St. Mary's Church Spirit Lake at 1005 Hill Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360 US - READ THE LATEST PARISH NEWS HERE

Minutes Parish Pastoral/Financial Council

Sept. 14, 2009

 

The meeting opened with readings and reflections on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

 

The monthly financial statement was reviewed.

 

A special report covering a year of activities for the youth fund was presented and reviewed.

Father indicated a need for a more clear indication of what funds involved Steubenville and which the regular youth activities. There will also be some funds (especially on the income side) which will not be particularly dedicated to either fund, which is one reason that the income and expenses labeled for Steubenville will not balance out exactly equal. But a coding process should give a more clear indication of the total dollars being used for either youth or Steubenville programs.

 

Father also gave out copies of what the diocese sends us with regard to our property and liability coverage.

The premium is $10, 391. We will pay $1,391 in September and then $1,000 each month through June.

The premium is close to what it was last year.

 

Father asked that there be volunteers this Sunday to help collect DAA pledges and payments.

 

Father reported that the plan for the sink now involves adding a sink for large pots and pans to the east side of the island sink. Doc Smith is working on this and there is funding for the cabinet. We may need to pay for the sink.

The question was raised as to the feasibility and advisability to putting garbage disposal in the present island sink. Father indicated a willingness to look into it. There is always the problem of insufficient rinse after being used, allowing the garbage to sit and harden in the sewer pipes. It was agreed that if we do anything, it needs to be a high quality product.

            (Father talked with Doc and Ray on the 15^th. We agree that if it is to be done we need to do it now, since there will be whole new counter top for the two sinks and there will be an issue of getting electricity to it, which should not be too difficult, but it will involve wiring passing through the counter top. Doc and Jim Carney will be looking into this).

                        (This wasn’t mentioned at the meeting directly, but there is a sizeable amount of money in the kitchen fund that could be used to pay for this).

 

The plan to install a “semi-permanent but portable” (portable speakers mounted on the choir wall with the mixers etc. housed in the storage closet.) sound system was approved. The cost will be about $3,700.

There may be some KC money to help. Otherwise it will be considered a remodeling expense.

 

There was discussion concerning some children’s Mass books. It was decided to purchase a supply of them

And have them available for children to use during Mass and perhaps also have a supply available for purchase.

 

We had a lengthy discussion on our website. Dick Staver has been graciously managing it for us. He wonders if it is being used. We came to the conclusion that the best way is to make announcements and use “gimmicks” (such as a question of the week—find the answer on the website). Hopefully more people will become aware and use it. Of course we need to continue to finds ways to use it and put more information on it.

 

At the last meeting we talked about asking people representing the parish along with ourselves and representatives of parish organizations to come together for a meeting with the lady from the chancery to talk about what it takes to become a parish more aware of, and participate in, a stewardship program.

            Father, Dick and Marge will try to come up with a random sample of people to invite. We will also extend an open to all who are interested. We will try to arrange this for our Nov. meeting on the 9th.