2024-2025 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
PASTORAL COUNCIL
Lori Kupiec <lbkupiec@gmail.com>
607 760-6387
St. Michael/SPA
Cathy Shields <cathleenmsheils89@gmail.com>
315 406-2161
Our Lady of the Lake
Paul Nelson <moraviaspyder@gmail.com>
315 497-1174(H)
315 283-2952(M)
St. Patrick/Moravia
Jim Orman <fargomoose@hotmail.com>
315 730-0449
St. Patrick/Aurora
Kelly Ford <>
St. Patrick, Moravia
Frank Sciortino <franksciortino1951@yahoo.com>
St. Michaels, Union Springs
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
**Meet Paul Nelson**
**Council Member – St. Patrick’s, Moravia**
Welcome to our Parish Council’s corner! We’re blessed to have a diverse group of dedicated members who contribute their time and talents to the spiritual and communal life of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community. Among our esteemed members is Paul Nelson, serving his second term on the Parish Council.
Paul has been a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s in Moravia for 20+ years. Married to his beloved wife Janet for 54 years, Paul is a proud father of 12, and his family’s faith and dedication are a beacon of light in our parish community.
As a seasoned lector, Paul brings the Word of God to life during our services. His commitment to the ministry of the Word has enriched our liturgies and deepened our faith experiences.
In the digital realm, Paul has been the mastermind behind our parish website since 2004, serving as the webmaster with diligence and innovation as well as the administrator of the parish’s Facebook page and the new Facebook discussion group. His efforts have ensured that our parish has a welcoming and informative online presence, one that reflects the vibrancy and warmth of our community. Paul also designed the layout of the 2016 Parish Directory
Paul’s experience and profound commitment to our parish are invaluable. His wisdom, gained from many years of faithful service, helps guide our council in making decisions that enhance our community’s spiritual journey. His leadership on the council helps to ensure that GSCC remains a welcoming home for all who seek fellowship and faith. His particular goal is to encourage greater participation in the retreats at Notre Dame Retreat House.
Paul looks forward to offering continued guidance and wisdom on our Parish Council.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
My name is Lori Kupiec and I am a member of the Pastoral Council here at Good Shepherd Catholic Community. I have been a member of our parish since 2015 when my Husband John and I moved to Union Springs. I spent many summers attending GSCC with my Grandma while visiting her summer cottage in Aurora. I am blessed to be a stay-at-home Mom to our 3 children, Anna 8, Kasia 5 and Troy almost 3! Our daughters attend St. Albert the Great Academy in Auburn and our eldest just receive her First Penance this December at St Michaels, Union Springs and her First Holy Communion this May at St Mary’s, Auburn.
Prior to joining the Pastoral Council in 2022, I had the opportunity to serve on the Finance Committee starting in 2017, I was the craft leader for our Marvolous Mystery VBS, and created the kids take and make kits this past Lenten season.
I am currently organizing a Parish Life group to help organize social activities for the members and youth in our parish and community. Including hosting Vacation Bible School this summer at St Patrick’s Aurora! Stay tuned for dates and ways to participate.
As a Good Shepherd Catholic Community Pastoral Council member, my goal is to represent parishioners and raise awareness about our church community. I joined GSCC in 1993 when I moved to King Ferry, New York. The Catholic church has always been a big part of my life. Growing up in Rhode Island, I attended St. Anthony’s church, where I received my sacraments and married Michael John Sheils of King Ferry, New York, in 1998. Michael and I met in college and live on Walter Corey Rd. in the Corey homestead, a beautiful farmhouse on a hill overlooking farm fields.
My parents, John Martin, a professional firefighter and farmer, and Roseanne Martin, a nurse, always prioritized sending my sisters and me to Catholic school. I graduated from Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, Massachusetts. Throughout high school, I taught religious education to elementary students and incorporated agriculture into my lessons whenever possible. High school, 4-H, and farm life influenced my college decision. I attended Morrisville
State College, earning an animal science/dairy management associate degree. I then pursued a bachelor’s degree in animal science/agricultural economics and a masters in policy analysis and management at Cornell University.
My professional career has revolved around agricultural economics, supporting producers and young people in reaching their business and educational goals. I’ve
worked for Cornell University as a Cooperative Extension 4-H educator, NY FarmNet director, and undergraduate admissions executive director. My experience at Cornell eventually led me to SUNY, where I focused on working with campuses to enhance their student enrollment. Today, I blend my experiences as an admissions and enrollment consultant.
I am honored to serve on the Parish Council. I look forward to being a part of Good Shepherd Catholic Community to continue growth and moving forward. My background includes: