PARISH ADVISORY BODIES:
The Pastoral Council advises and assists the pastor in achieving the goals of the parish. This includes:
developing and recommending parish policies; striving to represent the needs and views of parishioners as
a whole; coordinating activities among the parish organizations; and, performing other tasks to promote the
mission and overall good of the parish.
The Pastoral Council does not implement programs which are the responsibility of the parish staff or parish
organizations, but instead addresses issues that fall outside their purview. Matters in which
the Pastoral Council is involved include: assisting in social justice initiatives; enhancing communication of
parish activities and needs through a variety of outlets; planning for parish celebrations (such as
the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner); and, supporting supplemental youth ministry programs.
The Pastoral Council consists of 15 members, five of whom are elected each year for three-year terms. It
also includes the School Principal, the Director of Faith Formation, and the heads or representatives
of the Sodality, Finance Council, Home and School Association, School Board, and CYO. Elections are
held each April to select five council members for the next term.
The parish Finance Council is advisory to the Pastor and assists him in fulfilling the following responsibilities: assuring that an annual budget is properly prepared for review by the Pastoral Council, reviewing as needed the implementation of the Archdiocesan bookkeeping and accounting system for all parish finances, ensuring that the submssion of the Annual Financial Report is prepared and submitted to the Archdiocese, preparing and publishing the Annual Financial Statement and Report for the Pastoral Council and the members of the parish community, developing procedures for the deposit of church funds in interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, evaluateing and making recommendation regarding the needs and the effectiveness of the parish's effort of church support through the Sunday Offertory and other fund raising activities, developing a plan for the financing of necessary repairs, renovations and purchase of equipment, developing a plan for systematic payment of any parish debt, coordinating all fund raising programs, providing the Pastoral Council with periodic reports on the financial status of the parish, meeting all requirements of federal and state tax law and maintaining an accurate record of payment, to submit to appropriate civil authorities tax exempt forms as required by law and maintaining records of same for all Church-owned properties, safeguarding the assets of the parish from loss or damage through appropriated review of insurance coverage, to implement all diocesan policies relative to financial matters.
The St. Jane de Chantal School Board is advisory to the administrative team (the pastor and principal), and its purpose is to provide advice and assistance to the administrative team on the governance of the school. The board fulfills its purpose and exercises its functions in accord with the mission and goals of the parish and with the goals, policies and regulations of the Archdiocese of Washington. The functions of the board are: planning, financing, public relations, evaluation and development.
The Stewardship Council was instituted in 2001 to study the various components of the financial structure of our parish in order to plan for the future. The mission of the council is to inspire individuals to not only become committed caretakers of the spiritual wellbeing of the community, but also to become caretakers of the financial health of the parish. It is hoped that the parishioners will take a fresh look at the environment for spiritual and personal support that is enjoyed by those who participate as member of the St. Jane de Chantal family. All parishioners are invited to become stewards . . . to embrace the benefits as well as the responsibilities. The council consists of the following committees: the campaign and memorials committee, to develop campaigns for fundraising for capital expenditures and debt reduction, and work to create awareness for memorial giving; the planned giving committee, to develop a program for bequests and planned gifts; the school committee, to work to encourage contributions to the school endowment; and the public relations and stewardship education committee, responsible for the communication of stewardship needs and the publication of The Good Steward newsletter.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
Rock Creek Council on Cedar Lane is the local arm of the Knights of
Columbus. The four key principles are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
The council is family oriented. There is a ladies auxiliary, social functions, and
programs for youth and seniors. Charity programs help the needy of the
community. Many men and women of the parish are active in the affairs of the
council.
http://www.kofc2797.org
POST CANA:
An intellectual, spiritual and social organization for the mutual support of
widows and widowers. Seek to offer companionship, counsel, religious and
social activities.
SODALITY:
Established in 1951, the Sodality Guild is the oldest organization in the parish.
In addition to fostering devotion to the Blessed Mother, the Sodality adopted
as its mission: spiritual development, service to the church and community,
social action and fundraising for special needs. The Sodality welcomes new
members and invites all women of the parish to attend its functions.
http://www.dechantalsodality.org
