St. Margaret Mary Pastoral Council
Mission Statement
We, the members of St. Margaret Mary Pastoral Council, serve our pastor as the instrument of evangelization in our parish. We are the forum in which our pastor and the lay faithful gather to discern the pastoral and spiritual needs of our parishioners and help them to live out their baptismal call in their daily lives.
We do this by supporting, assisting and strengthening the various "tables" of human interaction in our ministries, leading up to the Eucharistic Table of Christ. Through these gatherings, we are nourished and empowered to share Christ's love with each other, the community and the world.
Members of Pastoral Council:
Dianna Aubele, Dianne Bohaychick, Jeff Cox, LeRoy Dastolfo, Rick DeMoss, Linda Dolmajer, Beth Fazzini, Allen Flemm, Kevin Hartford, Mike Kardibin, Cindy Kost, Dianne Lucas, James Musolino, George Ziringer
PAstoral Council Meeting HighLIGHTS
May 13, 2025
The May Pastoral Council meeting focused on the Music Ministry. Mary Murphy, the St. Margaret Mary Music and Liturgy Director reviewed the status of our Music Ministry.
New Organ - Mary described the process of selecting and installing the new organ. SMM parishioners will experience the new sounds beginning the weekend of May 24-25.
Adult Choir - This choir is comprised of approximately twenty (20) parishioners, which is a decrease from forty plus (40+) over the years. It has been difficult attracting new members (particularly men) due to an aging congregation, relocations, and deaths. This was identified as the primary need of the Music Ministry. Council offered to investigate the feasibility of distributing fliers to parishioners as they enter the church to attend mass and posting a plea for new members onto the church-wall announcements before mass.
Other Choirs:
Resurrection Choir - This choir’s purpose is to sing at funerals. It is well-staffed.
Youth Music Ministry - These students sing as well as play instruments.
Junior Youth Choir- Composed of children in grades 1-5, these students are being taught to play chimes.
Bell Choir-There are currently eleven (11) regular members and three (3) substitutes.
Jubilee Dinner Update: New Initiates (Easter 2025) to our parish as well as current parishioners were invited to attend a catered dinner and a chance to socialize. As of today, fifty (50) people have accepted.
Youth Ministry Project Update: The youth have expressed a great desire to participate in “off-campus” activities, including field trips to St. Anthony’s Chapel, Kennywood, and attending the next NCYC in November. In order to raise money, a “giving tree” with envelopes with designated monetary amounts is being considered. Council will check on the status of this program and offer to help.
This Lenten Season, Pastoral Council sponsored the “Lenten Speaker Series: Following Jesus in Holy Week through the eyes of Peter .”
Led by former Pastor Monsignor James T. Gaston, parishioners reflected on Peter’s misunderstandings of Jesus, yet Jesus’ patience trust in him to the end. Peter is every person trying to understand the mysterious ways of God which often do not meet our normal expectations. As Peter’s relationship with Jesus is tested, so is ours. The Holy Spirit is given to us to stay faithful to the end. Easter seals the deal! .
Over 150 parishioners attended in person with many others joining via livestream. The event concluded with a reception each session for parishioners to mingle with one another.