The health and success of any community relies on the active participation and wise leadership of its members. From its earliest days as a parish, St. Joseph’s has had wise, pragmatic and dedicated parishioners who stepped forward-sometimes asked, sometimes moved to volunteer, at some times summoned! - to work with the pastor and the diocese to create and maintain a parish that provided its members with liturgy, pastoral care, education and opportunities for ministry.
Governance at St. Joseph’s is provided by the board of directors and lay trustees, and the Pastoral and Finance Councils.
Church law in the Diocese of Duluth requires that each parish have a five-member corporate board of directors. The bishop is the president of the board, the parish pastor is the vice president and the vicar general is a member of the board. The remaining two members, lay trustees, are parishioners who represent the broad interests of the entire parish community. They serve two year terms, are appointed by the pastor and approved by the bishop. Current St. Joseph’s lay trustees are Gwynne Bobich and Jim Hoolihan.
A community as large as St. Joseph’s, particularly in a rural area such as Grand Rapids, requires the active and dedicated participation of its members. Without the leadership and support that parishioners so generously and wholeheartedly offer in our Catholic community, we would not be able to serve our parishioners as well as we do.
Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is an advisory body of parishioners established to consult with the pastor, and to recommend the direction of parish activities in keeping with the vision and mission of the parish. Council members are elected or appointed for three-year terms. The monthly meeting is open to all parishioners.
Membership 2009 - 2010
Connie Andrews, CCW Representative
Mary Jo Hendricks
Diane Hodgson
Kathy Hoolihan
Jean Hoshal
Carolyn Kaczor
Barb McDonald
Peter Miskovich
John Nalan
David Roerick
Peg Schroeder
Barb Sura, School Board Representative
Corrine Twaddle
Elaine Yaggie
Pastoral Council Commissions. St. Joseph’s parish commissions are key to the essential functioning of our community of faith. Parish volunteers on these commissions provide many of the parish’s core activities. Commission membership is open to all parishioners.
Liturgy Commission develops spiritual growth and renewal opportunities for the parish. Members work with the pastor and liturgical ministers to plan for liturgical seasons and to prepare liturgical events. Corrine Twaddle, Chair.
Charity and Justice Commission: When it comes to social action, neither charity nor justice alone is sufficient. The goals of this commission are to educate, inspire, respond, empower and serve. Kay Furlong, contact.
Finance Council. Church law requires that each parish have a Finance Council. This Council functions as the financial advisory board to the pastor and the Pastoral Council. It reviews financial performance, and prepares financial projections for parish programs and services. Council members are elected and appointed parishioners.
Membership 2009-2010
Tim Adamich
Nancy Arnhold, School Board Representative
Ron Braiedy
Pat Leistikow
Mike Miskovich
Brian Nicklason
Leanne Retka
Denny Roy
Jim Slater
Tom Stanley
Finance Council Commissions
Stewardship Commission develops, organizes and directs ongoing efforts to promote parishioners sharing of time, talent and treasure. Mike Miskovich, chair.
Fundraising Commission organizes and coordinates parish fund raising activities to strengthen the parish operating budget and to provide for special needs of the parish. Denny Roy, chair.
Planned Giving Commission helps educate parishioners and communicates opportunities and ways for them to provide for St. Joseph’s parish and school.
Kelly Hain, chair.
Endowment Commission organizes opportunities for individuals who wish to invest in St. Joseph’s educational mission. Dean Singsank, chair. The Endowment Investment Sub-committee oversees and monitors those endowment funds. Jim Rupert, chair.
In addition to the councils and commissions, which are standing leadership groups, the following are current working groups called for special purposes.
Facilities Advisory Committee. Since it was created in 1995 FAC has guided the vision and building of St. Joseph’s new church. With the completion of phase one, FAC is now turning its energies to the important parish work of exploring options for new educational space for the parish.
FAC Membership:
Ann Stanley, Chair
Father Jerry Weiss
Father Francis Kabiru
Jim Hoolihan, Trustee
Gwynne Bobich, Trustee
Holli Busching
Paul Dealy
Lori Dowling
Pat Fideldy
Karla Igo
Child Protection Task Force. Formed in the spring of 2002, the Child Protection Task Force (CPTF) seeks to work for protection and healing from childhood sexual abuse within our parish, community and diocese. Gwynne Bobich, chair.
Child Protection Task Force Membership:
Lisa Adamich
Vicki Andrews
Gwynne Bobich, Chair
Diane Dick
Lori Dowling
Kay Furlong
Karen Karls
Anna Koller
Teresa Matetich
Sue Mattson
Marsha Miller
Kathleen Nuccio
Sherry Palkki
JoAnn Ryan
Carole Schwaerzler
Father Jerry Weiss
Amanda Ysen