St. Margaret Mary Pastoral Council
Mission Statement
We, the members of St. Margaret Mary Pastoral Council, serve our pastor as the instrument of evangelization in our parish. We are the forum in which our pastor and the lay faithful gather to discern the pastoral and spiritual needs of our parishioners and help them to live out their baptismal call in their daily lives.
We do this by supporting, assisting and strengthening the various "tables" of human interaction in our ministries, leading up to the Eucharistic Table of Christ. Through these gatherings, we are nourished and empowered to share Christ's love with each other, the community and the world.
Members of Pastoral Council:
Dianna Aubele, Dianne Bohaychick, Jeff Cox, LeRoy Dastolfo, Rick DeMoss, Linda Dolmajer, Beth Fazzini, Allen Flemm, Kevin Hartford, Mike Kardibin, Cindy Kost, Dianne Lucas, James Musolino, George Ziringer
PAstoral Council Meeting HighLIGHTS
April 8, 2025
The April Pastoral Council meeting focused on the Faith Formation Ministry. Tim Ruflin, our Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship, was our featured speaker, and highlighted several currently active programs.
K-5 Faith Formation Program. The goal of this program is to promote a child’s understanding of God through a catechismal understanding of the Catholic faith. Comprised of approximately 60 students from MQA (Mary Queen of Apostles), they gather Monday evenings at MSP (Mount St. Peter’s)
Good Shepherd Program. This is a K-5 religious program based on the Montessori learning style. It provides a hands-on experiential approach in a non-classroom setting. Families are encouraged to attend, allowing for an engagement in all faith practices. Currently, twenty-two (22) students are enrolled.
Moms and Tots Program. This is a new social program for young families that meets Monday evenings. Moms and their little ones meet to socialize, get support, and provide interaction for their children.
Baptismal Preparation Program. While preparing for baptism, couples meet and discuss the importance of faith in their lives and their child’s future.
Theology on Tap. This is newly revived, informal religious meeting that is held at a local bar/restaurant. Appetizers are provided-drinks are on your own. There is a speaker at each session. The first meeting is April 24that Mogie’s .
Looking Forward. Tim is trying to coordinate the Faith Formation meetings to coincide with the Sunday masses at all four (4) churches.
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) Program. This program is exploding! We have twenty (20) people entering our church this year. We will need more catechists and hospitality teams to support our new members.
Welcome Dinner Socials: We will sponsor three (3) “Jubilee dinners” this year for new parishioners from all four (4) churches. The first dinner will take place on May 31st, with others tentatively planned for November and December.
This Lenten Season, Pastoral Council sponsored the “Lenten Speaker Series: Following Jesus in Holy Week through the eyes of Peter .”
Led by former Pastor Monsignor James T. Gaston, parishioners reflected on Peter’s misunderstandings of Jesus, yet Jesus’ patience trust in him to the end. Peter is every person trying to understand the mysterious ways of God which often do not meet our normal expectations. As Peter’s relationship with Jesus is tested, so is ours. The Holy Spirit is given to us to stay faithful to the end. Easter seals the deal! .
Over 150 parishioners attended in person with many others joining via livestream. The event concluded with a reception each session for parishioners to mingle with one another.