OUR LADY OF THE MEADOWS HISTORY
JULY 1981 TO JULY 1982
7-81 Financial Status:
Offertory envelopes - $2525 Building Fund - $10,055
Total Working Fund - $74,224 Check Balance - $5472
Church: Priest Salary - $300 Lay Salary - $50 Rent Methodist -$100
Rectory: Lay salaries - $222 Food - $171
Education: - $204 Fixed Expense - $354 Total Operating Exp. $12,234
7-28-81 Debbie Carleo volunteered to chair the rummage sale in conjunction with Wesley United Methodist Church Profits to be split 50-50. Our Lady of the Meadow’s portion to go to the Building Fund.
Meeting of Fr. Schmitt and Ray Moroney with Jim Gardner, architect of Hurtig, Gardner and Froelich, resulted in the following:
Interior:
Leave capacity at 400, cry room 25
Church to contain 6,125 sq.ft. with a 6,125 sq.ft. basement
Exit doors - 1 each side with wall curvature @ $4000 each using brick and $600 for both using wood. Board decision: Put niches in previous location, leave doors open (exposed) and forget the curved walls.
Have straight step - O.K.
Ceiling in church to be 16 ft. O.K. Over altar add 1 foot for $2-3000 more. Space behind beams adequate to hide altar lights. Decided to leave sanctuary ceiling same as rest of the church
Windows - louvered, to crank out, to match front windows, use two each side with strip of brick between
Offices- decided to leave all the same except the sacristy which will be 9ft x 11 ft, reconciliation room 7ft x 11 ft.
Windows in offices and cry room to be at bottom and crank out
Ventilation system throughout with exhaust in bathrooms
Fire extinquishers- architect to check requirements and make as inconspicuous as possible
Cornerstone-donated by architect and builder. To include the name, date and box for information - leave to the architect
Entry way - vinyl, asbestos, tile, terrazzo, slate, Italian marble (12ft x 16ft)- come back with bids
Carpet under pews - get price differences
Air lock doors - no problem to do later
Portable baptismal font O.K.
Ceiling over altar - same backdrop as beams O.K.
Duct work over the ceiling O.K.
Eliminate skylights- use spotlights instead
Five 20ft. beams over the aisles- bottom and sides solid- joint where beams join ceiling 12ft x 16ft have 1 inch joint molding
Wood behind sanctuary (27ft) should be same color O.K. $5000 to panel, leave brick and add later
Speakers will probably all be in the ceiling
Exterior:
Walls 15 ft and 1 ft insulation O.K.
Center and glass above front entrance to be clear or slightly tinted with statue of Our Lady facing out with spotlight behind and planter
Wood under roof - decide color later
Ramp O.K.
Block/brick ? decide after bids in
Basement:
Pillars to be moved to outside walls, pre-stressed concrete 24 inches plus, strip lighting
RE coordinator’s office 12ftx18ft- eliminate door to the storage area , square off wall next to storage are and use double door entrance into large room . Enter furnace room through storage room
Kitchen 28 1/2ft by 12ft with counter into large room and back counter with cabinets underneath O.K.
Bathrooms - 1 sink, 1 shower ($600 ea), 2 stools in women’s, 1 stool in men’s
Storage room 16ftx10ft will accommodate tables, entrance into large room and entrance to furnace room
Knock-out walls, decided these will not be necessary
Architect’s fees will be $20,000 total, first installment $12,000
Fr. Schmitt reported:
Joe Beltramo will contact architect, Jim Gardner, about digging big hole as a donation, should be under construction by October and in church by Easter
After church is built some leveling and landscaping will be donated
Don Musso will donate landscaping or part of it
Bid blacktop ( 93 parking spaces) and concrete later separately
Donations continue from churches and some lodges
Lorraine Pirc has Craft show underway- church to have pie and ice cream booth
Out of 250 sets of envelopes only six left - to order 400 next year
Fr. Schmitt presented Rev Tapia of Wesley United Methodist Church a clerical shirt and collar
To get extra catalogues from church goods house for everyone to see and to decide on one design to follow so that all donations will be uniform Pictures to be displayed of those items needed. “Donated by” plaques will be placed on the items.
Aug. 14, 1981 1980 taxes on parish house $955.98 - Our Lady of the Meadows responsible for 30% and the Diocese for 70%
Nine bricks sold at Holy Family booth - $180.00
Building Fund update: Mt. Carmel $57,000; Dain Bosworth 17,224; Checking $1000 = $75224. Extension Society will give maximum amount of $50,000 when roof is on structure for a total of $125,224.
Refine church sketch:
Interior:
Move niches to edge of altar - door both sides of curved wall holding statues
Louvered windows to crank at bottom and be frosted- windows in cry room and offices should not open
Offices: Sacristy 8’x11’; secretary’s office 12’x 11’; lavatory 5’x4’;
Storage 4’ and hall 3’; Pastor’s office 13 1/2’ x 11’; reconciliation room 8’x11’ or 2 rooms 8’ x 5 1/2’
Entry way floor should have no grouting
Wood behind altar need not match beams, may be better if different
Leave the speaker locations to professionals
Aisles -center 6’;side 4’; front depth 12’; side front depth 8’
Altar step 11 1/2” or 11 3/4 “ deep
Basement:
Nine foot ceiling
Move kitchen to outside corner, 28 1/2’x12’ and extend counter into room side (oversize) and have a back counter
Bathrooms each to have 1 shower, 1 sink and 2 stools
Storage room to be 14’x’9’
Exterior:
Ramp = 1” for every foot
Rest remained the same.
Mr. Ray Moroney requested that the present Advisory Board be kept intact until the church is built- terms expire 5-82
Wesley United Methodist Church and Our Lady of the Meadows to again share the Craft Carnival and Buffet Dinner - our portion to go to the Building fund
Diocesan Workroom to be self-supporting- consider purchasing own copier
Projected income for fiscal year now $32,800 - parishes and clergy still giving to Building Fund
9-15-81 RE: Mary Schaeffer back. 97 families registered 161 children with 25 teachers and aides (14 new). All classes have teachers ( 1 temporary). Six OLM represented at the teaching workshop.
Building Fund to have a separate budget, need to increase income for the Building Fund. Committee budgets to be itemized next year.
Youth Committee will coordinate with RE with session 9-12 on three nights a week and one night of fun to which anyone can come
Marlene Johnson and Debbie Carleo investigating the formation of a women’s group
OLM workers stayed the full time at the Rummage Sale and shared $281. Leftover clothes given to Church of Christ Disaster Fund and books to the Friends of the Library
Fr. Schmitt and Ray Moroney met with Architect Mr. Jim Gardner. All changes incorporated. Changes to go through Fr. Schmitt or Ray Moroney. Suggestions must go through the Board.
Approved transcript agreement from Mr. John Venezia that stock held on front portion is to be exchanged for land if lease agreement is signed on back portion for 10 years/$100/yr with option to buy in 10 years for $50,000. Land will accommodate church, parking for 130-140 cars plus room for another building. No access to Red Creek Springs Road
Blueprints ready for bid in October, groundbreaking in November, in by Easter
Extension Society requires picture of the structure with the roof on within one year - 7-8-82
Parish fee paid for Diocesan RE Congress at Holy Family.
Fr. Louis Stovik at the Shrine will do photocopying for minimum cost if supply own paper
Immaculate Conception Lodge #104 donated $434 for purchase of office equipment - desk and chair
Pledges very good, most for one year, some for 2-3 yrs. Judy Stefano continues to record the pledges.
260 families now registered
10-13-81 RE - 110 families with 180 students registered, need to add 3rd second grade class
OLM reserved a table for $15 at the Alpha Mu Delta annual Christmas Tree Extravaganza at the Scottish Rite Temple. OLM also responsible for a decorated tree and craft items
Finance Committee recommended decreasing deposits to Mt. Carmel Credit Union and increasing deposits to Dain Bosworth to keep money more available. May need to borrow $3645 from the building fund to make house payment Nov. 10
Diocesan Business Manager verified the John Venezia donation of land forthe church structure now and the back land bordering Red Creek Springs Road later
In meeting with Mr. Jim Gardner, he made the following change recommendations:
Entrance should be 1 foot wider on each side
Move the beams over the pews instead of over the aisles
Offices and cry room have been reversed because of the slope of the land to allow for the ramp
Basement ceiling to be 8 1/2 ft as needed for drainage
Niches have pedestals with statues partially into the wall
Windows to be arched with brick or block
Roofline will be similar to the cardboard model with the crucifix in the center
Furnace and air conditioner will be moved to opposite ( back) wall and condensers and meters will be on the back Storage area unchanged.
Kitchen planned so everything will fit
There will be 6000sq ft both up and down
Future ideas for approach to Building Fund:
Car raffle
Las Vegas Weekend Trip
Las Vegas Night in own facility
Raffle a trip or liquor, or a play house
Candy sales -- too much overhead
Sell recipe books
Provide parishioners with update on Building Fund, one year pledges being paid off - need repledging or extending
Youth and RE Committees need very close coordination. Madeline Santos offered to work with interested youth to prepare a music group for Christmas Mass
Beginning Sunday, Liturgy changes include having all announcements printed out and read by commentators at beginning of Mass, in future will eliminate commentators and have two lectors instead. Lectors to sit with families and come to the altar, Psalms to be sung five times a year and the song leader will recite the verse, more quiet time allotted for reflection
Some changes will occur in the interior appointments of the church
11-10-81 RE family gatherings for Advent :
The Jesse Tree
Prayer Service and Social
Advent Party for Kindergarden through 5th grade
5th grade to present a play , caroling to follow
Finance Committee reported a parishioner donated a TRS 80 computer which with modifications could replace a copier
Architect to send out bids
Committee for Women’s Group needed co-leaders to work with designated boundary lines and each area group to decide own meeting times and frequencies. Groups to assist in Church activities, progress and needs
To survey frontage of church property- may need culvert
Need roof over patio of parish house
Fr. Schmitt met with grant-writing expert Dr. Hartment at Mt. St. Scholastica’s. She provided input and draft written for requests to be sent out soon
$98,000 collected from pledges
Six adults and 2 children in Catecumen Program
12-10-81 Ready to order cement, lime and bricks
12-15-81 Finance Committee reported $11,000 taken from Mt. Carmel Credit Union and put in Dain Bosworth = $99,800 with $1000 in checking = $100,000+
Realized $249 from Christmas Tree Extravaganza- sold most craft items
Fr. Powers Basketball League has 11 kids in 5-6-7- grades, $20 fee donated, $75 entrance fee and uniforms donated. Parish cost $30-50. C. T. Fitzgerald coach.
Debbie Carleo, co-chair Bob Miller and John Skerjanec for Las Vegas raffle trip on a Sunday through Thursday. Bought 600 books (12000 tickets) for $139.
Voted to raise secretaries salary from $3.35/hr to $4/hr beginning with first pay in January, to increase hours for a few weeks to type grant letters, to be given $25 Christmas bonus
Complied with Diocesan requested questionnaire completed by Board members listing 5-10 priorities of the Diocese
Interior Planning Committee: Lorraine Pirc, Madeline Santos, Louise Sherrer, Rose Speiss, Chris Pannunzio members, with Ray Moroney and Fr. Schmitt ex-officio.
Decided not to contribute the Wesley United Methodist Church’s remodeling of sanctuary at this time. Give $100 toward Christmas decorations
Contractor Bids:
Whitlock $417,700 180 days (less $18,000)
Acorn 392,000 190 “ (less $12,000)
Bassett 383,700 180 “ (less $15,150) Selected
Brick inside and out, carpet in the aisles
Outside finished except sidewalk
Possible areas to cut:
Performance bond $3180
Window wells 225
Soldier brickwork 350
Beams to dry wall 3500
Showers 1000
Front doors ( to 985
aluminum)
Basement walls 400
(to masonry)
Entrance/exit ramp 3700
door
_______
13,340 Total
Joe Beltrano to grade and ready land for landscaping instead of doing the excavating
The span in the basement to cost $12,000
Niches to cost $1000 each
$200,00 borrowing O.K.’d, have $100,000 on hand, $30,000 pledged, plus Extension Society $50,000 leaves shortage of $20,000.
To seek Diocesan approval to borrow $250,000
Appointments donated to date : Altar, Podium, lectern material and labor, crucifix, tabernacle ( not definite) , and candleholders.
Groundbreaking committee: Judy Stefano, Louise Sherrer, Rose Speiss and to coordinate with Fr. Schmitt.
Received $1500.00 for material for altar and ambo. Chris Punnuzio volunteered to build them
Daleiden’s Religous Store donated services of interior designer to provide ideas on proportions etc for the interior appointments
1982 raffle license received
Two grants letters sent, response from El Pomar
Christ the King Church donated a mimeograph machine, Fr. Raymond Grimes donated an Olivetti typewriter
Received a donation of a turquoise necklace - deciding how to use it
Birthday and Christmas cards with $100 bonus presented to Mary Schaeffer
1-10-82 Groundbreaking, covered by local T.V.Channel, a first time for this, had a large crowd
1-12-82 Wayne Hand and Tom Welte from Summit Brick brought brick samples for consideration
RE Congress to be February 18-20
Raffle Las Vegas Trip to be announced Jan. 30-31, tickets mailed to each family, drawing March 7, dinner for two to the one selling most tickets. Expenses estimated at $325
Diocesan Board of Finance approved the building plan, loan from Knights of Columbus and Minnequa Bank, and $238,000 line of credit for the bonding company
Received thank you’s from Charlotte Plutt and Mary Schaeffer for Christmas and from Sr. Karen Bland and Police Chief Robert Silva for invitations to the groundbreaking
Received responses from 5 foundations for grants -- 3 were favorable - El Pomar, Gates and Coors. Other two - Farley maybe in the future and Boetcher doesn’t give to religious institutions.
The Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) is now the Bishop’s Diocesan Fund (BDF) and OLM quota is $5928
301 registered families now
Mimeographing own bulletins will save half the money now spent on copies at the Shrine. Look at buying own copy machine
Voted on brick #598 for inside and outside of church
Interior Committee will have sketch by first week of March, designs, suggestions for altar, carpets etc
Suggest carpet be darkest color, whole church and under pews, sanctuary carpet one shade lighter?
Beams light wood, paneling dark wood, pews different shade of brown, pew ends $75 each so saving if have no end
Statues to be 1/3 height of walls, Christ 4 1/2 - 5 ft, statues 4 ft full round or 3/4 bas relief, fiberglass or wood, wood $200 more than the fiberglass. Six month delivery unless in stock
2-9-82 RE has 31 students prepared for First Communion on Mother’s Day
Adult Bible Sharing to have two sessions/wk during Lent
Reviewed Board members terms and how to get more parishioners involved
Have $105,775 in Dain Bosworth including interest
Fr. Schmitt invited Rev. Tapey of Wesley United Methodist Church to give the homily on the 1st and 2nd Sundays of Lent, to give $50 stipend from extra clergy fund
Lorraine Pirc suggested that the Eucharistic Ministers be assigned to specific Masses versus Fr. having to find someone before Mass. Eucharistic Ministers now include three couples and 1 gentleman
Pledge Sunday will include 125 families more than last year’ Joe Huerta to speak on financial situation on Palm Sunday
Interior Committee met with Ed Gerkin of Daleiden’s Church Goods and designer Roger Harnsby from Chicago. Following suggestions made in addition to previous statements:
Carpet static free, sanctuary lighter helps those with bifocals, up 3-4 inches on the brick, up 3 ft in the cry room for better soundproofing, 32 oz so will wear for 50 years
Pews not to be veneer
Paneling to be darker behind alter, either vertical or V tongue and groove
Statues could be hung flat same as Stations
Cross top of church aluminum
Niches could have Holy Family in one and Tabernacle in the other or statues in both
Don’t recess lighting to deeply to avoid shadows
No commitment to designer yet, to do three dimensional display for $375-600.
KLH Engineering will certify survey for $150-200 as needed for the loan
Agreed to accept Mr. Milano’s quit claim deed for 25 ft strip of land to west of church which he has used for 40 yrs on two conditions: 1) that we provide him a license permitting him to use the land until he sells or dies, 2) we remove the cattle guard and fix the 200 ft of fence.
El Pomar Foundation will not provide funding, Coors and Gates yet to come
BDF cards sent to 307, 26 pledges to date - if don’t meet quota will need to pay from church funds
Cornerstone arrived.
3-9-82 RE suggested dimmer lights and non-reflective glass for the cry room. Mary Schaeffer leaving after this school year.
Debbie Carleo reported the Las Vegas Raffle netted $5762 with a tax to pay of $144.
Preparing for Pledge Sunday. Joe Huerta to speak at the Masses.
Have $105,670 in Dain Bosworth. Bassett Construction due $25,731 Mar. 15
89 BDF cards returned, within $313 of the $5928 goal
Building plans on target with July 14 scheduled for completion
Sunrise service planned at Wesley United Methodist Church
Received $5000 grant from Adolf Coors, turned down by Continental Airlines, Dobbins Foundation and El Pomar
Accepted organ from Sacred Heart Home chapel as it closed
Cornerstone has been donated.
Fr. Schmitt and RE Committee to prepare job description for RE Coordinator plus different possibilities for replacement
John Venizia offered to donate uniforms for the basketball team
Since OLM has been fortunate to receive land, moneys etc and half of the parish house is paid for, time now to share the good fortune and adopt a parish.
Our Lady of Annunciation in Springfield, Colorado was adopted, to give prayers and send $50/mo with no strings attached. Fr. George Raderman, Pastor.
Fr. Schmitt celebrated his birthday March 2.
400 families in the parish
4-13-82 RE 1st Communion class making an altar cloth to be saved and used for their confirmation
Finance reported the Easter collection $2000. House payment of $1500 due in May, $125,074 due Bassett Construction and $16,000 due the architect
To purchase Sharp 750 copier for $2300 with service agreement after 90 day service warranty ends
Lawrence Segura volunteered as lead singer and guitarist
Youth group did “Earth and Vessels” song and dance for Easter
Fr. Schmitt and Mr. Martin Milano and his attorney meet
Volunteers to remove the cattle guard, fence and posts and erect picket fence- to gravel driveway later
Cornerstone is to be set to the right of the door. Chris Punnunzio made the time capsule which contains history, groundbreaking pictures, constitution and by-laws, first minutes of the Parish Board, articles on the groundbreaking, first bulletin and every six months thereafter, financial statements for each six months and some yellow pad sheets.
Set aside $8000-9000 for RE Coordinator in combo or for one person
Interior Planning Committee reported that the lead singer and the organ will be to the right of sanctuary on six inch risers
The Committee met with Don Pagano and chose a commercial plush pile carpet in rust for the entire church for an additional $4563. $200 more to carpet DRE office vs the tile. Buckskin colored quarry tile chosen for the entry. Bathroom in blue as the discontinued pattern is a better grade tile for the same price. Chose a lightly stained linden wood plaque of Our Lady of the Meadows for the entry way.
Note of $25,000 (between Buswell Trust and Diocese) to be loaned interest free approved by Bishop Tafoya to be repaid @ $1000 2x’s/yr beginning April 1983
Change of order charge from Bassett Construction to pay $4199 City of Pueblo Taxes , pay now and petition for refund when building is up
Fr. Schmitt suggested meeting one time to rap -- share ideas on Parish improvements- spiritual, social, liturgy sharing etc.
5-11-82 Farewell reception for Mary Schaeffer held in Friendship Hall
Paid Bassett Construction $40,857 plus $80,931 from Dain Bosworth leaving $4000-5000. Moved $25,000 from Buswell Trust to Dain Bosworth. Will need to draw on line of credit at Minnequa Bank.
Seeking to change wood for altar from walnut to oak as it is better grade
Youth Committee met at the cathedral with Rich Blakely and Phyllis King to assist adults to work with youth from 8th grade through 25 yrs. Meeting in June to be on the National Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
Financial Building Fund Update:
Base cost $383,700 Paid Bassett Constr. $125,000
Architect 20,000 Dain Bosworth 30,000
Pews 21,000 Checking Acct 5,000
___________________ Extension Soc. 50,000
Total $424,700 Paid Gardner 16,000
____________________________
Total $226,000
Pews from Modern Furniture
Necessary to borrow $198,000 from Knights of Columbus for 15 yrs at cost of $2500/mo.
Quit claim deed signed for land by Mr. Martin Milano, Fr. Schmitt to sign
Chris Punnunzio made the altar, ambo, bsptismal font, credence table, president’s chair, and three stools.
Bob Miller made display board of pictures of items which can be donated:
Sanctuary lamp, pascal candle, holy water fonts, tabernacle, floor candle, processional cross, statues of Risen Christ, Madonna and Child, St. Joseph and Our Lady of the Meadows Plaque
Interior Planning Committee and Fr. Schmitt went to Denver- picked out solid oak pews with walnut finish, wooden back with fabric seats (rust #032) and Indian Red naugahide kneelers including screens and book racks. $21,035 installed. One-third cost of the pews must be sent with the order $7000. Borrow $40,000 to cover cost and keep rest in Dain Bosworth
6-8-82 Board had BBQ at parish house instead of formal meeting.
Fr. furnished the steaks
Salads- Ray Moroney, Lorraine Pirc, John Skerjanec
Potatoes- Chris Punnunzio, Rose Spiess, Judy Stefano
Vegetables- Bob Miller, Joe Huerta, Debbie Carleo
Dessert- Louise Sherrer, Madeline Santos
Rolls and Bread- Dave Trevithick
Relishs-Chris Barone
Chose Director of RE to be John Morgan, assistant Bonnie Dehn
Dedication date set for September 12
American Board of Catholic Missions (ABCM) gave $40,000 ( part of Diocesan grant)
Picture of church sent to National Extension Society
Fiscal Status: (for year)
Offertory Envelopes - $2842 Ordinary for year - $39,644
Building Fund - $56,967 Diocesan Collection - $6265
Church - Priest salary - $3600 Lay Salary - $600
Rent - Methodist Church - $1950
Operating Supplies - $2515
Transportation - $1920
Total Church Expenses $19,173
Rectory - Lay salaries - $2949 Food $1630
Utilities - $1401 Education - $8556
Youth - $128 Fixed expenses - $8750
Diocesan Collection - $6301 Crosswinds Assessment - $397
Total Operating Expense $50,119