St. Leo Parish Council

May 9, 2008.

What is the Role of the Parish Pastoral Council?

The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to assist the pastor in developing and deepening the parish faith community in order to fulfill the mission of Jesus. As the core planning group, the Council's vision and direction are focused on: Word, Worship, Service, and Stewardship. Cooperating with the pastor and the parish staff, the Council provides direction for the parish. Members of the Council and parish staff fulfill distinct roles in promoting the faith life of the parish, and all exercise leadership within their respective roles. In this way, many gifts are available to meet the human and faith needs of the parish. The Council is a catalyst for a partnership of adults, a sharing of leadership in the faith where varied roles and responsibilities act together to fulfill the parish mission.

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President	Julie O'Brien has been a member of St. Leo's for 9 years. She is an active EME and Lector, is involved in the St. Leo YACHT Club (Young Adult Group), currently serves on the YACHT core team and volunteers at parish festivities. Julie is an annual participant and has coordinated teams in races benefiting research for heart & lung disease and breast cancer. Julie has volunteered at the Francis House and St. Vincent de Paul Family Shelter. She also volunteers for "Brush Up Nebraska" Paint-a-Thon. Julie feels that her professional experience in accounting and her experience as an assistant treasurer of finance has given her opportunities to fully understand problem solving. She has also served various groups of people in leadership roles. As a parishioner, she feels that she has learned a great deal about the benefits of regular involvement in parish activities and would like to continue by serving on parish council and representing the young adults of the parish. She hopes that her passion for serving others, whether as a leader or in a support role will bring a fresh vision to the duties performed by the Parish Council.
Vice President	Steve Schmitt, his wife Pam and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for 22 years. Steve is a Lector at St. Leo. He also is involved with the Generations of Faith ministry. Steve has served on the St. Leo Parish Council for the last 3 years and is active in the St. Leo Francis House ministry. Steve coaches youth sports and is involved in the annual St. Pius X/St. Leo School Fundraiser. He also volunteers in the classrooms at St. Pius X/St. Leo School. Steve feels that his years of experience on the Parish Council, as well as his desire to continue and complete the work that has been started in addressing issues from the recent parish survey will benefit the parish. Steve believes everyone should take responsibility for helping keep the parish strong and not just expect someone else to do it.
Treasurer	Richard S. ("Dick") McMillin is a longtime attorney with Marks Clare & Richards, LLC in Omaha. In that capacity, he practices in the areas of estate planning, tax and real estate. He has represented charitable organizations as part of his work. Dick is married to Marsha McMillan and is the father of five children ranging in ages from 27 down to 12. After attending Holy Family parish since 1989, and serving on its parish council, Dick and his family came to St. Leo's in 1993. Dick took the RCIA program and became a formal member of St. Leo's in 1997. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and has served the parish through that organization. Having been on the receiving end of many of the St. Leo programs and services (except the prison ministry), Dick is happy to have the opportunity to serve as a parish council member.
Secretary	Mary Bayne grew up in one of the founding families of St. Leo Parish. She and her husband Steve and their children have been members for over 13 years. Mary is a Religious Education teacher at St. Leo. She also is involved in Heavenly Helpers, Vacation Bible School, was a Discipleship Group Leader and is currently involved in the Echoes of Faith Program. Mary is also involved in various community activities. She participates in the UNO Women's Walk, she has chaired the Montclair Elementary PTO Pancake Supper and is the OMAHA team manager for her son's mite hockey team. Mary has been involved in a number of programs designed to improve her skills as an educator. She feels that experience combined with her work on various strategic planning committees as part of the development goals for the Millard Public School District will be helpful for working on a parish council for the good of the parish. Mary attended Catholic School for 12 years and has taught at Millard North for 17 years. She feels that she can bring a dual perspective to the Parish Council and hopes that her experience can help refine the direction of the Parish in fulfilling its ministry.
APC Delegate:	Cathy Ehlinger, her husband Ron and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for 22 years. Cathy is a Religious Education teacher, serves on the Generations of Faith Committee, is involved with the St. Leo Francis House Ministry and is an EMHC. Cathy is active in the community. She helps out at Creighton Prep by co-chairing BASH, working in the cafeteria and serving on the Senior Retreat Committee. She also is involved with the Millard North Softball Booster Club. She has served as a Douglas County Election Official for 8 elections and is a past board member for the American Red Cross. Cathy enjoys working with people and has established a positive working relationship with the parish staff. She feels that her financial background will help her understand the business side of parish activities, while her involvement in many parish activities keeps her grounded on the needs of the parish members. Cathy looks forward to serving on parish council so she can serve others.
Member	Kevin Salvatori, his wife Lori and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for 8 years. Kevin is involved in the Knights of Columbus, is an EMHC, and is a Director of the Squire program. He and his wife Lori are also Welcome Your Child facilitators. Kevin is very active in the Cub Scouts, and is Treasurer of Pack 306. Kevin feels that his accounting background will help him lead the parish in financial aspects and his nursing background helps him relate to all people on a personal level. His years of experience in nursing home care have given him an understanding of the wants and needs of a variety of people. Kevin was drawn to St. Leo Parish because of the vitality of the parish community and the strength of spirit and sense of family he finds here. As a member of St. Leo Parish Council, he hopes to help St. Leo sustain the same vitality so that other people, both young and old, might feel drawn to become active and participating members of our great parish.
Member	Jim Shipman, and his wife Lori have been members of St. Leo Parish for over 5 years. Jim has always been an active member of his parishes. He has been an EMHC, Lector and has served on the parish liturgy committee of his two previous parishes. As a couple, Jim and Lori did Baptism preparation, Marriage preparation and had leadership roles in several prayer group communities in their former parish in Colorado. Jim has been very active in the community through his work. He served as Evidence Custodian and Crime Scene Technician in Commerce, CO for 23 years. Jim feels called to continue his ministry at St. Leo. His goal in serving on the Parish Council will be to carry on the efforts of previous councils. Jim would like to see our parish continue to grow in the love of our Lord Jesus and of each other.
Member	Jan Roos, her husband David and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for 14 years. Jan has served on the Donut Sunday committee. Prior to St. Leo, she served on the social committee, children's fair committee and Heavenly Dusters at St. Joseph's Parish in Lincoln and St. Wenceslaus in Wahoo. She has also participated in several different bible study groups. Jan's community activities include volunteering at Girls, Inc. and Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha. She has organized drives for Nebraska Children's Home, The Stephens Center and Camp Fire USA. Jan participated in fund raiser walks benefiting JDRF, American Heart Association and UNO Women's Athletics. She also coaches her daughter's volleyball team. Jan feels that her extensive administrative and organizational expertise will be beneficial to the Parish Council. She also enjoys working on committees and the opportunity that it brings to meet new people. As a Parish Council member, she hopes to ensure that the members of our Church, young and old alike, remain excited and committed to following the Lord's path. She also looks forward to using this ministry to become a more active member of St. Leo Parish.
Member	Rick Coder, his wife Susan and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for over 12 years. Rick has been involved in many parish and school activities including the Environment Committee, Donut Sunday, Parish picnics, the St. Pius X/St. Leo School Fund Raiser. He is also an EME. Rick is a classroom and cafeteria volunteer at SP/SL school. Rick claims to have washed every dish and pan in the parish kitchen and has set up and taken down every table and chair at the church several times. Rick is very active with his kid's programs. He is a coach for basketball, baseball, softball and micro soccer. Rick is involved with scouts, is a member of SID #401 Board (Standing Bear Point) and is a long time board member and current president of the Optimist Club of Omaha. Rick is concerned about the spiritual well being of the parish family, making all feel welcome and providing both basic and expanded pastoral needs. He feels it is important for him and for all parishioners to be of service to the parish. He looks forward to serving the parishioners of St. Leo.
Member	Mary Schlueter, her husband Bill and their son Mark, have been members of the St. Leo for over 14 years. Mary is an EME, provides food monthly for the Francis House, sells CARE, and volunteers at the St. Leo summer picnics and stew & brew each year. She is also a past parent volunteer at St. Pius X/St. Leo School in the classrooms and cafeteria. Mary is active with Habitat for Humanity, serves on committees at Roncalli and helps locally with fund drives for the less advantaged as well as donates food to the St. Vincent de Paul pantry. Mary feels that by serving on the parish council she will have the opportunity to nurture and develop relationships and help make St. Leo Parish even more vibrant. She feels that she is a hard worker and is able to see projects through to completion. Mary hopes that by serving the people of the parish, she will become more involved in parish life and will be able to share her gifts for God's glory and the benefit of His church.
Member	Steve McCarville, his wife Susan and their children have been members of St. Leo Parish for over 21 years. His involvement in the parish includes the Knights of Columbus, the Vocation Committee, the Prayer Line, the SP/SL Fund Raiser, Francis House Ministry & St. Leo Softball. Steve has also participated in Roncalli's fundraiser, is a member of Roncalli's Booster Club and is on the Omaha Archdiocesan Social Studies Task Force. He has participated in Habitat for Humanity and Christians Encounter Christ. Steve is involved with Geographic Educators of Nebraska, the Nebraska Technology Association, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the YMCA. Steve feels that as a teacher (for over 20 years) at St. Pius X/St. Leo School, he has a lot to offer the parish. He would like to assist parishioners build a relationship with Christ and other parishioners. The more people involved in the parish, the better for their own spiritual health, as well as the spiritual health of the parish. In five years, Steve would like people to say: "Oh, you belong to St. Leo's, that parish is alive".
Member	Ruth Singleton, her husband Roy and their children have been members of St. Leo for over 25 years. Ruth was part of the 1st money counting crew in 1978 and continued to serve for 20 years. She volunteered with Heavenly Helpers from 1980-1990. Ruth was involved with all of her children and their activities while they attended St. Pius X/ St. Leo grade school, Creighton Prep and Marian. Ruth graduated from UNO in 1993 after 20 years of night school, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Post and Secondary Education. She taught for 4 years and is now the Administrative Secretary at Marian High School. Ruth feels that being a parishioner since the beginning and watching and growing with the parish has given her a great perspective. She would love to serve on the Parish Council so she can give a part of her time and love back to St. Leo.
Member	Gene Langenfeld

(last updated 05/10/06)