(Back Row, L-R): Beth
Buscko, Family Life Co-Chair; Bill Bowen, Communications Co-Chair; Pam Letendre,
Hospitality Co-Chair;
Bob Letendre, Hospitality Co-Chair; Deb Fish, Communications Co-Chair; Paul
Pierce, Council Asst Chair (Middle Row, L-R): Judy Trickey, Director of Religious Ed; Marianne
Abuselmi, Faith Development Co-Chair;
Judy Dudek, Spiritual Life
Co-Chair; Rita Gallagher, Vocations Co-Chair (Front Row, L-R): Maryjane Lemire, Vocations Co-Chair; Francesca
Forrrest, Council Secretary;
Steve Forrest, Council Chair; Pat Crosby, Family Life Co-Chair
Missing from Photo:
Fr. Vern, Pastor; Pat Antonovitch, Spiritual Life Co-Chair; Barbara Chiapetta,
Faith Development Co-Chair
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.
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.
