SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL CHURCH
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 23, 2026
- Opening prayer and attendance
The Saint Katharine Drexel Church Parish Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm and began with a prayer. In attendance were Father Doug Dietrich; Trustees Bruce Kahrs and Barb Schauer; also in attendance were parishioners Ron Miller and Bernice Lewis.
- Financial Review
Father Dietrich shared a summary of the past checking account status, as well as the financial report from the beginning of June of last year through the end of June of this year. Because of the differences in how accounting systems were maintained between Campbell/Blue Hill and Red Cloud/Franklin, and bringing all four parishes together into one system, the expenses and income for Red Cloud and Franklin were added together. Because of the change, we were able to be a “pilot parish” for the new accounting program the diocese is switching to, and so from this time on, the income/expenses of all four parishes will be kept separate.
The main checking account for Saint Katharine Drexel Church had a balance of $5,015.45 as of August 22, 2025; reached a high of $7,468.10 as of November 21, 2025; reached a low of $3,125.71 as of December 19, 2025; and was at $3,996.35 as of June 18, 2026. We have $1,549.04 in the Diocesan Savings and Loan (DIAL) Account, and Altar Society has $4,369.71 in DIAL.
Overall, the financial outlook is okay; the parish is not getting ahead, nor is it falling behind. All bills are being paid.
Father Dietrich shared his proposed budget for the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year. Members may review it as their leisure and make any recommended changes to Father Dietrich before the budget is submitted to the diocese in August.
III. New Business
- Letter on the Liturgy: ideas, opinions on music/singing of Mass parts
Father Dietrich opened discussion on the recent letter from the diocese regarding the liturgy. At this time, due to the time constraints of Father Dietrich having to get to Red Cloud for Mass after he finishes in Franklin, the lack of parish musicians and song leaders, we will likely continue as we have been: Katie Murphy will play when she is in town; otherwise, we will have an opening and closing hymn. There was no expressed desire among the members present to increase either the amount of chant or to begin chanting the entrance antiphon rather than choose a hymn.
Father Dietrich asked if the parish is content with the Missalettes we are using from Oregon Catholic Press (these seem to work fine). As far as the number that we order, it was pointed out that many of the Missalettes in the pews literally are never used because nobody ever sits where they are located. It was proposed and agreed upon that we will only order 30 Missalettes, but keep them in the back of church, for people to take as needed and return at the end of Mass. For now, we will continue using the Glory and Praise Hymnal.
- Envelopes for the poor
Father Dietrich would like to have envelopes made available in the back of church, perhaps only a few months out of the year, to generate a fund to assist needy people in the area. Although there are social service agencies in the region to provide help, the parish receives calls mostly for people with dire and immediate needs: gas, rent, or food. Requests come very sporadically, but when they come, the need is usually urgent. It was agreed that envelopes to donate towards such help will be offered to the parish.
- 2027 Calendar layout
Father Dietrich shared 3 different lay out options for the parish calendars. After discussion, it was proposed that parishioners who own businesses be asked to sponsor the calendars this year.
- Next meeting date/adjournment
The next meeting will be sometime towards the end of October/beginning of November; it may be a regional meeting of all 4 parishes at either Campbell or Red Cloud.
There being no business brought up by parish members, the meeting was adjourned and closed with prayer at 6:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Father Doug Dietrich