Our Parish Council plays a vital role in the operation of The Basilica of Saint Mary and the fulfillment of its mission. This dedicated group of parishioner volunteers and leaders serve as advisors to Fr. Griffith across many strategic, planning, and organizational aspects of the parish, providing ongoing counsel, support, and feedback. The Parish Council members also serve as ambassadors and leaders for our church, helping fulfill The Basilica’s strategic plan, supporting our parishioners, and furthering the reach of our many wonderful ministries.
As the Parish Council begins a new year, we want to announce and celebrate the new members of The Basilica Parish Council for 2025-26, and recognize and thank those members who have completed their terms of service on the council.
First, we want to recognize and express our deepest appreciation to Carole Burton, Edith-Nicole Cameron, and Matt Celichowski who have completed their service on the council. Carole, Edith-Nicole, and Matt have been wonderful leaders, colleagues, and advisors during their service on the Parish Council, sharing their wisdom, gifts, and experience in support of The Basilica. Each will continue to support our Basilica as parishioners and in their varied volunteer roles.
For the coming year, we are excited to announce new and returning members to the council: Jennifer Lange has been re-elected by our parishioners to serve a second term and Jesse Winkler has been elected to his first term on the Parish Council. In addition, Deborah Sundquist and William Moy have been appointed by Fr. Griffith to the Parish Council to fill the positions of retiring members. Karen Capiz and Jane McCrossan have each been reappointed to additional terms on the Parish Council as representatives of Mission Advancement and the Finance Committee, respectively. We welcome the new and returning members and thank each of them for their generosity and willingness to serve.
We also want to announce officer appointments for the Parish Council for the coming year. Jennifer Lange, who most recently served as Vice-Chair for the council. will serve as Chair for the coming year and Karen Capiz, who most recently served as Secretary, will serve as Vice-Chair. Colin Rouser will join the governance team for the council as Secretary for the 2025-26 term. These three officers, together with Fr. Griffith, Jill Ahern, and I (as past Chair) will serve as the governance team for the Parish Council.
Finally, we need to recognize those current members of the Parish Council who will continue to dedicate their time and talents as members of the Parish Council and supporting The Basilica. Our deepest appreciation goes out to Andrea Lutterman, Mattie Melin, Jill Reilly, and Jill Ahern, as well as our Parish Trustees, Susan Link and Tom Paul, for their continued dedication to our Basilica mission.
Please take the time to reach out and thank our members for their service and to learn more about the work of the Parish Council.
David Link
Past Chair, The Basilica of Saint Mary Parish Council