Parish Council | Holy Trinity

Download 2025 July Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes - July 28, 2025

Approved Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council minutes from July 28, 2025

Present: Father McCabe, Steve Welscher, Chris O’Reilly, Pam Harmon, Cooper Utley, Regina Poncelet, Pat Mensink Absent: Mary Jo O’Reilly, 2 open roles on Pastoral Council Visitors: none Documents: Unapproved minutes from special meeting May 19,2025,

Agenda

I. The meeting was called to order by President, Steve Welscher at 7:30 PM I. Opening Prayer by Father McCabe

I. The May meeting minutes were reviewed. Motion for approval by Chris O’Reilly and seconded by Cooper Utley. No additional discussion, all were in favor and motion carried.

I. Holy Trinity Parish – Pastoral Updates

A. Our three goals that emerged from the Synodal process are:

i. Grow a vibrant Youth/Family Ministry Program:

a. The Cana Family Institute program will be replaced by a more convenient and flexible program. a. Planning is under way for the 2025 Vacation Bible Camp with Micayla Ryan coordinating it for Tues., Wed., Thurs., July 29-31. a. All Saints Day, possible date is Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 a. NET Ministry Mini- Retreat, Saturday, Sept. 20. The retreat will run from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 PM. a. 10 th - 12 th Grade Third Place Gathering will continue concurrent with Faith Formation Year – Regina Poncelet.

a. Heaven in Your Home Gatherings for all families starting in September

i. Build Up Parish Community:

a. Mardi Gras is scheduled and Lion’s building has been reserved for Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, 12-3 PM. Ash Wed. is Feb. 18, 2026.

a. The Garage Sale was successful. If they do it again next year someone should be assigned to take pictures. A new chairperson is still needed.

a. Parish Picnic is sponsored and organized by the CCW of Holy Trinity, Aug. 14, after the 6:00 PM Vigil Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Angela

Frederick, President of the CCW is coordinating it with the help of others. Eva Diercks is helping Fr. McCabe recognize parishioners 85 and older with a flower and recognition award immediately after Mass. Then the potluck will begin. Knights of Columbus is donating $150.00 for the barbecue.

i. Reclaim Sundays for faith and family.

a. PECS (Parish Evangelization Cell System) groups had the opportunity to watch a series of 20 minute videos on the meaning and structure of the Mass to highlight the importance of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

a. Synod PECS small groups are meeting weekly or biweekly. Year III Plan will focus on helping parents by the primary educators of their children with regard to their faith and knowledge.

a. The Archdiocese is offering a gathering of the PECS (Parish Evangelization Cell System) Executive Core Team in late August.

i. Fr. McCabe is working with the Archdiocese to upgrade our accounting system, possibly using ParishSoft, to provide better financial reports.

v. Fr. McCabe is working with Archdiocese to have a reset plan to capture the many good things accomplished and a clearer vision for the future mission of the parish. More clarity at September meeting with regard to this effort.

a. Fr. McCabe has put forth a proposed request form for future fundraising events.

B. Holy Trinity Projects

i. Asphalt parking lot needs repair. Fr. talked with a contractor but has not received any quote. Father will now contact Aslaksons as they will be in town in August.

i. Front entrance steps need patching until the city completes the plans to redo the street in front of the church. The city may begin this in 1-3 years. The new street assessment estimate given for the street repairs is $45,000.

i. Parking lot door needs repair or replacement. Father has contacted someone on this.

i. Father McCabe recruited Adam Buck, Bjorn Otterness and his father Chad Otterness as maintenance committee members. Chad, Bjorn and Bjorn’s friend did some landscaping to help level the lawn for easier mowing.

B. St. Columbkill projects

i. Anthony McNamara is waiting for a permit to begin the building project. Father McCabe is waiting to review with the building committee his payment plan proposal and project work schedule.

C. St. Mary Projects

i. The replacement of a portion of the sidewalk on the east side of church has been accomplished.

i. Trees were seen growing out of cracks in the church foundation and removed and cracks were patched with cement.

D. Liturgy Update

i. Annual Mission Cooperation guest priest.

V. Financial Update: No parish financial information was available for this meeting.

Archdiocese Capital Campaign: We are in Phase 4: January 2027-June 2027

VI. Faith Formation Update

A. Carrie O’Reilly was interested in the Faith Formation Assistant, but chose not to accept. The position has been reposted in the Sunday bulletin.

VII. Catholic Young Adult group

A. Gatherings took place in both June & July with many young adults enjoying a picnic, volleyball, and praying the Rosary at Rosie’s Park.

VII. Old Business

A. Holy Trinity Parish Custodial/Maintenance/Catholic Activities Assistant position

has been filled and seems to be going well.

A. Possibility of a fundraiser similar to “Give to the Max” as St. Joseph’s Church, Red Wing, but Mary Jo O’Reilly and Fr. McCabe discussed this and both reached the conclusion that it should be placed on hold.

A. 2025 Jubilee Year and 175 th Anniversary Presentation/Event?

VII. New Business

A. Some parishioners have volunteered to organize a hog roast fundraiser for the St. Columbkill project. This was tabled for now.

A. Stewardship – Steve has created a draft of a list of volunteers. This will be looked at closer at the September meeting.

A. Deacon had spoken to Father and a Finance and Parish Council are required separately per the diocese. Deacon recommended possibly reducing to two members from each church if we continue to have issues recruiting members. We have several people interested in joining the council so this recommendation was tabled.

VII. Next Meeting Date is Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:30PM at Holy Trinity Church.

VII. Closing Prayer Respectively submitted via email 9/11/25 by Regina Poncelet

Download 2025 April Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2025

Approved Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council minutes from April 21, 2025 (Special Meeting)

Present: Father McCabe, Steve Welscher, Chris O’Reilly, Mary Jo O’Reilly, Pam Harmon, Cooper Utley, Regina Poncelet (via phone), Teresa Buck-liaison from Finance Council

Absent: 3 open roles on Pastoral Council

Visitors: none

Documents: Unapproved minutes January 27, 25, Agenda, Proxies requiring canonical approval timeline, overview of income and expense for Faith Formation and Youth and Family Ministry

The meeting was called to order by President, Steve Welscher at 7:30
Opening Prayer by Father McCabe
The January meeting minutes were reviewed. Motion for approval by Chris O’Reilly and seconded by Cooper Utley. All were in favor and motion carried.
For the second year a fundraising garage sale will be held during the Goodhue Chamber of Commerce citywide garage sales coordinated by Eva Diercks. Per Father the Finance Council needs a recommendation for proceed distribution. Father provided a handout overview of Youth and Family Ministry and Faith Formation income and expenses for each.

Father needs a recommendation to have the 2025 garage sale proceeds go 50% each to Faith Formation and to Youth and Family Ministry.
1. A motion for this recommendation by Father was made by Cooper Utley and seconded by Chris O’Reilly. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Father proposes that the 2026 Mardi Gras proceeds should be distributed: 10% to First Choice Pro-Life Clinic in Red Wing and 90% to Youth and Family Ministry.
Father proposes that the 2026 Parish garage sale proceeds go 100% to Faith Formation.
Discussions included; concern regarding what if no garage sale occurs in 2026, if a recommendation is approved--it would need to be with the understanding that if expense vs income require changing—the recommendation will be changed, concern that we don’t have the financial data to know if expenses exceed the income or what the standing of the accounts for Faith Formation are at (in the future when a recommendation is needed from this council-the financial data to make a valid recommendation will be provided), concern that we have advertised that the proceeds were going to Faith Formation.
A motion was made by Cooper Utley and seconded by Mary Jo O’Reilly to approve the 2026 proceed distribution as recommended (above in C.) by Father McCabe. All were in favor and the motion carried.

St. Columbkill Building Project:
1. We are above 80% of the $300,000 goal in pledges. The Building Committee choose AMC Construction as the acting general contractor. The Building Committee understands that AMC Construction is not licensed as a general contractor. John Urlaub, Catholic Mutual Insurance agent, stated AMC will need to act as a general contractor and supply a $2 million certificate of insurance with its estimated project cost.
2. Father McCabe needs a recommendation from the Pastoral Council stating thus: We recommend that Father McCabe move forward with the building project with AMC Construction after consulting with the Finance Council and Trustees (meeting April 28, 2025, at 5:30 pm) and send to the Catholic Mutual agent the necessary information for approval so that he can send a proxy letter for permission to move forward with the St. Columbkill building project.
3. A motion to recommend moving forward (as stated in V. b. above) was made by Pam Harmon. It was seconded by Cooper Utley. All were in favor and the motion carried.
The next Pastoral Council meeting will be May 19, 2025, at 7:30 pm at Holly Trinity Parish. Each member is to bring 3 names for filling the vacant council positions.
Closing Prayer by Father McCabe was at 8:45 pm

Respectfully submitted by Pam Harmon

Approved 5/19/25 (motion Regina Poncelet, seconded by Chris O’Reilly, motion passed)

Family Prayer Group

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