OUR LADY OF THE MEADOWS HISTORY
JULY 1995 TO JULY 1996
7-18-95 RE Committee: 163 students
preregistered
New Staff: Anne Marie and Marcus
Cunnigham new Directors of Tri-Parish Youth Program as of 7-1; he involved 11 years in Youth Ministry, past 4 years with
retreat house for high school juniors/seniors in Chicago; Anne Marie worked
with junior/senior students past few years; goal to make a holistic program,
evangelization program, with peer ministry and family involvement.
Council Seat Vacancies: Candidate
Mary Jane Mauro has been involved with
parish work for many years - to fill the at-large vacancy and be member of
Council for balance of the fiscal year with eligibility for election in spring
Budget: Jim Duff - to talk with
Virginia in Diocesan office on how to handle the growth in Dain Bosworth
account; the balance is approximately $70,000. Also to check with her on the
BDF format
Stewardship Committee; Fr. -Rose
Marie Masterantonio to be part of
Committee; to be multifaceted program with development of spirituality and
personal commitment. Fr. broke Council into three groups to discuss what
constitutes a good parish and what are the obstacles to the development of a
good parish. Groups remerged to discuss “What if we had unlimited resources, what
would we like to do with our Parish?” Discussed a vision for the parish.
Suggested doing a survey of parishioners with the same questions.
8-10-95 Letter from Jonna Lee Adamich
(69 Fordham Cr) concerned about a break into the church which could do lots of
damage. Also concerned about lack of respect for Deacon Bob Myscofski and
mentioned all he had done
8-15-95 RE Committee: Byron Antonioni -
have a drop in registrations
Social Committee: Have a parish
appreciation dinner in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day vs in conjunction
with annual parish Dinner at Thanksgiving?
Tri-Parish Youth: 391
registered, 189 from OLM, 127 Holy Family and 75 from the Shrine; expect 500
total
Council Vacancy: Karen and Rod Ortiz decline to serve on the Council -
will be head of the Baptismal program for the parish
Burglary Report: August 1 or 2,
entry was made through the rear window, spent about 2-3 hours in the building
causing $20,000 damage and theft; Doors, carpets, desks damaged; safe
containing parish records, cash, checks etc stolen. Also stolen vacuum
cleaners, cleaning supplies, plants. Insurance to cover most of it. Bishop sent
memo warning parishes that a number of churches in Pueblo have been burglarized
Security Alarm System:
Fr./Oresky: Bids on automated systems - infrared system $1800 installation with
$30/mo maintenance fee. Vanise Security Systems Inc. cost $3500 with motion
sensors.
Claire DeChellis and Pickards
each donated $1000 toward purchase of a system
Rick Oresky gave details of the
infrared and effectiveness - have 6 zones - 1 in rectory, 2 in church, 3 Parish
Center, works through the phone levels and can be installed in a day. Chose the
system- Oresky to check warranty and other liabilities. To pursue development
of security group to investigate such issues.
Stewardship Committee: Rick
Oresky met with Fr. John Beno- formation of the committee must come from the
Council, not from Fr. or the parish office; suggested holding dinner for
prospective committee members; Tom Weaver willing to explain the concept;
Chairperson or couple to be sent to annual Stewardship conference in Chicago
Dr. Dennis Driscoll reported
that a few members of the Parish lack confidence in Deacon Bob Myscofski which
probably surfaced over communion services conducted by Deacon Bob when no
priest available for Mass. Drafted affirmation of support for Deacon Bob.
Maybe Worship Committee needs to
initiate an educational program on the deaconate program- do in Bulletin.
Fr.: Bishop wants to increase
the Diocesan Pastoral Council which meets 4 times/yr
Diocesan Ministerial
Program needs scholarship funds for
“Level 2” - a project for Social
Concerns
9-13-95 Formal letter to Bishop
supporting Deacon Bob Myscofski.
10-1-95 Letter from the bishop in support
of Deacon Bob Myscofski
9-19-95 Social Concerns: Debbie Carleo
working with Shirley Filer and Social
Committee to organize Ministry Fair with Food; each committee to have own
table, decorate it. Debbie in charge of the posters
Speak on the Diaconate at all
Maasses
Council Vacancy: Rick
Oresky spoke to Debbie Sagma about the
vacancy, term to run until next election
Security System: Fr. - alarm
system working better - to be installed in the rectory. Total amount of all
claims filed equal $19,000. No word from insurance company. All repair work not yet completed. Still
interested in forming a security committee.
Stewardship Committee: Lot of
interest in committee itself but no response to leadership for it. Fr. to
Chicago for the conference and the need of the parish to develop attitude of
ownership of parish.
Family Style Retreat: Georgia
Alfonso - spoke about development of a new program called Family Life Ministry
designed to pull family into church. Asked for Council to send team to retreat
in March 96 with a cost of $200. Georgia would like to be on the team and Ruth
Brandt might be interested.
Parish Raffle: Fr. To continue
to split the proceeds from the raffle between the capital campaign and
scholarships
John Powers Basketball League:
Bob Rick- cost for the team is $125. Checking on the use of two professional
referees being a waste of money. Use high school students.
Annual Report: Jim Duff - would
like a synopsis of accomplishments for 95 and goals for 96
Pastoral Council Christmas
Dinner: Bob Rick - have one regular meeting night
New Eve’s Party - voted not to have for this year
Shirley Filer reported that 29
signed up for Cripple Creek trip
Shirley Filer suggested
rethinking Coffee and Donuts- have once a month
Fr. going on retreat with
Diocesan priests
Time to investigate surrounding
properties for expansion
32 adults came to first
scripture class
Fr. - Organize dessert follow-up to Stewardship dinner
Worship Committee: Have a
movable lectern?
Croshal family donated funds as a memorial to mother; get
parishioner to build the lectern; will need to replace fixtures and rug in next
few years
Jim Duff: Need to think about
hiring pastoral assistant or parish administrator at cost of $20-30,000
depending on experience.
10-17-95 Shirley
Filer resigned as co-chair of Social Concerns: Co-Chair Elaine Pusedu to continue
RE: Byron Antonioni - forming
committee to evaluate the program and check
new books; need to get the entire family involved
Social Concerns: Debbie Carleo
- no longer sponsoring Share Colorado
Program
Diaconate: Rick Oresky - Letter from Bishop on Deacon Bob Myscofski
Diocese will begin a Deacon
Program in about a year - to be a five year training program- first class will
be ordained in 2001. Must be 35 years old and interviewed by the Pastoral
Council
Burglary Insurance Settlement:
Fr. - final stages with Catholic Mutual Society of Omaha - $18,000. Fr. filed
complaint (protest) on out-of-pocket expenses of $3500.
Local doctor donated desk to
replace destroyed one
Security System: - up and
running
John Powers Basketball League:
Regis Opferman - to have one official plus one high school student to cut
expenses- numbers down this year
Stewardship Committee: Dessert
social has 8 reservations - should be 25. Fr. reported on trip to Chicago -
focus on being grateful for gifts and being involved in the parish. 3 parishes
purchased the tapes.
Fr. asked Rick Oresky to chair
the committee.
Oresky wants to be part of the
development of vision for the parish
Rick Oresky asked Dr. Dennis
Driscoll to fill the remainder of the year as Council President- Oresky stay
until replacement found
Fr. - Goal is to hire Pastoral
Associate or Parish Administrator - Pastor needs more freedom to do pastoral
work
Fr. noted that Mae Vinci to be
retiring so need new RE administrator
Fr. interested in having a
monthly Parish Newsletter
Debbie Carleo estimated 200
attended the Ministry Fair
Jim Duff asked Diane Baker to
have Tri-Parish get an update on total expenditures
11-21-95 Tri-Parish:
Diane Baker - miscommunication on Tri-Parish Council Meetings- Diane representing OLM. Shared the “Reimaging Confirmation” plan by
Anne Marie Cunningham
Social Committee: Elaine Pusedu
- Pickards donated food for Halloween Party, profit $76
Kiebasa supplied by Frank
Youhouse for Bazaar, other donations $600
Finance Committee: Jim Duff -
revenues and expenditures on track - in future look at investments
Council Vacancy: Shirley Filer
to serve on open at-large seat until spring election
Rick Oresky to head Stewardship
Committee and be representative on Council
Dr. Dennis Driscoll, president,
for remainder of year
Insurance Settlement: Fr. -
Disoces received $16,500 but 5 weeks before Fr. knew about it, Diocese sent
$12,000 - $4500 balance under dispute. Carpet bill is still outstanding as not
happy with installation or actual carpet
O’Quinn Donation: Mr and Mrs
Dennis O’Quinn donated money for second set of doors leading into the Parish
Center
Rick Oresky to talk about the
Parish Grid later - going slower than thought - Stewardship Committee invited
to annual Christmas Council Dinner
Worship Committee: Jodee Nueno -
Dale Martinez to play guitar; Felix Maetas cantor 2 x a month; Masterantonios
cover Saturday Mass 2 times/ mo; Catherine Tonne and Patty DeGrasse do 8 .am.
Mass; Theresa Poll and Toni Cvar do 9:30 a.m. Mass and Diane Eickleman and
Frank Sobolik do 11 am Mass.
Anthony Vigil play organ for
Christmas Mass and Jamie (violin) and Phillip (viola) Arellano play for
Christmas Masses
Anthony Vigil wants to rent a
synthesizer - maybe buy one later
Klotz and Rheaume Estates
donated new altar and ambo - ambo to be moved from west to east side of church
Capital Improvements: Priorities for improvements/maintenance:
1. repair first floor of rectory
2. remodel small hall in Parish
Center
3. Other improvements include
new tables/chairs/ painting eaves of church, repair parking lot
Staffing Pattern: Jim Duff
- Mae Vinci’s last year as RE Director
; relook at position and be creative -
begin to do job description
Deacon Program: Diocesan
Diaconate Program to begin 1996 - 5-15 could enter; need to be 35 yrs old and
have a B.S. degree or the equivalent
Ruth Brandt - note in Bulletin
that New Year’s Eve Dance cancelled
Interested in new softball
program - to talk to Gene Berens
Jim Duff- received anonymous
letter about parish finances - can’t answer an anonymous letter
Shirley Filer - need kitchen
volunteers for Bazaar
Fr. Council Christmas dinner is BYOB- Bob Rick has liquor to donate
12-19-95 Diaconate
Program: Fr. - Rick Oresky approved for program
Finance Committee: Jim Duff -
look at investments - develop a policy
Have $1100 in revenue , reveal
all budgets at half year
Tithing - close to 400 pledging
Fr. - invited Theresa Woods,
Diocesan Director of Family Life, to discuss models of Family Ministry
Elaine Pusedu - Bazaar a
success- vendors will return next year
New altar and ambo received
Fr. - new freezer bought with
discretionary funds
New furniture received for the rectory courtesy of Bishop
Tafoya and Gornick’s Furniture Store. Used furniture used temporarily for
Library
New Vice-President of Council:
Shirley Filer
1-16-96 Tri-Parish Youth Project:Shirley
Filer - need accountability, entries a hodge-podge
Finance Committee: Jim Duff -
BDF up almost $20,000 to $56,900 or 46%
Bishop’s increase up 31% with
the biggest expense being the seminary program
BDF ‘s new plan is to only
assess offertory collections (Stewardship + basket) - may want the BDF drive to be incorporated with one
Stewardship drive per year. Parish is doing O.K.
Diaconate Program: Dr. Dennis
Driscoll - Applications for Diaconate forwarded to Diocese for Rick Oresky and
Steve Palumbo
Future Staff: Jim Duff -
Director of RE Mae Vinci retiring
Fr. wants Pastoral Associate to
do programmatic work for Charlotte Plutt and Fr.
Fr. Spoke to Sr. Jan Riesdorf of Albuquerque- Debbie Carleo knows
her
Worship Committee: Jodee Bueno -
sending letters to new members to welcome to the parish
A shooting incident occured in
Colorado Springs church
2-20-96 Finance Committee: Dr.Dennis
Driscoll - Spoke to Dave Cardinal of Dain Bosworth who suggested “Zero coupon Bond”
of $75,000. Like a savings bond, terminate in 2001. Money Market fund has low
risk. A conservative way to invest.
Fr. - Introduced Sr. Jan
Reisdorf, Associate Director of RE in Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She spoke on
Family Centered Catechesis, the incorporating family perspective into existing
program making it more family sensitive and friendly.
Goals to include: Sharing
Catholic Faith Story
Celebrating
rituals
Praying
together
Enriching
family relations
Responding
to those in need
Relationship
to wider community
Many models exist - Sr. spoke on
three of them:
Sacramental
Preparation Model
Advent
and Lenten Gathering
Parish
Intergenerational Partnerships
Small groups addressed:
What
Christian Formation processes do we currently have?
What
processes seem interesting to develop?
What
questions, fears, hopes, dreams do I have about this new vision?
Salary $25,000-30,000 O.K. with
Finance Committee. Hired.
Fr. - for BDF to succeed all
need to commit; new program will give a great deal of flexibility
Father John Powers Basketball
League: Bob Rick - over for the year
OLM 2nd in A division; 1st in B
division; 4th in C Division
OLM in tournament with Bulls:
1st in A Division and Sportsmanship trophy to OLM Nets
Fr. - old items from altar donated to church in Boone.
3-19-96 Dr. Drsicoll: - Can RE finance
upcoming socials. Ruth Brandt said most will be donated
BDF: Fr. - $41,000 in pledges to
date, short $16,000. Finance Committee project need for $22,-23,000 from
general budget for BDF
Finance Committee: Fr. - Lots of
growth on the South side; establish Strategic Planning Committee to plan for
the future growth, expansion, planning and coordinating
Fr. contact possible head for the Committee
Investment: Bob Rick - Finance
Committee to move money from checking to money market and investigate future
investment options with Dave Cardinal
Mother’s Day Breakfast: Dr.
Driscoll - Driscoll and Al Collette
coordinate the food; Shirley Filer and Charlotte Plutt coordinate the flowers
Sr. Jan Reisdorf to arrive June
1, has housing, will start July 1
Altar Dedication: Fr. - dedication 5-11-96 Bishop Tafoya attend
Worship Committee host dinner
for families involved in donations
Mae Vinci honored with
parishioners and families involved in ministries
Bob Rick: - clean up volunteers
- 15 - bring yard tools
Jim Duff: - Reconciliation at
the Shrine went well
Ruth Brandt looking into co-ed
softball league, Gene Berens to attend the next meeting
Ruth Brandt, Georgia Alfonso and
Joanne Yarberry attended a workshop on Family Ministry and are certified
retreat leaders
4-16-96 Tri-Parish Youth Ministry: -
Fr.- Cunninghams may not return as Tri-Parish Youth ministers; concerns are
salary and compatibility with Colorado, Most of family in Wisconsin; asked for
$14,000 raise which was denied. $5000
raise offered and refused. OLM offered to increase their portion $2000.
Still talking with the Cunningham’s.
Suggest split full-time and
part-time to be more in line with diocesan salary guidelines
Finance Committee: Begin
purchasing tables and chairs for facilities
30
6ft round tables to seat eight
240
molded stack chairs
24
tables for basement and 6 for parish center - cost $13,500
Strategic Planning Committee:
Paul Depatie interested in chairing
Staffing Plans: Sr. Jan to
arrive July 1; roles of all personnel need to be redefined to meet new Diocesan
guidelines
Next years overall salary
increase $23,000 (including Sr. Jan’s)
Fr. - To washington, D.C. to be
with sister Carol ill with cancer
Social Committee: Elaine Pusedu
- combined the annual parish potluck picnic with celebration with Father’s
birthday ( July 4th)
Stewardship Committee: Rick
Oresky -Stewardship Conference held at Pueblo Community College Speakers were:
Francis and Barbara Scholtz of Florida ; Fr. Ken Koehler of Denver and Ms.
Laurie Nieb of Denver, and Mrs. Barbara Duff of Pueblo. $20 cost.
Finance Committe: Jim Duff - Sr.
Jan should have input to Worship Committee
Need job description for Sr. Jan
Revenues slightly ahead of
expenses
$17,500 set aside for
improvements on rectory - engineer contacted
Ruth Brandt: OLM to sponsor
softball team for $210
Debbie Carleo: Social Concerns
Committee lacks visibility
Dr. Dennis Driscoll: Fr. John
Farley of Holy Family going to Grand Junction
5-21 96 Elections:
Mary Jane Mauro interested in
remaining on the Council
Chuck Alarid and Ginger
Lenzmeier interested
RE position replaced by different
name maybe Family Ministry
Budget: Jim Duff - $100,000 in
two checking accounts - may be funneled into investments.
Discussed paying down loan from
Buswell Trust Fund
Budget may go from $300,000 with
5% to $330,000 next year
Diocese released new salary
schedule - bring all up in next 3 years
Some titles will be changing:
Vernon
McFarland - Sexton
Charlotte
Plutt may change to Program Manager or Building Coordinator
Sr.
Jan probably be Pastoral Associate
Insurance will increase by 25%
Paul Depatie head of Strategic
Planning Committee and be responsible for capital project and rectory
Russ Taravala proposed new
computer system/ software for all accounting processes - Gateway has church
software package for $15,000
Tri-Parish Youth Ministry:
Cunningham’s decided to leave Pueblo; the 3 parishes decided to use the same
program, staff, and faculty as last year and to advertise for new Director’s
position. Fr. and Sr. Jan coordinate for OLM.
Parish Directory: Dr. Driscoll -
some parishioners interested, money made on photos sold
Mother’s Day Breakfast: Dr.
Driscoll - prepared for 200
Appreciation Dinner: Reschedule
for September 14 in conjunction with rescheduled Altar dedication
Ruth Brandt: 25 registered for
softball league
Fr. - sister Carol died
Summer to be spent reorganizing
programs with Sr. Jan
6-4-96 Computer System: Mr. Mark See,
Micro Computer Services of Canon City,
install the $15,000 Gateway
hardware and Tom Agnew of Parish Data Systems, Inc responsible for installing
$2300 software. Take 2-3 weeks to install so on-line by end of fiscal year. As
have no quorum will check votes by phone.
Fr. - Talking with Scott Uhernik
now at St. Francis to begin as Music Coordinator July 1. Need job description
and accountability so Personnel Committee to help with contracts and job
descriptions for Scott Uhernik and Sr. Jan.
6-30-96 Current Assets: $72,317; Total
Assets: $1,275,551
Long Term Liabilities: $158,744
Income: Tithing - $307,232;
Raffle - $10,704; Bazaar - $3852; Total
$385,437
Expenditures;
Salaries: Office Manager -
$19,748; RE: - $13,824; Pastor: $13,033
($1086/mo); Parish Secretary - $11,648; Custodian -$8,164; Liturgical Director
- $10,400; Sacristan - $%,943;
Maintenance -$5,111; Pastor retirement - $5,500; Deacon - $3,132; Extra Clergy - $1,859;
BDF: 96 -$26.661 ; 95- $20,625
Deanery Assessment: $3600;
postage - $6000
Accounting services - $2700
Church and Parish Center:
Electricity - $8,067; Phone - $3,116;
gas - $1356;
Water - $879
House and Park: Phone- $1039;
Water - $826; Gas - $458; Cable - $291; Food - $3600
Altar: Bread and Wines -$1203;
candles - $758;
Youth Ministry/Tri-Parish-
$27,500
Scholarship Fund- $5000
Annunciation/Mission Parish -
$1925;
Total Expenditures -
$339,287 Excess $45,889
NOTE: Items will not totals as not all items
listed.