Catholic parishes today could not fulfill their mission in the Church, neighborhood and world without the valuable advice and assistance of parishioners, especially as they are organized into councils and committees.
The Pastoral Council of Blessed Sacrament is a consultative body, advising the pastor about the parish mission. With the pastor, the Council develops a common vision and purpose for the parish; provides recommendations for parish priorities, directions and policies through pastoral planning; and promotes communication, understanding and collaboration among parishioners and specific parish groups. Thus the Pastoral Council seeks to build and strengthen the faith of the parishioners and extend the mission of Christ near and far.
Ordinarily, the Pastoral Council meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 PM, September through June. David Richardson currently serves as chairperson of the Council, and the members are: Nita Brown, John Byrne (parish trustee), Melissa Camman, Anne Cassidy, James Conlin (vice-chairperson), Arthur Davidow, Sarah DeSimone (secretary), Andrea Giuffre, Colleen Gordon, James Oberst, Joyce Perelli, and Christine Sibilio.
The Finance Council of Blessed Sacrament is a consultative body, mandated in each parish by Church law to advise the pastor about the temporal goods of the parish. The Council monitors the annual parish budget, analyzes financial trends, advises about investments and capital improvements, and strategizes about stewardship, fundraising and development.
Ordinarily, the Finance Council meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM, September through June. Dale O’Dell is currently the chairperson of the Council and also serves a parish trustee. Council members include Virginia Burke-Krutell, Christine Conlon, Mark Fien, Christopher Gamble, Margy Handel (parish business manager and staff to the Council), William Schrader, Damian Weidmann, and Christopher Zeltmann.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee monitors the condition of the five buildings and campus of Blessed Sacrament Parish, and makes recommendations to the pastor for repair, preventative maintenance and capital improvement. The Committee meets at least quarterly, and more frequently as needed. Peter Siegrist is currently the chairperson of the Committee. Other members Sister Eileen Curtis SSJ, Dick Dillon, Mike Heberger, Margy Handel (staff to the committee), Greg Lindner, Judy Lynd, Kevin Petre, Annette and Damian Weidmann.
Other parish committees also assist the work of the parish and its staff in the various ministries of the parish. See the listings for the Parish Life Committee, the Liturgy Committee, and the Social Justice Committee. If you want to serve on the Next-to-New Sale Committee, please contact Margy Handel ( ), or on the RCIA Team, please contact Beverly LaBelle ( ).
Blessed Sacrament is also part of the Monroe-Clinton Planning Group, comprised of Saint Boniface, Saint Mary’s and Our Lady of Victory/Saint Joseph in the downtown and southeast areas of the city of Rochester. These partner parishes are engaged in strategic pastoral planning involving reconfiguration of our parishes and collaboration in ministry. This diocesan-wide process is prompted by changing demographics of parishes and the increasing shortage of priests. The current draft of the plan, which awaits the affirmation of the respective parish pastoral councils, is available through our Home Page. If affirmed the proposed plan will be sent before Christmas 2005 to Bishop Clark for his approval.