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PPC Meeting Notes
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Parish Pastoral Council
- Fr. John Trout
- Michelle Hobson (Chair)
- Megan Pavlelske – Youth
- Marjorie Gaitan – Social Justice & Service
- Jon Monroe – Faith Formation
- Dennis Valentini – Prayer & Worship
- Gerry Salzman – Community Building
- Brian Savage – Accountability
The Pastor and the Parish Pastoral Council comprise the Parish Executive Leadership Team committed to serving the Parish and Parishioners of St Joseph Church. The PPC exercises shared responsibility for the Pastoral life of the Parish under the leadership of the Pastor and is the primary advisory, deliberative and decision making body for all significant Parish affairs.
The Council is comprised of 8 members: 6 Commission leads, PPC Chair, and Pastor. The Council meets monthly (excluding July) and is responsible for:
- Directing the implementation of the Parish Pastoral Plan
- Providing strategic direction to Parish Staff and Commissions
- Serving as a resource to the Pastor on critical issues affecting the overall well-being of the parish
- Approving proposals for Parish initiatives
- Nourishing Parish Servant Leadership
- Encouraging and promoting participation of the laity throughout Parish ministries
- Serving as an avenue of communication with the Parish at large, the Pastor, and the Pastoral Staff
- Planning for the future by recommending policies, procedures and programs that fulfill the Church’s mission
Brian Savage represents our Parish as the Accountability Commission Lead. The Accountability Commission strives to be faithful stewards of how we allocate and use our Parish resources. We target to remain debt free, grow our capital reserve position, while maintaining a vibrant campus that helps us fulfill our parish mission.Brian and his wife Amy have four children and have been parishioners of St Joseph’s since they moved to Libertyville in 2012. Brian has been a member of the Finance Council since 2014 and a member of the Parish Pastoral Council since 2017.
Marjorie Gaitan is proud to represent our Parish as the Social Justice Commission Lead in our shared goal of promoting peace and dignity, and sharing the love of Christ with all people. Marjorie has a particular interest in working to combat global poverty and to protect those who live in its midst. Since 2013 she has been active in the International Sharing Ministry, and she has been an organizing force in our annual Lenten event “A Simple Supper” an evening of solidarity, fellowship and gratitude benefiting children who suffer in extreme poverty around the world.Marjorie and her husband Wil have been active St Joseph’s parishioners since they moved to Libertyville in 2005. Marjorie has lived in four countries and speaks three languages. An avid music lover, she treasures her time as a Music Minister serving and worshiping in the Choir and as an instrumentalist. Marjorie is eager to work closely with the church, its ministers and its parishioners to promote justice in our community, our state and across all borders.
Michelle Hobson is very blessed and grateful for the opportunity to serve our Parish as Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council. In this capacity she is responsible for the operation of the PPC in the fulfillment of the Parish Vision and Mission. Michelle works collaboratively with the Pastor and the Pastoral Director of Ministries to facilitate constructive meetings and drive resolution to issues and proposals through thoughtful and timely prayer and discernment. Michelle works to establish the PPC as a small faith community guided by the Holy Spirit.Michelle and her family have been members of St. Joseph Parish for 20 years. Michelle and her husband Mark have been married 34 years and have two adult children Cassandra and Christian. Michelle leads beauty Customer Care for Walgreens in Deerfield. Michelle is active in numerous ministries, serving as a Liturgy Coordinator, Proclaimer, Eucharistic Minister, and Minister of Care, and is an active participant with Community for the Kingdom.
Dennis Valentini is honored to serve our Parish as the Prayer and Worship Commission Lead. The Prayer and Worship Commission and its ministries foster discipleship that engages and creates a deeper parishioner understanding and involvement in the liturgy. The Commission is comprised of 13 Liturgical ministries and 8 Prayer ministries.Dennis and his wife Kathy have been married for 48 years and have two daughters and four grandchildren. They have been members of St. Joseph Parish for over 32 years. Dennis serves as a Liturgy Coordinator, Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Adult Altar Server, Bereavement Minister, and a member of the Men’s Ministry.
Megan Pavelske represents our Parish as the Youth Commission Lead. Our church youth ministry focuses on leading young people in the middle and high school years in their faith development, encouraging them to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ in the Church. Specifically, Megan has been very involved in the teen service trip called AMT (Appalachian Mission Trip) for the last 6 summers, leading the trip for the last 3 years.
Megan has been a member of St. Joseph Parish since childhood. She grew up attending St. Joseph School and also got married at St. Joseph church. Megan and her husband Frank have raised their adult children as members of St. Joseph Parish and were very involved in Religious Education throughout those years. Megan is a high school science teacher at Zion-Benton Township High School where she has been for the last 14 years.
Gerry Salzman serves the Parish as the Community Building Commission Lead. The Community Building Commission focuses on building Community through small groups as well as large events that provide an environment of faith and fellowship for all ages of the Parish.. Mass in the Park, New Parishioner Welcoming, and the Women’s Guild are just some of the groups focused on building of community and support. St. Patrick’s Dinner and Oktoberfest are organized by the Knights of Columbus under the umbrella of this Commission as well. Recently our Retiree Ministry has expanded activities in our Parish and also in the Community of Libertyville.Gerry and his wife Judy have been parishioners for over 30 years and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Gerry retired from CNH Industrial as Senior Director of Global Marketing after 42 years with IH and CaseIH. He is a Eucharistic Minister, Proclaimer, Leads the Mass in the Park and is active in the Men’s Ministry.
Jon Monroe serves our Parish as the Faith Formation Commission Lead. The Faith Formation Commission provides lifelong learning opportunities to help our parish grow in our love and understanding of Christ. The commission includes the formation of children through Religious Education and the School, as well as multiple ministries for adult formation. Jon works with Director of Faith Formation Dave Retseck and his team to implement our Parish Vision and Mission.
Jon and his wife Christine have been parishioners for 20 years and have 3 children. Jon has served on the School Advisory Committee and as a catechist. He is a self employed computer programmer and loves using data analysis techniques to help our parish plan and budget effectively.
Please email info@stjoseph-libertyville.org for more information.
