Meet your Parish Advisory Council
Consists of several active parishioner volunteers working in concert with Clergy and Staff to provide inputs on Parish decision making
The members of the PAC are as follows
Father Scott Whitfield
Pastor
Fr. Scott Whitfield, B.Journ., M.P.Th., Th.M, was born and raised in what is today the city of Mississauga, in that city’s district of Port Credit. Not baptized until the age of seven, his religious upbringing was in the Anglican Church of Canada. After graduating from Port Credit Secondary School, he attended and then graduated from Carleton University School of Journalism in Ottawa in 1989. He laboured at a brief career in journalism and public relations, working as a freelance writer, editor and media analyst for various NGOs and government departments before taking a position as an assistant to an elected councillor in the Ottawa-Carleton Regional government from the mid to late 90s.
Cindy De Nobriga
Parish Secretary
I am a life-time resident of Dundas, and have been a member of St. Augustine’s Church for 42 years. I married my husband Michael in August, 1978 at St. Augustine’s Church. We raised three wonderful children Brian, Amy and Catherine and now my greatest joy is being a Grandma to two adorable grandsons Blake and Austin. For many years I was the Coordinator of the Children’s Liturgy Program. I am the treasurer of the St. Augustine’s Catholic Women’s League and I have the pleasure of being the Parish Secretary for the last 16 years.
Doug Herman
PAC Vice Chairperson
A retired pharmaceutical executive that worked and lived in Canada, Belgium, USA, Russia (CIS), South Korea and the Indian subcontinent; leading various country pharmaceutical operations.
The most exciting lesson learned was the realization that peoples of all the world cultures are more alike than different. The potential for world peace exists within the numerous similarities that we all have.
Doug is a father of 3 grown children and the grandfather of 5 precious grandchildren. They keep me young at heart’
Doug is a choir member / occasional Cantor at St Augustine’s and a member of the Parish Finance Committee and Parish Advisory Council.
Doug is experienced as a Eucharistic Minister, Lecturer and Usher. Recently Doug became a 3′ Degree with Knights of Columbus.
Doug is a Certified Sommelier and enjoys trying new wine discoveries.
Martin Strybosch
Finance Committee
Martin has been a resident of Dundas and a member of St. Augustine since 1982. In addition to being a member of the parish’s advisory council, he is also involved with St. Augustine as an usher, cash counter and member of the finance committee. Martin, a Knights of Columbus member for over 31 years, is presently the Financial Secretary for the Knights, Dundas council.
Martin is a retired banker having held various positions over his 42 years of service. His last position being a Private Banker with the Wealth Management group in the Hamilton office. Martin has been involved in various charities over the years, March of Dimes, Kidney Foundation and the chair/board member with the MS Society, Hamilton chapter to name a few.
Married to Debbie for over 40 years, father to 3 grown children, proud opa to 3 grandchildren.
Deborah Altmann
One Heart One Soul Projects
Deborah is a former Psychometrist who worked at The Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto prior to starting a family. She has lived in Dundas for the past 28 years with her husband Steve. They have two children, Joshua and Victoria. Deborah has been actively involved in the community including; service to the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (Hamilton and Toronto), participating in the out-of-the-cold program, helping Syrian families, active supporter for the Joseph Brant Hospital’s Labour and Delivery Unit, and was very involved with the Parents Association at Hillfield Strathallan College where her children attended school. She has been an active member of St. Augustine’s Parish since 1992. Most recently she has been involved in the One Heart One Soul Campaign and is on the Parish Advisory Committee as well as the Parish Centre Renovation Committee. Deborah enjoys the outdoors and loves to garden, walk, hike and ski.
Kim Van Den Heuvel
One Heart Soul Projects
Kim is an Engineering Manager in the Renewable Energy Industry. Her and her husband Brian moved their family of 3 to Dundas in summer of 2016 from Oakville. She was born in Oshawa and raised in Thunder Bay and Ottawa. Brian was born and raised in Dundas. His dad’s family immigrating to the area in 1953 from Holland and his mom’s family (Kiely) in 1964 from England. So while she’s only lived in Dundas a short while she feels a strong connection to St. Augustine’s and the community. Her and Brian were married at St. Augustine’s in 1999 by Fr. Curtin.
She co-facilitated the Monday night bible studies and faith formation at Mary Mother of God Parish in Oakville for 10 years and is currently co-facilitating the faith formation evenings here at St. Augustine’s. She is enjoying sitting on the Parish Advisory Council as well as co-chairing the Parish Centre Renovation Committee with Deborah. She enjoys reading, hiking, swimming and getting together with friends and family.
Dave Weber
Parish Communications Advisory
Dave is a long-time resident of Dundas and has been a member of St. Augustine’s since 1997. Over the years, he has been involved with the parish in a number of capacities, most recently as chair of the One Heart One Soul campaign.
Dave is senior partner at Sims Advertising in Burlington and very active in the community. He has recently joined the St. Joseph’s Health System board and is a new member of The Knights of Columbus here in Dundas.
Father to Alexandra and Mitchell, both grown. He became a grandfather to Charlee Grace in 2019 – and is spoiling her every chance he gets.
Yvette Beach
HR and Parish School Advisory
Born in Trinidad. Educated in England and Canada.
Retired Principal of the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board. Proud mother of two adult daughters.
Served on the Board of Directors for Catholic Family Services; Past President of KIds for Kaga; Member of the Board of Directors for Immigrant Workers (Hamilton).
Presently serves on the Board of Directors for The African Caribbean Student Scholarship Awards.
I have been a member of St Augustine Parish for over forty years and have had the privilege of serving both as Eucharist Minister and Lector.
Our Vision
Christ above all else.
Our Mission
To create a welcoming Christ-centered community that strives to address the spiritual needs of all His people; so as to connect them to Christ.
Our Values
Compassion Clarity Kindness Gentleness Patience Communication Love Generosity Reconciliation Humility JusticeParishioner Outreach
PAC strives to contact and include all current and future parishioners through a communications platform that will enable St Augustine’s parish to provide Catholic foundational service to all that seek Christ in the Dundas community. Plans may include training select volunteers through Father Scott for frequent parishioner / new recruits outreach visits / calls and select administration of regular Holy Communion to Catholic shut-ins.
Governance
Catholic parish governance arises from the requirements of canon law (Church law) as interpreted by the bishop of the diocese. To each parish the bishop assigns a priest to serve as pastor (latin for shepherd) who is directly responsible to the bishop for the administration of the sacraments, teaching, and parish property and finances.
Every parish is required to have a finance council comprised of laity of the parish to aid the pastor in the administration of parish finances and property (canon 537). There are six members (we currently have two vacancies). The pastor is the chairman, but may appoint a vice-chair who coordinates this council’s meetings (establishes schedule, organizes the agenda, sees that minutes are prepared, etc.)
A pastoral council (sometimes referred to as a “parish council”) is made up of lay members of the parish as an advisory group to the pastor to aid in the development and promotion of pastoral activity. These exist at the discretion of the bishop, who may or may not require them (canon 536). In the Diocese of Hamilton the bishop has given pastors the discretion to create such councils. At St. Augustine’s we have a “Parish Advisory Council” that fulfils that function. There are six members. The pastor is the chairman, but may appoint a vice-chair who coordinates this council’s meetings (establishes schedule, organizes the agenda, sees that minutes are prepared, etc.) The current vice-chairman is Doug Herman. He also has responsibility for communicating the content of discussions and the decisions of both councils to the parish community.
The relationship of the two committees to each other is one of cooperation in offering counsel to the pastor. It is not unusual for one or two persons to be a member of both councils to facilitate cooperation and coordination of each councils’ activities.
Other committees and advisory groups may be formed as needed, either to exist permanently (e.g. property committee; worship committee) or for a special project or initiative (e.g. One Heart, One Soul project committee; parish anniversary committee). At the time the committee is struck its line of accountability is established. For example, the One Heart, One Soul project committee reports to the Parish Advisory Council, but refers financial questions to the Finance Committee. Some committees may report directly to the pastor who then reports on their behalf (e.g. worship committee) to the council most appropriate for a given issue.
The term of service for committees is not fixed, but for the governing councils (finance and parish advisory) two-year terms are usual with a limit of two renewals. Special committees exist for the life of the project/initiative they oversee. Other permanent committees would generally follow the example of the governing councils with exceptions where justifiable.
Governing council terms run from January to December with new appointments made in October and November. Other committees and advisory groups set their terms from the start of their activity, or by agreement choose their term start date.
Financing
Administration of Parish
Parish Advisory Council (PAC) Zoom Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:30pm.
Present: Father Whitfield, Doug Herman, Deborah Altmann, Martin Strybosch,
Dave Weber, Kim van den Heuvel, Karen Kiely, Allan Veri
Regrets: Yvette Beach
Recording Secretary: Cindy de Nobriga
Doug Herman opened meeting with a prayer.
Doug Herman asked for a motion to accept the previous meeting’s minutes as read. Dave Weber made the motion, seconded by Deborah Altmann and all members present were in favour.
Volunteering Program Update:
Karen Kiely and Allan Veri, coordinators of the Volunteering Program gave a presentation to the committee on the status of this ministry. Their biggest task so far has been getting parishioners files up to date. Karen has reached out to two other parishes regarding their volunteering program as well have spoken to John O’Brien, Episcopal Delegate for Cemeteries and Insurance with the Hamilton Diocese. John O’Brien was able to give Karen the requirements in assessing each volunteer position according to the risk of position and minimizing the risk. The coordinators roles are to assess the ministries, screen accordingly, to keep the safety of the ministry leader and volunteer themselves, paperwork in place to protect our volunteers and that police checks are completed when required. In the New Year Karen and Allan will be addressing the paperwork with our volunteers to bring each personal file up to date. As the year progresses will invite new volunteers to join one of our parish ministries and provide training and workshops for them. Thank you, cards will be sent out to the ministers of the Mass, for their dedication during this COVID pandemic and how much it has been appreciated. On our parish website there is a Volunteering page in progress which will continue to be updated on a regular basis.
COVID Update:
At this time there has been no changes in COVID protocols. If there is a new Public Health press release for restrictions then the Diocese will notify all parishes regarding our protocols. Father Whitfield is allowed to go into a parishioner’s home to administer the Sacrament of the Sick only.
Financial Report:
Martin Strybosch reported that our Sunday Offerings are down by 13% and this reduction is related primarily to COVID-19 when the church was closed down for three months. Total expenses are under budget and this is reflected in salaries. To date only one interest payment made on the Chancery loan and one Cathedraticum payment made for 2020. A second Cathedraticum payment will be made prior to year end. The 2020 financial report will be in graph form on the Parish Advisory Committee page on the website. For January, Garry Condon from the Finance Committee will provide a draft of the 2021 budget.
Ministry Fund Update:
Ten thousand dollars have been invested with the Diocese at a 3% return. No requests at this time. Music Ministry has put their application on hold due to the COVID pandemic.
One Heart One Soul Campaign Update:
Waiting for a current update from the Diocese regarding the total pledged, total received and the balance still to come in. The Diocese Quarterly Report from end 2019 for St. Augustine’s Heart and Soul Campaign stated: Total Pledged: $285,582.00; Total Received: $173,684.00; Outstanding Balance: $111,897.00. Total dispersed from the Diocese to Parish … to be confirmed.
Parish Centre Renovations Update:
Dundas Valley Construction to start the Parish Centre renovations on January 11, 2021. A new floor, a warm medium brown has been selected. There will be the installation of a new black frame sliding door divider with a neutral insert panel for the back-meeting room. A color needs to be selected for the interior walls, recommendation that the color chosen be similar to the color now but lighter and less yellow. No city permits have been received but should have them by the start date. A new drop ceiling, LED panel for lighting, updated wall scones and a HVAC: 12,000 BTU ductless pump for heating and cooling in the new meeting room.
In the back-meeting room the wainscotting to remain but paint it out. Junk Brothers quote was just over $1,000.00 to come in on Friday, December 4th to move storage from garage to downstairs room. Dundas Valley Construction received first of two down payments of $19,000.00 and second payment for mid December. On upon half way completion of contract work Dundas Valley to receive 30% payment (attached is a summary of financial details for the Parish Centre, showing updates of the various contractors with October and November updates).
CCXIT Computer Services has been contracted for the installation of a wire cable system between the church, parish centre and parish office at a cost of $9,000.00 plus HST. Mountain Audio has given a price of $6000.00 for the camera equipment needed for streaming.
Marian Garden Renewal:
Knights of Columbus have completed the beautiful gazebo in the garden. In the New Year the statue of Mary will be moved due to the present location where the ground is sinking; in addition PAC will explore the prices of new benches for the garden.
Social Media Coordinator / Website Management:
In the New Year a job position for a social media coordinator / website management will be required. The position will be to develop ongoing communication to parishioners via social media and manage the website.
Vision, Mission and Values PAC / Website:
Parish Website on the Parish Advisory Committee page going forward to add the minutes of the PAC meetings, however to exclude finance numbers and confidential matters. On the website page you will find Administration of Parish, Governance. One Heart One Soul Projects, Financial Matters, Outreach Program and Our Visions, Mission and Values final statements.
New Ministries at St. Augustine’s:
There are two new ministries in the parish, Liturgy Workshop Committee (already formed under Father Whitfield) and Compassionate Care Ministry (A new Compassionate Care Ministry will be developed and Dave Weber has volunteered to be the leader and Tony Kerigan will participate as well). There will be Diocese meetings in January 2021 to explain the program.
St. Augustine’s Men’s Fellowship Group, which has been ongoing for several years under the leadership of retired Father James Curtin and Dave Weber. This Ministry has now been listed on St. Augustine’s website under Ministries.
PAC Meeting: The next PAC Zoom Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20th at 6:30p.m.
Closing Prayer: Father Whitfield