended by 350. Reconciliation for 18 students. Christmas Masses to be 5 p. for k-6 and the 7:30 for 7-12. Youth went caroling at Sharmar (18-20) and decorated Fr.’s Christmas tree
400 chairs actually came to $3052, 50 tables came to $2828, chair truck - $111, table truck - $88 for a total $6078. Received a grant of $5000 to covermost of this.
With Knights of Columbus money coming will be able to pay off line of credit at Minnequa Bank
Building Fund collection is down, regular collection is up
Fr. Schmitt and Msgr. Delaney got an amplifier for $90 and speakers for $100 each
Ed Gerken and Roger Hornsby brought the larger Stations ($2550) to be installed on the walls at eye level. The stained glass windows will fit in our frames and can be installed for $100 each if wait until installers are in the area. Three windows have already been donated.
274 signed to attend the Christmas Party
1-11-83 Social Committee (started the custom)to start coffee and doughnuts 2nd Sunday of each month starting in February and to run October through May- donations accepted - cost $50-75
Finance Committee reported: Knights of Columbus loan was $225,000; construction cost $222,275; on hand $2700, quarterly payments $8500; will get refund on tax of $3900 which will be put in the Building Fund;$2917 in regular checking, $8362 in Building Fund account plus $2500 deposit; outstanding debt of $3100 for tables and chairs and $3000 to Dalieden’s Church Goods.
Kitchen Committe formed of Joe Huerta, Bob Miller and Tony Aguerra to determine the kitchen plans and needs
The Finance and Social Committee presented regulations for the rental of the Parish Hall - approved a $10/ hour charge to parishioners, $25/hr to non-parishioners with a deposit of $25 for damages and/or clean-up for small showers etc to be effective until February 15,1983.
Mr. Moroney contacted the city about a stop sign at Chickadee Way and Starling Drive.
Change from Parish Advisory Board to Parish Council;
Three new members to be elected to the Council each year for 1-2-3 yr terms
Officers to be elected from the Board by the Board - president-elect and secretary-elect. The Council to consist of President, President-elect, Secretary, Secretary-elect, 6 committee chairpersons and three at-large members. Past President and staff to be ex-officio members.
Process for at-large members selection: publish term and duties in February, parishioners submit names, names published for four Sundays in March , election first Sunday in April, new Council members to start in May.
Applied for Common Venture group to work in the parish (2-3 people) as part of their ministry to take a census, conduct summer Bible school , OLM supply room and board for 6-8 weeks.
Regular collections increased $1200-1300/week. To put $10,000 in Dain Bosworth
Tony Aguerro’s RE class will stencil the chairs
BDF will start in two weeks, OLM has an increase of $595 over last year
2-8-83 RE: 45 in First Communion Class; grades 1-6 to sing at 9:30 a. Mass on 2nd and 4th Sunday
Fr. Blong to speak at all liturgies beginning first Sunday of Lent and do Lenten Lectures Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.
260 attended the Christmas Party out of 270 reservations at a cost of $450 with $600 having been budgeted
February calendar:
Feb. 13th Knights of Columbus to present Papal and American Flags to parish at the 11:30 a. Mass
Feb. 13th Daughters of Isabella to be hosted at 9:30 a. Mass
Feb. 20th 9 catechumenates to be enrolled in the Rite of Election and presented to the OLM community at 11:00 a. Mass, later in day along with spouses to join in a Liturgy celebration with spouses and sponsors at Sacred Heart Cathedral, to make a retreat Mar. 26 and be received into the Church April 2nd.
Thanks to Jodene Quay, Nancy Maestas and Jolene Martinez for servers robes
Youth made retreat at Trinity Ranch
Finance: $16,000 in Dain Bosworth (enough for payment) and to try to stay one payment ahead at all times. Still have $25,000 in Buswell Trust.
BDF goal is $6521 - now have 47 pledges for $3000
Offertory collections now $9000 over projections so far
Short on projection for income from Parish Activities ($7500)
Father needs help to count collections and make deposits on Sundays - Pete Castellucci looking into safes
Assigned speakers for Palm Sunday Building Fund Drive:
5 p. Roger Bouchers, John Carleo alternate
8 a. Dave Trevithick
9:30 a. Joe Huerta
11:00a. Louise Sherrer
Amortization and information flyer provided all parishioners
Hall Rental Guidelines:
Non-parishioners:
Up to 4 hours - $100 ; damage deposit $100 ; non-refundable cleanup charge $25
4-6 hours - $200; “ “ “ “ “ “
charge $50
All day - $275; deposit and cleanup charge same as 4-6 hours
For showers, etc (50 people or less- no alcohol) to be screened by Father who can waive the deposit if he chooses - they clean up $40
Parishioners:
50% of the above charges, damage/cleanup charges the same
Committee developed rules. regulations, set capacity for hall, etc. Contract gives set regulations on security and clearly spells out liability for damages over $100. Person hired to clean the hall to unlock, make general check fordamage and lockup.
Locks to be installed on door into church
Procedure to follow for the election of 3 members at-large to the Board:
Parishioners to submit resumes for consideration as Nominees to the Parish Council
Board to screen and select 2 nominees for each of the 3 positions
Names to be published in Parish Bulletin for 3 remaining Sundays in March; elections on April 3
Parishioners interested in being a member of the Council must be a parishioners, 18 or older and able to attend the majority of the meetings; members are asked to consider young adult representatives from 16(?)-20 years old to be a member of the Council representing the entire parish.
Bob/Pat Miller and John/Debbie Carleo held the first coffee and doughnuts and will set up volunteers for the future. Expect about 1/3 of the 700 estimated attending Masses
Parking lot lighting: Need 3 lights at $20 each, poles $15-20 each, wire 24cents/ft installed for $500 or less.
Contract with Centennial State Paving for 1982-83.
City to study stop sign at Chickadee and Starling
396 registered families - one weekend/mo parishioners to introduce themselves to each other. New parishioners will be announced.
3-8-83 RE: Teachers meeting with 1/3 of teachers in attendance - looking at Sadeler’s books
Now 51 in First Communion Class
Finance Committee: BDF with 128 cards in with $8106 pledged - $1585 over goal
First payment made in the building - print-out to members on breakdown of expenses over actual building expenses
Social Committee planned spring dance with a $600 estimated cost
180 poeple attended the coffee and doughnut for $67.39 cost (paper supplies for 4 mo) and $26 in donations
Kitchen Committee: Existing kitchen inadequate - got with 2 recirculating hoods, 2 residential stoves, wiring for 2 -220 plugs on east wall, the present 220 plug will be left for future expansion, walls to be firred and covered with marlite; tile for the kitchen (Don Pagano) Formica - $195 plus $125 to install; floor $407 installed ( $282 for material only)
Diocese approved the purchase of the property next to the rectory- payback schedule for 18 month from now with no interest, cost maximum of $8500
“Out Journey Together” meetings in Alamosa 4/23, 5/7, 5/21, 6/11
Stained glass windows have been donated
Fr. taking extra vacation this year for his Jubilee Year (to Alaska with new camera).
A walnut Thomas organ donated by John and Neva Moss to replace our present one which in turn will be donated
RE: John Morgan will leave at the end of the school year. Bonnie Dehn to take K-67 and extend time one day/wk for 7-12 and youth. Fr. to seek another VIDA volunteer
4-12-83 Bible Study program (5 weeks) start June 27 - 1st week 1-3, 2nd week 4-6, 3rd week 7-8 , 4th week H.S., 5th week adult and teachers
Venture Groups to take census in the evenings
Confirmation retreat at El Pomar
50 Students made their First Eucharist May 8 at 11 a. Mass
Hall reserved and band (Manhattan) booked for Parish Dance, Debbie Carleo to obtain license
Recommendation made for committees to coordinate events with Charlotte Plutt, secretary for use of Hall
Current slate of Board Officers:
Ray Moroney - President
Joe Huerta - President-elect, vice-president
Madeline Santos - secretary- elect
Mary Lupton - secretary
Committees;
Youth - Rose Spiess
Land and Develpoment - Bob Miller
Liturgy and Music - Dave Trevithick
Finance - Judy Stefano
Social - Debbie Carleo
RE - Tony Aguerro
Nominees for Parish Council:
Mary Ann Roldan Theresa Evans
Ron Charleston &nbs