Parish Staff

Pastoral Council

Members serve in an advisory role to the parish priest. They plan for the future of the parish, review parish policies, promote faith formation and parish activities, coordinate parish groups, and accept and consider comments and suggestions from parishioners.

Charlotte Snekvik - Chair
Alejandrina Amado
Rob Cassleman
Lorraine Farrand
Aurora Horstkamp
Jim Lincoln
Kevin Owens
Eric Patera - Vice Chair
Mary Schweitzer
Charlotte Worthy

Minutes: Sacred Heart Pastoral Council Zoom Meeting -
November 14, 2020

Opening Prayer – the Our Father.
Council members present: Alex Amado, Kelsi Benton (youth member) Rob Cassleman, Fr. Steve Dublinski, Lorraine Farrand, Aurora Horstkamp, Jim Lincoln, Eric Patera, Mary Schweitzer, Char Snekvik (chair) and Charlotte Worthy. Also present: Dan Jinguji for the Faith Formation Commission, and Mary Sutherland, Parish Secretary.
Commission Report – Faith Formation presentation by Dan Jinguji. The report is attached to the bulletin email and posted on the church website. Dan added that, in the spring after we closed down, we petitioned the Bishop, and were allowed to receive two people into the church. Several children made their First Communion at outdoor & parking lot Masses. They are scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on April 17 with Bishop Daly.
            There are many challenges, but we are adapting. Our youth and children need interaction. The council members want the Faith Formation board to realize they are doing the best they can, and encourage them to keep coming up with new ideas.
            The Eucharistic Miracles display mentioned in the report is a touring display of 84 panels that contain historical descriptions, photographs, and illustrations of Eucharistic Miracles around the world. The display will be at Sacred Heart March 13 & 14. We can’t have a service, but people can come to look. It is in Spanish and English. It will start in the social hall, and tables will be set up leading up to the church, where people could do Adoration a few at a time.
Liturgy and Worship: Plans for up-coming Masses and events. Thanksgiving Day Mass will be livestreamed at 10 am. Should we have Mass at St. Thomas More for Advent & Christmas? The council members discussed this with member Dr. Aurora Horstkamp. The conclusion was no, we won’t have Masses indoors, we can’t be responsible for spreading the virus. Recently the spread is from small gatherings of family, friends, and in restaurants. It is highly risky to gather. Virtual Masses are appropriate. We are thinking of the parishioners’ and Fr. Steve’s safety and health first.
Idea for Christmas & Epiphany. Could we make Communion available in family groups with a minister in the church? Limit how many come in at a time? We could have a reservation system. The decision was that we shouldn’t do it indoors. Accumulated time exposed to people at close range is dangerous for the ministers. We can use the side gathering area outside to the right of the church. The nativity set can be out there, and heaters. We could give out Communion all afternoon on Christmas Eve. It could be like the Shepherd’s Square in Rome.
Hispanic Ministry: There will not be an in-person service for Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Members discussed how people could celebrate. We can make a little grotto with the icon in the side greeting area. People can bring flowers.
           We have two people in addition to Alex to join the new Hispanic Pastoral Council.
Fr. Steve would like to meet with them. Alex will find out when that will work, Saturdays are fine. Fr. Steve is still presiding at baptisms, with a limited number of people, with masks. Confession is by appointment with masks, inside the church, but not in the confessional.

Finance and Administration Commission
PPP loan – We received an email saying they are now taking requests for forgiveness, and they attached a form. We took out a $46,000 loan to pay full salaries. We used the loan to pay staff. The government will forgive loans under $50,000. We could pay it back if we need to.
            Maintenance & Repairs – The steeple roof is finished; they are still supposed to repair the roof over the annex. The parking lot will have to wait until spring.
            Parish Fundraising for Sacred Heart Improvement Fund – how is it going? There is a thermometer on our webpage. We have $9,000 out of $20,000 so far.

Community Outreach
Ecumenical committee – Rob talked to people at a couple of other churches. They said it would be helpful to identify a focus. Fr. Steve said the first thing to do is plan a joint prayer service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. After the pandemic is over. That is a traditional week for Christians to get together and pray. That event can grow into shared discussion groups, pulpit exchanges, etc. Eventually it may grow into the communities inviting each other to join in events. He has seen congregations form a covenant, a formal relationship. Rob needs other parishioners to help. Fr. Steve said parishioner Ann Heath is interested.
Community Engagement committee – Fr. Steve attended a Zoom meeting at WSU about how the university can engage with religions in the community. He was happy to find out that parishioner Karen Fischer is on that committee also.
Rob and Fr. Steve of the Community Engagement Committee had a great meeting with the Sacred Heart Youth Group. The question of how the parish could engage with them evolved into a discussion about communication. Youth are engaged online in conversation far above what we would imagine. A couple teens received training on how to have a healthy dialogue on issues. Fr. Steve and Rob were very impressed with the teens who participated and shared their thoughts. Kelsi said that is great to hear. They are learning how to politely share opinions. But they get lots of criticism. Hearing that the council members notice and give youth credit means a lot. Fr. Steve’s big take-away from the meeting is that our youth are more engaged than we would dream. In Pope Francis’ most recent letter, he noted that the world is changing. The youth are our experts in helping us understand that change.
 
Pastoral Council Constitution and By Laws questions follow up: Rob and Char discussed some questions, and figured most of them out. Next fall, the council should probably look at the constitution & bylaws. Some changes are needed.

List of people on committees: We could put the list of people on committees on a sheet in the directory, which we are hoping to get out early in 2021.  Every year we could put out a sheet with a list. When people’s cell numbers and emails are in the bulletin or online, they get fake texts and emails, purporting to be from Fr. Steve. We need to be careful.

Char did a great job with the state of the parish report. Thanks to Fr. Steve & Mary, too.

We will have parking lot Mass this weekend and next, weather permitting. We will keep on having parking lot Masses through December if the weather is ok.

Next meeting is Saturday, December 12, at 10 am.

Closing prayer: Glory Be.
Submitted by Mary Sutherland

November 14, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Faith Formation Commission report 11/2020
Community Outreach Commission report 11/2020
October 10, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Community Outreach Commission report 10/2020
September 26, 2020 Pastoral Council Zoom Retreat notes
September 13, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Community Outreach Commission report 9/13/20
June 14, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Community Outreach Commission report 6/20
May 17, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Finance and Administration Report to council 5/17/20
April 25, 2020 council Zoom minutes
Community Outreach Commisstion report to council 4/25/20
March 8, 2020 council minutes
February 9, 2020 council minutes
January 12, 2020 council minutes
December 8, 2019 council minutes
Community Outreach Commisstion report to council 12/8/19
November 3, 2019 council minutes
Faith Formation Board Report to Pastoral Council 11/3/19
October 13, 2019 council minutes
September 8, 2019 council minutes
June 2, 2019 council minutes
May 5, 2019 council minutes
April 7, 2019 council minutes
March 10, 2019 council minutes
Community Outreach Commission Report to Council 3/10/19
February 10, 2019 council minutes
January 13, 2019 council minutes
Faith Formation Board Report to Pastoral Council 1/13/19
December 9, 2018 council minutes
November 11, 2018 council minutes
October 14, 2018 council minutes
September 9, 2018 council minutes
June 3, 2018 council minutes
May 6, 2018 council minutes
April 15, 2018 council minutes
March 18, 2018 council minutes
February 25, 2018 council minutes
February 2018 council minutes - February 11
January 2018 council minutes
December 2017 council minutes
November 2017 council minutes
October 2017 council minutes
September 2017 council minutes
May 2017 council minutes

Faith Formation Board

Parish Faith Formation serves preschool through adults. Board members provide oversight and support to the Faith Formation staff for curriculum, hiring, adult education topics, and the parish library. Individuals will be chosen to form a diverse group representing all parish members.

Linda Heidenreich - President
Tammy Barry 
Penny Zimmerman
Jane Hommel 
Dan Jinguji 
Betty Klover
Wendy McCann 
Jon Parrish 
Dave Schneider

Faith Formation Board Meeting
November 5, 2020 via Zoom

Attended by: Anderson Barry (youth board member), Tammy Barry, Linda Heidenreich, Jane Hommel, Dan Jinguji, Linea Johnson, Amadeo Kittelson (youth board member), Betty Klover, Jon Parrish, Theresa Paul, Dave Schneider, Penny Zimmerman, Anna Park

1. Call to prayer;  Opening Prayer - Linda Heidenreich

2. Share personal reactions or experience since last meeting

3. Agenda items according to each category:
   1. Faith Formation Report: Theresa – Sacred Heart will host a display called Eucharistic Miracles that was designed and created by the beatified Carlo Actuis. We will host March 13-14. The display tables will start in the social hall and work up to sanctuary for adoration.
   2. Bishop Daly will come for First Eucharist and Confirmation April 17. Those who were not confirmed from last year will be confirmed. A family with three girls will make First Eucharist on Nov. 22 at the parking lot mass.
   3.  RCIA is going well. An RCIA participant shared a presentation on Dia de los Muertos.
   4. Two winners from the Scavenger Hunt - Betty was one of the winners and will be receiving a prize!
   5. Theresa will have a few small groups using Zoom for Faith Formation beginning in December. One group will be 1-3 grade and 4-6 grade. It will begin with Advent. Will need to get feedback from parents on what time will work best. In addition to praying together as a group, there will be topics of discussion around faith.

1. 6. Youth Group Report: Andersen & Amadeo - Things are going as well as they can for YG even though they can’t be in person. During their Zoom meetings, the first half is about learning about church and our faith. In the second half, they play games to build community. Linda mentioned that her mother got one of the handwritten cards from the YG. One of the people that Andersen wrote, sent a letter back. Amadeo said even though they aren’t in person, Linea does a great job of making them feel connected. He also enjoyed the letter writing. A chance to connect when not together. Andersen helped to pass out the goodie bags at the last parking lot mass. It was a nice way to connect with the church community.

1. 7. Safety Committee Update: Theresa - At the last safety meeting, they discussed things that could be done around the building. One was getting first aid kits around the parish so that they would be easy for anyone to find. A Fire Department Safety Officer came and gave advice on what to include in the kits and where to place them. He suggested including the first aid kits near the fire extinguishers. He also said signage would make kits easy to find. Also, the nursery and the St. Teresa room cannot be used for children when we get back to classes due to lack of windows. One idea is to take the back section with the wood flooring in the social hall for the nursery. There are usually only about 5 children at a time. To do this, all the extra tables and chairs need to be cleared out. The RE supply closet materials can then go down into the nursery and the current supply room can house the tables and chairs so they are accessible for social hall use. Fr. Steve said the back pews in the Annex can be moved and a small temporary wall can be put up to accommodate a class. Theresa asked for that project to begin after Christmas. Also, smoke detectors for each classroom won’t be necessary according to the Safety Officer since we don’t have anyone sleeping there. He also said that in the event of a fire, taking the children to the grassy area between church and parish office would be best. Jon looked into Fisher Systems in Lewiston as a company to help with setting up these safety measures. These are things that can be done before we have people back into the church. We will also get shades for the door windows in the event of a lockdown.

1. 8. Date set for Eucharist & Confirmation: Theresa - Saturday, April 17, 2021

1. 1. Jesse Tree (discussion & planning): Linda & Theresa - Theresa shared that in her childhood, they had cut-outs that are hung, scripture readings, etc. If we are going to hang these on outside trees, items will need to be weather resistant. Each family could pick a cut-out of someone to put on the tree, and once those ornaments are hung, a prayer could be said. Theresa would like to do goodie bags with the materials in them for the tree. Theresa suggested an artificial tree that is accessible for those who can’t reach the taller trees. If you have any ideas of who should appear on the JT (those who helped pave the way to the birth of Christ), please send to Theresa. We have a few weeks to work on this. Please get any ideas to Theresa in the next week.

1. 10. Christmas Play & Choir (discussion & planning): Dan - In talking with Jill & Eric Patera, Dan is working to plan a virtual choir and play. Each part will be recorded individually and put together in one larger recording. If we are at STM, it can be shown on the projectors. Dan has a list of parts and will work with Linea to make a Flocknote to sign up. This provides an opportunity for children to feel connected and participate in this yearly tradition. Dan mentioned that we could have YG participate. Dan mentioned participation is greater than historical accuracy - 17 kings would be fine. The recording will be made available for parents through an unpublished YouTube link.

4. Closing Prayer - Penny Zimmerman
5. Next Meeting – December 1, 2020

November 5, 2020 faith formation board minutes
October 6, 2020 faith formation board minutes
September 1, 2020 faith formation board minutes
August 4, 2020 faith formation board minutes
June 2, 2020 faith formation board minutes
May 5, 2020 faith formation board minutes
March 3, 2020 faith formation board minutes
February 4, 2020 faith formation board minutes
January 7, 2020 faith formation board minutes
December 3, 2019 faith formation board minutes
November 5, 2019 faith formation board minutes
October 1, 2019 faith formation board minutes
September 3, 2019 faith formation board minutes
June 4, 2019 faith formation board minutes
May 7, 2019 faith formation board minutes
April 2, 2019 faith formation board minutes
March 5, 2019 faith formation board minutes
January 8, 2019 faith formation board minutes
December 4, 2018 faith formation board minutes
November 6, 2018 faith formation board minutes
October 2, 2018 faith formation board minutes
September 4, 2018 faith formation board minutes
June 2018 faith formation board minutes
May 2018 faith formation board minutes
April 2018 faith formation board minutes
March 2018 faith formation board minutes
February 2018 faith formation board minutes
January 2018 faith formation board minutes
December 2017 faith formation board minutes
November 2017 faith formation board minutes
October 2017 faith formation board minutes
September 2017 faith formation board minutes
June 2017 faith formation board minutes

Members research charities and decide which ones will receive money from the parish. In 1990 Sacred Heart's Pastoral Council decided the parish would spend a percent of its income on charity, gradually working up to 10%. It established the Caritas committee to disburse the funds. The percentage has varied over the years. 

Michelle Chapman, chair
Ken Casavant
Jessica Ortiz
Tim Paulitz
Robin Saam

Finance Council

This council is appointed by the pastor, and is responsible for ensuring the financial stability of the parish.

Erik Coats - President
Dennis Guettinger
Bernie McEldowney
Miho Nam
Rev. Jeff Core, diocesan representative