27 February 2019

Re: St. Rita Catholic School Advisory Council

Dear St. Rita Family,

St. Rita Catholic School is the largest ministry of our community. Our educational mission, and simply that of the Catholic Church, is to form the whole child within the privileged setting of a school committed to academic excellence, which synthesizes culture, faith, and life (The Catholic School, 37). Essential to this mission are School parents particularly, but also the entire community, all of whom are asked to play an active role in the mission of the School.  

The St. Rita School Advisory Council is made up of nine members of St. Rita Catholic Community and acts in an advisory capacity to the Pastor and Principal on matters pertaining to the School. The Advisory Council represents the parents of our students and the wider community by recommending strategies, policies, and budgetary resources that contribute to the successful mission of the School.

We select new members of the Advisory Council utilizing a discernment process akin to the process used to select the membership of other Councils in the Parish. By a discernment process, current Council members, along with Pastor and Principal, are guided by the principles of the Catholic faith and by the needs, responsibilities, purposes, and functions of the Council. By that prayerful discernment, current Council members recommend new members to the Pastor and Principal, who in turn invite new members to the Council.

This process enables us to work together more efficiently for the sake of the mission of the School. Returning and new members of the Council are asked to serve on one of five committees, each concerning areas vital to the School’s mission. Membership on these committees will also be open to non-Council members invited to serve.
These committees are:

• Finance 
• Marketing and Development 
• Student Achievement 
• Faith in Action 
• Technology 

These committees, tasked with certain objectives, report to the Advisory Council with recommendations. The purpose of these committees is to make for a more efficient Council, serving our students and teachers better.

We solicit nominations of those interested in serving on the Council from among not only School families but also all Parishioners. Those interested in serving or nominating people to serve on the Advisory Council should complete the online form by CLICKING HERE. 

Questionnaires will be reviewed by the Advisory Council, and then potential candidates will be requested to meet with the Council for a discernment interview to determine which skills and talents might best serve the School.

We are excited are all the new things the School is doing and the direction of our entire community. We’re grateful to all who serve, and we welcome you to pray and discern whether serving on the School Advisory Council is something for you. If you have questions, please reach out to myself, Dr. Walsh, or any member of the current Advisory Council for more information. Thanks in advance for sharing this good news, and we ask that you prayerfully and discerningly submit nominations for yourself, other parents, or members of our Parish for this important ministry!

pax,
Fr. Joshua
Pastoral Administrator