Parish Council Commissions

Parish Council Commissions
and Staff Liaisons

Administrative Services Commission

The Administrative Services Commission, with its two subcommittees, Stewardship and Personnel, deals with all aspects of parish financial and budget matters, personnel issues, stewardship, and the upkeep of parish facilities and properties. Parishioners with experience in administration, accounting, finance, law, personnel, or real estate management are welcome to attend meetings on the second to the last Saturday morning of each month. For more information or to volunteer for this commission contact:

• Staff Liaison - Mary Bennett
  marybennett@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3104

Christian Formation

The Christian Formation Commission facilitates education and formation programs and activities for adults and children of the parish. Programs range from religious education for children to information classes for adults and the Adult Confirmation Program, as well as sessions on scripture, prayer and Womens Spirituality in the Workplace. Theology on Tap and Eat Drink and Be Catholic are both aimed at Catholic adults in their 20s and 30s. The Christian Formation Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Parishioners interested in spirituality who possess organizational and people skills and who are willing to plan and promote programs are always needed. For more information or to volunteer for this commission contact:

• Staff Liaison - Pat Wisialowski
  patwisialowski@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3118

Community Life Commission

This Commission works to build community and friendship among all parish members through social activities, welcoming events and hospitality efforts, such as the annual parish picnic, the St. Patricks Day dinner, hospitality after Sunday masses, receptions after major parish liturgies, social events for college students, and seasonal celebrations. Parish volunteers willing to serve, cook, set up or clean up are always needed and welcome. For more information or to volunteer for this commission contact:

• Staff Liaison - Very Rev. Carl Last
  carllast@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3107

Fine Arts Commission

The Fine Arts Commission fosters Christian unity through shared artistic expression of music, art, architecture, drama and history. Commission activities include planning, promoting and hosting events such as Cathedral concerts, field trips to galleries and concerts, and exhibits of sacred art and religious artifacts. Fundraising for these events is also a part of this Commission. Volunteers help with ushering, programming, fundraising and publicity. The Commission meets the first Thursday of the month on additional days as needed. For more information or to volunteer for this commission contact:

• Staff Liaison - Michael Batcho
  MichaelBatcho@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3116

Human Concerns Commission

This Commission identifies the needs of persons in the parish and surrounding community and provides resources to meet these needs. Its services are many, and include the Door Ministry Program, which provides lunches to the poor every day of the year and its education outreach program, which invites school groups to serve lunch to the poor. Other service programs include the St. Vincent de Paul Society, whose members distribute food vouchers each Monday night, the Our Daily Bread Meal Program, Companion Families, Alcoholics Anonymous, AIDS Ministry, Brown Bags Breaking Barriers Luncheons (lunch and Scripture with the homeless), Project Connect (tutoring children), Interchange Board (oversees the Interchange Food Pantry and Interchange Senior Outreach), Parish Health Ministry (annual flu shots, monthly blood pressure screening, home visits, anointing services, outreach to the poor, homeless, homebound). In addition, this Commission offers a monthly faith-sharing group on aging for older adults, sponsors a weekly Mass at Christopher East Nursing Home in collaboration with Old St. Mary parish, and has a Bereavement Ministry. Interested volunteers in any of these areas are encouraged to contact:

• Staff Liaison - Donna Gazzana
  donnagazzana@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3112

Marketing Task Force

The task force promotes parish unity and improved communications by developing and delivering information about the parish and its activities. To accomplish this goal the team assists with the production the Cathedral website, marketing and public relations materials, and develops parish directories and information brochures. Parish members with experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, and WEB development are encouraged to volunteer. For more information or to volunteer for this task force contact:

• Staff Liaison - Scott W. Eakins
  scotteakins@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3117

Worship Enrichment Team

This team works with the pastoral staff in developing the communal prayer and worship life of the parish. Members assist in recruiting liturgical ministers, planning and preparing seasonal decorations, evaluating Cathedral liturgies and preparation and review of the annual liturgical operating budget. They also address any liturgy concerns from parishioners and collaborate with other Commissions when a liturgical celebration is required. Parish members who have an understanding of the prayer and worship life of the church, past experience or formal training in liturgical ministry or planning, or who serve as a liturgical minister would bring useful skills to this Commission. It meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information or to volunteer for this commission contact:

• Staff Liaison - Scott W. Eakins
  scotteakins@stjohncathedral.org - (414) 276-9814, extension 3117