Parish Council

The Parish Council is the Coordinating and unifying structure of the parish community. It is the means of achieving full participation by the whole parish in its mission by giving all a voice in encouraging, guiding, and directing the various aspects of parish life. The Council is a parish in miniature. Its members gather together until some general agreement has been reached, and translate this consensus into parish objectives. Finally, it sees that these objectives are acted upon by the parish community.

The Parish Council reflects the various elements of the parish: young and old, rich and poor, clergy, religious and laity, people with divergent viewpoints. Members are called to merge their expertise, their insights, and their wide range of experiences out of love and concern for those whom they serve. They bring together the needs, anxieties and hopes of all the parishioners and of the larger community in which they live. They seek to discover, in the light of Christian faith, the direction the total parish should take. They express this direction in the objectives and priorities they set.

2007-08 Parish Council Representatives

• Tim Callahan— Chairperson
• Ralph Zerbonia— Vice-Chair
• Nancy Chwalik— Secretary
• Worship Rep— Gerry Anger
• Stewardship Rep— Al St. Louis
• Parish Life Rep— Sabrina Milan
• Christian Service Rep— Lindsey Johnson
• Education Rep— Joe Lavigne
• Vicariate Reps— Frank Benesh, Marie Dobson and Mike Pryce
• Nominations— Marilyn Dabaldo

Parish Council Minutes

• Oct. 07 Minutes
• Sept. 07 Minutes
• June 07 Minutes

The Christian Worship commission services the parish in the areas of liturgy and ecumenism. In both areas, the Commission promotes programs of education, planning and evaluation. Additionally, the Commission is involved in liturgical celebrations and is the liaison for relations with other Christian churches and religious bodies.

 Christian Service Committee

• Soup Kitchens: We serve dinner at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen on Thursdays from 4-6pm once a month. At COTS, we cook and service dinner from 3:30 to 6:00 pm once a month on a Saturday.

• Housing the Homeless: For one week in the fall we host the Interfaith Rotating Shelter. During that week, we provide meals, lodging and hospitality for approximately 50 men and women who are currently homeless but are trying to get their lives back on track. Many volunteers are needed to make this program a success, contact Heather Gold at hmgold@twmi.rr.com or Celia St. Charles at cstcharles@stfabian.org for further information.

• Military Support Committee: 
  The Military Support Committee needs your help!
  Contact for the Military Committee: Diane Van Bourgondien - 248-661-4084
  
   Volunteers are needed for the following activities:
  - Maintain phone contact with Service Member Families.
  - Coordinate correspondence with the Service Members and
     the students in our school.
  - Send the Service Members birthday greetings and other
     remembrances throughout the year.
  - Identify more service members in our extended parish family.
  - Maintain yellow ribbons for deployed Service Members in the
     Parish facility.
  

Ministry of Music

Genesis Choir (Grades K-3): Anyone who has ever experienced this group's singing at Mass can attest to the spirit and energy they bring to the liturgy. The Genesis Choir rehearses every Wednesday from 6 to 6:50 pm and sings at the 9:30 am liturgies on the 2nd Sunday of every month. In addition, the choir sings at the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass. This is where the full participation of the assembly in song takes root and flourishes -- get your children in on the "ground floor."

Exodus Choir (Grades 4-8): This group takes huge musical strides every year and makes each liturgy they participate in more special for their presence. The Exodus Choir rehearses every Tuesday from 6:15 to 7:05 pm and sings at the 9:30 am liturgies on the 3rd Sunday of every month. In addition, the choir sings at the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass. Please join us as we continue to blossom and grow in God's presence.

COVENANT CHOIR – As sure as Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, this group is the cornerstone of our Music Ministry! The Covenant Choir (9th grade – Adult) sings a nice mix of contemporary and classic choral music. We practice on Monday evenings at 7:00, and sing at various 9:30 and 11:00am Masses on Sundays from September to June. In addition, we sing at the 10:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve, at Confirmation, On Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. The only requirement for membership is the ability to carry a tune and a desire to be a vital part of Parish life!

HANDBELL CHOIR – This group of ringers (9th grade – Adult) loves making a joyful noise to the Lord! We practice on Wednesdays at 7:30pm, and play at various liturgies throughout the choir season, including the 10:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve. We are always looking for new members. No experience is necessary, although rudimentary music reading skills are a must!

Ushers are Ministers of Hospitality. They serve the parish community by their warmth, friendliness and genuine concerns -- visitors are welcomed, handicapped assisted, faithful gathered together.  The St. Fabian Ushers Club is a service and social organization open to all confirmed members of the parish. Additionally, they sponsor various social events during the year.

The Women of St. Fabian is an organization composed of all the women registered in the parish. The Women of St. Fabian assist the Pastor and parish by serving as hostesses at the various church functions. The Women of St. Fabian also hold various fund raisers during the year to support numerous charities. They also host a variety of social and Christian service activities through the year.

The St. Fabian Seniors is a parish organization devoted to service the social and spiritual needs of its senior citizens. The Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. The general meeting is followed by a luncheon. Meetings offer information pertinent to senior citizens and the planning of upcoming activities. Often guest speakers are invited to speak to the membership at these meetings. Group activities include day-time bus trips and work on Christian service projects. Any senior in the parish age 50 and up is welcome to join.

The St. Fabian chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society meets bi-monthly, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. The St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded by Frederick Ozanam in Parish, France in 1832. Today, it is the largest lay-run organization catering to the needs of the poor. Our Parish Chapter services the needy of the parish as well as transients who seek temporary shelter, food or transportation. Any man or woman in the parish is welcome to join us in this quiet work of Christian service.