Pastoral Council Update 1 - 2009
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Based on recommendations during our recent discernment, I'm writing to update you on some of the work done by your Pastoral Council. First and foremost, is a sincere appreciation from all council members for your support in nominating over 100 people to serve on the council. From that number, 30 individuals attended the discernment. This large participation helps validate the process and, even though only three could be selected for the council, there were numerous blessings from the event. People met new people, we all experienced thoughts and comments about our church which came straight from the heart, we garnered ideas to help make the council a better vehicle to serve the parish, and I believe everyone gained a better appreciation and respect for the process of discernment and selection of new members.
Your three new Pastoral Council members are Susan Kosh, Graham Bacon, and Jamie Burns. All three are active members of the parish and will bring new life to the council. Susan is a CCE catechist, Graham is an usher and member of our Knights of Columbus, and Jamie is very active with Extraordinary Ministers and Readers ministries. We are very excited to have them on the council. The outgoing members who served the past three years are Maggie Jennings, David Bates, and Mark Hartman. Our sincere thanks go to them for their service.
This past year the council was involved with the 35 Year Anniversary celebration for our St. Edward School, the Welcoming Dinner for new parishioners, a complimentary self-defense class for ladies of the parish, a special tasking by the Diocese regarding four areas of emphasis chosen by Cardinal DiNardo, the fall festival live auction, and a raffle which sent a golf team to the Cardinal's tournament. We don't have enough council members to lead any of the major events of the parish, but we always try to send a representative to meetings and contribute our time and efforts to help.
Council members are available and eager to help any parishioner in any way possible. Sometimes it is just a question like "where is the nursery" and sometimes it can be more in depth. Our names are on the front of the weekly bulletins, we wear name tags at Mass, and you should feel free to contact us anytime. Our job is to work closely with the Pastor, to lighten his load where possible, to offer counsel when requested, and to enhance the spiritual and temporal health of our faith community. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to serving St. Edward Catholic Church in 2009.
Your Pastoral Council