St. Vincent Pallotti Parish Committees

Four permanent, “standing” committees are required by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s parish council norms – Christian Formation, Finance, Human Concerns, and Prayer and Worship. Additional parish committees have been established for specific areas of ministry. Working as members of these various parish committees, as well as other parish organizations, offers parishioners the chance to actively participate in the mission of St. Vincent Pallotti Parish.

Christian Formation

The Christian Formation Committee guides the faith formation of the parish community and all of our parishioners throughout the life cycle. As such, the committee is entrusted with developing a vision for religious education for our children in kindergarten through 6th grade, youth ministry for our junior high and high school students, and for all adult parish members. The Christian Formation Committee discusses, plans and facilitates days of reflection, the parish mission and other opportunities for spiritual renewal. The committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish office.

Volunteer opportunities include: Religious Education teacher, Sunday morning assistant to Religious Education Director, chaperones for youth activities, planning assistance for First Communion and mini-retreat, facilitator for Liturgy of the Word for Children and small group leaders for Confirmation, adult formation groups and Vacation Bible School.

Human Concerns

The mission of Human Concerns is to address the special needs of persons in the parish and the wider community in accordance with the service dimension found in the Gospels and the social teachings of the Church. The committee is also concerned with issues related to the dignity and sanctity of human life. Human Concerns sponsors many parish events including: food collections for pantries, toiletries collection to aid the homeless in shelters, collection of baby items to be given to needy babies and mothers, Life Chain to promote pro-life, Christmas gifts via The Giving Tree, sale of mums for Interfaith and roses for Wisconsin Right to Life, and a St. Patrick’s Day party for the parish. The committee meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish office.

Volunteer opportunities include: Sorting and boxing donated materials, setting up for parish socials, planning games and activities, serving food and cleaning up. Some activities, such as sending cards to the sick, recently baptized or married, take as little as 15 minutes, once a year.

Finance

The Finance Committee prepares the annual parish budget for Parish Council review and approval, reviews monthly finance reports from the parish bookkeeper and assists the parish staff in maintaining accurate accounting records. The committee also provides input on proposed employee wages and benefits, oversees parish properties, coordinates preventive maintenance activities, and oversees work-bid collection and installation by contractors. Business background is helpful. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish office.

Prayer and Worship

The Prayer and Worship Committee gives direction to the liturgical aspect of parish life and provides opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations. The committee offers direction to the following:

• Adult Choir
• Children’s Choir
• Cantors
• Instrumentalists
• Lectors
• Eucharistic Ministers (for liturgies and for the homebound)
• Altar Servers
• Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers/Greeters)
• Art and Environmental Ministers (assist with interior and exterior decorations for major liturgical seasons)
• Altar Linen Assistants (launder, mend or make new linens, robes and other items)

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish office.

Volunteer opportunities include: Participation in any of the music or liturgical ministries listed above.

Communication

The Communication Committee creates, formats and edits the parish newsletter and works on special communications projects such as the parish handbook. Meetings are on the second Thursday at 7:00 p.m., every other month.

Volunteer opportunities include: writing, editing, typing, artwork, layout and design, and proofreading.

Hospitality

The Hospitality Committee coordinates social functions for the parish and welcomes new members to the parish community. Some of the socials include the Feast of St. Vincent Pallotti, parish mission and other special events. Most social functions are after the 10:00 a.m. Sunday liturgies.

Volunteer opportunities include: Planning the refreshments to be served, donating refreshments, decorating and setup, preparing and serving refreshments and welcoming new parishioners.

Parish School

The Parish School Committee creates, promotes and preserves educational policies consistent with the policies and directives of the Archdiocesan Office for Schools, Child and Youth Ministry to ensure a quality and innovative education for all students. It assists in the development of long-range plans for the school and actively seeks opportunities for collaboration and consolidation in the areas of education and children. The committee reviews and evaluates the school budget in conjunction with the educational administrator. It explores additional sources of revenue for the operation of the school with the approval of the Parish Council. It serves as liaison between the Parish Council and both the Home & School Association and an athletics representative.

Members include Pastor, Principal, Home & School representative, athletics representative, Parish Council liaison, two teachers, six school parents and two parishioners. Members are selected by the discernment process. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the school.

Stewardship

The Stewardship Committee promotes the generous sharing of human and financial resources to support the mission and programs of the parish. The committee oversees the annual parish pledge program whereby parishioners pledge their time, talent and financial support to help make our parish ministries and programs successful.