PASTORAL COUNCIL FINANCE COMMISSION WORSHIP COMMISSION

EDUCATION COMMISSION SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION

PASTORAL COUNCIL
St. Saviour Pastoral Council is composed of nine elected members of the parish, the Parish Business Manager, Parish Secretary/Pastoral Associate, the Parish Coordinator of Religious Education, and the Pastor. Members serve for a period of two years.* Their responsibility is to represent the people of the parish in advising the pastor and staff. They assist the pastoral staff in determining, evaluating and prioritizing the spiritual, social and temporal activities of the parish. They serve as a channel of communication among the total parish community. The different Commissions of the Pastoral Council helps them in their Ministry by providing recommendations from their areas of expertise.

The Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month (except July) at 7:00 P.M. Meetings are open, but issues for discussion must be placed on the agenda in advance with either the Pastor or Chairperson.

FINANCE COMMISSION
St. Saviour Finance Commission is composed of nine selected members from volunteers in the parish, the parish Business Manager, and the Pastor. The commission provides expertise in the administration of the finances and facilities of the parish. It oversees the parish budget and reviews financial statements. It examines annually the financial status of the parish and reports to the parishioners on Stewardship Sunday. The commission offers financial guidance for capital projects.

The Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (except July) at 7:00 P.M. Meetings are open, but issues for discussion must be placed on the agenda in advance with the Chairperson or Pastor.

WORSHIP COMMISSION
St. Saviour Worship Commission is composed of nine selected members of the parish, the parish Music Director and the Pastor. The commission's goal is to provide St. Saviour Parish Community with meaningful worship, using as their guide current liturgical guidelines. Under their guidance, parishioners volunteer as Worship Coordinator, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Lectors, Servers, Choir Members, Greeters, and Offertory Presentors.

The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month (except July) at 7:00 P.M. Meetings are open, but issues for discussion must be placed on the agenda in advance with the Chairperson or Pastor.

• Eucharistic Ministers are lay liturgical ministers who assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass. Eucharistic Ministers are available for the sick, shut-ins, those in nursing homes, and anyone else who may be unable to attend Mass on a temporary or permanent basis. For more information and scheduling, contact the parish office.
• Worship Coordinators are responsible for all the last minute details for weekend Mass in regards to the Liturgy.
• Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors to our liturgical gatherings.
• Lectors proclaim the Word of God during our Liturgy.
• Servers minister at the altar during the celebration of the liturgy (adults and children grade 4 and older).
• Ushers help seat people for the liturgy, help with emergencies, take up the collection, distribute bulletins and direct the communion procession.
• Music Ministers support our prayer with their talents. Music is an integral part of our prayer. It has the ability to gather all members of the parish as we sing with one voice in praise of our God. Our choir provides music at the 9 or 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday (except during the summer). Anyone who likes to sing and is interested in serving in this ministry through music is welcome to join. Rehearsals weekly on Wednesday nights. Cantors also support our liturgies by leading the congregation in song. Contact Jim Balbach, Music Director, concerning this ministry.
• Gift Bearers present to the Presider the hosts and wine in a procession from the offertory table to the altar. Families, couples or individuals are invited to volunteer.

• Marriage Cases - Please call the Pastor to assist you in the process.
• Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated as needed; please call the Pastor. This Sacrament is celebrated at all Masses in January.
• Eucharistic Adoration takes place on Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 9:30 am.
• Art & Environment Committee - This group of volunteers help with decorating Church during Lent and Advent.

EDUCATION COMMISSION
St. Saviour Education Commission is composed of nine selected members of the parish, the parish Coordinator of Religious Education, and the Pastor. The commission is responsible for educational planning for the parish. It studies present and future needs for education and formation for parishioners of all ages. It advises the Pastor and staff in reference to policy concerning religious, sacramental and general educational policies.

The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except July) at 7:00 P.M. Meetings are open, but issues for discussion must be placed on the agenda in advance with either the Chairperson or the Pastor.

• Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation is scheduled according to need. If a child is behind in the sacramental preparation, make up work will be required. The Coordinator of Religious Education directs this program
• Sacramental Preparation for Baptism and Marriage is directed by the Pastor.

SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION
St. Saviour Social Action Commission is composed of selected members of the parish and the Pastor. The commission coordinates all parish outreach efforts. Once a month our parish volunteers serve a meal at the Walnut Hills Soup Kitchen, and the Parish pays $300 a month to cover the cost of two additional meals. We also cover the portion of the electric bill used to run the air conditioning in the summer months at the Soup Kitchen. A food drive is held every month and benefits Churches Active in Northside (CAIN) and our own St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Operation Rice Bowl program collects funds for Catholic Relief Services each Lent, and we include a soup supper to promote it.

Each year our Giving Tree Project during Advent provides aid to families and organizations in need at Holiday time. Our Christmas in July Program aids organizations at a time of the year when donations can be low.

St. Saviour's Conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society provides emergency assistance with food, rent, clothing, utility bills and other basic needs to area residents. This group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

An emergency fund is used by the Deer Park/Silverton Fire Department and the Sycamore Township Fire Department for urgent needs such as walkers, shoes, and medical supplies. Donated walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc., are stored in the Parish Office Building and are loaned out as needed. The Parish has purchased four folding wheelchairs to keep up with the need. In October, 2004, Pastoral Council voted to include in their budget a $300.00 per month donation to be given to CAIN to keep their pantry stocked with items most greatly needed.

St. Saviour received the Circle Award in May of 2005 from Churches Active in Northside (C.A.I.N.) for our outreach efforts in Northside. A pro-life program has been adopted by the Social Action Commission to provide support, both moral, material, and financial for a pregnant parishioner who may need help.

The Commission meets on the second Thursday of the month (except July) at 7:00 P.M. Meetings are open, but issues for discussion must be placed on the agenda in advance with the Chairperson or Pastoral Associate.