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OFFICIAL Minutes of Holy Angels Parish Council Meeting
May 21, 2009
Parish Rectory, 7:40 PM 

In Attendance:  Paula Beine, David Beine, Carol Bork, Fr. Jerry Brittain, Don Felix, Dan Hanrahan, Colleen Mas, Frank Stangl.

Absent:  Tim Briscoe, Sandy Lang, Mike Nowack, Fr. Rick Wendell, Earl VanderWielen (resigned 5/1/09).*

Guests:  Pat Bollen, Deacon Mark Jansen. 

Opening Prayer / Scripture Reflection / Personal Prayer:  Led by Fr. Jerry. 

March and April Meeting Minutes:  Approved by consensus with corrections to minor typographical errors. 

Schools Collaboration / Task Force update:  Because St. Mary’s School and Holy Angels School are able to operate independently, they will continue as such for the next school year.  The Education Committee of the Task Force will continue to move forward; their findings will be used as guidelines in future discussions.  The Archdiocese will encourage other “shareholders” in Catholic education for our area (St. Frances Cabrini, Trinity Kewaskum, and Trinity Newburg) to join future discussions.  Consequently, future task force committees will include fewer members from Holy Angels and St. Mary’s, and will add a proportionate number of representatives from the smaller parishes of the area.  The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm June 30^th at St. Mary’s.  Meanwhile, SMIC will make staff reductions as necessary due to enrollment and financial considerations.  Holy Angels continues to be open to further discussion regarding restructuring of classes at SMIC; in particular, if junior high classes were incorporated at HAS, staffing adjustments at HAS would consider potentially displaced SMIC teachers. 

Hiring Practices:  Council reviewed a draft procedural document forwarded by Tim Briscoe, and further discussed formation of a Personnel Committee as a subcommittee of the Finance Committee.  Using Archdiocesan suggestions, Paula will facilitate formation of such committee, who will further discuss hiring practices, and will bring hiring policy to the council for approval.  The committee will include a parish council liaison (Tim Briscoe expressed interest), a trustee, a finance committee liaison, and parishioners with expertise in human resources or personnel management. 

Budget Process:  Council discussed the special budget meeting held in late April.  Colleen questioned whether the in-depth analysis of the budget would have been more appropriate at the Finance Committee level.  Council acknowledged the unique circumstances this year, including the pending results of the Task Force as well as budgetary deadlines. 

Committee Reports: 

School – Dan reported that new school committee members include Greg Zimmer, Sarah Reisberg, and David Tennies; committee also discussed handling of nomination forms.  Committee discussed updates from the HAS/SMIC Task Force.  The focus on lighting for energy efficiency will be explored further, including potential grants.  There will be free milk for all students next year due to a surplus in the Milk Account.  The novel Education of Little Tree will be replaced by an alternate novel that addresses similar themes.  Committee discussed possibly scheduling two sections of all-day kindergarten due to higher enrollment registrations.  Committee reviewed policy updates, including an Archdiocesan adjustment to the athletic policy that allows students to participate on two athletic teams concurrently.  Committee explored means of adding a paid supervisor to the noon recess.  While many families are late with tuition payments, only a few have contacted the principal for assistance.  HOPE service group is exploring Archdiocesan guidelines for selecting potential charities; the Committee declined to comment.

Human Concerns – Report submitted by Carol Bork.  Committee is planning a Blood Drive for Tuesday 7/21/09 in the Walnut Room.  Information will be publicized in the bulletin.  The Prayer Shawl ministry has distributed more than 20 instructional packets; knitters will purchase their own yarn and work at their own pace to complete prayer shawls.  The Right to Life geranium sale for Mother’s Day profited $1000 with sales of 33 dozen geraniums and 22 hanging plant baskets.  The Rice Bowl project collected over $750; kudos to John Conwell for organizing this and the geranium sale.  A collaborative effort of local churches is exploring creation of a homeless center for families.  The group met 5/5/09 to discuss potential commitments from churches that would be on call for one-week rotations to host crisis-housing needs for local families.  More information may be forthcoming.

Faith in Our Future – The Case Statement for our Faith in Our Future campaign directed funds to energy efficiency in the parish buildings.  An initial energy audit will note specific means to address areas of concerns.  The primary goal will be high-intensity fluorescent lighting.

Finance – The committee will place a notice in the bulletin, requesting expert QuickBooks help in consolidating school and parish finance reporting.  Jack Daniels provided an updated balance sheet report, noting a Profit & Loss deficit of $93,000 YTD from envelope collections, and projecting a $96,000 shortfall for the fiscal year.  The school has collected approximately 81% of tuition YTD, consistent with past years’ collections.  Trust Fund accounts are now under professional management at M&I Bank.  The updated Capital Projects list includes the rectory entrance roof ($2900), the bell tower roof ($4000), complete rectory roof ($19,000), elevator pit adjustments ($500), and other projects.  In light of the current economy, some projects may be postponed; the discussion will be revisited at next month’s Finance Committee meeting.  Following the Archdiocesan audit, a subcommittee will be formed to explore the parish’s transaction processes and create a flowchart to streamline such processes.

Faith Formation –Deacon Mark reported that Youth Outreach has over 50 students slated to participate in outreach trips beginning in June.  He thanked parishioners for their support, including $9000 from the Uncommon Stock Sale.  Members of the HA Leadership Team (HALT) spoke with eighth graders at the school in preparation for their transition to high school.  The Right to Life Committee is planning to staff a booth at the HA parish festival as well as the West Bend Farmer’s Market this summer (twice), and is considering the Washington County Fair as well.  The group has expressed a commitment to a loving, nonviolent approach.  Deacon Mark is planning a financial workshop for senior parishioners for the fall, and exploring a wellness workshop in conjunction with parish chiropractors and health professionals.

Pastor’s Report:  Fr. Jerry noted his special affinity for the planned Blood Drive this summer, noting that demand is high during vacation season when companies and schools do not plan as many drives.  Although a parishioner donated envelopes to be used for the parish council election process, envelopes would not contribute greatly to the overall success of the process.  Fr. Jerry received a request to consider adopting a sister parish in China; however, our parish is currently twinned with La Sagrada Familia.  Fr. Nathan visited HA for the May Crowning Mass with the school, and stopped in to each of the classes and the lunchroom.  He will continue to nurture a relationship with the school and may address specific topics in the classrooms next year. 

*Earl VanderWielen resigned on 5/1/09 via email, noting, “The decision not to allow two family members of Holy Angels staff members the chance to run for Parish Council after being nominated has led me to this decision... I am the husband of… Holy Angels staff.” 

Closing Prayer:  Led by Deacon Mark.

Adjourned:  9:26 pm

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Mas.