Pastoral Council and Commissions
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that works in unity with the parish and pastoral staff. The council assists the pastor in identifying parish needs and helps to plan and implement parish programs and services. Participants at council meetings include the parish priest(s) and pastoral staff, the school principal, the religious education director, nine members elected at large, committee chairpersons and representatives from other parish organizations. The six parish commissions are extensions of the work of the parish pastoral council. If you are interested in becoming a member of the parish pastoral council, please notify one of its members or the pastoral staff.
Parish Commissions
Worship and Prayer Commission
Responsible for making recommendations for the liturgical and spiritual life of the parish to the Pastor and Parish Council.
Liturgy Committee:
- Liturgical ministries
- Choirs and musicians
Baptisms:
- Parent Preparation class
- Coordinator on the day of Baptisms
Weddings:
- Marriage Preparation Program Presenter
- Marriage Preparation Program Meals/Hospitality
- Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study (FOCCUS) Facilitators
- Wedding Coordinators
Intercessory Prayer Group
Detailed information about this commission
Christian Education/Formation Commission
Responsible for making recommendations and suggestions of policy about education and faith formation for the total parish to the Pastor, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Director of Children’s Religious Education, and School Principal.
Adults:
- Adult Education/Formation
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Small Christian Communities
- Bible Study
Children:
- Children’s Religious Education
- Sacramental Preparation of Children
- Youth Ministry
- Parish School
Human Concerns and Social Justice Commission
Responsible for making recommendations to the Pastor and Parish Council in regards to the pastoral needs of parishioners and the promoting of social justice.
Community Meal Program
Pastoral Care:
- Funeral Lunches - donations of salads, desserts
- Funeral Lunches - servers of food, hospitality
- Home Eucharistic Minister
- Parishioner Transport (SMG Church Express)
- Respite Care
- Visitors to homebound/elderly
Pro-Life
Weekly Transport of Food Collection to St. Vincent de Paul
Detailed information about this commission
Parish Life Commission
Charged to enhance parish life for new and existing parishioners by supporting existing organizations, and to continually assess needs for new programs and make subsequent recommendations.
Book Club/Card Club
Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Girl Scouts/Brownies
Carefree Years
Evangelization Ministry
Knights of Columbus
Little People Play Group
Marriage and Family Life Ministry
New Member Welcoming
Parish Festival
Parish Newsletter
Sunday Coffee and Doughnuts
Detailed information about this commission
Vocations Commission
Responsible for keeping before parishioners' attention the fact that God calls parishioners to be diocesan priests, religious priests, sisters and brothers and soliciting help through the Parish Council and Pastor in promoting activities for vocation awareness.
Stewardship Commission
Responsible for making recommendations to the Parish Council and Pastor regarding parish resources (time, talent, treasure).
Planning and Communications Committee
Detailed information about this commission
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Facilities and Grounds
Assistance is always needed and welcome. Major activities include the Nazareth Carpenter Day held in June and a clean up in the Fall. Parish members of all skills are invited to help paint, clean and do miscellaneous repairs. Please check any items on the Time and Talent sheet you wish to assist with, noting any particular skills you may have.
Parish Office Volunteer
The parish office is a very busy place; help is needed in a variety of areas from answering the phone to typing/word processing to filing to stuffing envelopes. Persons are needed for short duration projects as well as for longer-term commitments. Please contact the parish office for more information.