Policy and procedures for St. Jerome facilities

Facility Use Procedures for Ministries

All registered St. Jerome ministries are authorized to use the facilities (Jordan Hall, Brooks Hall, The Mother Teresa Center for Family and Youth (MTC), classrooms, kitchens, etc. for their meetings and social events. To ensure that this is a pleasant event for all concerned the following guidelines apply:

• Reserve rooms (all spaces) with the church administrative assistant prior to your scheduled event
• Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) are permitted for ministry “special events” and only with written permission of the pastor. Alcoholic beverages may not be removed from the area used. Special Events Insurance coverage and fees will apply.
• Portable partitions in Brooks Hall may be moved only for special parish functions andonly by trained staff.
• In addition to the facilities, St. Jerome provides a variety of pots, pans, and dishes ineach kitchen for use by ministries. All kitchen items used must be cl eaned, dried, and returned to their respective storage locations in the appropriate hall.
• All ministries must provide their own paper products and supplies.
• Remove all food materials from the kitchen and hall(s).
• Sponsor(s) of the group that is meeting is responsible for leaving the facilities cleanedup. The clean up guidelines are listed in the next section.
• No area may be used for any function while Mass is being celebrated
• Repeated failure to comply with these guidelines can result in a minist ry being deniedfuture use of any space.
• All adults at any event involving children or vulnerable adults must have the diocesanEIM certification.
• No open flames (including candles) are allowed in the buildings.

Facilities Clean Up Procedures

• Put up tables and chairs along the walls in a neat and orderly manner. Stack tables on the carts top to top to avoid damage to the tabletops.
• In the kitchen(s), clean countertops, sinks, any appliance s used, dishes, etc. with appropriate cleaner. Store each item in its proper place. The countertops should be cleared with nothing left on top.
• Do not leave any food materials in the kitchen. Take out what you brought in with you.
• Sweep and wet mop the floors, ensuring all spills are cleaned up.
• Empty trash into the outside container. The combination for the outside container is 1986.There is a dumpster outside the kitchen of MTC. Replace kitchen and hall trashcan liners.
• Check the restrooms and straighten up as necessary. Turn off the restroom lights.
• Turn off all lights in areas used, including the hall(s) and gym.
• Return parking lot, playground, and grounds to original condition.
• Ensure the facility is locked up.
• Return the key to the office upon completion of your meeting.
• Report any needed repairs to the office.

Privileges and Restrictions for Non Ministry Hall/Gym Use

• No illegal drugs are allowed on the property. Alcohol is only allowed with written permission of the pastor. Alcoholic beverages may not be removed from the hall/gym, and a security guard must be present. Special Events Insurance coverage and fees will apply.
• The facilities are a smoke-free environment and as such smoking, vaping, and tobacco products are not allowed.
• Kitchen facilities may be used, but not kitchen supplies or utensils. Cold items may be storedin the refrigerator or freezer, and hot items may be warmed on the range or in the oven.No cooking or baking is permitted.
• Coffee makers may be used, but not church coffee supplies.
• No items or materials may be stored in classrooms or other nearby rooms. In addition, nothing may be stored at the church prior to the time for which the hall, gym or room was rented. Classrooms are off limits when halls are rented.
• Portable partitions in Brooks Hall may be moved only for special parish functions and only by trained staff.
• Nothing may be attached to the walls; this includes decorations and signs. In addition, no tape is allowed. All other decorations should be free standing or on tables.
• Tables and chairs should not be slid across the floor. No one may sit on tables.
• After use, tables and chairs must be returned to their original locations.
• Tables and chairs may not be removed from the building.
• No birdseed, rice, flower petals, or similar items may be thrown in the parking lots.
• Those decorating a car must not trash the parking lots or other grounds.
• Horse and carriage rides are permitted to and from the parish. No rides may occur during the function. Animal waste must be cleaned up.
• Renters may not charge admission fees for events held in the halls.
• No open flames (including candles) are allowed in the buildings.
• To request use and pricing, please contact the parish office at 254-666-7722.

Open Carry Gun Law

In 2015, the Texas legislature amended several statutes to permit license carriers to openly carry handguns (HB910). These changes took effect on January 1, 2016. In a nutshell, HB910 simply changes current law related to licensed carriers of concealed handguns to permit licensed carrier to either openly carry handguns or to carry concealed handguns. Openly carrying a handgun requires the carrier to have the handgun properly holstered. A CHURCH or a place of business MAY PROHIBIT concealed handguns or openly-carried handguns, or both, in its buildings by providing notice under the statute. Notice may be accomplished in several ways: A) One may post signs at the public entrances of the building in a clearly visible manner. The text in the signs must be exactly as the statute prescribes in both English and Spanish. B) One may give NOTICE face-to-face, orally or in writing, to a licensed carrier that concealed handguns or openly carried handguns or both are not permitted in a building. Written notices must contain the same text as the signs.

Effectively immediately, IT IS TO BE KNOWN THAT OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUNS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE CHURCH OR ANY OF THE BUILDINGS OF ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH, WACO, TEXAS.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.07, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER WITH AN OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUN), A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A HANDGUN THAT IS CARRIED OPENLY.

CONFORME A LA SECION 30.07 DEL CODIGO PENAL (TRASPASAR PORTANDO ARMAS DE FUEGO AL AIRE LIBRE CON LICENCIA) PERSONAS CON LICENCIA BAJO DEL SUBCAPITULO H, CAPITULO 411, CODIGO DE GOBIERNO (LEY DE LICENCIA DE PORTAR ARMAS, NO DEBEN ENTRAR A ESTA PROPIEDAD PORTANDO UN ARMA DE FUEGO AL AIRE LIBRE.

A written and oral notice will be presented to anyone openly carrying a handgun to remove the handgun from the building. If a licensed carrier violates the statute by not removing an openly carried handgun from the church or other building once written and oral notice is given to the person, the carrier may be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $4,000, or both jail time and fine. The penalty may be enhanced for repeat offenses. Additionally, the licensed carrier may lose his/her license for such a violation.