The Parish Pastoral Council is the primary advisory body to the pastor. Seventeen parishioners make up the council. They serve two to three year terms. Each of the five commissions discerns two members to represent them on the Council. The Pastor appoints four at large members to the council. The council operates in a collaborative manner and is committed to a consensus model of advising the Pastor. The Parish Council is responsible for the overall mission of our parish community, the continuing development of our parish vision, reviewing of any long-range capital campaign projects and policies pertaining to parish life.
Pam Doucette
Parish Council Chairperson
My husband Bill and I, along with our 22 year old twins Katie and Dave, have been members of St. Raymond Parish for 22 years. When we
moved in across the street we had no idea that we had stumbled upon such a vibrant and faith filled community. I joined Moms Plus Group 13 soon after we moved in and
continue to meet with these same women today. When the children attended St. Raymond School we became involved in many activities there from coaching to Market Day. Now
that our children are off to college we are involved in Newcomers and are both Eucharistic ministers. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the Parish Council
for such a wonderful parish that we call home.
Sr. Elaine Campbel BVM
Office of the Pastor
I am an appointee to the Parish Council from the Office of the Pastor. As a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) I have spent the last 20 years in St. Raymond Parish. My ministry had always been in elementary education first as a teacher for 12 years and then in administration for 35 years. Being the Principal of St. Raymond School for 9 years provided me the opportunity to grow in the love and spirit of this community. It also allowed me to experience compassion and continued learning from many faith filled peoples. Since retiring from administration I have found great joy in serving as a Minister of Care visiting the homebound and as a Bereavement Minister. I look forward to serving on the Parish Council. .
Theresa Drangines
Deanery Representative
I have been a parishioner of St. Raymond for 33 years. I have taught Religious Education, been a Eucharistic Minister and serving as a Mass Coordinator.
Presently, I am a facilitator for a Women's Spiritual Group. At St. Raymond’s, I completed the Diocese’s Lay Ministry Called and Gifted Program, and a part of The Beloved Retreat Team.
Kathy Hemler
Human Concerns Commission
When my husband Chuck and I joined St. Raymond's almost 30 years ago, we were looking for a caring and involved community where we could grow in our faith. St. Raymond's has helped us do that, and that growth has led to our involvement in ministry. We have been CFM members and Branches leaders, part of Christ Renews His Parish, are Eucharist Ministers, and I am a Minister of Care as well as coordinator of St. Raymond's Bereavement Ministry, a hospital minister and involved with the Women’s Spirituality Circles. Chuck and I recently celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary, have 4 married children, three of whom live out of state, and have 9 wonderful grandchildren, ages 20 to our newest granddaughter, born the middle of February. This is my fifth year as a Human Concerns representative on the Parish Council, and I look forward to this opportunity for additional growth and service to the St. Raymond community.
Steven Jensen
Teen Representative
Since my parents baptized me 16 years ago, I have been a parishioner at St. Raymond’s Parish. I attended St. Raymond’s Elementary School and graduated in 2008. As a St. Viator High School student I have been elected to the executive student council board, the captain of the Boy’s Swim Team, and a retreat leader for Campus Ministry. I am a member of St. Raymond’s Boy Scout Troop 155 where I plan to earn my Eagle rank within the next two years. I currently am active at St. Raymond Parish as an altar server since the 5th grade, a Eucharistic Teen Minister, and a Branches participant. I hope to always be of service to the St. Raymond Community.
Mary Kirby
Worship Commission
I have been a member of the St Raymond Community for 35 years, since my husband and I bought our home in Mt Prospect. Our three children graduated from St Raymond, and I assisted at school by serving on the School Board for two terms and various parent volunteer duties. I have been a member of a vibrant Moms Group for 32 years, an Eucharistic Minister and Mass Coordinator, I have had various opportunities to be a part of this dynamic community, such as CFM, Renew, and CRHP. I have had the privilege to serve on the Worship Commission for several years, representing the Eucharistic Ministry, and now look forward to serving on the Parish Council, representing the Worship Commission. St Raymond has given me so much in developing my adult faith life, friendships built on Christian love, and support in times of need. I now welcome an opportunity to serve my parish as a member of the Parish Council.
Julia Kostyra
Teen Representative
I have been attending Saint Raymond Church for 9 years. I helped with the religious program as a teacher's aid for first grade for two years. I was an altar server in 8th grade. I volunteered at the October fest, where I helped clean up and helped with the arts and crafts for kids. This year I signed up for the 5K run that is raising money for WINGS. I am hoping that I can attend my first Mission Trip this summer! I have helped around the Religious Education office, and I am open minded to helping anyone out when they need me! I was Confirmed last year and I joined Parish Council so I can have more opportunities to help the church, be closer to God and meet wonderful people at St. Raymonds.
Lisa Lange
Parish Life Commission
I moved to Chicago from Terrace Park, suburb of Cincinnati, in 1996 for my husband Jeff. We were married in1998 and moved to Mount Prospect in 2000. We fell in love with the area and the Parish. Three girls later, all attending St Raymond, we still feel the same! I am an active volunteer for the Parish picnic, Pancake supper and Garage sale and look forward to my first year in Parish Life.
Fr. Nhat Le
Core Staff Representative
I was born and grew up in Nhatrang, a small, beautiful city by the Pacific Ocean, just about 300 miles north of Sai Gon. I have two older sisters, four older brothers, and two younger brothers. All my brothers and sisters are married, so I have a lot of nieces and nephews, about twenty of them, and I still have to work on their names. My brothers and sisters are still in Vietnam except one brother. He and his family have been in the U.S. for about eight months and now and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My mother is seventy years-old, but because of a serious stroke she endured twelve years ago, half of her body has been paralyzed. She looks very weak and older than her age.This has been my fourth year at St. Raymond. Besides the main focus on sacraments in the Parish, I am involved with Human Concern Commission, in charge of the Altar Serving Ministry, the annual clothing drive. This year I was asked to be part of the Parish Council, and to establish the Vocation committee.
Chris Masini
Youth Formation
My husband, Marc, and I have been members of St. Raymond Church for 20 years. We have two children, Philip (15 years old) and Stephanie (11 years old). Currently, I am chair of the Religious Education Advisory Commission and a member of the Youth Formation Commission. Attending a Christ Renews His Parish-CRHP Weekend at this church 13 years ago, helped deepen my faith. My CRHP Sisters and I try our hardest to meet on a monthly basis to continue to share and deepen our faith. I look forward to being a member of the Parish Council.
Hank Matecki
Stewardship
Mary Jane and I have been members of St. Raymond Parish in Mount Prospect for about twenty-two years. We’ve been married for 41 years and have two great sons, Andrew and Nick. I've been St. Raymond's Business Manager since July 2009, and previously served as business manager for St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Lincoln Park for six years. Previously, at St. Raymond, I served as Cub Master to Pack 55, was a member of the School Advisory Commission, Construction Committee and Technology Committee.
Our faith communities, whether they be a large parish like St. Raymond, or a smaller parish like St. Teresa need their members’ help to remain viable and meaningful institutions. That help comes in the form of time, treasure, and talent. We need each other and we need to pull together to keep our parish the great parish it is. When an opportunity comes along, and we need a volunteer, please consider helping out. When we get many volunteers each person has a lighter burden to bear. And, you’ll feel so good all over when you do volunteer!
Beth Menczwyor
Parish Life Commission
My family moved to Mt. Prospect when I was in junior high school. Even at that age, I felt welcomed and at home at St. Raymond’s. Fast forward 30 some years and I still call St. Raymond home! My husband Ray & I have 3 daughters, Jordan 19, Nikki 13, & Maddy 9. I have been a Minister of Care, coordinator for CLOW & Family Mass, and a member of CHRP & Mom’s Plus. Currently I am a part of the part-time choir, Parish picnic committee & a Eucharistic Minister. As a representative of Parish Life Commission, I look forward to seeing you at the wonderful fellowship events we have through out the year.
John Monaco
Office of the Pastor
My wife Carole and I have been members of St. Raymond’s for more than 30 years. We have two special daughters, Jean and Sara and two great sons-in-law, Will and Ryan. Carole was a junior high school special education teacher and a stay at home mom. I taught elementary and junior high school for several years. In addition, I spent 23 years at Panasonic in sales and marketing. Five years ago I escaped from the business world. Over these past years, Carole and I have been involved in a number of ministries and experiences at St. Raymond. Our current focus is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and Domestic Violence. It is my privilege to serve on the Parish Council for a sixth year.
Sally Murphy
Human Concerns Commision
I joined St. Raymond's Parish over 20 years ago after attending a CHRP weekend with Sister Kathleen. I believe St. Raymond's really lives up to its Motto; "All Are Welcome". I am a Eucharistic Minister here and at Northwest Community Hospital. Since I retired December of '08, after over 30 years in Advertising, I have been volunteering at St. Raymond's school library. I have also participated in the Ethnic and Racial Sensitivity group and workshops. I have 4 grown children and 9 Grandchildren, my extended family just reached #100.
Margaret Novotny
Adult Formation Commision
My husband Jerry and I have two grown sons who went to St. Raymond School where I now teach Junior High . While my children were small I became involved in a Mom’s Plus group and eventually a leadership role. As time went on I became active in various Home-School Association activities. I then felt called to become involved in parish activities through the Parish Life Commission. Since then I have been part of CHRP, Gathering of Women, the Beloved Retreat Team and am currently on the Adult Formation Commission. This is my second term on the Parish Council as a representative from Adult Formation. I feel blessed to be able to serve with such dedicated individuals so committed to St. Raymond Parish
Debbie Russo
Worship Commission
My husband Richard and I joined St. Raymond’s 5 years ago. We have 3 children Mike, Jennifer and Danielle. When we first joined St Raymond’s one of the first committees we were involved with was the Hurricane relief committee and worked closely in assisting St. Anne’s Parish in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I am representing the Worship Commission where I am the Family Mass Coordinator. I have attended CHRP and I am a Eucharistic Minister. I also will be working with the Greeters Ministry. My husband and I are the Sharing Parish Coordinators for Holy Family Parish and love getting involved in St. Raymond’s. You can also find us cooking Roasted Corn at the annual Parish Picnic. I am a Certified Medical Assistant and currently work full time for an Internal Medicine Physician. I have completed the Called and Gifted Program at USML St. Mary of the lake and currently attending Dominican University part time working on a degree in Pastoral Ministry.
Carla Spanier
Youth Formation Commission
My husband Mark and I have been members of St. Raymond for the past twelve years. I have been an active member of Moms Plus and a volunteer on many committees throughout the parish and school. Mark and I have two children; Patrick is a freshman at St. Viator High School, and Nicholas is in 7th grade at St. Raymond. St. Raymond has been a great parish for me to grow in my faith as I watch my children grow in theirs, and I am excited to be a part of the Youth Formation Commission.
Valerie Yokie
Office of the Pastor
I am a Parish Council appointee from the Office of the Pastor. I live in Glenview and joined St. Raymond’s Parish in 2001 ago when I moved back to the Chicago area and was looking for a place to worship that had good liturgies and opportunities for the laity to become involved. St. Raymond’s has been a great place for me! After many years in Higher Education as a University Administrator, serving as a Dean at Loyola, Chicago’s Rome Center, Marquette, and Georgetown, I have spent 25 years as a Mary Kay Sales Director. I have 2 adult children, whom my late husband and I adopted as babies from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. At St. Raymond’s, I completed the Diocese’s Lay Ministry Called and Gifted Program, and have been a member of the Beloved Retreat Team, CRHP, a Eucharistic Minister, Women’s Small Spirituality Formation Team, Domestic Violence Ministry and the Archdiocese Women’s Committee
