GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH

Evansville, Indiana

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

September 27, 2016

A joint meeting of theGood Shepherd Parish Council and Finance Commission was held on Tuesday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with a prayer.

ROLL CALL:

Parish Council

Father Zach Etienne Dana Blanke Shari Hirsch Ken Schenk

Deacon Dan DeCastra Mary Beth Davis Judy Miller Chad Schnarr

Sarah Gahagen Tony Fehrenbacher Donald Patton Brad Will

Sue Ballard

Finance Commission

Russell Gerteisen Brian Lankford Ron Pohl

BrandonLadley Steve Piper

ABSENT: Ruth Becker, Jay Hargis, Ben Joergens, and Sara Rogier

Tony motioned to approve the minutes for August 23, 2016. Brad stated a second, a vote was done and the minutes were approved.

COMMISSION REPORTS:

SCHOOL COUNCIL—emailed report from Kristen Girten is attached

YOUTH MINISTRY—emailed report from Cindy Shoulders is attached

SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION—Mary Beth Davis

Mary Beth reported the new priest for the Parish in Haiti is Father Frantzdy Joseph. A system has been established to transfer money to the Parish. Mary Beth requested pictures, names of Parishioners and a copy of the Parish budget.

BINGO COMMISSION--the committee did not meet this month

FINANCE--- Sarah Gahagen

  • Sarah explained the GS and ST General Ledgers were closed for the fiscal year ending in June. There are a few journal entries to be completed.
  • A few more expenses were charged to the ST checking account. All expenses are now paid through GS, and all income is being recorded on GS income accounts.
  • Sarah and Ruth are working on budget issues and the Capital Campaign.
  • No final net amount from the Social has been recorded. The final reconciliation is not done.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Capital Campaign:
  • A video pertaining to the Capital Campaign will be shown after the Homily at all Masses the weekend of Oct. 1st and 2nd.
  • The campaign kicked off on 9/24. Campaign leaders met to select which Parishioners each leader will be contacting. Another meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016.
  • Mary Beth Davis asked if a copy of the video will be available to show Parishioners—it is available on the Diocese website.
  • A member asked how the contribution amounts requested in the Capital Campaign letters were determined. The amounts were determined by the Stier Group based on various criteria.
  • Goals for the Campaign:
  • Brian Lankford explained a letter was included in the Capital Campaign packet explaining the goals for Good Shepherd Parish—the parking lot, storage space, painting the interior of the Church and replacing the carpeting.
  • When the parking lot issue was first discussed, Brian contacted Morley and Associates about the project. They said a complete survey of the property was needed. A survey firm was hired to do the survey, which took 2 months. Parking spaces may be added east of the gym, west of the church, and behind the parish hall. Approximately 100 spaces will be added. Jim Morley will review the plans; he met with Brian two weeks ago. Estimates will be obtained before proceeding with the paving project.
  • Father Zach talked to staff at Memorial about the structural engineering firm used for their project. Hodge Engineering was contacted to give their opinion if it was structurally sound to build a storage room above the chapel. After reviewing the original building plans, they gave their approval. Deig Brothers will be contacted by Brian Lankford to get a budget estimate of the cost to build. It should be noted that all of the contractors for budget estimates are told that Good Shepherd will get several bids before beginning any project.
  • After speaking with Father Schnur at St. Wendel, Brian called Simms Painting for a budget quote. He will get 3 bids if enough money is raised. Simms Painting recommended replacing carpet at the same time the painting is done because of the labor of removing the pews. The budgetquote is for painting the Church, hallway and narthex. Most of the cost is for the Church. Painting the offices will be a separate price.
  • Father Zach said Morley and Associates stated the current parking lot may not have to be completely torn up so the cost may not be as much as anticipated; however, this is still in the planning stages.
  • Father Zach likes the plans for additional storage. There appear to be no structural problems with adding additional storage space over the chapel. The addition will not be over the entire chapel area, and the room could be converted back to a chapel if needed. Don Patton suggested adding insulation between the upper floor and ceiling to muffle sound.
  • Brian stated the cost of the survey was $8,780 and the engineers report was $2,500. Once the parking lot plans are finalized with Morley and Associates, Brian will get several quotes. He plans to contact Matt Scheesselle at E & B Paving and J. H. Rudolph. The hope is to start the parking lot after next year’s social and have the work completed before school starts. Father Zach requested both a high-end bid and a lower, basic bid. The water drainage issues and green space requirements are being reviewed.
  • Parish Website—the responses have all been favorable.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Dressing Sale: Judy Miller reported she has not been able to get enough volunteers to help make the dressing for the sale. There will be no dumplings or relish, which will reduce income by about $1,000. The budget projected income of $3,000 from the sale. Expenses will be more this year as no donations will be received. Dana suggested asking the Youth Ministry for help as the members need service hours. There was a discussion about if it is worthwhile to proceed with the sale. It was decided to put an announcement in the bulletin and if no other volunteers offer to help with the labor, the sale will be canceled
  • Fall Festival Booth: Bill Noll reported on the problems obtaining volunteers to work the Fall Festival booth. There are 253 scheduled shifts, only 50 have been filled. Bill has been actively trying to get workers. Booth workers must be age 16 or older. Some Parish Council members volunteered to work. Shari suggested sending the information to school families and various groups. Sarah said she talked with the K of C group; they can’t be in charge of the booth due to number of hours required. Having a Fall Festival booth must be awhole Parish community effort. Bill presented a contract for next year’s booth. A decision will have to be made by next week on continuing to have the booth next year. A payment of $800 is needed to retain the right to have a booth. A vote has held approving the payment of $800 to maintain the space for the booth and approving signing the contract.
  • St. Theresa Property:
  • Thegroup that previously issued a proposal for the property was trying to get a grant, but was denied. They will re-applyin November and will not know if it is approved until February.
  • The Diocese has presented a proposal regarding the property. The Diocese wants to maintain the property for Catholic Charities of Evansville. The Diocese will take control of the property and pay all related expenses. GS Parish can continue to use the facilities. The Diocese will analyze use of the property, and thendecide in two years how to proceed. If the property is eventually sold, the proceeds will go to GS Parish, less any expenses paid. The parties must agree on a date to take control of the property. The Diocese will inform the previous party interested in the property. If the Diocese decides in two years to continue utilizing the property, no money will be paid to GS. GS is not responsible for any costs during the two year period. The nuns will be able to stay in their residence. The Diocese will handle issues with the Sisters of St. Benedict during the next two years.
  • Ken asked if GS will have to pay rent to continue using the property after the Diocese assumes responsibility for the property, and if GS staff or the Diocese staff will handle rentals during this time. These issues are yet to be determined.
  • A Decree of Relegation was not discussed with the Diocese at this point. The Parish Council had previously decided to ask for a Decree in Feb.
  • Steve asked why a Decree is needed as some Parishioners may want funeral services at ST.
  • There was discussion regarding the advantages and disadvantages of accepting the proposal from the Diocese. A member asked if ST Parishioners would favor this proposal, several members stated they feel the ST Parishioners would be comfortable with this usage of the property.
  • The decision regarding the Decree of Relegation will be left to the Diocese.
  • Ken Schenk made a motion to accept the proposal from the Diocese regarding the ST property in accordance with the stated terms. Tony Fehrenbachervoiced a second. A vote was held; the vote was unanimous to accept the motion pertaining to the proposal from the Diocese.

PASTOR’S REMARKS:

  • Father Zach advised five Seminarians will be visiting the Parishon Oct. 12, 19, and 26:
  • Brian Gall--Diocese Lexington
  • Gregory Caldwell--Diocese Burlington
  • Troy Norman—Diocese Burlington
  • Conor Wellman—Diocese Louisville
  • Br. Nathaniel Szidik OSB—Saint Meinrad Archabbey
  • Father Zach received a letter from the Diocese regarding the annual event scheduled on 9/17/17. The focus for the 2017 event will be on the Sacrament of Initiation instead of the 50 Years Marriage Jubilee. The Diocese does not want any Confirmationsheld between July 1, 2017 and Easter Sunday 2018. This will affect the Confirmation classes at GS for 2 years. The Confirmations for the students in these classes will be done at the event at the FordCenter on Sept. 17, 2017.

ACTION ITEMS:

  • Updates on the capital campaign.

The meeting ended with a prayer.

ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

NEXT MEETING –October 25, 2016

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Ballard

1