Attendees: Fr. Rob Howe, Pat Regier, Pam Gandy, Andy Pasztor, Joe Dostal, Kevin Spencer, Cathy Ahearn, Kathy Fothergill
Reported by: Fothergill
Opening Comments:
Pat welcomed Cathy Ahearn to the Finance and Asset Council. Fr. Rob updated the Council on the status of the 2024 – 2025 Christ’s Mission Appeal. The Bishop has asked his staff to recalculate the targets for the contributions of the parishes. The Diocese will reduce the overall targets and will need to look at staffing levels.
Financial Results as of December 31, 2023: Net Assets for the current fiscal year (which began July 1) increased by $216K as total revenue exceeded expenses driven by higher Weekend Collections. Total expenses were down versus Budget and Last Year Actual, primarily due to unfilled employee-related positions for Faith Formation Coordinator and Maintenance. It has been difficult to find a Maintenance worker who will work part-time, including weekends. We continue to work on filling these positions. Weekend Collections through December were higher than Budget by $7K, which is a significant rebound from last quarter. Christian Service balance for the current year to date reflects claims for emergency assistance, which have picked up in January. In February we will issue grant payments totaling $125K.
Mass attendance (October count for the Diocese) for all three masses was 1,017, which was up 26% vs. October 2022, but down 14% vs. 2019 (pre-COVID). The Diocese overall count was 19,662, up 5.1% vs. last year.
Christ’s Mission Appeal 2023/2024 target set by the Diocese for the Parish reflects an increase of 9% vs. Last Year. We are currently at 64% of that target, a shortfall of $98K. As noted above, we hope to see a reduction in our target in the next fiscal year.
Facilities Update:
The Asset Sub-Team (Joe Dostal, Dennis Thiel, Patrick Regier) conducted a walk-through of the church and parish facilities in November. No major issues were identified. There was a follow-up on general maintenance items. There were some issues with church blowers, which were repaired. Both blowers are currently working. The boilers are checked frequently, and are certified every three years.
We continue to work with the City on the playground replacement project, including property transfer documents. A new property survey was completed. We applied for grants to community foundations and clubs including Strosacker, H. H. Dow, and Grace A. Dow foundations, Midland Kiwanis and Midland Rotary. We have received $22K in donations for this project, with potential for additional contributions. We are working with Diocese legal representation on documents/applications for the City. We expect documents will be signed in February or March.
Roundtable:
- All of the former school classrooms are now in use by local non-profit organizations, including ACT Uganda, Arnold Center, and High School ministry.
- We continue to look for a High School Youth Minister Coordinator, which has been difficult given the timing (mid-year) of our search.
- Father Rob suggested that we move the Asset and Finance Council meeting schedule (currently monthly between September and May) to one meeting per quarter, and add a joint meeting with the Parish Council in December. All those present agreed with this schedule.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45p.m.