the parish council

Parish Council 2010:  Seated: Leeanne Frisina,Karen Leary, Gwen Khan, Mary Anne Plourde, Dr. Derrol Rudnick, Patricia Joyce(president).2nd Row: Fr. Ron May, Connie Tiffany, Jacqueline Marenholz, Samual Longo, Dot Bobinski, Donna Bowes, Dave, Breslin. Back Row: Ray Laske, Clifford Snow, David Dreschler, Peter Schommer, Ed Ragalis

Consultative Body
The parish council in most parishes is a consultative body that advises the pastor and serves at his pleasure, as in the case of a board of advisors or cabinet . Based on different pastoral styles, some parish councils are much more proactive and involved in the business of the parish.

In the case of Saint Dominic Church, the pastor seeks out a collaborative type of relationship with the parish council, considering its guidance and active involvement in reaching consensus very important to the health, vitality, spirituality and growth of the parish.

Goals of the parish council

1. Based on our faith in the mission of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, the main purposes of the parish council are to:
2. advise the pastor concerning the direction of the parish,
3. assist the pastor in the mission of Jesus Christ, proclaiming His Gospel, building His community, celebrating His liturgy and serving His people, and be a living example of unity, cooperation and vitality in our Christian faith in our parish, in the Church and in our community.

Terms of Office and Continuity
In order to maintain a sense of continuity in the parish council, one-third of the elected members are elected or re-elected each year for a term of three years. Each member is limited to two consecutive three year terms, with a break of at least one year before becoming eligible for election to the council again.

Orientation and Style
At the start of each calendar year, the parish council elects its officers for a one year term. The president and vice president may serve up to three consecutive years in their respective offices, if re-elected each year.

The pastor provides a comprehensive orientation for new members and a review for all members in an understanding of the scope and guidelines of the council's responsibilities and objectives.

The parish council meets every other month, or six times a year. However, most of the council's activity results from the activities of members all year long.

Council members, who are expected to be active parishioners in good standing, exemplified by the fact that they are involved in one or more other ministries in the parish, are also urged to take on new tasks, projects and leadership roles within the parish as well.

Issues are considered in an atmosphere of full and open expression. Through careful deliberations, a guiding consensus generally emerges.

Members of the Parish Council
At Saint Dominic Church, the parish council currently consists of twenty members, as follows:

1. Twelve parishioners, each elected for a term of three years, by the entire parish as its representatives;
2. A group of members who are ex-officio members of the council, that is, because of the staff position or office they hold in the parish. At present, there are seven ex-officio members of the parish council, including the pastor, music director, director of religious education, principal of Saint Dominic School, the Lay Liturgy Coordinator and two parish trustees, who are appointees of the pastor.
3. Presently, there is one appointed member of the council, the secretary.

For parishioners to be informed of parish council agenda, activities and deliberations
The parish council agenda will be published below when it is sent out to parish council members. As a body that represents the entire parish, council meetings are open to parishioners who wish to attend council meetings as non-participating observers.

Parish Council Members