Three years ago I felt called to be more involved in Immaculate Conception Parish, I didn't know what but felt I was being lead to do something so I put my name in for Parish Council and my name was drawn.  As the council had been dormant from COVID and was just getting started again, my name was drawn for a one year term. Being on the Immaculate Conception Parish Council, I was acutely aware the Archdiocese had put the school on probation due to the parish was supporting the school over 50% which they prefer the support to only be around 27% to 30%. Given the numbers during the meeting I saw the gap was very large dollar amount - one that couldn't keep being absorbed by the Parish.

 

Later I was talking with my sister-in-law about my concerns regarding the Immaculate Conception School and I was worried it could potentially close. As we continued talking, she told me about a committee from her Parish that some parishioners set up called Friends of St. John’s the Baptist Gildahaus. She went on to say it supports the school and church and maybe we should consider starting one. As I brought it back to the parish council, it was decided it may not be a good fit for the council but suggested if I wanted to, to continue researching on my own. With my one year term finishing on the Parish Council it was a good fit for me to research. First I connected with a committee member for Friends of SJBG. She informed me it has been a wonderful addition to helping their school and parish and definitely suggested we start this organization. She said she would send over the information on how they organized and how to setup a nonprofit company.

 

After quite a few more conversations, I quickly realized how effective a nonprofit company could benefit Immaculate Conception as a completely isolated organization from the church and the school. My problem was I’m really busy and how could I possibly have time. Our company is really busy and on top of that we started construction on a new business, there’s just no time left in my day. But I still felt called so I started praying; should I start this organization or I should try to find other others to do it instead. And I prayed and prayed in the end I truly felt the Holy Spirit was tapping me on the shoulder pushing me to begin this not for profit company so I got started.

 

My first step was to find others willing and with talents needed to be a part of this new organization. My first contact was two outgoing members of Parish Council. Lauri Orf, she was Parish Council secretary and also has an accounting background and Andy Guthrie, he brings a business background to group. Brandon Bardot was next on my list as an attorney and he brings leadership to our board. Ted Schroeder was my next recruit, with an insurance sales background and over the years being members of local organizations so he brings the much needed networking to our organization.  My background is marketing and sales with an emphasis in accounting.