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Committees
Committees are the working bodies of the Parish Council. They study, pray and act to make the parish the real center through which the church carries out its mission. The committees implement the Parish Council’s priorities and goals serving the parish community in many important ways, but especially by broadening the representation and participation of parishioners in parish life.
A Parish Council is a group of people, chosen from and by the parish community, who together with the parish priest guide, determine the direction of the parish, oversee its pastoral activity and temporal affairs as the community attempts to fulfill the mission of the Church. As a consultative body, it exists as a wisdom group commissioned to discern, proclaim and make visible the presence and action of the Spirit within the community.
The Prayer & Worship Committee nourishes and gives direction to the liturgical aspect of parish life. This committee ensures that the parishioners are provided with opportunities to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations.
The role of the Christian Education Committee is to develop within the parish awareness that the parish community has the responsibility for promoting the educational/formational aspect of the Church’s mission. This committee is advisory to educational administrators in the design, implementation and evaluation of the total Christian educational/formational program in the parish, which includes: sacramental preparation, adult and family ministry, youth ministry, school ministry and child ministry.
The Human Concerns Committee works to lead the community in living their faith in the world, helping them to understand and act on the social dimensions of the gospel in their everyday lives. By discerning the needs of persons in the parish and the wider community, especially the poor and disenfranchised, this committee identifies and directs where our parish’s charity and service can best be used.
The Parish Planning Committee assists the parish council in long-range planning for the parish in the light of the Gospel and consistent with archdiocesan goals. The activities of this committee are flexible, prayerful and provide for considerable input from parishioners.
The Administrative Services Committee (ASC) makes recommendations to the Parish Council concerning all aspects of parish financial and budget matters. This committee aids and advises the pastor concerning the administration of parish goods within the limits of canon law and the directives of the archbishop.
The Finance Committee carries out the work of the ASC regarding the parish budget and the financial operations of the parish. This small subcommittee reports to the ASC and, under its direction and in cooperation with the other committees, researches and prepares the annual parish budget for both operating and capital expenditures.
The concerns of the Building & Grounds committee involve the physical conditions of parish property, its maintenance and upkeep. This subcommittee of the ASC identifies and articulates the needs of the parish in this area.
The Parish Life Committee is concerned with the renewal of parish life and building community among all parish members. This committee is the vehicle for the promotion of the concept of stewardship of time, talent, and treasure in the parish.
Vocation Committee: St. Mary is part of the Collaborative Vocation Committee with our cluster parishes. Our purpose is to pray, to help raise awareness, and to support vocations to the priesthood, religious life and other calls to the ministry. The Committee is looking for membership of all ages. If interested, please call Sister Jane Mary.
Evangelization Committee: “The Evangelization Committee assists the parish to effectively respond to the challenge to Go and make Disciples. They work with others in the parish to bring in all members’ enthusiasm for their faith, that in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.” The committee has studied and shared the meaning of evangelization in the Catholic Church and continues to support hospitality and welcoming. Please call Michelle Salomone for more information.
Elizabeth Ministry: Our purpose is peer ministry to those parents who are expecting, who have newborn children naturally or through adoption, or parents who are trying to conceive or who have lost children. Elizabeth Ministry also gifts new parents at Baptism preparation and at the time of Baptism and a three-month follow-up. To receive services from Elizabeth Ministry or to become an Elizabeth Minister, please call Geri Roskopf or Sister Jane Mary.
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