Parish Committees
Committees Meeting Night
Beginning in September 2008, members of all parish committees will come together in the O’Gara Social Hall at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month for dinner, prayer and a brief overview of parish issues and topics of discussion in all the committees. At 7 p.m., the committees will hold their individual meetings in various locations of the church building. Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will attend meetings of those committees for which they are contact people and then come together at 8 p.m. for the PPC meeting. By means of this format, we expect that the various committees will have a greater sense of the fuller picture of our parish and their role in that picture, communication among committees will be enhanced, gathering of input on issues of importance to the whole parish will be improved, and the decision-making process will be streamlined.
Parish Council
The PPC is the primary and coordinating committee of the parish. It is advisory to the pastor in discerning God’s guidance for our parish and coordinating parish programs and committees. Contact Chris Barth, chair, 645-7389, or Fr. Denny, 645-8816 ext. 202.
Social Ministries Committee
The committee was reorganized to shift responsibility for the organization and implementation of the various projects from a central committee to a broader base of volunteers in Action Groups. Each group, ranging from 10 to over 50 participants, selects a leadership team of five people who coordinate projects and maintain contact with members. The Social Ministries Committee, consisting of representatives from the various Action Groups, reviews the plans of each group and coordinates the scheduling and promotion of projects and educational presentations. The Action Groups are as follows:
- Thanksgiving food baskets for low-income families (through the Community Action Center)
- Christmas sharing: gifts for low-income families in Northfield (through the CAC) and in Minneapolis through Indian Ministries
- Minnesota Food Share drive in March and ongoing collection for the Northfield Food Shelf
- Respect life, including annual fund-raiser for Birthright
- Peace and Justice: local and global issues related to human rights
- Environment and Respect for the Earth
- Mission Awareness
Contact: Jean Bollum, chair, 664-9592.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the pastor on the financial matters of the parish, reviews the annual parish budget and monitors the financial health of the parish. Contact: Marcia Simon, chair, 952-652-2998
Liturgy Committee
The committee aspires to motivate and facilitate full, conscious and active participation in the parish’s liturgical celebrations. Members study documents on the liturgy of the Church at each meeting. Primary tasks include: Seasonal liturgical planning, coordination of liturgical ministries, broader liturgical considerations, suggestions to the Parish Council on church building and furnishings. Contact: Scott Lehrke, 645-8816 ext. 208.
Maintenance Committee
The Maintenance Committee oversees proper care and repair of parish buildings, equipment and grounds. With approval of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee, it plans and coordinates improvements, often with labor and materials donated by parishioners. Contact: Dick Suess, chair, 645-7225.
Welcome Committee
We are in the process of developing a team of volunteers to visit and officially welcome newly-registered individuals and families from their own neighborhoods. As representatives of their neighborhood and the parish at large, these volunteers will familiarize them with the various programs of the parish and help them get to know more parishioners in their area. Contact: Fr. Denny, 645-8816 ext. 202.
Youth Formation Committee
This committee assists and advises the directors of Youth Ministry and Religious Education. It also provides direction for planning, developing, approving and improving policies and programs for the faith formation, youth ministry, and sacraments for the youth of the parish. Contact: Jill Helgeson, chair, 663-7894.
Health Ministry Committee
See Parish Nurse Ministry – contact Nancy Ludescher, 645-8816 ext. 203
Stewardship Committee
Contact Rebecca Otten, 664-9103