The Parish Council is an advisory group to the pastor. Consisting of nine parishioners who either volunteer or are nominated, they meet with the pastor once a month to discuss the parish vision, mission and goals and other issues, ideas or concerns of the parish. Three new members and two alternates are chosen by lot each year on the Feast of Pentecost to serve a three-year term. There is an orientation session for all nominees prior to being chosen so that potential Council members understand the commitment and responsibilities of serving.
The ‘Unleash the Gospel’ document promulgated by Archbishop Vigneron after Synod ‘16 serves as a guidepost for current Parish Council deliberations. It is the archbishop’s plan for all parishes in the archdiocese to grow as intentional missionary disciples. Our current parish mission statement and goals grew out of the strategic plan developed in 2014. Simply put, goals and objectives were written to assist St. Joseph Parish to Pray, Teach and Serve, the mantra that emerged from the strategic plan. One of the main duties of the Parish Council is to guide our commissions in aligning parish goals and objectives to support our own mission as well as align with the call to ‘Unleash the Gospel’.
While advising the pastor and guiding the commissions, the Parish Council participates in leadership roles at various parish functions, including the annual parish picnic, the ministry appreciation dinner and other parish wide activities. The Council is responsible for a monthly hour in our adoration chapel, as well as attending a collaboration meeting with our sister parish, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Orion. Council members may occasionally be asked to sit on sub-committees and attend vicariate and archdiocesan meetings.
The current members of the Parish Council are:
Lisa Kuczera, President
Kim Myers, Vice President
Nicole Filippis, Secretary
Phil Auger, Member
Jenna Cordero, Young Adult Rep.
Jonah Lundberg, Youth Rep.
Fr. Jim Kean, Moderator
Fr. Steve Mateja, Priest in Solidum
Alternates
Sharlene Bette
Mike Maher
The council is available to hear your comments, suggestions and concerns. Feel free to contact the Parish Council President, Lisa Kuczera via the form on our staff page.