The parish council is a group of men and women, 18 years of age and older, chosen from the parish community by a process of discernment. The council also includes the two parish trustees and the pastor. Councilors must be active members of St James. Their primary tasks are to work with the pastor to provide spiritual leadership, parish direction, policy development and planning to meet the needs of this parish within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Time: an average of 6 to 8 hours a month including the council meeting on the second Wednesday evening and all-committee night on the first Wednesday. Note: St James is also part of the Menomonee Falls cluster council, with three representatives from each of the five parishes in our area….the pastor, a council member and a staff member.
Pastoral Council Biographies
Ellie Allen – Liaison to Health Ministry Committee – a member of St James for 4 years. She has 3 adult children, two sons and one daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, music, humor, photography, travel, and writing. She has been involved with the Milwaukee Archdiocese Council of Catholic women and has a passion for promoting adoption.
Pat Buehler – Pastoral Council Chair – has been a member of St. James since 2011. In his previous parish, Pat served on the parish cemetery board, took communion to the homebound at Linden Grove and served as a parish Trustee. However, his most long-standing ministry is that of a Eucharistic Minister which has as proudly served since 1994. Pat and his wife Dena have been part of the FOCUS COUPLE group here at St. James. They have two sons, David (Katie) and Brian (Sarah). His hobbies include vegetable gardening, “Cottaging” in his travel trailer, and woodworking.
Terry Brecklin – Secretary and Liaison to Prayer and Worship Committee – has been a member of St. James for about ten years. She and her husband, Tom, have two adult children and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending free time with her grandchildren, reading, gardening, cooking and sailing.
Jose Gonzalez – Liaison to Finance Council – member of St. James Parish for 29 years. He and his wife Gina have two adult children and 3 grandsons, ages, 4, 3, and 1. In past years he served St James as a Confirmation catechist. In his free time, he enjoys being a new Sussex Lions Club member (volunteer work), learning to play golf, and is a soccer enthusiast having been a former player and coach.
Matt Hoffa – Liaison to Christian Formation – has been a member of St James since 2010 when he and wife Jessica moved to Sussex. They have been married since 2004 and have twin sons, Austin and Tyler who are not quite a year old. He has served on the RCIA team since 2013 and was one of the original 12 that helped launch the Catholic ID program. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys gardening, landscaping, fixing things at home and learning new things.
Tim Khoury – Liaison to Christian Formation – has been a member of St James for 2 years. He and his wife Mary Grace have been married for 8 years and have a son, Miles 6, and twin daughter Maya and Severa 4. He enjoys traveling, different cultures, sports, music and is a food enthusiast.
Jill Lehnen – Liaison to Health Ministry – has been a member of St James since 2006. She is married to husband Andrew and they have 3 children: Lucas 10, Hope 8, and Calvin 5. At St James she has enjoyed attending the monthly Moms Rosary Group, The Catholic Intentional Discipleship group, and working with the Thrift Sale. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an avid sports fan!
David Topp– Liaison to Human Concerns – member of St James for 13 years. He has been married to his wife Lisa for 25 years and they have 3 daughters: Lauren 18, Leah 16 and Sydney 12. He has served St James as a greeter, a mission trip leader and a Christian Formation aid. With wife Lisa they also serve as a FOCUS couple for engaged couples at St James. In his free time, he enjoys golf, reading, and time with his family.
John Walker – Liaison to Activities Committee – he is married to wife Denise and they have 2 boys, Jack and Owen. He and Denise will be chairing the Holly Days Event for the 2nd year in a row. His personal interests include, softball, fishing and camping.
Ray Gross – Trustee Treasurer – has been a member of St James since 1965 – 52 years! He has been married to wife Mary for 57 years and they have three children and 7 grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and woodworking.
Paul Stevens – Trustee – member of St James since 2004. Married to Ruth Ann since 1978, they will celebrate 40 years next July. Together they have 2 adult sons, both married, and 2 grandchildren (1 boy, 1 girl). Paul has served the church in many capacities; greeter, catechist, pastoral council (chair/vice chair), lector and SOAL kitchen help.
All Committee Prayer & Snack Schedule for 2017-2018
Parish Council 2017-2018 Members Roster
Pastoral Council Mtg – 6-13-18 Minutes
Pastoral Council Mtg. – 5-9-18
Pastoral Council Mtg. – 4-11-18 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 3-14-18 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 2-14-18 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 1-10-18 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 12-13-17 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 11-?-17 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 10-11-17 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 9-13-17 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 8-9-17 Minutes
Parish Council Members Roster 2015-2016
Parish Council MTG 5-10-16 Minutes
Parish Council Mtg 4 -13-16 Minutes