The Parish Pastoral Council represents the members of the parish and consults the pastor in the pastoral care of the faithful and assists in fostering pastoral activity in the parish. Parishioners join this consultative body through a prayerful process known as discernment. They work closely with the pastor to assist in the pastoral activity of the parish as it strives to fulfill the mission of Jesus and the Church. The Council strives to build a community of disciples who recognize their baptismal call to holiness, witness and service. It engages in continuous pastoral planning, which takes into account the needs and priorities of the faithful.
Members serve for three-year terms and also act as liaison to one of the council's standing committees. New council members are selected in the spring. Competencies include a desire to serve on behalf of others with an ability listen and vision. Training is available at both the parish and archdiocesan level. The council meets on the third Tuesday of the month, every other month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Vogel Hall.
Meetings are open to parish members who are welcome to attend as observers. The council may invite observers to participate in their discussion. Parishioners may submit agenda items for consideration to the executive committee. Contact Council Chairperson Mark Panthofer, for more information.
The pastor is consulted by the Parish Finance Council regarding the administration of the temporal goods of the parish and its financial operations. It is also responsible for providing advice and guidance regarding the parish budget and the administration of its assets. It also oversees revenues, expenditures, and their internal controls, and it monitors the overall financial condition of the parish.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month, every other month. At-large members can serve two consecutive terms of two years. Some accounting, financial, legal or administrative background is needed. Contact Terri Clarke at tclarke@gmail.com.
This committee works closely with the pastor and the Director of Religious Education to plan the programs and activities that will be presented in our Faith Formation program. They review comments and feedback regarding Faith Formation sessions in order to make suggestions for relevant topics. Committee meets on an as need basis.
This committee works closely with the pastor to identify the spiritual needs of parishioners and give direction to the liturgical and prayer life of the parish. It provides opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations. Ongoing formation and training for this ministry is encouraged for all liturgical ministers.
Human Concerns discerns the needs of persons in the parish and wider community, especially the poor, and identifies resources to meet those needs. The objectives of this committee are one of social service, education and advocacy. It keeps parishioners aware of issues relating to justice, peace, hunger and homelessness on local, national and international levels, so the appropriate Christian action can be determined and acted on. Often this committee aids in the activities of RIC in their citywide efforts on behalf of social justice. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November in the Parish Center. Contact Linda Haack at 634-5234.
The concept of Catholic stewardship is seen as a faith response, or a way of life for individuals and for the entire parish itself. It involves how the parish community gratefully receives God's gifts, cultivates them responsibly and shares them in justice with others, returning them with increase to the Lord. This committee fosters strategies and guidelines by which our parish family is encouraged to share their time, talent and treasure. It plays an important role in parish marketing, communications, fundraising, new member welcome, volunteer recognition and evangelization. The committee meets approximately every other month. Contact Sheila Wroblewski at 886-2826.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee advises the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council of concerns involving the physical condition of the parish property, its maintenance and its needed repairs. This committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. or as needed. Contact Frank Jarosz at 634-6180 or fpjarosz@gmail.com.