St. Francis of Assisi Pastoral Council

Our 2008-2009 Pastoral Council

(Back Row, L-R): Francesca Forrrest, Council Secretary; Fr. Vern, Pastor; Judy Dudek, Spiritual Life Co-Chair; Paul Pierce, Council Chair; Bill Bowen, Communications Co-Chair; Tom Curto, Hospitality Co-Chair; Dave Adams, Communications Co-Chair
(Middle Row, L-R):  Pam Letendre, Hospitality Co-Chair; Rita Gallagher, Vocations Co-Chair; Beth Buscko, Family Life Co-Chair; Debbie Fish, Council Co-Chair; Paula Moran, Faith Development Co-Chair; Marianne Abuselmi, Faith Development Co-Chair
(Front Row, L-R):  Pat Antonovitch, Spiritual Life Co-Chair; Pat Crosby, Family Life Co-Chair; Carla and Franco Dell'Olio, Vocations Commission Co-Chair 

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Description of the Council and its Commissions

The Parish could not function without the pool of volunteers who give freely of their time, sharing their talents and skills to help our Pastor and the St. Francis Parish staff function more effectively in their daily jobs.

The Pastoral Council is an organized body of appointed, elected, and/or volunteer parishioners who meet on a monthly basis on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. to address Parish needs, plan programs, and support Parish activities. The membership of the Council consists of our Pastor, a Chair, Co-Chair, and Secretary.  Elected members include two representatives from each of our Commissions--Communications, Family/Ecumenical Life, Education, Spiritual Life, Hospitality, and Vocations.  See the Council By-Laws for more information on the purpose and function of the Pastoral Council.

Each commission is responsible for specific areas of concerns as follows.

Communications Commission	The members of the Communications Commission seek to serve God through service to our community, the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi.  The commission service takes the form of ensuring that parish members have access to all information and discussions that are essential for a sense of community and active participation in the parish.  With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the parish is invited to join in our parish’s conversation of faith and growth.  The commission will share this experience beyond the parish. The Communications Commission has the responsibility of keeping the parish informed on all phases of the Council and Parish activities through all available means (display boards, parish website, and local media).  It is responsible for facilitating communication between the parish and the wider world, sharing the news of parish activities and achievements.  It will maintain the Parish Brochure and Welcome Packet for new parishioners.  It will maintain and publish the monthly activity calendar, create posters and advertisements for publicizing parish events.  It will oversee the annual Pastoral Council elections.
Ecumenical/Family Life Commission	The Family Life Commission recognizes singles and couples, young and old, advantaged, disadvantaged and others as “family” who exist in, and are affected by, the environment of their community, which can encompass the home, parish, and beyond.  The commission deals with those activities that may enhance and promote the dignity and well being of the family and its environment. The Family Life Commission has the responsibility to manage a variety of programs within the parish.  These programs include but are not limited to, the food pantry, Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball program, Belchertown Crop Walk, Advent Wreath making, neighborhood gatherings, bereavement program, family to family outreach and Christmas ornaments for the Parish tree.
Faith Development Commission (formerly known as "Education Commission")	The Faith Development Commission will seek to provide opportunities for life long learning, and to support our parishioners in their journey of faith. It is our hope that the parishioners will develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, grow in knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings, and embrace the mission of the church to spread the good news. The Faith Development Commission has the responsibility of addressing the educational needs of the parish community beyond a formal religious education program. The commission will seek to promote opportunities for learning and faith enrichment for all ages. The Faith Development Commission will also assist in maintaining a religious educational library for total parish use.
Spiritual Life Commission	The Spiritual Life Commission seeks to provide direction, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to promote growth and development of the parish faith life in our diverse community.  Meaningful and prayerful celebration of the Sacraments will foster the devotional and prayer life of the members of the parish community. The Spiritual Life Commission is responsible for planning, coordinating, and evaluating parish prayer and worship.  This commission will promote programs which will enhance the spiritual well being of the parishioners, remembering the Eucharist is the focal point of parish life.
Hospitality Commission	The Hospitality Commission has the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating parish receptions, potlucks, and other social events, so as to offer the community opportunities to grow together in friendship and support.
Vocations Commission	The Vocations Commission is responsible for inspiring and assisting the parish community in fulfilling the mission of fostering vocations to the ordained ministry and religious life.  This goal is accomplished through promotion of parish awareness, organization of prayer campaigns, direct invitation of interested individuals, and outgoing support of those who have chosen to pursue a religious vocation.  This committee works in harmony with the Diocesan Vocation Office.

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General Questions & Answers

Q: What is the Pastoral Council?
A:  In simplest terms, the Pastoral Council is a group of elected and appointed members of our parish who meet on a monthly basis to address parish needs, plan programs, and support parish activities. As a whole, Council members represent the parish.

Q: What is a Commission and how is it different from the Pastoral Council?
A:  The Commissions are the groups of individuals that play a central role in what happens at St. Francis Parish. There are currently five active Commissions at St. Francis Parish—the Spiritual Life Commission, the Education Commission, the Family Life Commission, the Communications Commission, the Hospitality Commission, and the Vocations Commission. It is the individuals on these Commissions that plan and organize events or activities that they want to see occur.

Each Commission has two representatives on the Pastoral Council. These representatives act as liaisons between the Commission and the Council and, with other Council members, assist Fr. Vern in making decisions or addressing concerns that impact the Parish,

Q: What is the commitment of being on the Council or a Commission?
A:  Being a Commission representative on the Pastoral Council requires attending both a Council meeting and a Commission meeting each month. The Pastoral Council meets September–June at 7:30 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Each individual Commission also meets once a month. Most work on these Commissions, though, occurs outside the meetings. Throughout the year, the members of these Commissions are working hard to provide our parish with information, education, spiritual enrichment, and fun and fellowship. The actual meetings of the Commission serve more as an opportunity to review and discuss plans and activities.

Q: What are the Council elections for?
A:  Commission representatives to the Pastoral Council are elected positions. Elected members to the Council typically serve a 2–3 year term and can serve no more than six consecutive years. Once a term expires, these positions are opened for nomination and election. It is then the parishioners of St. Francis who nominate and elect the Commission representatives for the Pastoral Council.

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