Minutes of St. Mary Parish Pastoral Council
September 14th, 2015
Present Members: Father Tim Sheedy, Glen Winekauf, Mark Petersen, Kathy Hirl, James
Luedtka, Lindsey Carey, Mark Sovers, Judy Gleason, Alan Wieskamp, Scott Johnson, Bonnie
Mattaliano, Nancy Upmeyer, Pat Zimmerman and Marianne Harney.
6:33 pm -President Mark Sovers called the meeting to order. The group read the Mission
Statement together.
6:37 pm – Father Sheedy led us in prayer and reflection using the new Open Prayer for
Parish meetings format.
6:50 pm – Motion was made to approve the Minutes from August meeting and passed.
Motion was made to approve the agenda for the September 14th meeting and passed.
6:51 pm – Lightning Round for Commission Report:
*Faith Formation- Scott Johnson reported that K-4 Family Faith Formation started this
past weekend. 86 families registered, 69 families attended either the 9:30 or 11:30 session.
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade mentors will receive a special blessing this weekend from Fr.
Tim. Confirmation begins next week for the Chosen program. Youth group meets
Wednesday evenings with great attendance under Nick Saterly. Focus is on weekend
retreats upcoming for the Men’s and Women’s retreat.
*Liturgy, Worship and Prayer: June Meier is the new commission head. Discussing year
of Mercy which starts December 8th. How are we as a Parish going to be centered around
the upcoming activities. Judy Gleason has helped with flowers on the alter through
Ordinary Time. Looking at system to send notifications to servers for absences etc. Parish
leaders are an example in dress code. Patio discussion to allow celebration outside as well
as decorating some walls in the church.
*Family Life: Looking at a new program for mentoring of the baptism program. Waiting
for new program. Parenting program, going to hold off because of many programs, possibly
will be bringing in a speaker. Single parenting program, single mom identified and is
excited to help. Many new families are joining the church. Discussion around tracking,
Lindsey believed that of the new families the majority were all younger families. Divorced
family support upcoming and working on Family Life web site.
*Helping Hands: Couple weeks ago spring cleaned the church. 2 current college
Sophomores will receive a $500 scholarship, decided in November meeting.
*Social Action: Name officially changed. 40 Days of Life Kickoff rally is Sunday September
20th, 5-6:30 PM. New non-profit organizations (Reach for Your Potential and Potentially
Yours Thrift Store). Looking for donations. Bonnie asked that the Harvest Festival not be
scheduled over the Christ Our Life Conference next year September 23/24 2016. Further
discussion on this next Work Session. Went over goal for Mary’s Meals, thanks in part to
cooperation with the schools and community.
*Parish Nurse: B/P clinic moved to day of Fall Festival and skin cancer screening. Eye
Health speaker coming. Flu clinic will be starting in October.
*Knights of Columbus: Tootsie Roll at JV game sales over $500, better than last record of
$300. Challenged by Supreme to help out with 40 Days of Life to buy Tootsie Pop sales for
new High Res Ultrasound machines in state of Iowa. Tent in Kinnick stadium for fundraiser.
Knights are looking for guidance from Parish leaders on getting Knights into the KofC as
new members join. Donut Sunday October 4th.
*Finance Council: Parish Giving Tree to be updated. 100 blank leaves, 180 contributers,
59 need no updates and 109 need to be updated. Looking at options for expanding. Will be
updated every year.
7:22 pm – Father Tim’s Report – Women’s retreat in October and Men’s retreat in
November. Some can leave and go home instead of staying. ADA starts October 3rd. New
goal increased this year. Discussed future direction of Stewardship Commission, need the
hands to help with this. Many young families joining and he hates to lose this opportunity
to provide for them and get their involvement. Kiss the Pig for NCYC, 5 are now over $100.
Harvest Festival September 20th, please sign up for volunteer slots and bring items for
bidding barn.
7:38 PM- Current Works:
a.
Improved communication from Pastoral Council
b. Parish Vision Statement – more visible in church and possibly in Parish Council
chambers.
c. Year of Mercy in the Church.
7:38 PM- Continuing Works:
a.
Where do we see St. Mary’s in 5 to 10 years.
b. Pastoral Council Evangelization.
c. Fall Festival ’16 to not collide with Christ our Life Conference.
d. Stewardship Council. Skip this year? They meet October 12th.
e. Communications on what to do with the old Church.
8:00 pm- Summary of the pastoral council meeting. Continuing works to include
Stewardship Commission discussion, 2016 date for Fall Festival and Pastoral Council
Evangelization and Communication.
Glen Winekauf presented the council with name tags and asked for feedback on spelling,
size etc.
8:05 pm- Following the new prayer format, the closing prayer was said by Father Sheedy
and the group.
The next meeting will be a Work Session on Monday October 12th at 6:30pm in the Adult
room.
8:10 pm- The meeting was adjourned