2026-2027 Parish Council

Pastoral Council of Good Shepherd Catholic Community

The Pastoral Council serves as a vital part of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, providing prayerful leadership and guidance to the parish. It is a collaborative body made up of clergy and lay members, working together to discern and support the spiritual, pastoral, and administrative needs of our faith community.

Purpose and Mission

The Pastoral Council exists to:

  • Advise the Pastor: Acting as a consultative body, the council supports the pastor by offering thoughtful insights and recommendations on parish life, based on prayerful reflection and dialogue.
  • Promote Participation: The council seeks to foster active involvement from all parishioners in the life and mission of the parish, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
  • Plan for the Future: By identifying needs, setting goals, and prioritizing initiatives, the council helps guide the parish toward a vibrant future rooted in faith and service.

In all things, the Pastoral Council strives to reflect the mission of the Church—to spread the Good News, build community, and serve with Christ-like love.

Roles and Responsibilities

Members of the Pastoral Council:

  • Engage in prayerful discernment to align decisions with God’s will for our parish.
  • Work collaboratively with the pastor, parish staff, and committees to develop initiatives and programs that enrich parish life.
  • Provide a representative voice for the diverse members of our community, offering insights from all corners of the parish.
  • Address key areas of parish life, including worship, evangelization, faith formation, outreach, and stewardship.
  • Support the implementation of the parish’s vision and mission statements through planning and action.

Structure

The Pastoral Council is composed of:

  • Clergy: Including the pastor and, when applicable, deacons or other religious representatives.
  • Elected and Appointed Lay Members: Parishioners who bring diverse perspectives, gifts, and expertise.
  • Committee Representatives: Members from various parish committees who provide updates and insights related to their areas of focus.

Council members typically serve for a term of three years, with staggered terms to ensure continuity.

Meetings and Communication

The Pastoral Council meets regularly to discuss and address parish needs. Meetings are grounded in prayer and open dialogue, ensuring that all decisions are informed by the Holy Spirit and aligned with the parish mission. Parishioners are encouraged to reach out to council members with questions, concerns, or suggestions to enhance parish life.

Commitment to Service

The Pastoral Council is committed to fostering a parish community where everyone feels welcome, engaged, and empowered to grow in their faith. Through their leadership and dedication, the council strives to ensure that Good Shepherd Catholic Community continues to thrive as a place of worship, fellowship, and outreach.

If you are interested in learning more about the Pastoral Council or would like to serve as a member in the future, please contact the parish office for more information. Together, we are the body of Christ, and every contribution helps build a stronger and more faithful community!

Minutes of our Meetings

 

Parish Council

Father Joseph Maurici <fr.joseph.maurici@dor.org>
John Miller <lansingjmiller@gmail.com> St Patrick Aurora
Kelly Ford <bumper712@aol.com> St Patrick Moravia
Marcia Slocum <dmslocum1@gmail.com> Our Lady of the Lake
Tom Powers <tjp5535@gmail.com> St Patrick Moravia
Chris Montreuil <camwcm@aol.com> St. Patrick Moravia
Michael Groth <mgroth3@rochester.rr.com> St. Patrick Aurora
Peter Paradise <paradise.peter@gmail.com> St. Michael, Union Springs
Abby Ford <aford@tyburnacademy.com> Youth Member

 

 

We, the GSCC Pastoral Council, agree to work by the following Covenant:
Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Good Shepherd Catholic Community Pastoral Council (GSCCPC), an advisory group to the Pastor, shares with our Pastor and staff a primary ministry of leadership and service in the GSCC.
The Pastoral Council will be the pastoral planning body – discerning parish direction and planning for the future.  The council will develop, implement and periodically assess and update the parish Pastoral Plan.  If problems are identified, they will be studied, solutions explored, and recommendations made back to the Pastor.  The Pastoral Council will encourage and work with the parish committees to seek ways in which to meet the pastoral needs of our entire parish community. 

Council Members Profiles

[
Hi!
My name is Kelly Ford. I joined the Parish Council in 2024. I have been married for 18 years to my talented and hard-working husband, Gary. I have two daughters, Abigail and Mary. Abigail is on the Parish Council with me as the Youth Representative and the Secretary. Mary loves to sing in Choir during Mass on Sundays. I have been going to a Good Shepard Parish Church since I was a student at Wells College and Gary and I were married at St. Patrick’s in Aurora.
My hobbies include working on our hobby farm, reading, knitting, crocheting, gardening and more. I love getting my hands dirty and working on rebuilding our classic farmhouse with my family.  I also have worked in the Veterinary field for over 20 years. My favorite thing to do is hang out and relax with my family after a hard day’s work. 
I hope to use and develop my talents to help the parish council during my term.
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  ~Philippians 4:13


Hello,
I grew up in Scipio Center, receiving my sacraments, and served on the alter at the now closed St. Bernard’s Church. I returned to the area in late 2023 from Spring, TX to be near family and friends. I am a lector at St. Patrick’s Moravia and recently joined the Good Shepherd Pastoral Council. I have a long history of service within the Catholic Church, at food pantries and homeless shelters.

I am excited to join the Council and commit to be an active participant in advancing faith, fellowship, and service to all within our Parish Community.
I reside in Cayuga and enjoy cooking, golf, traveling, visiting friends and family, and volunteering to assist my fellow brothers and sisters in any way I can.
I am available at 713-829-8810 or the email address posted on this page.
Pace e Bene – ‘Peace and all Good’
“This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Hello!
I am excited to be joining the council in 2026.
My wife Sandy and I have been longtime residents of Aurora, where we raised our four children: Michaela, Monica (a former youth representative to the council), Jonathan, and Daniel.
Originally from the Hudson Valley, I received the sacraments at St. Martin de Porres in Poughkeepsie (Archdiocese of New York). A member of the Knights of Columbus and a former trustee at St. Isaac Jogues (Fleming), I continue to serve as a lector at St. Patrick’s (Aurora) and a counter for GSCC.
My career in higher education includes thirty years teaching U.S. history at Wells College. I have remained active as a historian since the closure of Wells, serving as a consultant and board member of the Howland Stone Store Museum. I am also a member of Aurora’s Zoning Board of Appeals. I enjoy reading, gardening, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.
I look forward to identifying ways of strengthening our parish community and deepening our faith in Christ.

My name is Christopher Montreuil (Chris), and I was born in 1960. A lifelong Catholic , I was raised in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho where I received my sacraments at St. Thomas parish.  I first came East to study electrical engineering at Cornell, where I graduated with a BSEE in 1983.  I also married my wonderful wife Wendy in 1983, and we have been blessed in our marriage to have 2 sons, Scott and Andrew.  The past 35 years I have been employed as an electrical controls engineer with Pall Corporation in Cortland.  For 20 years, from 1991 until 2011 we lived in Groton and were members of St Anthony’s parish where I also served on the parish council.  In 2011 we moved to our present home in Scipio, and attended St Mary’s parish in Auburn.  After 2020, we joined St Patrick’s in Moravia, and have been members of the parish since. During our time living in Scipio, we have been further blessed by 8 beautiful grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.