Town Meeting Report for Our Lady of the Snows Parish and St. Patrick Parish
A Meeting of the Valley Catholic Community, consisting of Our Lady of the Snows and St. Patrick Churches, was held on Monday, June 10th, 2002 at Founders Hall, Waitsfield
Our pastor, Father Bernie Bourgeois, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM, immediately following a Pot Luck Dinner, with a word of welcome to everyone. He began with an outline of the topics he planned to cover at the meeting, as follows:
- Buildings and Grounds
- St. Patrick Cemetery in Moretown
- Goals and Strengths
- Evangelization
Building and Grounds
Income and Expense Statements for both parishes for a two-year period were distributed to those in attendance and copies are attached hereto and incorporated into the minutes of this meeting. It was noted that Roger Haigh has already made these reports available on our parish web site. The minutes of this meeting will also be available on the Parish web site within the next week.
Father Bernie explained that there are separate sets of books for each parish. As parishioners reviewed the reports he made the following general points:
- While both parishes are debt free, and income for the current year has exceeded expenses, the total costs of capital improvements which need to be done exceed total savings.
- Although we have eliminated a second collection, total offertory has increased, indicating that parishioners have kept up and even increased their level of giving.
- St. Patrick and Our Lady of the Snows Parishes each pay one-fourth of the total priest expense. St. Andrew Parish pays one-half of the priest expense.
- With reference to expenses entitled Christmas Bonus (which is given to the Pastor) and Diocesan Support (a fund created to help struggling parishes in the Diocese), these amounts each represent 20% of the total Christmas collection. The remaining 60% of the Christmas collection stays with the parish and is included in the Sunday and Holy Day collection amount.
- The Priest Benefit Fund and the Diocesan Assessmentexpenses are each 7% of the collection and are paid to the Diocese quarterly.
- Father Bernie acknowledged with gratitude the multitude of ongoing duties performed by Ozzie and Evelyn Goss at St. Patrick Church.
- Although the total income amount for St. Patrick Church is less than the previous year, last year's total income was higher due to a one-time donation of $5,000.
- The outside of St. Patrick Church was painted last summer and looks great.
- It was necessary to put a new roof on Founders Hall this past year and payment for the roof was made from the St. Patrick Church account.
Father Bernie then explained that a Parish Buildings Committee (composed of parishioners who volunteered to serve at last year's meeting), have been meeting monthly with him since last October, in an effort to assess the current condition of our buildings and grounds, determine what improvements are needed and prioritize those needed improvements.
The committee members, Dick Bergeron, Donna Dalton, Mike Geoghegan, Peter Joslin, Joe Koch, Leo Laferriere, Suzie Lowe, Rich Morin, and Jack Smith were recognized and thanked for serving their parish community in this capacity. Peter Joslin, chairperson for the committee pointed out that last year at our annual meeting we discussed things that needed to be done to maintain our three buildings. We all agreed that all sorts of capital improvements needed to be made. As a result of these monthly committee meetings and an inspection of each building, deficiencies were identified. Some immediate needs, such as a new roof to Founders Hall, as well as some electrical and plumbing work, have already been taken care of. Peter noted that Mike Geoghegan has personally given a significant amount of his time and expertise to help identify deficiencies that need to be addressed.
Peter then stated that to his knowledge, there has never been a capital campaign to raise money for our three buildings. He reported that the committee has decided to initiate a capital campaign, to raise money for capital improvements. Committee members and other parish volunteers will solicit pledges over a three-year period from parishioners, visitors, businesses in the area and friends of our parish community. Donations received will be kept in a separate account and will be used for capital improvements only, not for expenses in the day-to-day operations of these buildings.
Committee members Mike Geoghegan, Leo Laferriere and Peter Joslin have compiled a list of project estimates and prioritized them over a three-year period. A copy of this list is included with the Income and Expense reports previously handed out and referenced hereto. Peter noted that in addition to specific items listed there is also a contingency amount included to cover unexpected expenses that may come up. He explained that high priority items would be addressed in year 1; less urgent items in year two; low priority items in year 3.
The following items were specifically discussed:
- Expand kitchen in Founders Hall -- this would involve moving the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room out about 4 feet to make it more efficient. Because the kitchen can still be used as is, it was given low priority.
- New fuel tank for Founders Hall. Paul Marble questioned the need for a new tank. Mike explained that it was recommended that the tank be above ground, outside, the filter would be inside.
- Furnaces at both St. Patrick and Founders Hall are immediate needs. Mike explained that he received three quotes to substantiate replacement. A parishioner questioned whether switching to propane might not be a better way to go. Mike said they had not considered switching to a different fuel -- it was felt that the it would be more cost effective to stay with the system currently in place.
- With regard to installing a bathroom in St. Patrick Church, because there is now no plumbing in the building, a conventional bathroom is not an option. Therefore, a pollution free, propane fired, odorless toilet, using no electricity or water will be installed in an existing closet.
- Due to the water table level, there continues to be a water problem in the basement of St. Patrick Church. The current dewatering system requires servicing at a cost of $235 every 6 months, due to a high mineral content in the water running through the system. In addition, there are cracks in the floor. The floor level needs to be raised.
- Peter pointed out that one item which will be taken care of soon, and which is not mentioned on the list is extending the lighting outside Our Lady of the Snows Church, so that the entire walkway will be lit up. Lighting outside the entrance of Founders Hall also needs to be looked at.
- Paul Marble questioned whether the possibility of repaving the parking lot, instead of repairing and sealing it, had been considered. Peter felt the cost to repave would make the project prohibitive.
- One item not on the list is a handicap access ramp at St. Patrick Church. Father Bernie explained that after extensive research and planning, it was determined that we cannot construct a ramp that would meet the code requirements at this time. He acknowledged that not having a ramp could pose a problem for weddings or funerals and he now advises people of the access limitations at St. Patrick Church when they are making arrangements, giving them the option to choose Our Lady of the Snows or St. Andrew Church as an alternative.
Additional comments received:
Audry Mays questioned whether it would be possible to install a fan to improve the ventilation in Founders Hall -- oftentimes it is very hot in the dining room.
Evelyn Goss questioned why we received less rent for Founders Hall this year compared to last year. Dianne Bilodeau explained that some organizations using the hall make donations instead of paying a specific rental amount.
Josette Messer wondered if the kitchen expansion could be done in year 1 instead of year 3 -- maybe parishioners would be more inclined to hold fundraisers if they had a bigger kitchen to work in.
Rich Morin questioned whether funds raised from a capital campaign would be subject to the Diocesan tax. Father Bernie advised parishioners that this money would be kept separate from the regular offertory and therefore not subject to Diocesan tax.
Jeanine Marble questioned whether this would be a one-time campaign and whether people would be contacted and reminded when their pledge is due. Peter Joslin explained that yes, it would be a one-time campaign, spread out over a three year period and there will be a system in place to remind donors when their pledge is due; either through personal contact, mail, or by a notice in the bulletin. We request that donors pay by check -- we are not set up to receive payment by credit card.
A parishioner questioned whether the daycare center is successful and what its long term plans are. Father Bernie stated that yes the center is doing well and a good working relationship has been established between them and the parish.
Donna Dalton questioned when we can start our capital campaign. Father Bernie explained that it must not start until after the Bishop Fund campaign is finished -- some time this Fall. Donna Dalton, with the help of other committee members, is working on putting together a packet of information to formally present our capital campaign.
Bob Mays inquired whether the census information provided in the handout referred to individuals or households. Father Bernie explained that they represented cards filled out last year by people who attended masses either at Our Lady of the Snows or St. Patrick Churches. These cards give us a good idea of the number of regular parishioners we have in the community. Peter Joslin pointed out that other sources for names to contact might be organizations who use Founders Hall, businesses in the community, and the Bishop Fund list.
A parishioner wondered if it would be a good idea to provide information about our campaign in our weekly bulletin in the hopes of obtaining donations from visitors. Father Bernie pointed out that we have to be careful not to compete with the Bishop's Fund - it is best to wait until the Bishop's Fund campaign is completed.
A parishioner suggested we get the new furnaces this fall, before the cold weather, rather than wait until money comes in from the capital campaign. Peter Joslin anticipates that committee members will make some pre-solicitation contacts before the campaign officially begins and is hopeful that this will generate some early donations. In any event we can use funds currently in savings to pay for the new furnaces and reimburse the savings accounts when the money comes in.
Continuing with the topic of buildings and grounds, Father Bernie observed that at the present time there is no one person overseeing the church properties; no one to take care of the day-to-day operations and upkeep of the buildings and grounds. He proposed that perhaps we should think about hiring someone who could keep an eye on the property, perhaps mow the lawns, clean the churches, arrange for repairs that need to be made, etc. While volunteers are a wonderful asset, we need to be sure that things will get done when the need arises.
Peter Joslin stated that members of the Finance Committee talked about creating a checklist of maintenance items so as to build a job description and calculate a rate of pay.
Bob Mays asked whether we should be hiring a property maintenance company.
Father Bernie feels it is very important to have a contact person who is responsible on an ongoing basis; someone who is in charge. He and the committee members will look into this further.
St. Patrick Cemetery in Moretown
For many years now Ozzie and Evelyn Goss have been taking care of the cemetery. Father Bernie informed the meeting that he has asked Evelyn to chair a committee charged with the task of exploring options for St. Patrick Cemetery; i.e., can there be more burials there? Who will take care of the cemetery? What are our options?
Evelyn pointed out there are a lot of graves without a marker; there may be some space still available but right now there is no proof of that -- it would require more research. She wondered if it would be possible to get some people from Holy Cross Cemetery on the committee as well, people who have some expertise on this topic.
(Father Bernie pointed out that at this time Holy Cross Cemetery contracts out for all the work done in the cemetery.)
Anyone interested in serving on this committee should contact Evelyn Goss.
Goals
Merging the two parishes
Father Bernie again stated that Our Lady of the Snows and St. Patrick are treated as two separate entities for financial purposes. However, he has observed that many parishioners attend Masses at both churches; they are further unified by one religious education program and one parish hall. Father Bernie proposes that the finances of the two churches be combined under one set of books and one set of financial statements. He feels that merging the two would further unify the parishioners. He has observed that there is an aging population at Our Lady of the Snows which he feels will suffer greatly over the long term without younger families to take over. He also observed that the Sunday Mass seems to attract younger families; they prefer to attend Sunday morning Mass, which happens to be at St. Patrick Church; however, many of them actually consider Our Lady of the Snows to be their parish as well.
Paul Marble stated that at the time Founders Hall was built, it was for both parishes; however, over the years St. Patrick Church did not continue to share in the expenses of the building.
One parishioner suggested maybe we should just simply split the cost of the hall between the two churches. Father Bernie agreed that this is an option; however, he pointed out that some costs are difficult to accurately calculate.
Peter Joslin informed the meeting that the Finance Committee supports the idea of merging the finances of the two parishes.
Roger Haigh stated that studies support Father Bernie's concerns; that one of the most important demographic trends that we face in this country, which will have a huge impact on our lives in the future, is our aging population.
In response to a question regarding the possibility that the Diocese will close one of the two churches in the near future, whether or not there is a merge, Father Bernie agreed that it could happen; however, at the present time there is money to support both churches and there is a need for two Masses in the Valley; both good reasons to keep both churches open.
Hospitality
Father Bernie would like to organize a committee of couples who would act as greeters at Our Lady of the Snows, especially during the winter months when we have so many visitors. These greeters would help people find a seat, show them where the bathrooms are, solicit volunteers to bring up the offertory gifts and provide whatever other help might be needed. He asked parishioners to think about volunteering in this capacity.
Strengths
Religious Education Program
The Valley Religious Education Program has had a very good year under the leadership of Kelly Morin. There are 20 -- 25 children and five qualified teachers in the program. Kelly has done a great job; she tapped into a variety of resources, and was very successful in carrying on the program, following Jeanette Fecteau's expert leadership. Father Bernie expressed his gratitude to Kelly for a job well done.
Evangelization
Father Bernie noted that he makes a point of reading the local papers closely, especially the local sports page and articles regarding local schools; honor rolls, etc. He finds that he knows very few names. He speculates that a fair number of these families are Catholics who do not attend church. Why? What can we do about it? Some of these people are your friends; even family members.
Audry Mays suggested going door-to-door to meet with people in their homes and talk with them, invite them to come back to the church.
Kristen Geoghegan feels that some people don't like to hear "no". They are turned off by the restrictions imposed by the Church.
Joe Koch mentioned that young people tend to stop practicing their faith during their college years.
Audry Mays suggested having hourly devotions and praying that fallen away Catholics will return to the church.
Mike Geoghegan suggested we each think of someone we know personally and talk with them, encourage them to come. Approaching them on a personal level, inviting them to come back may be what they need.
Rich Morin wondered what the trend is for young people today.
Father Bernie acknowledged that young people today take on a religion for themselves because they want to, rather than because their parents were Catholic and raised them that way.
Roger Haigh observed that oftentimes when people fall into an adult role, with a job, marriage, children, their tendency is to come back to the Church.
Suzie Lowe feels we need more activities that attract people, but it can't be the same people who organize these activities all the time.
Father Bernie concluded the meeting by declaring it a success and thanking everyone for coming and sharing their ideas.
A sign up sheet to form a Social Events Committee was made available.
Dianne Bilodeau, Parish Secretary
Click here to download a copy of this report in Adobe PDF format .
If you do not have the latest Acrobat Reader software for your desktop
machine, you can download it by clicking on this icon.