OUR LADY OF THE MEADOWS HISTORY
JULY 1997 TO JULY 1998
8-19-97 Council Vice-President nominees: Debbie Carleo and Kathleen Hearn Croshal
Kathleen Croshal new Vice-President
Worship Committee:
Diane Eickelman to head Committee to replace Jodee Bueno
Doing survey to decide which Mass to eliminate
Big issues on Personnel and space
Strategic Panning Committee: Paul Depatie:
1st - need to prioritize needs
2nd - need to evaluate use of space
Need more room and parking
Current problem - gutter around eaves too small causing problem with stucco
Council Members-at-large: Can be more active by joining a committee or volunteering for a project
Personnel Committee: Job descriptions written for Parish Program Coordinator, Parish Secretary and Parish Receptionist
In future maybe a Parish Business Administrator can be created
Sr. Jan needs a secretary
John Lenhart: District high school students do intern work and administration building and credit union for the district. Interview students for the needed positions. Sr. Jan to call Patty Benfatti who is in charge of the program.
Stewardship Committee: Tim Lenzmeier- Appreciation dinner held; Fr. presented the awards
Finance Committee: Jim Duff- Budget is $422,000 and balanced
New Diocesan policy is that there will be an audit in each parish
Cost of $4000 to OLM - not previously discussed with the parishes
Will review policy and meet with Virginia Jimenez, Business Manager for Catholic Pastoral Center
Family Formation: 97-98 schedule sent out
Tri-Parish: Trenna Brody new Director
Fr. : Need to talk about Vocation Committee
Jim Duff: Proposed revision of ByLaws so past president has authority at meetings - now attends but can’t say anything
9-16-97 Stewardship Committee: Tim Lenzmeier - 230 invitations sent for Thanksgiving Dinner (Appreciation Dinner); Barbara Duff in charge of decorating; music by Danny Masterson’s string quartet
Strategic Planning Committee: Paul Depatie - Repairs for church need to be done before winter will cost $4000-5000 including gutters, drains, spouts, stucco repair and landscape that is sinking
Updates: Sr. Jan -reported 12 persons in over 50 group
1st Mass with childcare had nine with 2 adults and 1 youth supervising
Sr. Jan provided Parish Social Events with chair for each
Personnel Committee: Wilma Carsella - Judy Stefano quit her position in the office; Fr. asked Sr. Jan and Charlotte Plutt to write down activities prior to her resignation then the Committee, Fr. Sr. Jan and Charlotte Plutt need to determine responsibilities, salary etc regarding the position - maybe combine secretary and receptionist
Amber Garcia, South High School student, helping 10 hr/wk
May need a temp until job is filled
Bylaws: Ruth Brandt - Change on the past president status:
Members shall consist of the following: Past-president, 5 at-large members, Chairperson of each committee authorized by the guidelines. Each member shall have 1 vote. Pastor/staff members non-voting ex-officio members. Pastor has veto power over the Council resolution. The last sentence under meetings deleted.
Ruth Brandt presented outgoing president with a Dorothy Mendoza print.
Chuck Alarid resigned - schedule changes at job and commitments at home.
Carol Albo next in line
10-21-97 Parish Council In-service: Sr. Jan presented a brief in-service
Fr. spoke on the logistics of the Diocese and how evolving into a clergy-less clergy.
Discussed the Mission Statement, structure of the Council and 5 year goals/objectives
Finance Committee: Jim Duff - tithing at 26%
Paperwork for basis of OLM BDF assessment forwarded to Diocese
Personnel Committee: Wilma Carsella - 16 applications for Parish office position
Committee present 3 or 4 candidates for interview; want a Council member at interviews; Carol Albo volunteered questions to interview committee to ask candidates
Stewardship Committee/Thanksgiving Dinner: Was great. Fr. to do Stewardship Homily Nov 9
Michelle Prado-Landreth from Shrine to do testimonial Nov 16
Jim and Barbara Duff to do lay testimonial Nov 23
Christmas Bazaar: Chair Carol Kuhns, Elaine Pusedu head kitchen crew
Christmas: Scott Uhernik will guide the Children’s Choir, Sr. Jan in charge of pageant
Fr. - asked each committee to buy into the pyramid of 5 year goals/ objectives
11-18-97 Council Christmas Party: Short meeting then dinner
Mary Jane Mauro in charge of meat; Kathleen Croshal do baked potatoes with all the fixings; Debbie Carleo do salad; Ruth Brandt bring bread and vegetables; Shirley bring dessert
New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance: Paul Depatie - Fr. and Sr. cook; D.J. Rip Avena; Holman Security hired; 75 couples/$30/couple; committee members in charge John Lenhart and Mindy Driscoll
Personnel Committee: Wilma Carsella -from pool of 17 Fran Consinero was hired with principle duties to deal with BDF matters
Short Range/Long Range Capital Improvement Planning: Fr. -
Parish offered a restricted gift of $157,000 to build entrance to church incorporating a gathering area, a sacristy and rest rooms
Total for the addition about $240,000, so hopefully get more donations
Proposal would help update floors and improve seating capacity
An extensive project, need full backing before going to Diocese
Stewardship Committee: Tim Lenzmeier- to provide monthly status to Council
Ruth Brandt: Halloween Party a success
12-16-97 Christmas Bazaar: Sr. Jan - Waiting list of 74 vendors - to use both buildings - chair Carol Kuhns next year
Decided to keep number of scholarships constant
More surplus revenue to go to capital improvement
Stewardship Committee: Fr. - 356 pledges to date totaling $260,000 - less than last year
Strategic Planning Committee: Fr/ Pual Depatie - want all preliminary work done on new building so construction can begin July 1
Planning needs to be done before it can be presented the Diocese
Another $80,000 to 100,000 needed to complete the project
1-20-98 Ruth Brandt asked for clarification from Faith Formation Committee on workshop funding - need to plan for workshops to educate the parishioners
New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance Committee: Paul Depatie - Went well. To have Rip Avena for 1998
Started a file to help next year’s people. Sr. will add to it. John Lenhart to do barbecued beef for next year
Christmas Bazaar: Carol Kuhns and committee to help plan next year’s bazaar; expand to Parish Center next year for additional vendors
Social Event: Next to have Valentine Party to be headed by Dave and Kathy Dehn
Mary Jane Mauro in charge of St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Mindy Driscoll and Sr. Jan thinking about Easter egg hunt
Scholarship Trust:
Boulse family offering a restricted gift of $20,000 for one additional $1000 scholarship to be presented each year in memory of Anthony and Sally Boulse
One member of the Boulse family would like to be on the selection committee for that particular scholarship
Capital Improvement Planning: Paul Depatie - met with designer Michael Dorcy to look for possible modifications
Committee is planning in stages
Want to restructure the loan with Minnequa Bank into one loan and pay off Buswell Trust Fund
Vocations Ad Hoc Committee:
Bishop wants each parish to establish a vocations committee
Sr. Jan and the Daughters of the King to help with the program
To be a subcommittee of Faith Formation Committee
Stewardship Committee: Tim Lenzmeier- Pledges down 430 to date for $50,000 more than last year
Parish members now from 900 up to 1200 families
Social Concerns wants to sponsor a fundraising breakfast
1998 BDF Campaign: Assessment increase $78,000
Fr. - Happy with Stewardship Committee efforts, not optimistic about BDF
Deacon Bob Myskofski’s assignment changed - now serving two parishes
Consider professional parish management; additional compensation for employees; youth ministry
Fr. to make trip to the Holy Land- hopes to have adequate coverage
2-17-98 Cancelled
3-17-98 Stewardship Committee: Tim Lenzmeier - draft done on handbook, to be completed by Ministry Fair
Theme “Celebrate the Spirit” for informational fair; booth workers to have I.D. buttons; breakfast served by Social Concerns Committee
Brochure to include the Mission Goals, duties of members and number of members
At-large members to be in charge of the Booth
Finance Committee: Jim Duff- finances good, revenues up, expenses down
Current figures show Stewardship Campaign successful
Staffing for 1998-99: Fr. - Barbara Duff just completed training to be a Parish Manager to be Pastoral Associate with emphasis on Parish Management
Other staff to remain the same for 98-99
Trenna Brody committed to work one more year as Tri-Parish Youth Director with some revisions to the job descriptions
Strategic Planning Committee: Paul Depatie-Showed sketches of proposed addition; includes 40 X 40 greeting room, vestibule, bride’s room, rest rooms, baptistry, fireplace and patio
Fr.’s brother Michael prepared the designs
Committee to meet with Jim Gardner, architect
Renovation to add 2500 sq.ft. at a cost of $100-125/sq.ft.
Parish Council Elections: Kathleen Croshal assume presidency July 1, need replacement
Mother’s Day Breakfast: Paul Depatie - about 200 served each year- same arrangements as last year and needs 8-10 volunteers
Ministry to the Homebound: Diane Eickleman - Worship Committee working with the grieving; asked Daughters of the King for assistance
Theresa Wood of Diocese asked about training
Diane Eicklemen to serve as liaison between the two groups
Ad Hoc Vocation Committee:
Bishop Tafoya mandated this committee, natural extension of Family Formation
Sr. Jan to address vocations Sunday May 3
Adult Sports League: Ruth Brandt- asked to organize an adult softball league- cost $280
Deanery Presentation for April Meeting: Mary Santi making the presentation. Council members attending to bring questions regarding parish transitions
Mindy Drsicoll reported the Easter Egg Hunt theme is “New Life”
Current maintenance staff is inadequate for such a large facility
4-98 Missing
5-19-98 Worship Committee: Chair Diane Eickelman noted that the Daughters of the King working with Homebound Ministry with Mary Ann Roldan serving as liaison between Worship and the Daughters.
Theresa Wood will do some training
Sr. Jan has names of interested parties to work with this Ministry
Set standards for Lectors? Diane Eickleman reported two lector workshops already
Parish Picnic: mass inside with Fr. Ron a Dominican presiding
Council Vacancies:
Kathleen Croshal’s remaining two year term needs filled
Voted that the name of new Council memmbers be randomly drawn at 5 p.m. Mass
Futurizing Retreat: Have had none for several years - plan 1- 5 years and direction
Strategic Planning: Fr. - Presented the expansion plan of $350,000 to Diocesan Financial Committee
Bishop requested a private meeting with Fr.
Fr. thought the Bishop would talk about
1) project not ambitious enough for the future
2) if parish not willing to look at additional expansion then the Bishop propose alternate plan , that is, suppress the growth at OLM and encourage growth at Holy Family and the Shrine
Council consensus that the 2nd option NOT an option; Council agreed additional and serious planning needed, know challenges and accept and DO NOT want to be moved elsewhere
Voted three phases of development:
1) expansion of existing church facility
2) acquisition to add property
3) expansion of Parish Center
Parish has the support of major finance institutions in the city
Council to do what it takes to show 100% commitment to expansion project, thus keeping Parish a viable community - closing or moving OLM unacceptable
Staff Position:
John Skerjanec leaving June 1
Betsy Nardini resigned as sacristan
Worship Committee asked to address Betsy Nardini’s resignation
Fr. - said he improperly handled Babrar Duff’s hiring. Some misunderstanding occurred about the position. She specializes in management and fund raising.
Have future staffing dilemma - need Pastoral Associate to work with all ministries
Budget: Jim Duff - Significant growth in stewardship
Have budget excess of $3000 - to use for educational purposes
Fr. - need to change Mass schedule within 1 year
Mother’s Day Breakfast: Paul Depatie - 265 attended
Ruth Brandt: Not enough interest in softball team
Scholarship Winners: Debbie Carleo-
Matthew (Watson) Mejia
Nathan Mutz
Gina Nogare
Laurel Timbrook
Christopher Vialpando
Anthony and Sally Boulse Scholarship - Katrina Palumbo
6-16-98 Council President: Kathleen Croshal