St. Patrick's Altar Society
April 2015 Meeting Minutes Attendance: 28 members
April's St. Patrick's Altar Society meeting in the rectory opened with the members praying the Our Father together. The minutes from March were read and approved. The Treasurer's March report was distributed to the members and approved. Fr. Schweiger asked the Society to consider selecting and funding the countertops in the new church. He would prefer a non-laminate countertop for all areas. Either granite, or quartz, or any other material that would look beautiful, but would also be durable and low maintenance. A motion was made and approved to investigate the available options as well as the cost. Mary Jo L., Jane N., Debbie W. and Jan W. volunteered to lead this for the Society. Father also displayed the beautiful medallion that will be placed in the front panel of the altar in the new church.
For the Legislative Commission, Debbie W. provided reading materials for those interested. She informed the group that the Catholics at the Capitol event went well. She also gave an update on a couple of bills that are currently being discussed in the Legislature.
A count of 1,947 Best Choice labels was shared with the group. Betty Z. provided an update on the new altar linens. She is waiting for the granite slab for the altar to arrive. Once Father has it, she and a couple of volunteers will make a template and then start sewing the new linens. The brass cross from the old sacristy that had been recently restored was shown to the members. The cost for the restoration was $335. Father confirmed that he plans to use the cross in the new sacristy. A motion was made and approved to ask the Knights and the Home/School to each contribute one-third of the expense. The Carnations Sales fundraiser will be held again this year. The carnations will be sold after Masses on Mother's Day. A sign-up sheet was routed during the meeting.
A member of the Dedication Committee (new church building) requested that the Altar Society take charge of the Pot Luck Dinner that is being planned for the day after the dedication. A motion was made and approved to lead the Dinner. Judy S. presented a non-event fundraiser idea on asking parishioners to "tax" themselves on all their blessings, such as family, home, car, or boat. One member suggested that we not use the word "tax." Judy said she would look at the proposal and possibly reword it. A motion was made and approved to use the non-event fundraiser. The members were informed that we will not have the garage sale again this year. Diane N. volunteered to put a notice in the bulletin asking parishioners to tithe from their personal garage sales. Diane asked Father if he wanted the Society members to clean the rectory again this June. Father suggested that we wait until after the dedication of the new church building and do a Fall cleaning. The members were reminded that at the last meeting they approved a regular meeting in lieu of the Mother's Banquet for the May meeting. It was suggested and approved that the May meeting start at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel with the reciting of the rosary. It was also suggested that the members take this opportunity to sing a couple of Marian songs in honor of our Mother, Mary. The May meeting will be held in the gym following the rosary. The meeting ended with a prayer and delicious desserts.