Parish Council

 

Parish Council Members:
Jerry Smiley, Frank Cincione, Mike Kowalchik,
Stan Schmidt, Jim Paoella, Catie VanValkenburg,
Judy McGuire, Mike Thomas

Mission:
In concert with the pastoral staff, the St. Walter Parish Pastoral Council works to uphold the vision of the parish in its various activities and ministries. In a spirit of prayerful reflection and consensus-based communication, the Council plans, supports and evaluates the work of the parish.
 

Purposes of the Pastoral Council

  • To discern, formulate and regularly review the mission of St. Walter Parish by:
    • Evaluating the parish growth and development needs in terms of the Gospel and the local and universal Church.
    • Reviewing the needs, hopes and expectations of our parish community and those we serve.
  • To guide, advise and assist the parish as it lives out its mission by:
    • Strengthening and encouraging ministries to fulfill the mission of the parish.
    • Enhancing the responsibility and involvement of the laity in the life of the parish.
    • Encouraging the growth of positive working relationships and fostering communication among all segments of the parish community.
  • To determine and set priorities for the parish by maintaining a strategic pastoral plan through:
    • Conducting appropriate parish-wide assessments, as necessary
    • Setting Parish-wide goals
    • Determining structure and establishing core teams
    • Evaluating the findings, vision and recommendations of each core team
    • Communicating the action plans and supporting their implementation in all parish committees
  • To advise the pastor for the good of the parish especially:
    • If there are large finances involved;
    • If the image of the parish is at stake;
    • If tradition of the parish is going to be changed;
    • To ensure an action or project is consistent with parish-wide goals;
    • During situations of potential divisiveness arise in the parish.

Qualifications of Members

Parish Council members must:

  • Be fully initiated (having received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation), active Catholics
  • Be registered members of the parish for two years
  • Represent the vision of the whole parish and the mission of the Council. (Sees self as a parish advocate and not a delegate or constitute to an individual cause.)
  • Not be a staff member or employee of the church or school
  • Not serve on the council simultaneously with another member of his/her immediate family
  • Appreciates and enjoys planning and encouraging others to get involved.

Responsibility of Members

  • Meeting Attendance: Because the Pastoral Council does its work at monthly meetings, it is important for members to be present as meetings.
  • Attendance at special events: Special events are times when the parish gathers to celebrate, communicate and/or make decisions. Council members are encouaged to attend as many as they are able.
  • Parish committee and group liaison work: Council members will volunteer to serve as a liaison to at least on major parish ministry of committee. They do this to demonstrate support and facilitate communication.

 

 

Pastoral Council New Member Interest Form (PDF File)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Committee

 

 

The purpose of the Administration Commission is to care for parish resources.  It has the task of planning, providing for, and supervising the parish financial affairs and physical properties. The commission prepares and presents an annual budget for both operating and capital expenditures based upon the goals and objectives determined by the Parish Council.

This commission is made up of persons knowledgeable in areas of finance, insurance, law, accounting, personnel, planning and other areas of general management.  Individuals are appointed by the pastor after consultation. A meeting is held monthly and as necessary for emergencies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Committee

 

 

Works closely with both the Parish Council (discern the needs of the community) and the finance committee (supervises the parish financial affairs) to determine the specifics of any parish wide building efforts. The Building Committee was instrumental in the church renovation, the building of the multi purpose center and they are working diligently to complete the next building phase..