ST.MARY’S/ST.ROBERT BELLARMINE’S JT.PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
January 20, 2015
Attendees: Fr. Robert Kacalo, Marie Mutter, Rob Ashmus, Jane Babik, Michelle Hermann, Boni Maurice, Nancy Mueller, Peter Oslewski, Mary Villwock, Kathy Jaeger
Excused: Ed Furey
Absent: Brian Fonk, Joe Mealy, Tanya Salentine, Hannah Scheckel
Marie Mutter opened the meeting at 6:30p.m. followed by a prayer by K. Jaeger.
A correction, made to the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2014 minutes, was to change the cost
of SMD’s renovation project from $5,000 to $50,000. A motion to approve the minutes
as corrected was made by M. Hermann,seconded by M. Villock. The motion passed.
Pastor’s Report: The theme for this Lenten season is “rolling back the stone”. Six
hour long Thursday evening sessions during Lent will provide opportunities to learn different ways of praying. The last half hours will be set aside for soup/salad meals. A bus
trip to Appleton is being planned for the Thursday before Holy Week to see a Passion
Play followed by a light supper. Friday fish fries start after Ash Wednesday. To promote
our churches and do some evangelizing our Stewardship Committee came up with the
idea of having greeters welcome those coming to the fish fries and assistingthem as
needed. Ideally the greeters would be parish council members, finance committee
members, and hospitality ministers. Meanwhile, Lynda T. is initiating a prayer chain for
our churches. The Knights of Columbus are encouraging men from our parishes to join
them at a “kick off” social/pizza/meeting
on Jan. 24 at 5:45p.m. at SFX to learn more about their organization.
SMD: The church contracted Affiliated Artists to do its major interior renovation.Scaffolding will go up sometime in February. Masses will then be held in the church annex.
Parishioners will be encouraged to attend Mass at St. Roberts during that time.
Old Business: Last year an invitation was extended to SJB and SFX council to begin
the process with us. We are still waiting for their reply. Because of this delay Father has
contacted the Archdiocese for direction on what to do next. To meet the 5 year goal of
coming together as one parish every-one on our councils need to envision ways to
make this happen. Each parish’s strengths and weaknesses in financial, social and spiritual areas need to be assessed. Goals and timetables need to be set as well as
procedures to check our progress. Decisions will have to be made as to whether buildings will be sold and a new church built. M. Mutter is encouraging us to contact her in
confidence, if need be, with any ideas we have before our next meeting.
New Business: M. Hermann and M. Villwock are working on SRB 50th anniversary
celebration.
Liaison to Committee Reports:
Finance - Trustees
• SRB: R. Ashmus: Funds are needed to cover roof, furnace and parking lot repairs.
The committee is toying with the idea of possibly hiring someone to help raise
the$600,000 needed for this Capital Campaign. Assuming we have 500 members
able to contribute over a 3 year period, each of their contributions would come to $400
annually. Meanwhile an upcoming Spring fundraiser is in the works.
• SMD: J. Babik: Aside from the renovation costs covered by the Marie Meyer bequeathment, the church would still need some $150,000 to cover electrical and tuck
pointing work. Their Capital Campaign held over a 3 year period would entail a total
pledge of $700 from each member able to contribute.
Stewardship - M. Hermann and M. Villwock
• A float is planned for the July 4th parade to celebrate SRB’s 50th Anniversary. Check
out our churches’ Facebook to join the other 101 people who “like us”.
• See J. Babik to sign up to be a greeter at one of our fish fries.
Building and Grounds - P. Oslewski
• SMD: The church needs a new gutter system and tuck pointing on its bell tower.
Prayer and Worship - B. Maurice
• The committee first meets on Jan. 29th.
Faith and Formation - M. Hermann
• The Youth Group Lock-in is Jan. 23-24th at SRB.
Human Concerns Committee - K. Jaeger
• The Souper Bowl Food Collection will be held Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Donated cans of soup,
chili and stews will go to our local food bank.
• During the Lenten fish fries leftover food will be taken over to the Homeless Veterans
Cottage 16 by someone from the HCC.
• Our annual Baby Shower will run during Lent.
• Food will again be collected during Lent to fill “Easter Baskets” for the needy.
Providence Catholic School - N. Mueller
• The meeting held 2 weeks ago was a closed one so Nancy will first attend the Jan.
27th one. Fr. Russ talked later with Nancy stating that the closed meeting involved
talks about Providence joining a larger Kenosha education group.
Catholic Central - B. Maurice
• A new Theology teacher was hired. Two students left the school but one returned.
• A student representative will speak at all our Masses on Jan. 25th and 26th.
Staff Report
• After requested, Father spoke briefly about the COCW group and the many topics
they’ve been covering. He hoped there’d be more spiritual issues covered as well.
Next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Prayers will be led by N.
Mueller.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35p.m. following a prayer led by K. Jaeger.
Respectfully submitted by K. Jaeger.