St. Anthony Parish Advisory Council Meeting
1. Opening. Following a BBQ chicken and salads supper provided by Chris W, the meeting opened at 5:15 p.m. with a reading, also by Chris, from Romans 12. Present: Fr. Vic, Jim Hines, Chris O'Brien, Ed Galbicka, John Sedbrook, Sue Cowan, and Chris Wagar.
2. Approval of September 2019 minutes. Minutes had been circulated previously by email, and were approved. There was no meeting in October.
3. Pastor's Report. ACA Our numbers are lagging, and Father will send out gentle reminders that we need to support the Bishop. Advent and Christmas. Mass schedule will be the same as last year: Usk—4 p.m.; St Anthony—6 p.m.; etc. Sharing Tree. Janet Kobylarz is in charge. The Marian Conference was successful despite the no-show of the two visiting speakers and one substitute. Of over 100 attendees, only one took up the offer of a refund. Mass of Remembrance November 5th. Book for names of departed loved ones in Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Thanksgiving Day Mass: bring bread to be blessed.
4. Financial Reports. We have over $62,000 in hand. Our goal is to reach $100,000 before starting any new major projects, which we anticipate will be next Fall; we reviewed the list, which includes raising and refinishing the basement ceiling, installing new carpet and flooring, and painting the interior walls.
5. Communication. a. Maintenance committee. Parking lot plowing will be done by Leo, including the new lot. The space next to the street will be used for dumping the snow. Jim will coordinate with Tom Stephens on the latter point. Yards and Shrubs are being maintained by Nancy Thompson, who is a professional landscaper.
b. Ladies Ministry. Will organize the Christmas party and church decorating for Christmas on December 1st. Hospitality by sign-up continues working well. Ladies Bible Study begins December 2. Text: Open Your Heart.
c. PIN requests are increasing. We have spent $737.64 so far. Chris W will set up a system for when she is absent from the hospital, with the director of nursing, using Catholic Charity vouchers. She will put an item about the program in the bulletin during the Spring.
d. Knights of Columbus. Train ride program completed successfully: $500 donated to Prepares program. Tootsie Roll campaign proceeds went to Special Olympics.
e. Quiet Time. Members will canvass parishioners for their opinion.
6. Old Business. a. Kids room. Father Vic is getting 3 new chairs. Chris W will investigate rockers. Father will see about turning up the volume of the speakers. Steve, who uses a wheelchair and currently sits in the kids room, could be accommodated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
b. Pictorial directory. Elizabeth Willyard has completed the photography except for the group picture of the P.A.C., which she may take at our next meeting. Now she needs some assistance with the editing and assembly.
c. House of Charity Sock Drive and Coats for Kids. We have 60 pairs of new socks. Donations need to be in by November 13.
7. New Business. a. Keyboard. Bev, Sister Leslie, and Joni will be asked to investigate a new keyboard for the choir. Sr. Leslie thought a suitable one would cost about $3,200 and asked if returned ACA funds could be used. The old keyboard might be refurbished and moved downstairs to the parish hall.
b. Brittny Krahn, who was a guest at the meeting, proposed holding a Thanksgiving dinner; it was agreed that she could do so on the Sunday before the holiday, and post flyers advertising the event.
8. Placeholders a. Major projects ( Fall 2020)
b. Thanksgiving 2020 9. Next Meeting December 17, at 5 p.m. Host: John. Prayers: Sue
10. Closing reading: Chris W.
St Anthony Parish Advisory Council Meeting
St Anthony Parish Advisory Council Minutes
April 19, 2018
All members present: Father Vic, Chris Wagar, Jim Hines, Sue Cowan, John Sedbrook, Chris O Brien and Mary Brooks.
I. Opening Prayer
John Sedbrook led the opening prayer: Heavenly Father guide us in the all the decisions we make.
II. Review/Approval Minutes from March
Minutes were approved by all.
III. Pastor’s Report
May 29th is a very important date to remember as the Bishop will be here for ConfirmationFirst Eucharist. He generally only comes once a year, so Father Vic is hoping it will be a time for the whole parish to come together.
The discussion then turned to where Father would stay during the remodeling of the rectory. Father Vic said Duane Sanger had an RV he could use and was very grateful. Soon after he moved in, Virginia Brown asked him to consider staying at her house as she has a full basement apartment with a drive in garage, and other the amenities. So Father has decided to stay there during the remodeling of the rectory. Father plans to stay a couple nights a week at Madeline Falls. Father announced that he will be staying at St Anthony’s for another 6 years. We all were very excited to hear the wonderful news, a saving grace for the community of St. Anthony’s. Father is going to enjoy the new rectory for a long time.
IV. Financial Report Review
Father Vic said we received a check for $1,000 to be used as needed for the rectory. We had a great March, $12,800 in contributions. After expenses we netted $1691 for the month. Year to date: $26,542
V. Communication
a. Maintenance/Remodeling Jim Hines said the demolition is going very well. God has supplied many, many volunteers to help. It has given the congregation an opportunity to not only work together but to get to know each other. As an example; Linda Rose worked all day long bagging up old insulation. She had the opportunity to visit with Steve Wilson and get to know him. She said that it was a lot of fun. Chris Wagar thanked Jim and Jean Hines for all they are doing to oversee and organize the remodeling. We appreciate all their work. It is astounding the see what they are accomplishing!
b. St Joseph statue Pedestal has been ordered. By ordering on line we saved over $400 on the statue. It will be the same size as the Mary statue on the other side of the altar.
VI. Old Business
The Capital Campaign has been put on hold until further notice. The Priest’s Council advised the Bishop that this is not the right time for a Capital Campaign as parishes need to do some long needed repairs and upkeep. Sue Cowan said the Priest’s Pension Plan needed to take forefront in the diocese spending plan.
VII. New Business
Chris Wagar brought up the congestion in the back of the church before Mass. The ushers will be moved up to the back pew. The chair and small cabinet will be removed. The existing pedestal will remain and the one under the St Joseph statue matches so it will be placed in the back to look a little more coordinated. Also we will be getting new collection baskets.
Sue Cowan suggested having one way traffic in the parking lot. Jim said he could order some one way signs. People will come in on First Street and go out the side street. We will put it in the bulletin and mention it a few times so people realize what we are trying to do.
VIII. Placeholders:
a. Upcoming events: Confirmation/First Communion May 29th Italian Dinner is May 19th. b. Newsletter prep (May) c. Parish Picnic (May) d. Thanksgiving dinner 2018 prep (May) e. Basement updates (TBD)
IX. Next meeting/time
April 17th @ 5:00 Sue Cowan will lead prayer and bring snacks
X. Closing Prayer: John Sedbrook