Lay Consulters Have a Role to Play in Church

St. Mary's Parish is currently administered under the diocesan norms of consultation, norms which have changed over the years.

These norms define consultation as "the service we give to our pastors in the Church to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities to God and to us all," explained Fr. Pace.

From at 1902 to 1964, a board of Trustees and consulters assisted the pastor. These were elected on an irregular basis, as explained by Fr. Biegler in a letter to the bishop in July of 1938.

"The trustees who have been holding office the last fourteen some years, wish to have some others to replace them. They have been doing wonderful work and have acted very reasonably, but simply think their time is up and others of the parish should assume responsibility for a time," he wrote.

Biegler asked permission to call a parish meeting and have "the men contributing to the support of the church" vote upon six members as trustees and ushers, two of whom the bishop would approve as officers of the parish. Women and non-contributing men did not have voting rights.

This consultative body was re-organized into the Parish Board in 1965 with a greatly expanded franchise as to who could vote and hold office, essentially all adult members.

Members of the Parish Council in the late 1990’s included (from left) Kent Luedtke, Bob Barth, Gary Miller, Anita Wirkuty, Bridget Reil, Martha Opelt, Fr. Henseler, Mike Poziombke, Steve Covington, Jack Hammond and Rita Kuchenbecker.

More reforms began in 2000, resulting in the current Pastoral Council. One-third of the nine members are elected every year to three-year terms. They are limited to two-consecutive terms. All confirmed members of registered households are eligible to vote.

Completing the organization is a Finance Council consisting of appointed members and two Pastoral Council members and four volunteer parish committees: Sacred Worship, Education, Justice and Peace, and Family Life.

The Pastoral and Finance Councils most directly advise the pastor in his role of leadership and service. The Pastoral Council is responsible to assess the spiritual needs of the parish and develop ways to meet them.

The Finance Council is charged with helping the parish meet its needs with an accountable application of the parish's material resources. This effort is assisted by the work of two parish committees: Buildings and Grounds and Stewardship and Development.

Building on the strength of the past, the structure described was brought to completion over time, by the spring of 2004. Today it is still growing and attempting to evaluate and serve the evolving needs of the parish.

St. Mary's is also blessed with additional societies of leadership, noted Fr. Pace.

"The PCCW is primary among them in its strength and history. The service provided by the PCCW over the years is second to none and has fostered ongoing programming for groups of parishioners.

The men of the parish have also found faith and outreach through the local Council of the Knights of Columbus. Their leadership has helped maintain a sense of cooperation and communication among several local Catholic Churches. Finally, parishioners have shared in the important work of broader local organizations such as Wisconsin Right to Life, and Interfaith Caregivers. All these forms of community evangelization have strengthened the parish and helped us remain faithful to our gospel mission."

[pinevalley/footer_gif.html]