• Guiding Principles
• Outreach Commission Minutes dated February 12, March 11 and April 8, 2008
• Parish Council Meeting Highlights - April 8, 2008
• Parish Council Members 2007-2008
• Roles of the Pastoral Council
• Membership on the Pastoral Council

Mission Statement

"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."

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.

See Parish / Parish Leadership - Commissions for more information about the Commissions.

April 8, 2008 Outreach Commission:

• Discussion was started to put a page in the bulletin setting forth volunteer opportunities in the parish and in the community.
• The proceeds of the Good News Soup Kitchen collection in the parish amounted to about $9000. We discussed the parish's possible participation in the fall benefit event (e.g., taking a table, supplying auction items). The Good News Soup Kitchen is starting a new special committee to address health care concerns in the Rogers Park area, and an Interfaith Breakfast will be held later this month to discuss health care issues and needs and to provide information.
• The Commission will participate in the events of the weekend of 4/26-27 to welcome the new pastor.
• Faith Hope and Carpenters is scheduled for 4/26.
• The Blood Drive will be scheduled for late May or early June.

March 11, 2008, the Outreach Commission:

• Most of the discussion focused on the Christian Initiative of New Trier Churches (now Two Plus), which is composed of eight congregations in the New Trier area. This group recently had a presentation on the "Damaging Influence of Media on Families" at the Christian Heritage Academy, which was attended by several hundred participants. At our meeting, we were asked to discuss what other ideas could be presented to/discussed by New Trier families. Our discussion mainly involved issues that parents should be aware of - e.g., dangers of email, video games, the Internet, My Space, cell-phone texting, etc. We also discussed having a joint awareness/informational meeting for parents to address and discuss these issues. Further thought and discussion is needed in order to come up with more definitive proposals.
• The Campaign for Human Development raised about $5500 in the collection several weeks ago.
• The Good News Soup Kitchen collection was taken up last Sunday, and we do not yet have a report of the results.
• Upcoming events include Faith Hope and Carpenters (4/26) and the Blood Drive (on a Sunday to be scheduled).

February 12, the Outreach Commission:

• New Hope Apartments, a project sponsored by Catholic Charities where 2-3 parishes join together to pay for the rent for a family in need of housing. The idea is for the parishes to join forces to help break the cycle of homelessness one family at a time. The estimated cost is $5000 per year, and the Commission discussed possible sources of funding. We also discussed various methods (e.g., an article in the bulletin) to see if there is much interest in the parish in going forward with this program. A number of other parishes in the area are already in the program.
• The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a collection effort in each parish to raise funds which are used to help those in need to develop skills so as to be able to help themselves. Marty McNulty is to speak at each Mass over the weekend, and then a collection will occur over the next weekend
• Good News Soup Kitchen. An effort will be undertaken soon to raise funds for this project
• Hurricane Katrina relief - an insert was put in the bulletin and is to be put in the next bulletin, regarding trips organized by four different Chicago land groups to provide aid to hurricane victims.

• Introduction of Christian Sterling.
  Christian is the interim music director and music teacher at FHC school. By consensus, the Board encouraged continued discussion with Christian for a potential permanent position with the parish.
  
• Parish Recycling Program.
  Discussion continued regarding the potential recycling program. After discussion, the Board again moved to continue the implementation of the recycling program.
• Financial Update.
  • Collections continue on a positive trend line since November, 2007. Easter receipts are currently $104,000 and continuing (compared to $137,000 last year).
    
  • Good News Soup Kitchen collection totaled $8,924.
    
  • Cost Efficiencies: The parish has realized $32,000 in savings to date by participating in 5 of 9 programs available through the Archdiocese in areas such as phone, janitorial, etc.
    
• Property Acquisition.
  The potential acquisition is currently in a holding pattern waiting for Fr. O’Donovan’s arrival.
  
• Cover Letter.
  Parish council needs a cover letter for the transmittal of the package for the Archdiocese Finance Council.
  
• New Pastor.
  Father O’Donovan will be celebrating Mass and on 4/26 and 4/27. His appointment will be effective June 15, 2008.
  
• Parish Council Retreat.
  The retreat will be rescheduled for August or the Fall, 2008.
  
• Adjournment.

Colleen McGinnis and Tom Dutmers, Co-Chairs
Jim Brault
Jim Burke
Bob Foley
Bev Gaabo
Dan Garrison
Andy Hick
Susan Nelson
Carol Sexton
John Schornack, Finance Council Chairperson
Fr. Ken Anderson, Parish Administrator

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.

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)