St. Mary Parish Council  January 23, 2025                                                                                         
Present: Father Charlie, President Dale Davies, Vice President Alec Bredel, Kathy Burrer,                                                     Susan Mack, Doug Pitts, John Schill, Paul Vakerics, Joyce Snyder, Secretary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Absent:  Cathy Freeman                                                                                                                                                                    Our meeting began at approximately 5:30pm with a prayer led by Father Charlie.                                                                                  President Dale Davies led our meeting.                                                                                                                                      Motion to accept November minutes:   1st John Schill   2nd Alec Bredel
UPDATES - Commission Reports                                                                                                                                             Worship Commission - Dale Davies – No report                                                                                                       Education – Kathy Burrer –No report            .                                                                                                  Spiritual Development –  Susan Mack reported, a meeting was held on Thursday. Jan. 9th to review their Advent activities: the Giving Tree, Caroling to the shut-ins and the Advent/Christmas Novena bulletin insert for Dec. 16-24. It was felt with our Giving Tree distribution, we need to improve our coordination with our school, Knights of Columbus and the families we intend to serve.  There were 9 carolers who  sang for 9 shut-ins. They were given an Advent plate with Christ candle that included 4 votive candles that were battery operated,  an Advent reflection book, bells for their door and a treat of chocolate & cookies. They were most appreciative! We decided to continue this new tradition but also return the Advent Family Night the day after Thanksgiving.  St. Mary students will participate in Lenten retreats on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, which will be broken down into 4 different class groups.  These will be led by Deacon Pat Humphrey and Jan Howell on Tuesdays: March 4, 11, 18 and 21. Our Come and See Retreat will be held on March 15 at St. Agnes Church. The theme will be based on Bishop Malesic’s Pastoral letter, the Jubilee Year and the Fruits of the Spirit. First planning meeting Feb. 4 and continue the next 6 Tuesdays. Lastly there will be a “nuts & bolts” refresher for Lectors on Sat. Jan. 25 @ 10am and Mon. Jan. 27 @ 6:30pm                                                                                                           Altar & Rosary – Kathy Freeman -  No report, absent                                                                                                                                                           Hot Meals - Kathy Freeman - No report, absent                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Discipleship - Joyce Snyder-  reported meeting held on Mon. Jan. 13. Only Mary Ann Kershaw and I met as others were either sick or had prior commitments. There was no December meeting scheduled. We reviewed our Holiday dinners, our HOMETEAM drivers were able to take their WORD packets to our shut-ins. There will be a Valentine bag & goodies going out at the end of the month.  Planning has begun for Fat Tuesday, Father Charlies Carbonara Dinner and Pierogi Lunches. We will again participate in St. Agnes Soup Supper / Stations on April 4th. Further discussion is being held concerning the 200 Club moving forward. If interesting in join the Discipleship Committee or have suggestions, contact Joyce, (H) 440-775-1967  or [email protected]                                                                                                                                                                        Social Concerns -  Alec Bredel reported that 5 Parishioners have expressed interest in reestablishing the Social Concerns Commission here at St. Mary. They plan to meet the 2nd & 4th Saturdays at 1pm, All are welcome to join. Our SCC has agreed to host an event here at St. Mary Feb. 1, “Depolarizing Within during the Year of Hope” in conjunction with Braver Angels and the Diocesan Office on Social Action. Then on Feb. 21 at St. Ambrose Catholic Parish “ Accompaniment & Mental Health Ministry Conference” addressing mental health in families, church, faith & society.                                                                                                                                                                                       Finance -  Father Charlie reported a bequest of $163000 was made. This was used to cover the cost of our new heating and HVAC systems. We need to educate Parishioners about the Angel Scholarship fund.                                                                                                                                                            Open Forum:   Should we participate in the upcoming Apple Festival in Sept. 2025.                                           
Next meeting, February 27, 2025                                                                                                                                                                           Move to close: 1st - Paul Vakerics    2nd -  John Schill                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted, Joyce M. Snyder, Sec Jan. 24, 2025