Councils and Commissions

The Pastoral Council

Ministry Statement

As Pastoral Council representatives, our ministry is to stand with our brothers and sisters at the Church of St. Stephen in a spirit of mutual service. To identify, align and articulate our unique parish values, needs and hopes. To make sound and positive recommendations enabling our parishioners to accomplish God's reign in their lives. We strive to achieve this by listening and dialoguing with one another and with our parishioners, by affirming the unique gifts of our parish and by committing ourselves to the on-going formation and invitation to leadership of the laity. Finally, it is our Vision and our hope that all parishioners share the ownership of and provide direction for the Church of St. Stephen.

Members

Mary Ann Caesar, Tom Hagerty, Dan Jaeger, Phil Jorgensen, Jeff Kieffer, Pat Larson, Ken Sallman, Sharon Schmidtbauer, Kathy Spartz, John Seibert (Trustee), Lisa Wagner, Fr. Mike Van Sloun (ex-officio), Jay Gish (ex-officio) and Rose Lundrigan (ex-officio).

 

The Finance Council

Ministry Statement

The Finance Council provides support to the Pastor and Parish Administrator through leadership, monitoring of financial statements and overseeing the business procedures of the parish. 

 

The Finance Council advises on:

• Financial stability
• Education on financial condition
• An annual budget
• Financial goals that meet parish goals

Members

John Burgeson, Pat Coleman, Clifford Korkowski, Mike Kulseth, Mary Leverson, Scott Mason, Rich Matter, Patrick O'Gorman, Patrick Riehl, Patricio Salamanca, Tim Talbot, Terry Velasco, Kirsten Vosen, Fr. Mike Van Sloun (ex-officio), Jay Gish (ex-officio), and Rose Lundrigan (ex-officio).

 

The Worship Commission

Mission

The purpose of the Worship Commission of the Church of St. Stephen is to be the eyes, ears and voice of the worshipping community and thus serve as a think tank which gives input and recommendations to improve the quality of liturgies at the parish. Commission members will bring feedback and suggestions from parish members to the Pastor and Worship Team for consideration.

Our Values

To be a model of community ourselves by sharing prayer and faith together.

To be creative and open minded with each other, the leaders of our church, the other liturgical ministries and the members of our parish.

To serve as an advisory and consultative group for the area of Worship
at the parish.

Members

Gregory Bortnem, Randy Kadrie, Brent LaGree, Kyle Nemeth, Robert Nichols, Jean Nightingale, Rick Rajtar, Sue Stone, Robin Taaffe, Mike Witt and Bernie Leach (Worship Director).

 

The Formation Commission

Mission

Faith formation “aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him.” (National Directory for Catechesis 19A)

 

 The Faith Formation Commission facilitates the implementation of lifelong faith formation throughout the year so all parishioners, young and old, can develop a fully conscious, active and living faith. The Commission’s task is to provide input on opportunities for learning about our Catholic faith and its traditions, making available times of personal and liturgical prayer, guiding moral conscience development, encouraging mission and service and building a sense of community that reaches out in faith to others.

Members

Harlan Danner, Joe Lentner, Therese Thieschafer, Louise Thurler, Diane Witt and Karen Zink

 

The School Commission

Ministry Statement

We are an advisory committee to our principal and also serve on a subcommittee with a specific focus related to our school. 

A typical agenda consists of time allotted for:

• Prayer. Each meeting is book-ended by prayer, lead by a different commission member each month;
• Approval of the previous month’s meeting minutes. Approved minutes are distributed in the next Thursday folder;
• Open forum, which is a time for visitors to bring forth questions and concerns they may have for the commission. These questions or statements must be submitted in advance, in writing, either to the School Commission Chair or to the Principal.   The commission does not discuss the open forum topic at the meeting, yet each open forum topic is reviewed and responded to in writing.  If the outcome is of general concern to the school community, this information is relayed in a Thursday newsletter/folder.
• Verbal monthly report by our principal
• Subcommittee status reports. This year there are four subcommittees focused on: Parent Education, Public Relations/Marketing,/Alumni, Volunteer Coordination and Classroom Support, and Strategic Planning.  At the beginning of the school year, a plan is developed by each subcommittee, identifying their goals for the year. Each month, the subcommittees report on their accomplishments against their plan.
• New Business for the month, like fundraiser progress reports
• Open mike, a time for visitors to bring forth questions and concerns about that night’s discussion. These questions or statements must be submitted in writing within a week, either to the School Commission Chair or to the Principal. They are handled in the same way as the Open Forum topics.

Members

Joanne Fonseca, Jackie Hoppenrath, Bob Kelly, Sandy Lang, Heidi Meyer, Rachel Mouser, Matt Robinson, Rachel Stoehr, Michelle Smith and Rebecca Gustafson (Principal).