Minutes of Meeting for April 29, 2008

Members present: Father Rolando, Rito Rivera, Tina Lujan, Genevieve Bassham, Linda Gutierrez, and Teresa Juarez

I. Opening prayer was led by Father Rolando

II. Letter of Commendation to the Parish CouncilFather Rolando read the letter of commendation from John Stowe to the Parish Council in reference to the recommendations suggested from the 2006-2007 Audit Report. The letter was favorable and expressed Mr. Stowe’s appreciation of the Parish for it’s attentiveness to the recommendations.

III. Minutes of February 11, 2008Genevieve Bassham moved and Teresa Juarez seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

IV. Financial ReportLinda Gutierrez presented the financial report to the Council members. She indicated that a check for $10,000 had been received for reimbursement for the repairs for the Confessional. This deposit was not yet accounted for on this financial report, so that will help the account balance.

Linda Gutierrez reported that with three projects going on at the same time (Confessional, Church re-wiring and the apartment repairs) the account was depleted. The financial report shows an ending balance of $(6,503.17). Her recommendation on future projects is to ensure that we the funds in hand before we start the project. Weekly collections cover only salary, utilities and small expenditures that come up, there is not any surplus money that can be used for repairs or projects.

President Rivera discussed the financial report more in depth and asked questions about the expenses and income.

Linda Gutierrez reported that the Insurance was high in March 2008 ($1860.00) because the address was wrong on the invoice and the church was not receiving the invoices, therefore this amount was for three months.

President Rivera advised that the Council accepts the report and acknowledge that the Council was advised in the minutes.

V. Progress 2008 Update

This item was postponed until the next meeting.
President Rivera made a suggestion that we (the Parish) could have made a better effort to reach one of the goals of Progress 2008 and be eligible to receive one of the monetary awards for the church.

President Rivera asked Father Rolando if new families in the community that attend Church come in and register in the Parish. Father Rolando responded that he has not been approached.

VI. Facility Projects

a) Confessional – The Confessional is complete, the door is being manufactured. It has already been paid for.

Teresa Juarez expressed that the Confessional looks beautiful.

Father Rolando clarified that he would like “live” plants for the Confessional and that he would like to expand that idea to include plants on the altar.

b) Tree Removal – Father Rolando expressed that the tree has to go. President Rivera indicated that he would work on getting help for this project.

c) Parish Hall - President Rivera indicated that before the air conditioners are put to use for the summer months, that they need to be cleaned out and the water turned on to check for leaks. He’ll also have to check the pads.

d) Church Floor – Father Rolando mentioned that he would like to extend the tile floor from the Confessional to the entrance/hall of the church. He mentioned that Joe Uranga (person that laid the tile in the Confessional) suggested that we wait for nicer weather to install the tile in the hallway. The tile adheres better to the floor if the temperature is not cold like it was during the winter.

Father Rolando also mentioned that his thoughts for a future project would be to strip the rug off of the altar because he heard that there were wood floors under the rug that maybe could be repaired and made to look nice.

Linda Gutierrez reported that we have approximately $30,000 or less in the building fund and that the fund should not be depleted as we need money for contingency expenditures for emergency problems with plumbing, roof leaks, etc.

Father Rolando mentioned that we could institute a second collection once a month for the building fund.

Teresa Juarez mentioned that her brother-in-law owns a business that specializes in wood flooring and that maybe he would charge a minimal amount if we could get some volunteers to help with the project.

President Rivera suggested that we initiate the second collection.

e) Other - Father Rolando mentioned that the sign in front of the church needs to be re-done so that it is more noticeable.

Teresa Juarez suggested placing an add in the newspaper calling on artists in the community that may be interested in donating their time and skills to design and build the sign.

VII. General Discussion and Consideration

Agenda items for the next meeting: Fundraisers, Marfa Lights Festival and 2nd Collection.
There was a general discussion about having a Fall Festival around September 16, 2008 as a fundraiser for the church and involving other organization leaders in the discussion.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008

VIII. Teresa Juarez moved and Genevieve Bassham seconded the motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.