​On Divine Mercy Sunday, we said farewell to Fr. Robert Melnick before his transfer to Marytown in Libertyville, Illinois. He has served all around the parish over the course of his five years, including as spiritual assistant to the parish's Secular Franciscans. Thank you for everything, Fr. Robert!

Attendance 

• Members present: Father Robert Cook, John Kryl, Jim Muss, Don Haider, John McCarthy, Carol Hanson, Andrew Welling, Magali Duvivier, and Joe Jacobs
• Ex Officio Members Present: Ed Stranc
• Ex Officio Members Absent: Christine Boyd
• Staff Present: Dorothy Julian, Stuart Boldry, and Yasmin Hernandez
• Staff Absent: Mark Franzen

 
Council members received the minutes of the March meeting and the financial statements and reports earlier via email the agenda.  
 
The meeting began at 7:00pm with Father Bob leading us in prayer. 
 
Meeting Minutes
Jim Muss made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by Don Haider. The minutes were unanimously approved.
 
Updates from Father Bob

• Fr. Alejandro will arrive on the afternoon of May 7th and his first official day in office is Monday, May 8th. He will meet with the staff and deacons and get on a schedule. He is aware that he must contact the Finance Council and Parish Pastoral Council to schedule meetings.
• Northside Catholic Academy is on the verge of hiring an executive director. They are employing an executive director and principal model for operating the school.
• All the Provincials were in Chicago today and were given a tour around the parish. They were not supportive of Father’s reassignment but were supportive of the parish as a major apostolate of the Franciscan order and look forward to supporting it on the inter provincial level.
• Upcoming events are Confirmations, First Communions and Tastes of Summer.
• The Ordinariate is still in the works, still seeking additional information.
• The Directors continue meeting regularly, and things are going well. During the transition, Fr. Bob will be living at the St. Gregory rectory for a while. Like any transition, there will be challenges. The Parish Finance Council is the “dream team,” and Fr. Alejandro is in good hands.

 
Financial Report July 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023

• Operating Revenue and Expense Results

• Net Operating loss totaled $241,819 versus a previous-period loss of $96,359 an increase of $145,460.
  • Revenues declined by $7,389 or 0.48%. Impacted by lower Sunday & Holiday Collections-$7,897, Interest & Investment Income-$58,999 loss, Miscellaneous Income, and Net Fundraising Income. Declines were partially offset by higher Tuition-$13,462, Christmas -$14,506, Easter -$3,480, and Lease & Rental Income-$63,785.
  • Expenses increased by $152,849 or 9.30%. Impacted by higher compensation related expenses (influenced by raises, staffing configuration, comparison period differences, timing for hires and terminations, and Food Rescue Ministry-reimbursed by benefactor as a grant). 
• Operating and Extraordinary Revenue and Expense Results-Net Loss for the period totaled $182,618.
• Cash and Investments on Hand-$4,612,609.
• Long-Term Debt-None.
• Key Issues/Projects/Updates
• Give Central checking account consolidation is in process.
• Buildings & Grounds recommended projects for FY23/24.
• YTD, the Parish investment in SGH is $99,094.

FY 24 Budget
The projected budget operating loss is approximately 400,000 (without the benefit or Net Fundraising Income and Interest & Investment Income included in the draft). Considerable discussion took place involving all members of the Council regarding how best to present the FY24 budget, including how to share it with parishioners. Much discussion surrounded the progress made by the Fundraising Strategy committee and the need to reallocate funds held at the Arch Bank into higher yielding products. Stuart and Yasmin will continue finetuning the budget and include Other Income and Expense items that are regularly seen from year-to-year, so the Finance Council has a broader financial picture.
 
Buildings and Grounds Report
At Saint Ita:

• The boiler at the school has been stabilized, and Ms. Boyd is working on funding for new boilers and windows.
• The “up” lights and sound system are completed.
• Waiting for the statue and pedestal for the church.
• The chimney repairs will be starting soon.

At St. Gregory:

• In one of the lots, a light pole fell and was removed. A second pole was taken down as well.
• One of our tenants damaged a steam pipe in the gym, which the tenant will pay for.
• The 1625 house is being worked on from a pipe burst damage.

At St. Thomas:

• The new stoves were installed for the Soup Kitchen.
• A new sign will also be installed.

 
11 projects were presented for FY24. The Finance Council approved an amount totaling $148,500 to fund those projects.
 
Cultural Center Update

• Consideration of the Ordinariate's use of SGG Church is still in process.
• SGH received a $17,000 grant from Calvin Institute for sacred music program.
• Scott Moringiello started teaching the encyclicals of current and past popes this month.
• Divine Mercy Mass led by Bishop Perry and Michael Heinlein event were both well attended.
• Events: June 17 Anthony of Padua Mass, and August 15 the Assumption Mass.

 
Stewardship Report
The fundraising committee met. Our fundraising events are not significant fundraisers. Some ways we can fill the gap for our budget deficit:

• New parish census for marketing
• Encourage parishioners to join ministries
• Maximize the four highest collections (Christmas, Easter, Outreach/Building Fund & Tastes of Summer)
• Targeted fundraisers for capital projects
• Maximize Give Central
• Use QR codes around all the churches

 
Old Business
None.

New Business
The May 25th meeting has been moved to May 11th

The meeting ended at 8:07 pm with Father Bob leading the council in prayer.

​Mary, Mother of God Parish Pastoral Council
Minutes April 17, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Present: Soledad Andrade, Fr. Bob Cook, Lucy and Maria Cordon, Kokou Dagawa, Eunice Daniels, Fr. Thomas Fetz, Stephanie Held, Yasha Hookens, Peter Jansen, Robert Krug, Greg Lindeman, Mercedes MacLaughlin, Michael Magada, Fr. Romert Morales, Eva Niewiadomski, Lionel Osaghae, Joyce Ramirez-Knight, Susan Silvano, John Stimler, Diane Trinh and Friar Jason Warrer.

Not present: Ms. Christine Boyd, Mark Franzen, Chris Grant, Pat Kenny, Heberto Machado, Jr., Lorena Nava, Deacon Juan Ramirez, Vince Singvongsa, Deacon Paul Spalla, Fr. Bob Sprott, Deacon Ron Stricker, and Deacon Bede Thigpen.
​
Guests: Rosemary Ihejirika, Pamela Matamabazo and James Murphy
Meeting began at 7:20pm with opening prayer from Friar Jason Warrer. Minutes from the 02/16/2023 meeting were approved with unanimous approval.

1. Welcome new members: Susan Silvano, Eva Niewiadomski, Stephanie Held, Frank Ative, and Peter Jansen. Thank you to retiring members:  Maggie Flynn, Jane McCarthy, Kerry Reed, and Remedios Ryan.
2. Operations
   1. Deacon Bede Thigpen is healing from surgery at the House of Studies until the end of May. Will be ordained either end of summer or early fall.
   2. Fr. Robert Melnick’s last Mass was April 16. He is being transferred to the Shrine of Maximilian Kolbe in Marytown.  
   3. Fr. Alejandro Lopez arrives before 5/8 and will then take office.
   4. Fr. Bob Cook will move to the SGG rectory after 5/8 to help with the transition.  
3. Parish Staffing
   1. Scott Kumer has been hired as organist for SGG at 4:30pm. Will also be the assistant director to Dan Lagacy. Start day is 4/15.
   2. Stephanie Held will be our summer intern for communications, and also help SGH and Director of Stewardship Dorothy Julian.
4. Physical Plant
   
   1. Mural for SI is unfinished; exposed live wires need to be covered by ComEd. Project should be finalized by end of Spring.
      
   2. A campaign will begin for the new church sign at STC. Former artist-in-residence Joe Malham designed the new STC fixture. Building and Grounds Committee is working on the JH kitchen/bathroom accessibility project. Winter has been mild - snow removal costs were smaller.
      
   3. 1-year trial has begun for Passages’ use of the gym Saturday mornings. As SGH expands, use of the gym will increase and availability to school will be limited.
5. Outreach
   1. Soup Kitchen numbers have increased after dropping during COVID. Now it serves 90/100 per night.  During COVID, homeless shelters were dispersed. As a result, the Food Pantry numbers increased. Greater Chicago Food Depository area restrictions are easing, and the numbers for the FP are increasing each month. A portrait of Jim Eder by SGH artist-in-residence Sarah Crow will be installed in the SK on May 5.
   2. Canterbury House serves Parish through prayer, outreach, fellowship, and Catholic social thought. Currently one full-time live-in community member, James Murphy, and one part-time live-in member, Scott Moringiello (scholar-in-residence at St. Gregory’s Hall).
      
      1. Prayer: Morning prayer Mon. and Wed. 7:45am @ CH, Tues. and Thurs. @ St. Francis Catholic Worker 7:45am, Fri. at Wilson Abbey (Jesus People Community) 7:45am. Adoration Tues. 9am to 7pm @ STC. Compline the Sun.’s of Lent at 7:30pm at STC.
         
      2. Outreach: Every Mon. 1-5pm, CH opens to people living outside. Partnering with Thresholds social workers, who help with housing connections, healthcare and other services. Working with Saint Vincent DePaul Society and Pope Francis Center to expand Mon. efforts. Helps SK with weekly food run. Currently has 2 interns from Loyola University who helped build the raised garden beds at STC. Loyola Department of Sustainability is supporting urban farming efforts. CH and SGH working with Hank Center for Catholic Thought at Loyola to do a 2024 conference on life and thought of Peter Maurin. Supporting and working with St. Francis Catholic Worker. 
         
      3. Catholic Social Teaching and Fellowship: Roundtable discussions twice a month on Thursdays with potluck dinner. Solidarity Gardens - growing food for FP, SK and neighbors. Communion & Liberation - Tues.’s 7:30pm @ CH led by Danuta Mirka. CH hosted the MMoG Young Adult Group.
6. Saint Vincent DePaul Society - guests Rosemary Ihejirika and Pamela Matamabazo
   1. The Saint Vincent DePaul Society began 190 years ago in Paris when students were trying to explain Christianity and how they were serving; they modeled themselves on Saint Vincent DePaul’s way of serving. The Daughters of Charity were created as a result. SVDPS is in 152 countries with 850k people; 90k of which in the US.
   2. SVDPS composed of Conferences, which are localized to Regional Groups. They are attached to a Parish that serves as their physical/spiritual home, shared with people with like-minded goals and objectives interested in helping others. Archdiocese of Chicago has 10 districts, with 9 Conferences; those are divided into councils. Rosemary Ihejirika is the District President for the Conferences. Goal is to gain more partnerships and memberships to help friends in need.
   3. Parish leadership should grow spiritually and in friendship by examining their works and their community to work together. Pope Francis Center in Logan Square was created to work 1:1 with people on a long-term basis.
7. St. Gregory’s Hall
   1. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: 3/9 Family Stations of the Cross. 5/13 First Communion with RE students. 5/21 Easter Egg Hunt and Open House for prospective families.
   2. Adult Faith Formation: March weekly reading group on T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets” led by Fr. Bob Sprott, OFM. 3/25 Lenten Retreat talk by Fr. Bob Sprott on “The Practice of Prayer: Suggestions from a 14th Century English Spiritual Writer.” April-May weekly course with Scott Moringiello on Encyclicals of Francis and Benedict XVI. 4/18, Conversation with Michael Heinlein, author of Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI.  
   3. Sacred Art: 3/25 Lenten Retreat with talk by Sarah Crow on “Praying with the Blessed Virgin Mary in Art.” 2nd Saturdays: Monthly life drawing with live model.
   4. Church Tour and Art Workshop: Dates TBA  
   5. Sacred Music Program: 4/16 Divine Mercy Sunday Mass with Bishop Perry, Vox Fidelis Children’s Choir and St. Gregory’s Schola directed by composer-in-residence Kevin Allen.
   6. Upcoming: 5/21 and 6/4, Sacred Music talks by Kevin Allen. 6/13 Choral Mass for the Feast of St. Anthony.
8. School Report
   1. 4/21 First Communions at 5pm. 4/25 Confirmation at 7:00pm. 5/26 Graduation. Strong enrollment for next year. All who have applied have a Tax Credit Scholarship for this year. St. Francis and St. Joseph pledged to do the same for next year. We are over halfway funded.
   2. Ms. Christine Boyd received the Saints & Scholars 2023 Veteran Principal Award. Criteria included demonstrated long-term dedication to Catholic education and significant school leadership ability.
9. Liturgy and Worship
   1. Holy Week (4/2-4/9)
   2. Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter in discussion with letter to the Cardinal to allow the Mass at SGG.   
10. Religious Education and Sacraments
    1. Religious Education students from the 2nd year Confirmation class participated/volunteered during Holy Week. Confirmation practice will be on 4/22, First Communion practice on 5/6. C will be 4/25 and FC 5/13.
    2. RCIA has 8 new people. 2 adults were Baptized, 6 received First Communion and Confirmation. Mystagogy continues. RCIA members are expanding to other parts of the Parish; someone is joining the choir. For next year, 7 people are already enrolled. RICA had 3 candidates who received Confirmation. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Confessions the weekend of 4/15.
11. Parish Life
    1. Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent, Compline on Sundays in Lent. Parish Penance Service 3/20. Days of Recollection – parish charismatic groups 4/1, English Retreat at SGG 3/25, Spanish at SI 3/19. SGH:  TS Elliot’s Four Quartets, The Confession of St Augustine. Triduum of Holy Hours for Healing—Bishop Bartosic (3/27-29). SGH Divine Mercy Mass (4/16). Fr Robert Farewell (4/16).
12. Upcoming
    1. Author Michael Heinlein Talk (4/18). Pedro Calungsod Mass (4/21). Confirmation (4/25). First Communions (5/13). May Crowning (5/14--Mother’s Day). School Graduation (5/26).

New Business Knights of Columbus Blood Drive 5/14. Fr. Bob’s Farewell Tour SI: 4/30 after 12:30pm and 5/7 after 8:30am and 10:30am. STC: 4/23 after 8am and 11:30am. SGG: 4/30 after 9:30am.

Next Meeting TBD on Fr. Alejandro Lopez’s arrival 

Closing Prayer by Fr. Bob Cook, meeting adjourned at 8:55pm