The Parish Council is a group of parishioners that work together with Father Bill to do pastoral planning for Resurrection Catholic Parish. Pastoral planning is a prayerful and collaborative process that centers on turning our parish visions into reality.
The Parish Council assembles once per month to discuss the pastoral needs of the parish community and communicate those needs to Father Bill. He, in turn, shares his vision for the parish, asks for input and describes the many ways our parish community can support and participate in our shared calling as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Meetings include updates on many of our Resurrection ministries (each Council member is also a member of at least one ministry), news from our school, regular updates on finances from our Finance Committee liaison, opportunities for various volunteer and philanthropic activities, and thoughtful responses to parishioner-raised issues and questions. We are continually guided by the Holy Spirit as we discuss these topics. All opinions are valued and respected. Parish Council recommendations are made only after reaching a broad consensus with much prayerful deliberation.
The Parish Council currently meets in the Fireside Room on the third Wednesday of each month, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Our meetings are open to all parishioners as guests, and we welcome those who feel a calling to become members of this important ministry to reach out to our council chair for more information.
Contact: Jeff Hjelte at: jhjelte_64@msn.com
Your 2026 Parish Council:
- Linda & Ken Beko: beko741@gmail.com
- Don Dravis: dondravis@gmail.com
- Peter Gallucci: pmgallucci@comcast.net
- Jeff Hjelte: jhjelte_64@msn.com
- Irene Jones: ijones@rcparish.org
- Sherry Miller: millfamm@aol.com
- Tom Scheideman: tpscheideman@msn.com
- Paula Smith: deanch.3@gmail.com
- Linda Vickers: vickers62@comcast.net
Parish Council Roles and Responsibilities
As Parish leaders, we have been entrusted with the responsibility and care for the parish. We are stewards and caretakers, not governors or legislators.
(From St. Michael’s Parish brochure – 2013)
Council members are recruited from the parish community with a goal of providing a good mix of personal and professional capabilities and the benefit of different perspectives and disciplines. The Parish Council will have a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary. The council currently meets once per month on the third Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 pm.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare for, attend and participate in all Parish Council meetings. Allowances made for absences of one to three per year by informing the council chairperson.
- Serve a three-year term, which may be extended via council vote.
- Work as a member of the team to discern and support the parish’s mission, vision and direction in collaboration with the pastor.
- Be present within the parish. Attend parish masses and functions, be accessible to parishioners, listen to needs of the parish and promote/articulate the parish’s mission, values, goals and accomplishments.
- Support the pastor and staff, giving them the spiritual, moral and professional support they need to further the goals of the parish.
- Assist with council short-term sub-committees and functions as needed.
- Provide input and review issues with an open mind and heart.
- Assist in the formation and training of new members.
- Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality practices.
- Actively participate in at least one parish ministry or committee.
- Assist the Finance committee in reviewing the parish financial budget and contribute to the parish’s annual report (Parish Council reviews but does not ratify the parish budget).
Qualifications/Gifts/Skills Needed:
- Baptized and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
- Registered member of Resurrection Catholic Parish.
- Make an annual, meaningful contribution to the parish (time, talent, treasure).
- Have an understanding of, and commitment to, the Church in accord with the principles of Vatican II.
- Dedicated to prayer, study, listening, and dialogue.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Problem solve and offer suggestions to reach solutions.
- Respect the input of others.
- Commit to giving the time needed for participation.
Annual Activities: Ministry Fair, Advent, and Lenten activities
Training & Support Resources:
- Read documents:
- Parish Pastoral Councils: Policies and Commentary (Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, 2009)
- Stewardship A Disciple’s Response: A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
- Support for Parish Council members seeking advice or assistance is provided by the council chair(s), the pastor and pastoral assistant.
Roles
- Chair: Send advance meeting notices, seek input & set agenda, lead meeting, encourage open & broad participation, track action items & completions, complete annual calendar, plan annual events and activities.
- Vice Chair: Take lead in communicating council activities thru website, bulleting & other means; assist chair in completing mutually assigned portions of the above; handle responsibilities in the absence of chair.
- Secretary/Librarian: Maintain the latest official copies of key reference documents, both electronically and posted paper, for ready access by council members and any interested parishioner.
- Special: All members will support the group by volunteering to handle minutes or other roles for the good of the council.
The Parish Council works toward the continuing journey of maintaining a Stewardship parish. We embrace and promote being a Christian Steward: One who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the Lord. (Stewardship, USCOCB p. 48).