Finance Council Meeting Minutes- May 24, 2023
Terry began the meeting at 5:00 pm.
Fr. Raj opened the meeting with a prayer.
Present: Terry Brennan, Brad DeSaye, Bill Jacobs, Anne Welborn, Eileen Grant
Absent: Bob Dressler, Keoni Murphy
Staff: Fr. Raj, Jim Wren, Donna Maneely, Shelly Cooper
- Minutes Approval:
- Jim questioned the April minutes that stated that Muriel’s replacement will be hired next April as it had been agreed on to hire a replacement in January. Anne suggested it be deleted from the minutes. Anne motioned to approve the April meeting minutes with the deletion; Bill seconded it; approved.
- Financial Statements:
- Bill asked if we charge for funerals. Yes, there is a fee schedule in place, but we waive the fee for some parishioners if they are unable to pay. Deacon Pete evaluates and makes a recommendation to Fr. Raj if he feels the fees should be waived.
- Anne asked about school lunch expense. For the past couple of years, the government subsidized lunches so students received free lunch. The school continued to pay but the parents did not. Now that it is no longer free, less students are participating.
- Bill asked about the suspended St. Vincent de Paul monthly donation and if we still contribute to SVdP monthly from the collection. We no longer have a monthly collection for SVdP, and the $900 monthly donation was suspended at SVdP’s request. Jim explained that SVdP asked if the next fiscal year’s budget included donating to SVdP; we lowered the donation expense, but it still includes donating to SVdP. They are working on a plan to offer low-cost dental services.
- Eileen motioned to approve the April Financials; Anne seconded the motion; motion approved.
- Bank Statement Approval:
- Keoni reviewed the April bank reconciliation; no discrepancies noted per an email sent to Terry.
- Pastor’s Report:
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus feast day is on June 16th; Mass will be said at 5:30pm.
- There will be a Corpus Christi procession on June 11th after the 11:00 am Mass. It will end with Benediction.
- Preschool, Kindergarten, and the 8th grade graduations take place this week.
- The Easter mission was a great success. The church was full both nights. Fr. Raj thanked Jim for his hard work in bringing Fr. Sichko.
- The new roof is being installed.
- The new Mental Health ministry is forming. Kate Hald, a parishioner and counselor has volunteered to be on the committee along with Deacon Mark, Alma, and Jim.
- World Youth Day participants will be holding two more fundraising events.
- A new ministry will be starting in the Fall: Christ in Our Neighborhood
- The Light of The World retreat was a success; 23 people participated.
- The Volunteer Appreciation dinner is on June 15th. Please RSVP by Friday, May 26th.
- Parish Manager Report:
- May Collection totals so far: $67k collection, $36K Online giving.
- CDA-we are 94% of goal. There were fewer donors this year: 327 last year and 284 this year.
- A one-day mental health training is being offered by the Diocese if we have at least 5 people. Alma, Jim, and Deacon Mark will attend. Deacons are encouraged to take part in longer training sessions for certification.
- Martha Lamb is leading the newly created Committee on Eucharistic Revival. Muriel’s Fall class will be centered on the Eucharist.
- We are expecting 2 bequests. The first one is $115k from the Viliborghi family. It is a Certificate of Deposit that was left to the Parish. The second is $82k from John and Janet Good for the Youth Ministry. The family is coming to show a video of their parents.
- Jim and Victor will be visiting the Mission Canyon Retreat Center in Kirkland – the owner wants to turn it over to catholic organizations within the Diocese. They will meet the Diocesan Building Director there. It would be used for retreats. Other parishes are being considered as well.
- Jim sent the rent increase letters to the Diocese for approval. The Property Management arrangement will not work due to liability issues. The Diocese wrote an addendum, and it was rejected by another management company. For now, we will keep things as they are. The Diocese will be giving Jim a lease agreement template that we will implement as soon as possible. Rent increases are effective July 1.
- The heater in the school is broken and it can’t be fixed. The estimate is $16k to replace. Bill suggested taking the money out of reserve funds to pay for it.
- Staff changes: Silas, the new custodian, quit suddenly. Isaac, the school custodian gave 2 weeks’ notice for a better paying job. We promoted Christine Matthews, the cook, to take Andrea’s job. We hired a new cook, Violet, who is also taking on custodian duties so she will be full-time. And a new parishioner, Amos, who reached out to Jim has agreed to take the custodian job on the weekends.
- Shelly met with a possible 5th grade teacher for the next school year.
- Old Business:
- Budgets: Bill asked why the Vacation expense doubled in the budget for 23/24. Vacation expense was never converted when we changed to accrual basis. Budgets will be adopted at next month’s meeting.
- I Bonds- it may take another 13 weeks before the account is ready to use as we are awaiting IRS approval.
- The 3-month T-Bill matured. It was reinvested in accordance with previous recommendations from the Finance Council.
- New Business: None
Fr. Raj ended the meeting with a prayer at 5:42pm.
Respectfully submitted by Donna Maneely