Administration 
Parish Council
Introducing our 4 New Parish Council Members 2007-2008
(Bulletin July 15, 2007)
 Jim Burke, his wife Jeannie, and their 5 boys have been FHC parishioners for 20 years. The boys have all attended our parish school and / or our religious education program. Jim was active in both. A native of the South Shore, Jim has been in the trading business for over 25 years. He previously served on the Parish Council for one year in the early ‘90’s. |
 As a very active member of our parish for the past 21 years, Dan Garrison’s many ministries include Ministers of Care, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Vision 2000, the Respect Life Committee and most recently the WORSHIP Commission, among others. Dan has also been part of the august group of “Monday Morning Collection Counters” for a numbers of years. Dan and his wife of 43 years, Mary, have three married sons and two beautiful grandchildren, Peter and Savannah. |
 Andy Hick, Suzy and their 4 daughters have been FHC parishioners since 1990. The two oldest girls are graduates of our school and the younger two are currently students there. Not only is Andy an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and involved in the Men’s Club, but he has been a member of the ADMINISTRATION commission, with a focus on parish technology. |
 Susan Nelson and her husband, Randy have been living in Kenilworth for 26 years and have been parishioners of Faith Hope for over 20 years. They have 2 children, Jennifer and David. Susan, raised a Protestant, says that her decision to become a Catholic and a member of our parish were some of the best decisions of her life. She just wrapped up her year as the co-president of our Women’s Guild and at one time, was active in the religious education program. |
| They joined current Council members Jim Brault, Tom Dutmers (Co-Chair), Bob Foley, Bev Gaabo, Colleen McGinnis (Co-Chair), Carol Sexton and John Schornack (Finance Council rep.) |
We as a parish are blessed and proud to welcome
this talented and diversed group!!!
Reports & Meetings:
Pastoral Council Constitution:
| The Commission Reports: |
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All commissions met on November 13, 2007.
Community Life:
- A commission goal for the New Year is to host a Parish-wide Identifying event.
- We discussed possible events for the new Pastor's introduction to the Parish.
- Reviewed the last events of the Men's Club, Women's Guild, Wit & Wisdom.
- Wit and Wisdom had a Christmas Party in the Rectory on December 5 hosted by Father Anderson followed by Vespers at 7 pm in the Church.
Education / Formation:
The Education/Formation Commission discussed at length, the proposal of recommending hiring a consultant to assist in the development of a self-perpetuating, spiritually based program for the teens of the Parish which would include a strong underlying support layer of adults and young adults.
Outreach:
Our Outreach focus is dedicated always to promote awareness of service to those outside the FHC boundaries. The November meeting focused on The Good News Soup Kitchen and how we can improve our efforts to serve these needs.
- The kitchen is feeding more families with children then in the past.
- Monthly Volunteer coordinators are encouraged to participate in training sessions which are offered monthly.
- FHC Chair person: Annie Porter.
- The Board is pleased with their new staff member whose responsibility is advocacy.
- The rectory will keep on file the address, phone number of the kitchen and the days (the 2nd Thursday of each month) we serve.
- Possibility of inviting the GNSK Director to speak at our masses and a bulletin article to familiarize the parish and our many new families with the opportunity to become involved.
- Support for the Sharing Committee Holiday projects.
- Support for Hurricane Recovery Project: Holiday trips planned call John Gavin at 847-256-6902 for details.
Worship Commission:
- More ushers are needed for the extra Masses on: December 24 at 3, 5, 6:30 and 10:30 pm and on December 25 at 7:30, 9 and 11:30 am.
- Religious Ed – Sunday Mass Schedule. The WC should be a resource for further discussion.
- Novena Nine Days Prayer for Peace (Nov. 30-Dec 8).
- Lynn Gordon gave a summary of the November 10 meeting with Fr. Sweetser and Sr. Bishop of the Roles of the Commission (link, assess and vision). Action steps were narrowed the goal (“outcome”) to “Create a Welcoming Parish Environment.”
- Spirituality Committee: Worship Committee will contact George Sullivan to form a committee from the various parish groups including Matrix.
- Welcoming Environment: Brainstorming ideas included coffee under the arches/ gym on a weekly basis, greeters at the door and side entrances, and cocktail parties with pastors.
- Special theme Masses that would bring groups together, i.e., Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and cancer.
- Buddy system: Member of our Committee would contact another group within the parish, i.e., rosary group, wedding committee, etc.
- Members contact ministries to emphasize to begin their meetings with a prayer for the future pastor.
- Have Children’s Liturgy of the Word during Mass the all year.
- The Committee felt that this year’s goal should be “Foster a Welcoming Environment for Christ.”
See also Parish / Lay Leadership - Commissions for more information. |
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| Parish Council Meeting Highlights - November 13, 2007: |
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- Approval of Oct. 9, 2007 Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Anne Trueman, Kerry Patterson, Renee Sexton on FHC School PTO Fund Raising Activities, Scrips
- PTO fundraising is moving away from multiple, smaller fund raising activities (such as wrapping paper sales) to the Scrips program. Funds will be used for cultural enrichment for the school. School has earned approximately $15,000 since inception in June, 2007. Approximately 90% of school families are registered for the program. Benefits from the program are 65% to school and 35% to the family using the program. Family benefits can be used toward tuition (or in some cases have been donated to the school).
- The Scrips cards are distributed each week via hand delivery by PTO coordinators. Dollar value of cards distributed can reach $20,000 per week.
- PC raised the questions of whether the concept can be expanded parish wide. No conclusion reached.
- PC discussed the need for a review of the security of the distribution process of the cards. Follow up needed.
- Financial Update on Potential Property Acquisition
- YTD 5 months of collections are down 7% from last year. Expenses are also down due to cost savings and likely lower subsidy to school due to increased enrollment.
- Property Acquisition. The price from HC partners has now been reduced to the initial acquisition costs of $2.5M plus the interest and net carry costs from April, 2007 through closing.
- The Finance Council is considering a financing plan, inclusive of the use of certain parish reserves, to acquire the properties. The parish must also receive permission from the Archdiocese to assume the existing bank loan. No conclusion has been reached on the financing plan or the acquisition of the properties.
- Executive Session
- Adjournment
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| Tuesday Night Leadership Dates : |
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| Mission Statement and Guiding Principals: |
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"Led by the Spirit to live the Gospel, our mission is to be a welcoming, Catholic Christian community gathered around the Eucharist, committed to life-long faith formation, justice and loving service to others."
Guiding Principles
Acknowledging our baptismal rights and responsibilities, we strive with the help of the Holy Spirit to:
- Ground our lives in the sacraments and in the gospel of Jesus Christ;
- Place the vibrant worship of God in the Eucharist at the center of our parish life;
- Provide opportunities to enrich the prayer and spiritual lives of our community members;
- Foster each parishioner’s lifelong search to experience and understand Christ and His Church;
- Energize the parish community by developing and using the gifts of each individual;
- Invite all people to share the joy of our faith and show loving care for one another;
- Become active disciples, doing God’s work in the world by promoting the dignity of every human being and serving those in need within and outside of our parish;
- Promote the laity’s role in the shared stewardship of parish life and ministries.
We devote our efforts to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us by example how to live in loving union with God. May God bless Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Parish. |
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| Members 2006-2007: |
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| Co-Chairpersons: |
Kathy Romano and Chuck Murphy |
| At Large Representatives: |
Jim Brault
Tom Dutmers
Bob Foley
Bev Gaabo
Jim Heider
Arlene Jerva
Colleen McGinnis
Carol Sexton
John Schornack, Finance Council
Gene Ferretti, Director of Administration
Fr. Ken Anderson, Pastoral Administrator |
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| Roles of the Pastoral Council: |
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1. To build a community of Catholic faith and a deepening of spirituality among all parishioners of Ss. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish as part of the Universal church.
2. To deepen the unity of our Parish by gathering all members of the Parish, lay and clergy, into one body to share responsibility for all facets of Parish life (in order to inspire and encourage the participation in the work of the parish.)
3. To welcome all people into the Parish by embracing their voices, activities and ideas.
4. To provide a forum whereby the council may listen and discern about any and all parishioners’ views about matters affecting the Parish.
5. To be the primary voice in pastoral planning with the Pastor and staff, both short and long term, by evaluating the past, reading the signs of the times, and preparing for the future.
6. To inspire parishioners to concrete steps and action for serving the community, local and beyond.
7. To support and encourage effective Catholic formation for parishioners of all ages.
8. To invite others to share our faith.
9. To ensure the wise use of our Parish resources, both human and material. |
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| Membership on the Pastoral Council: |
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The Pastoral Council seeks to discern the voice of the Lord as expressed through the pastoral needs and common voice of the Parish community and to provide direction to the Pastor in his stewardship of the Parish. Members of the Council are expected to have the spiritual, intellectual and interpersonal assets and sensitivities to contribute constructively to this critical mission. In forming judgments about issues that are before the Council, members of the Council are expected to act in the best interests of the Parish and the Universal church. They are expected to have the motivation and time to participate fully in the meetings and other activities of the Council.
The Pastoral Council should represent the Parish broadly across the different phases and perspectives of our spiritual life, mission and development. As described in more detail in the Parish Covenant Book, the Council seeks representatives from each Commission of our Parish, including:
- Outreach (Sharing Committee, Soup Kitchen, Inter-faith Council, Respect Life, Ministry of Care, Bereavement, Elizabeth Ministry)
- Community Life (Friends, Men's Club, Women's Guild, PUPS, Welcoming Committee, Inclusion, Office Volunteers)
- Administration (Buildings and Grounds, Technology, Master Planning, Communication)
- Education / Formation (Adult Education, MATRIX, School, Religious Education)
- Worship & Spiritual Life (Liturgy Planning Team, Liturgical Ministers, Spiritual Life)
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Feel free to call with questions or concerns!
Kathy Romano & Chuck Murphy - Parish Council Co-Chairpersons
The Parish Office
847-446-7646
fax: 847-446-7630
parishoffice@faithhope.org
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