Pastoral Council

The work of the Pastoral Council

In the years following the Second Vatican Council, many changes have occurred in the Church and the world.  These changes are reflected in our own diocese, one of the most remarkable being that vocations to the priesthood and religious life have decreased markedly.  As a result, parishes have been closed, merged or partnered.  At the same time, the spiritual needs of our parishioners continues to  multiply.  The good news is that the Holy Spirit is alive and active among us, urging us to use our gifts and talents for the good of our sisters and brothers.

There are two important questions that must be answered:  What needs to be done as the Church moves into the future and who is going to do it?  No one person has all the answers.  No one person can identify all the issues.  But we, working together as brothers and sisters in Christ, can begin to answer these questions as we move ahead.
 
The Pastoral Council, made up of ordinary parishioners, is designed to work with the Pastor in identifying the needs of the parish and then to chart a course that will help us, as Church, respond to those needs.  Members of the Pastoral Council are called to help shape the vision of the parish:  (Where do we see the parish moving in the next five to ten years?), and then to develop a plan that will motivate and inspire parishioners to reach that goal (What do we have to do to get there?).


Pastoral Council Members

Karen Frederick Karen  Frederick was born in Erie , received her BS in Music Education from IUP and has completed Master level work at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University .   She married her husband Ron at MSP 28 years ago.   Karen recently retired from as a music educator at Shaler Area School District. She is staying active as a Student Teacher Supervisor for the Duquesne University Pappert School of Music.   Karen’s participation at MSP includes the Travel Committee, the Addolorata Society, the Italian Festa, the Fish Fry, assistance with the Youth production of “Godspell” and the Resurrection Choir. Karen hopes to ensure that Mt. St. Peter Parish will always a place of Christian welcome, formation and inspiration.  She believes that it is our responsibility to live our faith.  This responsibility includes making sure that parishioners work together to meet future challenges in a proactive and spiritual manner, praying for guidance and listening for the response.  As we strive to be better Christians she hopes that the MSP community becomes known for our works of faith, compassion and leadership.

Linda Henkel Born and raised in New Kensington, Linda attended Mt. St. Peter School, and graduated from Valley High School in 1968.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1972 from St. Francis University of Pa., and later, obtained a Master's Degree from Penn State University. She is a first grade teacher in the New Kensington-Arnold School District.  Linda serves our parish as a Catechist, Lector, and member of the St. Anthony Guild.  She resides in Lower Burrell with her Husband, Jack, to whom she has been married 29 years.          Linda’s vision for Mt. St. Peter Church is that it continues to be a source of spirituality, strength, inspiration, and assistance for all of its parishioners, as well as for the greater community by which it is surrounded.

Bill Kennedy Bill is a native of Mt. Pleasant and his wife, Stephanie, is from Lower Burrell.  They met while attending Grove City College and later were married at Mount Saint Peter.  Bill and Stephanie have three children in the Kiski Area School District, Ryan (16), Brent (13) and Eric (10).  Bill is Vice President of Sales for Chromalox, Inc., headquartered in RIDC Park, Pittsburgh. They reside in Allegheny Township. The Kennedy’s have been attending Mount Saint Peter since returning to Pennsylvania in 1991.  Bill joined the Pastoral Council in 2006.  He looks forward to building upon the rich history of the parish and reaching out to those in need in the local community.

Jen Lombardo Jennifer and her husband, Nick Lombardo, were both born and raised in New Kensington. She’s been a member of the parish since they were married here 16 years ago. They currently live in Lower Burrell with their son, Nico, age 10. Jennifer has bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations. She and her husband are part owners of the recently reopened Mazziotti Bakery in Arnold. Jennifer feels that the key to a bright future of Mount Saint Peter Parish depends on the increasing involvement of all parishioners and their families. She believes that if we all work together and follow the commitment, work ethic, faith and love for God set by our parents and grandparents, Mount Saint Peter will always be a thriving parish community.

Jim Matta Jim resides in New Kensington with his wife Lisa, a teacher for Mary Queen of Apostles School, and their two daughters, Angelica and Ashley. Jim is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and is the General Manager for The Municipal Water Authority of the City of New Kensington. He has been a member of Mt. St. Peter's Church since 1982 and is presently serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Jim would like to see an increase in parish enrollment and, more importantly, participation in the current congregation.  He thinks that it is important for the current members to become more involved in the life of the parish, and to encourage and show an enthusiasm towards our parish that would entice others to join us.

Ted Opalka Ted grew up in Ford City and moved to Lower Burrell after marrying his wife Tricia, who resided in Vandergrift.  He has a B.S. degree from Robert Morris University.  Ted & Tricia have two children, Nicholas (15) and Natalie (10); they both are enrolled in the Burrell School District.  Ted is an Area Supervisor for Aurora Huts LLC. in Seven Fields.  Ted is a volunteer on the Gardeners of Eden at MSP. Ted’s hopes and dreams for the parish include maintaining a strong sense of our parish identity as we grow closer through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He also hopes that the parish will be a bright beacon of light to all who yearn for Christ’s Word and Love.

Jim Palochik Jim is a life-long resident of the area having grown up in Arnold and presently living in Lower Burrell with his wife, Karen, of 40 years.  Jim is a graduate of Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, a Vietnam Veteran and is presently the Director of Construction Services for RIDC.  He and his wife are the proud parents of two grown children and four grandchildren.  It is Jim’s hope to participate, along with the other Council members, in promoting opportunities for life-long faith formation in our parish, encouraging others to stewardship and service in the parish and working to preserve and insure the long term viability of Mount Saint Peter Parish.

Frank Rapp Frank lives in New Kensington with his brother John and their adopted cats Fredo and Santino. His sister Nancy Brock and her husband Mike are also members of the parish along with their children, Lauren and Natalie, as well as other members of his extended family. Frank works in Pittsburgh as a lawyer. Frank has been a member of the parish since birth as have his immediate and extended families. He is a lector at Sunday Mass. It is Frank’s hope that all in the parish community might claim their baptismal identity as Children of God, and work together to build and promote the Kingdom of God by service to the wider community.

Maria Tallarico Maria (Santarelli) Tallarico married Patsy Tallarico at Mount Saint Peter's 40 years ago.  They have lived in Lower Burrell where they raised their two sons Frank and Mark.  A graduate of Clarion University, Maria worked as an Elementary Teacher and Speech Therapist, finishing her career as the Education-Special Education Coordinator and Supervisor for Armstrong County Head Start. After serving on Pastoral Council these last 2 1/2 years, Maria feels our mission should stress the Word of God to all: the active community of parishioners, our youth, our homebound, and the inactive who have ceased practicing their faith.  The enthusiasm with which we support our Festa and Fish Fry can extend with joy and humility to all our efforts of outreach.

Suzette Venturini Suzette was born and raised in Pittsburgh where she attended Corpus Christi Grade School and Sacred Heart High School.  She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Psychology, and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University.  Suzette lives with her husband, Bill, and their cockatiel, Squeaky.  They moved to New Kensington when they married and have been members of Mt. St. Peter for 15 years.   Suzette’s hopes and dreams for the parish in the next 5-10 years would be that the parish strengthens and extends its outreach to the needy, marginalized and alienated in our community, as well as to those in the parish who would like to become more involved in parish life through its activities and ministries.