1493 woodcut from Nuremberg Chronicle of Ecumenical Second Council
of Constantinople 553 AD courtesy Wikimedia

PARISH COUNCIL

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
"In American Roman Catholic parishes, the parish council arose after Vatican II in the new era of lay participation in parish decision making. It was a response to the Vatican II Decree on the apostolate of Lay People (Apostolicam actuositatem, par. 26). This decree, published in 1965, recommended the establishment of councils at all levels of the Catholic Church (including the parish) with one purpose, namely, to assist in the Church's "apostolate" or mission. The decree also said that such apostolic councils "may coordinate" lay initiatives, so long as they do not interfere with the autonomy of such initiatives. Many Catholics throughout the world interpreted the decree as calling for parish councils that would coordinate parish committees or commissions. This was the genesis of the "parish council"...councils do not make decisions independently of the pastor and have a consultative vote only...Pastors may establish these councils and consult them to achieve a threefold purpose---namely, to investigate some aspect of the pastoral situation, reflect about it, and recommend conclusions." (From Wikipedia@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_Council )
 

WHO WE ARE/WHAT WE DO:
MISSION: In accordance with Canon Law suggestions, Our Lady of Peace has a Parish Council to advise the Pastor in the direction of the parish. There are no areas of Parish concern or activity that Parish Council does not touch upon.

ACTIVITIES: Council is often asked to take leadership roles in social, educational, financial, and community endeavors. Examples include Prayer Shawl Ministry, Knights of Columbus Casino Nights, OLP Parish Festival, Lenten Soup Suppers, Knights of Columbus Pasta Fridays (during Lent). Ideally, the Pastor and the members of the council are at one and we strive for that unity. We seek consensus.

Some, but not all, of the 2010-2011 Parish Council members.

MEMBERSHIP:
Committees and Organizations recognized by Parish Council in the calendar year 2010 and entitled to voting members are as follows: (1) Finance, (2) School Board, (3) Leisure Club, (4) Home and School, (5) Athletic Association, (6) Deanery, (7) Festival, (8) Choir, (9) Hospitality, (10) Men's Scripture Sharing, (11) St. Vincent De Paul, (12) Funeral Ministry, (13) Knights of Columbus, (14) Prayer Shawl Ministry ,(15) Website, and (16) Open Shelter.

The voting members of Council consist of:
(1) President of Parish Council, (2) President-elect of PC, (3) Immediate past President of PC, (4) one member from each active parish committee or organization as "recognized" at the October meeting of Parish Council, (5) maximum of six (6) at-large representatives, and (6) Secretary.

Ex-official, but non-voting members of Council are:
(1) Pastor, (2) Associate Pastor/Pastoral Assistant, (3) the Ordinary of the Diocese (Bishop), (4)  School Principal, (5) Parish staff, (6) Minister to sick and elderly, and (7) representative(s) of non-"recognized" committee.

The Executive Committee of Parish Council consists of:
(1) Pastor, (2) Pastoral Assistant, (3) School Principal, (4) President of Parish Council, and (5) President-elect of Parish Council.

At-large representatives are selected to serve a term of three (3) years on Parish Council, two members each to be selected on alternating years. These selected representatives may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Vacancies and unexpired terms are filled by appointments as determined by the Executive Committee of Council.

Recommendations for at-large representatives to Parish Council shall take place at the September meeting. The selections of two-at-large representatives, ro replace two outgoing at-large representatives, are made during the October meeting each year. Newly selected at-large representatives participate in, but do not vote at the December Council meeting. Terms expire on December 31 each year.

MEETINGS:
Parish Council meets seven times each year: January, February, April, May, September, October, and December. Meetings are held in the Gathering Space on a Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Meetings may vary as to week within the month scheduled, so check with the Parish Office 263-8824, the calendar on homepage of this website, or one of the contacts listed below for specific month of interest.
Meeting agendas include: Opening and closing prayer, reports from the Pastor and parish and school committees and groups, for example: Finance Committee, School Board, Home School Association, Deanery (Vicariate), Athletic Association, Festival Committee, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Knights of Columbus to name a few. Also, reports are given regarding Old Business, and opportunities given for New Business, and parishioner Issues.

The deadline for placing an item on the agenda is two (2) business days prior to a council meeting.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Generally, there are no volunteer opportunities to serve on Parish Council.
Service opportunities do exist for helping any one of the parish's recognized organizations, such as the Hospitality Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, Funeral Ministry, and Knights of Columbus.

CONTACTS:
Executive Committee:
President Parish Council                 Greg France                                 gregfrance@earthlink.net
Pastor                                                    Fr. Kavanagh                                  614-263-8824
Pastoral Assistant                              Sister Barbara Kolesar, O.P.         614-263-4271
                                                                Sister Martha Langstaff, O.P.        614-268-3426
President Elect Parish Council        Veronica Milam Garrity         vgarrity@columbus.rr.com
School Principal                                  Carol Folian                            cfolian@cdeducation.org

Other Members Represented:
Finance Committee                            Maria Mercurio                     mcmfccfa@aol.com 
                                                                                                                    614-784-0333             
Home & School                              Tom & Kathy Gulla                    tkgulla@yahoo.com
Festival                                                  Tricia Mikula                             trishslp@aol.com
Athletic Association                             Rob Nussbaum                      rnussy6@aol.com
Music/Choir                                           Linda Ebright                          614-263-8824
Bereavement Ministry                          Vicki Nolan                              614-436-0483

Leisure Club                                       Sister Martha Langstaff           614-268-3426
Deanery                                                Veronica Milam Garrity           vgarrity@columbus.rr.com
Open Shelter                                       Veronica Milam Garrity           vgarrity@columbus.rr.com
Hospitality Ministry                              Kathy Price                               kmprc4@yahoo.com
Men's Scritpure Sharing                    Mark Bach                                bachm@mail.wowmail.com
Knights of Columbus                         Bob Brehm                              rbrehm@columbus.rr.com

St. Vincent de Paul                              Ann Milem                    armilem@yahoo.com
Funeral Ministry                                    Kit Logsdon                 kitlogsdon@columbus.rr.com 
                                                                 Ellen Voltolini              ellenvolt@yahoo.com                                 
OLP School Board                               Carol Folian                cfolian@cdeducation.org
Bishop Watterson H.S. Board            Tricia Mikula                trishslp@aol.com
                                                                
Prayer Shawl Ministry                           Lisa Gallant                     lisabillgallant@gmail.com
Website                                                   Marilyn Veracka               mveracka@wowway.com

Past President                                       Tom Simmons            richardssimmons@columbus.rr.com
Members at Large                                      Greg France     gregfrance@earthlink.net 
                                                                        Bob Brehm       rbrehm@columbus.rr.com 
                                                      Rob & Marlene O'Brien    RMAcOBrien@columbus.rr.com