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.

2025-2026 council members
Bonita Lawhead & Marie Wallace Parrish - Co-Chairs
Colleen Boone
Zofia Brannon, youth member
Trisha Doumit
Sandra Gallardo-Cook
Robert Harris
Rich Heath
Gabriela Holzman
Judene Mclane
Phil Nelson
Mayzie Patera, youth member
Chidobe Ugwu

Pastoral council meeting 
Sunday, September 14, 2025

Present: Bunnie Lawhead (Co-Chair), Marie Wallace Parrish (Co-Chair), Colleen Boone, Zofia Brannon (youth rep), Mayzie Patera (youth rep), Trisha Doumit, Rich Heath, Chidobe Ugwu, Sandra Cook-Gallardo, Gabriela Holzman, Linea Johnson (Office Manager & Youth Coordinator), and Jessica Ortiz-Eriamiatoe (Secretary Assistant).

Opening prayer: Our Father and the repose of the soul of Father Thomas Caswell.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Spanish Mass: After consulting with the Spanish-speaking community, the council decided to temporarily suspend the Spanish Mass.
Starting a support group for parents of teens: At least one parent has expressed high anxiety about raising kids in the modern world. The council discussed various options for support groups. Having a parent discussion group during youth group meetings is a great idea. Another idea is to set up a teaching/discussion group with experts about strategies for different parenting issues. There could be a survey to evaluate interest. Maybe a parent network that is free for parents of children of all ages (not just teens) who want to interact and discuss would be good. There may be a need for two different classes/groups: one a support group where parents can meet and share issues, and the other teaching skills to parents while providing resources in a training setting.
REPORTS
Ongoing improvement project for the parish office: Father reported that the back door of the parish office was replaced. A wider door will accommodate wheelchairs. The entrance steps will be replaced with a ramp and deck to make this entrance safer and more accessible. This has been a big concern for many years, so he decided to go ahead with the improvement project.
Faith Formation: Linea reported a significant increase in registration compared to last year. There are 32 children registered for sacrament preparation. The faith formation classes have about 15 children per class with a total of three classes. The youth group has five people registered, but she expects more to come on the first day. Each class has four catechists assigned which helps with the teaching load.
Financial Report: Linea presented the statement of activity and statement of financial position for the last fiscal year. The statement of activity report shows a year-end balance of $21,000. In the statement of financial position, the church has $1,100,020 in the bank. She clarified that we never spend more money than we have. If the budget looks tight, and we are not making our financial goals, we will cut back on the spending to compensate. There is no current concern about the church not having enough funds to function normally.
Renovation of handicapped parking spaces: Father reported updates from the facilities committee. An architect is looking at creating parking on the street side of the church. If these spots are approved by the city, it will create more handicapped parking spaces for the church. Then we can move ahead to build ramps, an accessible entrance, and safe exits from classrooms. The city inspected our current handicapped space and reported that it is not legal.
Property purchase: The finance committee was finally able to contact the owners of the property next to the parish house, at 450 NE Ash St. They and the pastoral council have been making unofficial offers through the parish office. The owners know that the property is very valuable to us, so they asked for a premium price, although the house is not habitable and will be torn down. Their asking price was $545,000 plus closing costs. We counter-offered with $510,000 on September 10 and they tentatively accepted. The property would be purchased as is, with both parties paying their own closing costs. They want to close in 30-35 days and keep all major appliances. The next steps are to get permission from the bishop, complete the purchase of the property and begin demolition of the house.
FEEDBACK
Lentil Festival: It would be good to have at least one person actively engaging with people as they spin the wheel for candy and other prizes. Passersby may be reluctant to ask a question about God or the church in general, so being inviting is key. There was also a suggestion to display our Mass times more prominently with a big sign with a QR code besides handouts.
Neighborhood BBQ: There were not a lot of neighbors there, but the ones that came seemed to enjoy themselves. Our parishioners who attended were great at facilitating conversations with our neighbors. The food was delicious. Getting to know our neighbors has helped initiate mutual respect and courtesy in the community.
Parish Picnic: It was great to see the social media posts about the picnic. There were about 40 parishioners but very few families with children. Some parents attended and didn’t know that they could bring their children. It was suggested to make sure we advertise this event as family-friendly perhaps by posting pictures of the park views and large playground area. The weather this year was not ideal with very high temperatures and bad air quality. There might have been less participation since it was scheduled on Labor Day weekend.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Pastoral Council Retreat is Saturday, October 4, from 9-12 pm in the social hall. People are free to bring food to share. We usually have muffins and juice.
Submitted by Jessica Ortiz-Eriamiatoe

September 14, 2025 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Position Sept. 2025
Parish Statement of Activity Sept. 2025
June 22, 2025 pastoral council minutes
May 4, 2025 pastoral council minutes
March 9, 2025 pastoral council minutes
February 9, 2025 pastoral council minutes
January 12, 2025 pastoral council minutes
December 8, 2024 pastoral council minutes
November 10, 2024 pastoral council minutes
October 5, 2024 pastoral council retreat minutes
September 8, 2024 pastoral council minutes
June 23, 2024 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement June 2024
April 21, 2024 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement April 2024
St. Francis Guild Report April 2024
March 10, 2024 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement March 2024
St Francis Guild report March 2024
February 11, 2024 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement February 2024
St. Francis Guild Report February 2024
January 14, 2024 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement January 2024
St Francis Guild Report January 2024
November 12, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement, November 2023
Community Outreach Commission Report November 2023
Pastoral council retreat notes September 30 2023
September 17, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement, September 2023
June 11, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statement, June 2023
Community Outreach commission report June 2023
St Francis Guild Report June 2023
May 21, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Parish Financial Statements, May 2023
Community Outreach commission report May 2023
St Francis Guild Report May 2023
April 16, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach commission report April 2023
March 12, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach commission report March 2023
February 12, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach commission report February 2023
Parish Statement of Financial Position February 2023
Parish Statement of Financial Activity February 2023
January 8, 2023 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach Commission report January 2023
December 11, 2022 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach Commission report December 2022
November 6, 2022 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach Commission report November 2022
October 15, 2022 pastoral council retreat notes
October 9, 2022 pastoral council minutes
Community Outreach Commission report October 2022
September 11, 2022 pastoral council minutes
Current Fiscal Year Report Sept. 2022
Current Account Totals September 2022
Fiscal Year 2021-22 Report
Community Outreach Commission report September 2022

Faith Formation Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Present: Juan Garcia, Linea Johnson, Dorothy Warn., Yoko Ambrosini, Angela Nelson, Kat Harris and Elizabeth Garcia.
Meeting Times: The group decided to meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm
Officers for next year: Jessica C. agreed to Chair with Kat (last year’s chair) to lend her support. The Chair speaks a week before the meeting with the FF staff and sets the agenda for the monthly meeting, which will be written and passed out by the Assistant/Secretary. Yoko agreed to be Vice Chair and will run the monthly meeting if Jessica is gone.
The meeting focused on reviewing and clarifying the parish’s Faith formation bylaws, particularly regarding the roles and responsibilities of the board and its members. The discussion included the ideal team structure for teaching classes, the inclusion of a catechist on the board, and the staggered terms for board members to ensure continuity. The board’s minimum meeting frequency and quorum requirements were also addressed.
Adult Faith Formation: 
Angela bible study for parents/adults during the same time slot as children's Faith Formation. Phil is willing to lead a class. Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life, from Ascension press looks wonderful, with content filmed on location in Israel, the Middle East, and Europe, where the church began. A half-hour video will be followed by group discussion. There are ten classes, at 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings.
ACTION STEP: The group discussed prioritizing events and delegating tasks, for events the parish will have. The group also considered inviting a catechist to each meeting to highlight their work and create a core list of prioritized events.
Parish International Harvest Festival: Sept 27,2025 at 5:30 PM. Bring your family!
No Snacks Required: If you want to bring snacks feel free, but nothing is expected.
Thank you all for coming to the meeting! I enjoyed getting to know you. 
Our next Meeting will be Tuesday October 07 at 7pm in the Social Hall.

September 2, 2025 Faith Formation board minutes
June 3, 2025 Faith Formation board minutes
May 6, 2025 Faith Formation board minutes
March 4, 2025 Faith Formation board minutes
February 4, 2025 Faith Formation board minutes
December 3, 2024 Faith Formation board minutes
November 5, 2024 Faith Formation board minutes
October 1, 2024 Faith Formation board minutes
September 3, 2024 Faith formation board minutes
June 4, 2024 Faith formation board minutes
May 7, 2024 Faith formation board minutes
April 2, 2024 Faith formation board minutes
March 5, 2024 faith formation board minutes
February 6, 2024 faith formation board minutes
January 9, 2024 faith formation board minutes
December 5, 2023 faith formation board minutes
November 7, 2023 faith formation board minutes
October 4, 2023 faith formation board minutes
September 5, 2023 faith formation board minutes
June 6, 2023 faith formation board minutes
April 11, 2023 faith formation board minutes
March 7, 2023 faith formation board minutes
February 7, 2023 faith formation board minutes
January 10, 2023 faith formation board minutes
December 6, 2022 faith formation board minutes
November 8, 2022 faith formation board minutes
October 4, 2022 faith formation board minutes
September 6, 2022 faith formation board minutes
June 7, 2022 faith formation board minutes
May 3, 2022 faith formation board minutes
April 5, 2022 faith formation board minutes
March 1, 2022 faith formation board minutes
February 1, 2022 faith formation board minutes
December 7, 2021 faith formation board minutes
November 9, 2021 faith formation board minutes
October 5, 2021 faith formation board minutes
September 7, 2021 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. 

Bonita Lawhead, chair
 Kay Anyan Davis
 Linda Bradley
Jamal Lyksett
Ray Quock
Sandra Holderby

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