Parish Pastoral and Finance Council Minutes
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
In Attendance: From Parish Council:
Father Showreddy, Ja-Deen Johnson, Ben Laker, Theresa Roberts, Connie Merkel, Maria Hartman, Patty Cain, Steve Looney
From Finance Council:
Steve Looney
The meeting was called to order.
Father Showreddy opened the meeting with scripture and prayer.
May Council minutes were approved after noting correction that Connie Merkel was omitted as being in attendance.
Pastor’s Report:
Father Showreddy shared that today was his last day as Protem Pastor and tomorrow he would begin his term as administrator.
Fr. Showreddy asked for input from the council on how we can make the church more active, lively and vibrant. The priests are meeting with parishioners offering pastoral and counseling. What more can we all be doing? Discussion on engaging youth ministry (high school youth movement toward St. Jude), mass times, past activities and practical ways to get more people involved.
B It was suggested that the question be posed in advance of the next Parish Council meeting so members could come prepared with ideas and practical ways to implement.
Connie mentioned she is hearing complaints with “dead” spots on the Sound during Mass. It is an ongoing problem. It is not the volume but, clarity. Suggestions to find the dead spots, and recommendations for people to try different locations to sit and find the clearer sound and continue to find long term solutions.
Brad has resigned as Music Director to pursue opportunities that fit his post doctorate plans. A search for a new Director of music will begin soon. His resignation will be in this week's bulletin.
Principal Report: Not in attendance
Financial and Operational Report:
Tithing for May was above budget by a thousand dollars.
Year to date we are $116,000 below budget, but above by $69,000 due to staff positions that were not filled. Continuing to observe trends.
Met with Ryan and Facilities Director, Carl-This obviously is going to be something that's probably a year off, but we're looking at the back parking lot. Some people came out and looked at it, and they said it's probably time that we just have to completely strip that away. That'll be a four to six week project, so we are looking at next year.
We have some issues with our roofs that we've talked about in the past, and we are waiting to hear back from insurance on one of the roofs. So, hopefully we'll be able to see some movement on that as well. It will alleviate some of the water issues that we have inside the buildings. I'm hoping by fixing those roofs that that will alleviate or narrow down some of the Interior problems that we've been having.
As we've talked in the past, we've just got buildings that are aging. So we're going to have to start putting more dollars into it.
Interviews for the Coordinator of Religious Education position (Brendan’s replacement) have begun. Hope to have an update at the next meeting.
The budget was adjusted to two million from 2.35 million.
We did have a nice surplus with the Choice dollars coming in.
Ongoing Business:
Faith Formation: Ministry update
Met on June 10th. Five of us were in attendance.
We got good feedback from the parish Mission.
Feast of Saint Barnabas was coming up the next day. That unfortunately did not get advertised very well and had low attendance, but it was beautiful.
Vacation Bible school was coming up so they were finalizing the plans.
There's a grandparents Workshop coming up in August.
We talked a lot about Brendan's departure and some creative solutions. I don't know if they've been approved by the Archdiocese yet or not.
The 60th anniversary is coming up with the Parish picnic. There's a committee being set up.
Ja-Deen noted that Parish Directory photos have been given additional dates. At this time there are 300 + families signed up.
Outreach - Connie shared that invitations went out to Council members and several small church communities for the Dinner with Sherry Meyer and Fr. Tonino. It was a very nice evening. In addition to parish work, they also run a Christian radio station. Lots of questions were asked and it was very informative.
Two mission teams are back from New Mexico. They got a lot of work accomplished. Steve Looney mentioned that Window Rock (the seat of Navajo Nation) is burning, they have zero percent contained. The mission is trying to help, but it is a rough situation. Steve serves on the board for the mission.
Another focus is the Saint Anthony Holy Trinity food pantry. Trying to get some new volunteers, but also incorporate some from Saint Anthony to help with language issues. It is hard work and a number of people are aging out. We are also trying to recruit more volunteers for the gardens.
Patty spoke on behalf of the mission. We talk about trying to get people engaged in things, and Bob Hoereth is a model for servanthood and personal invitation. We had 23 people go on the two weeks of the mission trips. Every year we have 20 some people who are willing to give up a week of their time to go out there, and some people gave up two weeks of their time to go on the mission trips. So again, it just gets back to that personal invitation. He has already started talking about next year.
Patty reported that the Staff and School will have a joint retreat on July 31 at St. Agnes.
Tuesday, August 26 is the next Parish Council meeting.
Father Showreddy closed the meeting leading us in prayer.
