The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County 1
SILENT REFLECTION AND The image of the church I like is that of the holy, faithful people of God. Belonging to a people has a strong theological value. In the history of salvation, God has saved a people. There is no full identity without belonging to a people. No one is saved alone, as an isolated individual, but God attracts us looking at the complex web of relationships that take place in the human community. God enters into this dynamic, this participation in the web of human relationships. 2
The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County St. James St. John the Baptist St. Joseph 3
The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County Three Parishes/Four Worship Sites St. Joseph 1820 US 9, Stuyvesant Falls 2824 Atlantic Avenue, Stottville St. John the Baptist 1025 Kinderhook Street, Valatie St. James 117 Hudson Avenue, Chatham 4
What changes? What stays the same? Worship Sites All four churches remain open Cemeteries All three cemeteries remain open Rectories One rectory will house both priests One rectory will be the office building for all three parishes 5
Three separate and distinct parishes One Pastor One Associate Pastor One Director of Operations Three Finance Teams Three Parish Pastoral Councils Three Religious Ed Programs One Community Life Team 6
MASS TIMES SCHEDULE CURRENT St. James Saturday Vigil - 5:00 PM Sunday - 8:30 and 11:00 AM St. John the Baptist Saturday Vigil - 4:30 PM Sunday - 7:30 AM (Fr. Bob), 9 and 10:30 AM St. Joseph s Saturday Vigil (Stottville) - 4:00 PM Sunday (Stuyvesant Falls) - 10:00 AM & Noon (Spanish) 7
OUR MASS TIMES SCHEDULE NEW St. James Saturday Vigil - 5:15 PM Sunday - 9:00 AM St. John the Baptist Saturday Vigil - 4:00 PM Sunday - 7:30 AM (Fr. Bob), 10:15 AM St. Joseph Saturday Vigil (Stottville) - 4:00 PM Sunday (Stuyvesant Falls) - 9:00 AM & 12:30 (Spanish) 8
The Church is -- or must become once more -- a community of the people of God, and the presbyter priests, vicars and bishops who cure souls are at the service of God's people. This is the start of a Church structured just not vertically but horizontally as well 9
OUR TRANSITION TEAM The Catholic Community of northern Columbia County Purpose To implement Bishop Hubbard s letter of September 14, 2013 10
OUR TRANSITION TEAM Comprised of 9 team members Clergy Fr. Gary Gelfenbien - Pastor St. James and St John the Baptist in place until May, 2014 Fr. Joseph Falletta Pastor, St. Joseph until January 2014 Deacon Mike McDonald Administrator, St. John the Baptist until our Director of Operations is hired 2 lay representatives from each parish St. Joseph St. John the Baptist St. James Thomas Cody Ellen O Reilly Deb 11
OUR COMMUNITY Facing the Challenge of Tomorrow The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County We have a golden opportunity to become involved being forerunners of the church of tomorrow Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany 12
Why Meet the 13
Why Meet the Challenge Now? All of us working together are better able to Build the Body of Christ in our local community Keep our parishes alive and well Be a visible Christian presence of witness and service during changing times Identify ways to maintain service/ministry in all 3 parishes so they continue as vital/strong parishes Pass on our faith to future generations 14
How will we meet the challenge? Four Key Components Pastor/Associate Pastor Director of Operations/Administrative Support Community Life Team Lay Ministry 15
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Director of Operations A new position to serve our community Full time paid employee Hired by the Pastor with recommendation by Transition Team Responsible to the Pastor 16
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Duties 1. Assures the management of a comprehensive financial structure for the parish. 2. Assists in the planning and implementation of financial stewardship initiatives and long range planning efforts. 3. Serves as a resource to all staff, committees and organizations within our parishes in matters of finances, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. 4. Directs and monitors the operation of our parish offices. 17
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Duties continued 5. Supervises and assures the accurate and timely maintenance of our parishes membership and sacramental records. 6. Calls regular staff meetings, and is present at all Parish Pastoral Council meetings; Finance Council meetings and other team meetings. 7. Assures the benefits administration is completed in a timely manner according to Diocesan policies and expectations. 8. Coordinates the staffing for all parishes by establishing a needs assessment, development of job descriptions, interviewing and hiring as the budget allows. 18
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Duties continued 9. Coordinates and prepares parishes and pre-school response to liability and legal concerns in cooperation with appropriate Diocesan Offices as needed. 10. Supervises and manages the maintenance staff and operations of the cemeteries, buildings and grounds of our parishes, including repairs, construction, upkeep and futuristic planning. 11. Works with contractors and suppliers according to Diocesan Policies and Procedures in collaboration with the Pastors and Building and Grounds teams and Diocesan Architecture and Building Committee. 12. Assures the scheduling of parish facilities and general use of the parish properties. 19
Lay Ministry Your parish cannot do this without you Become more engaged with your community Volunteer for a ministry in your parish We welcome your input as we move forward 20
FAITH IN OUR FUTURE 21