Parish Leadership
 

Our Parish Leadership is made up of several councils that support ICSJ’s Parish Mission in various ways. These committees are made up of parishioners, school parents, and parish staff that are committed to supporting our pastor, Fr. Larry Lisowski, in bringing to life our Parish Vision and Mission.

Parish Council

The ICSJ Parish Council is a group of parishioners that represent the diverse population of our parish community. The Parish Council provides advice and oversight on various aspects of parish life. Specifically, the Council works to integrate communication between the Parish Staff and its members. The Council has monthly Tuesday meetings at St. Joseph’s Parish Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

Current Goals

  • To enhance the various ministries of our parish by the recruitment, training and formation of new and current ministers.

  • To foster the sense of unity and community through opportunities for prayer, service and social events.

  • To provide opportunities to welcome those who are visiting and new to our parish. To reach out to those who are inactive in practicing their Catholic faith.

Council Membership

Each member serves a 3-year term and three seats open up on the Council each year. Interested candidates can contact the parish office, Fr. Larry, or one of the Parish Council members.

Senior Leadership Team

The ICSJ Senior Leadership Team works on the strategic vision and implementation for the parish. They look at both short-term and long-term goals for the Parish Mission and Vision. Team members are comprised of both parishioners and parish staff and are appointed by the Pastor.

Parish Finance Council

The Finance Council is a group of parishioners appointed by the Pastor. The Council is from various career backgrounds but have a knowledge/expertise in the fields of management or finance.

The Finance Council is about supporting overall parish life of a community of faith. The Council strives to keep the parish fiscally sound by balancing the needs and wants of the parish. The Council focuses on the short term and long term goals in relation to both the spiritual needs of the parish community and the physical buildings on our parish campuses.

The purpose of the Finance Council is to assist the pastor in the implementation of policy decisions in a manner that is fiscally responsible. The Council consults with the pastor in the areas of budget, buildings and maintenance, and financial planning and development. The Council reviews and approves the church and school budget, annual report, and monthly financials all in accordance with Archdiocesan policy.

The Finance Council serves our pastor and the various organizations and ministries that are in effect at Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Parish. The Council  supports the Parish Council in the ideas and policies that they create in order to uphold the mission and ministry of the church.

ICSJ School:  Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ)

The Archdiocese of Chicago decided that schools in the diocese should move from an Advisory Board to a Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ). Although the goals of both of these forms of governance are similar, the difference is in their composition and purpose. Advisory Boards were made of primarily parents of current students who supported the school’s sustainability. The Board of Specified Jurisdiction has a more diverse membership of parishioners, parents, alumni, and business community leaders. The idea was to increase the participation of laity in the decision making and ownership of our school. There are many committees that comprise the BSJ. These committees include Catholic Identity, Finance, Strategic Planning, Development, Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising.

As a part of this new structure an Executive Committee was also formed. The Executive Committee is comprised of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Pastor, Principal, and other Executive Committee members. The duties of the Executive Committee are to:

  • Set goals for the school and form an agenda meet those goals

  • Monitor the Board calendar in conjunction with the school calendar

  • Make decisions between meetings of entire Board as necessary

  • Provide leadership for the entire Board

  • Provide for an annual Board evaluation

  • Ensure that all committees have a written charge and submit timely reports for Board members

Basically, the BSJ Executive Committee, along with all the other BSJ committees, help make our school the success that it is today. We are continually striving to give our children the best faith based education possible. Like any organization, the BSJ is always looking for more involvement from our faith community. Please contact our principals; Katie Sullivan, Margaret Faller; or Fr. Larry our pastor, or any BSJ member if you are interested in sharing your talents.