Discernment - Frequently Asked Questions

God chose capable people  and made them leaders of the people.                          ~ Exodus 18:25

What is discernment?
Parish leaders on Athletic Board, Christian Formation, Parish Council, and School Board are elected to a three year term by a discernment process:

 “Discernment is both a gift and an acquired ability that opens hearts and minds to an awareness of the presence of God in our lives and the meaning of that presence….Basically, discernment indicates that a person and the Holy Spirit agree on what the person is to do in a given situation.”
       - quoted in The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown’s A Guide for Parish Pastoral Councils: A People of Mission & Vision (p.14)

How many members are discerned to each board/council?
Mature, faithful, and enthusiastic leaders are nominated to fill positions on four board/councils at St. John Vianney each year:

Athletic Board – 3 positions
Christian Formation – 3 adult positions, 1 annual voting youth position
Parish Council – 3 positions, 2 annual voting youth positions
School Board – 3 positions

Who is eligible to discern for board/council membership?
All parish members are invited to consider and discern for board/council positions to serve the needs and development of our faith community, with guidance from the Holy Spirit, under the guidelines of Canon Law and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Individuals eligible for discernment are:

• Fully initiated Roman Catholics in good standing with the Church (baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholic)
• A supporting member (an active steward of the parish sharing time, talent, and treasure in the parish)
• Active participant in parish life, especially Sunday liturgy (registered member of the parish)
• Able to consider the needs of the whole parish (willing to attend training when available)
• At least 18 years of age for adult discernment, at least 16 years of age for youth discernment.

What personal qualities are recommended to be a board/council member?
Board/council members must be baptized, confirmed, practicing adult Catholics, registered at St. John Vianney and have the following characteristics:

• A desire for spiritual growth in themselves and in the parish.
• Enthusiasm about the future of the parish.
• Willingness to participate in a servant style of Parish leadership.
• Willingness to commit time to prepare and conduct board/council work.
• Able to work in a collaborative manner with the diversity of the Parish membership.

How do I nominate someone?  May I nominate myself?  Who nominated me?
Parish members prayerfully consider and identify persons in the St. John Vianney faith community – yourself or others - who you believe have the pastoral gifts to serve as board/council members. Nomination forms are included in the parish bulletin in the spring each year. A parish council representative serves as the coordinator for this process.  The nomination form is anonymous and is completed without identification of the nominator.

How long is the board/council member term?
Membership on each nine member board/council is for a term of 3 years, starting July 1 with three new members generally rotating on the board/council each year.

What are the steps in the discernment process?
Individuals nominated for a board/council position are contacted by a member of that board/council.  The initial telephone call educates the nominee on roles and responsibilities of the identified board/council and invites the nominee to continue in the process.  Individuals may be nominated for more than one board/council; the nominee should prioritize and select one to continue the process.

Nominees are encouraged in the upcoming days and weeks to prayerfully consider the call of the Holy Spirit to serve the Parish as a leader. Nominees are invited to talk with fellow board/council members to learn about the leadership role and with family members to discern if the next three years are an appropriate time for sharing gifts of time and talent. Reviewing past board/council meeting minutes (available online) is encouraged.

Nominees are invited to attend an Information Session to learn about the functions of each board/council at St. John Vianney Parish. The one-hour Information Session provides an opportunity to meet with other nominees for each of the board/council positions and trustee positions to learn how the boards/council work collectively and individually to further the mission of the parish. Opportunities to ask questions are provided.

The final step is for nominees of the specific board/council to meet, usually in the Chapel, for prayerful discernment for the three open positions. Typically, one parish staff member, the current chair/president of the council/board, the incoming chair/president of the board/council and nominees are present. Nominees are invited to share their interest and background in the leadership position and answer questions. Then, nominees vote to elect three candidates to the board.

What if I discern that now is not the right time, can I be nominated again next year?
Parish members are welcome to enter the nomination process each year. Nominees are anonymously selected by fellow parish members.  Parish members are welcome to nominate themselves or others.

Can board/council members ending a three-year term enter the discernment process again for the same board/council position?
Board/council members are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. After the initial three year term, members enter the nomination process at the same level as a newly nominated parish member. The discernment process follows the same guidelines. After six years of serving on a council/board, the parish member is required per Archdiocesean policy, to take a year off before reentering the nomination process for that council/board.

Can a current board/council member ending a three or six year term enter the discernment process for a different board?
Board members of one council/board ending a three or six year term may enter the discernment process for a different board.  The discernment process follows the same guidelines.

Roles 

What is the role of Parish Council?
Parish Council is a leadership group of parish members, chosen from and by the parish community, who together with the pastor guide the direction of the parish and oversee its pastoral activities and temporal affairs.

The parish council is a consultative body commissioned to discern and provide counsel.  The focus of parish council is on mission, not management.  It is not intended to be involved in the day-to-day work of carrying out parish goals and activities, with that work entrusted to parish committees and staff.

Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of parish council are to:
*  Act as the steward of the parish mission statment
*  Engage in a continuous process of parish planning
*  Formulate polices concerning parish matters
*  Set goals for the parish
*  Promote full and inclusive participation of the whole parish community
*  Ensure that resources are allocated responsibly to further the parish mission.

Parish Council is governed by a constitution and bylaws following the norms outlined by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Parish Council meets on the 2nd Monday each month at 7 p.m.  Members discerning to this board must be available to attend council meetings.  Committee meetings are held throughout the month (see each committee for specific times). 

What is the role of Athletic Board?
The Athletic Association is governed by Athletic Board. Athletic Association organizes, supports and encourages athletic programs for parish boys and girls. The board defines, develops, and implements policies for the use of the parish's athletic facilities.

Athletic Board fulfills the mission by:

•  Offering participating athletes a positive learning experience for Christian development
•  Emphasizing sportsmanship and team work
•  Helping each athlete understand and realize the full benefits of athletic competition
•  Providing opportunity for athletes to develop and share athletic knowledge appropriate for their level of development
•  Creating and fostering favorable sentiment for SJV athletic programs through cooperation with SJV church authorities, school officials, parish organizations and parish members
•  Raising funds to support athletic activities
•  Hosting boys' and girls' athletic tournaments
 
Athletic Board is governed by its own constitution and is ultimately accountable to Parish Council.

Athletic Board meets on the 3rd Monday each month at 6:30 p.m.  Members discerning to this board must be available to attend board meetings as well as take lead on a sport season or event.

What is the role of Christian Formation Board?
Christian Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. Christian Formation Board establishes policies which ensure the process of lifelong faith formation and to advise and support the directors of the Christian Formation programs.

Christian Formation Board has the duties to:

• Ensure that all parish members are provided access to Christian Formation regardless of sex, ethnic origin, age, or disability.
• Develop policy.
• Be a resource to the parish on Christian Formation matters.
• Review and advise the Christian Formation staff on the preparation of the parish Christian Formation handbook.
•  Respond to parish needs pertaining to Christian Formation programs on a yearly basis.
• Evaluate Christian Formation programs on an as-needed basis.

Christian Formation Board is governed by its own constitution and is ultimately accountable to Parish Council.

Christian Formation Board meets on the 4th Monday each Month at 7 p.m.  Members discerning to this board must be available to attend board meetings and committee meetings. 

What is the role of School Board?
School Board is a policy making body whose responsibility is to:
• Develop and define policies which govern the operation of educational programs at St. John Vianney School.
• Promote and monitor principal's implementation of policies.

The goal of School Board is to continue to provide excellence in education and to compete in the Brookfield area market with affordable tuition while promoting spiritual knowledge through witness to the Gospel message.

School Board is governed by its own constitution and is ultimately accountable to Parish Council. SJV School policies adhere to policies and general guidelines formulated by the Archdiocesan Board of Education.

The functions of School Board include:
• responsibility for the advancement of the school including new family recruitment, open house receptions and parish member communication.  The development subcommittee focuses on alumni relations, grandparent events and third source funding opportunities. 
• establishing and recommending policy for the operation of school educational programs.
• assisting in the development of long range plans for educational programs of the school.
• evaluating, approving and submitting the school education budget to Parish Council/Finance Committee for approval.

All local, as well as archdiocesan policies are available for reading in the school office. New policies are communicated to school families throughout the school year.

School Board meets on the 3rd Monday each month at 7 p.m.  Members discerning to this board must be available to attend board meetings and 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. committee meetings.