Parish Council

Parish Pastoral Council

Message from former parish council president, Rita Sissel.
As our term on our parish council came to a close, Bill Driscoll, Julie Ford, Fred Powers, and I were asked if any of us would like to stay on. During some reflection time, I realized how much I enjoyed the time spent serving my parish in this way and really considered it. But, new faces and new leaders are always a good idea, and God was calling me to take what I have learned and serve in a new ministry. But, as I turned my Parish Council president’s book over to Jane Osborn for her to review, I knew I was going to miss the great people I had the pleasure to get to know while we strived to strengthen and enrich our parish.

This is an exciting time in our Catholic faith and as Father Hitch pointed out last Sunday – this is the time to remain positive and supportive, not pessimistic, and to enjoy the freedom of worship we are so blessed to have. We are all called to serve our parish, our community, and there are so many ways – Try It, You Just Might Like It! And so, I am excited to move on to something new, and hope I have the opportunity to get to know some new faces, and remain in touch with many familiar ones that helped my faith become stronger.

Thank you for all the wonderful support and prayers.
Rita

Current council members:

Don Marchik

Rodney Barton

Tim Ryan

Dave Larson

Jo Chizek

Jean Kinney

Mike Rocca

Renee Crock

Jane Osborn

Gregg Kilburg

Jerry O'Rourke

Council Corner from your Parish Council:

Hi. I'm Jean Kinney. Best known as Katy Kinney's mom. I'm also mom to two older daughters, Sara and Emily who live in Colorado Springs and Brooklyn, respectively. My husband is Vaughn Kinney and he works as an agronomist at Cedar County Coop in Tipton. I work at Unity HealthCare in Muscatine as an accountant. We've lived in Tipton almost five years.

My biggest motivation in joining the council was knowing I would get elected without having to campaign.

Seriously, I am very happy to serve as a council member. I have done this in other parishes we've lived at and found it a great way to quickly learn what the parish is up to and meet many members. One of my goals as council member is to improve on the process of welcoming newcomers. In a small tight-knit parish it is always a little difficult to be let in. I also want to help find a way to get more people vested in the activities of the parish, including all ages. We already have a remarkable participation level for many of the activities we do. Much progress has been made with the Social Committee. If you have any concerns or questions you'd like me to address, just contact me. I'm usually near the front right side of center section on Sunday and have an ugly blue coat. They called it "periwinkle" that year.

Hello. My name is Mike Rocca. I am a new member of St Mary’s Parish Council and looking forward to working with all other council members. The council consists of many members who have been on the council for many years with experience and expertise to lead the parish in to the future. I look forward to a great learning time and to be a part of keeping our parish on the cutting edge in our faith in God. With your help in bringing your thoughts and wishes to the parish council, we as council members will serve the entire parish to the best of our ability.

Thank you for your support and please feel free to contact any member of the council. God bless St. Mary’s.

Hi. My name is Joann “Jo” Chizek. I began my first year on the Parish Council this Fall. I have been a member of St. Mary's since coming to Tipton in the 1970’s and decided it was time to become more involved. I grew up in a very Catholic community and a community is really what it was—much of life centered around the church. One of the reasons I decided to serve on the Council was to see if I could help establish something similar here at St. Mary’s.

As I am becoming familiar with what makes up our parish, I have been impressed with the large number of people that are playing such a vital role in it now. It is my hope that more will be moved to do so.

I am new to this and may hot have an answer to questions you have, but feel free to ask and I will see that you get an answer or to share your opinion about what is going on here. Working together I know we will make St. Mary's an even better community.

Hi, my name is Gregg Kilburg. I joined the Parish Council this past summer. As a new member on the Council I’ve had the opportunity to learn many happenings in our Church that I was unaware of. Do you ever find yourself thinking “I wonder why they’re doing that?” Many times over the past years I’ve had questions about certain activities going on in our parish, but was hesitant to ask or wasn’t sure who to ask. As a Parish Council, we’re here to represent you – the Church. Your input – whether positive or negative – is vital in the decisions we make for the future of our parish. Please contact myself or any of the Council members with any of you questions or comments – big or small!

Blessing among us. Hello, my name is Renee Crock, parish council member of St. Mary. Gary and I have been lifelong members of this parish. We are the proud parents of Quentin and Alyssa. I have enjoyed the last year on the council and look forward to serving another year. I am very excited about the works of the Holy Spirit in our parish community Everyone has been working hard to help our parish grow in faith. At the last Generations of Faith event I had a very nice conversation with a long-time member of our parish about the wonderful sense of community she felt attending mass and the event at the hall. I'd like to share with you her email to me: "Renee, How wonderful it was to have so many children leading the music at our church Sunday. They all did so well and it was such a joy to see them so excited and happy being part of the group. Looking forward to seeing and hearing them again - soon. Louise Crock.

I agree with Louise. What a great feeling and today's children are the future of our parish. WE have so many things to be thankful for in our parish. I look forward to attending the next Generations of Faith and encourage you to attend to see and feel God's grace at work.

My name is Dave Larson. Our family (Julie, Carrie, Chelsey, and Kerstie) have been members of St. Mary's Church for 13 years. I am active in our church as a member of the parish council, Knights of Columbus, Faith Formation Commission, and Eucharistic Minister. I attended Catholic schools throughout my youth. We do not have this luxury locally and that is why I am a firm believer in a strong religious education program to help Catholic parents spread our faith to our children of the parish. As part of the Faith Formation Commission we have gathered a group of people to educate local youth on the role of Jesus Christ in their life. If you would have any questions, ideas, or suggestions to help our parish become stronger, please let me know.

Hello! My name is Jane Osborn. I have been a member of St Mary of Tipton my entire life, and this is my second year on the parish council. Serving on the parish council gives me an opportunity to give back to this great parish family. The support I have received through the parishioners and priests has truly contributed to my spiritual life.

This is an exciting time to be a member of the council as we have embarked on the next 150 years of passing on the faith at St Mary’s. The parish planning process performed within the last year has provided the council with many of your ideas on the future direction of St Mary’s of Tipton. This input is welcomed and essential for our parish to grow with Christ into the future.

A Stewardship Fair was held last winter to provide parishioners with information on the current ministries of our parish and to thank the current parishioners who are serving our parish with their time and talents. This annual event will be held this February allowing you to pray on what God is calling you to do for your parish and provide you the opportunity to join a ministry. Our website also explains the ministries and gives you a contact person to email or phone.

I am committed to the Stewardship Fair and am very interested in making all parishioners aware of the ways they can contribute their time and talents. Please feel free to speak to me after mass or contact me at home by phone (563-886-6764) or by email blueox@iowatelecom.net . Any questions, comments or concerns will be addressed to the best of my ability and will always be welcomed. Thank you for your support and commitment to our parish!

Election of parish council members is done each May. You must be eighteen years of age or older to be eligible to be a member of the Council. Members serve for a three year term, but not more than two consecutive terms. Council members meet on the 4th Monday of each month in the parish hall. All parishioners are invited to attend to any parish council meeting. Please check the calendar for meeting times.

The purpose of St. Mary's Parish Council shall be:

To determine the priorities and plan the vision for the future

To ensure that ministries and activities of the parish are carried out.

To involve everyone in the work of the parish.

To enable as many people as possible to contribute to the process of decision-making in the parish.

To cooperate with the diocesan departments and through the Deanery Council with other parishes, and carry out its work according to the priorities of the Diocese and under its guidance.

To contribute to the formulation of diocesan goals and programs.

208 Meridian Street, PO Box 309 - Tipton, Iowa 52772 Ph: 563-886-2506 Fax: 563-886-6326
tiptonsm@netwtc.net

Last updated 08/23/2008