Parish directors playing important church role

	NEW MEMBER: Dcn. Ken Kabat of St. Paul Parish, Wrightstown, baptizes Timothy and Sara Abel's daughter, Anna Catherine, who was welcomed to the rite by Joan Bartman, parish director (right). At the far left is Nancy Vande Hei (godmother). Sara Abel is holding Anna, whose four-year-old sister, Olivia, is watching intently. Only priests and deacons may baptize. Parish directors and lay persons perform other important roles in assisting the priest in the preparation of couples who bring their children for baptism and assist the priest or deacon with the rite. (Dick Meyer photo)

Part four in a series on the Parish Planning Process

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Morning calendar: Morning prayer or weekday Mass;
cell phone call about a hospitalized parishioner;
visit hospital;
parishioner dies in hospital, console and pray with family;
Afternoon: quick lunch in hospital cafeteria;
meet with engaged couple about wedding;
return calls to schedule baptisms;
check in with school principal;
speak with parish volunteer trimming tree in rectory yard;
prepare for weekend liturgies;
Evening: private prayer in church;
supper;
meeting with parish finance council.

Sounds like a typical day in the life of a parish pastor, right?

It is. Except that the person in this pastoral role is a lay person: Joan Bartman, parish director of St. Paul Parish in Wrightstown.

Bartman, who has been at Wrightstown for two years, describes her role as "leader of the community, administrator of the parish, the person in charge of pastoral care and the spiritual leader of the parish."   Full story ...

 • Sidebar: About series

	Mass Times Summer Mass Schedules (May 21 issue)

 • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --
    'Get a life!'

 • Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
    August 22, 2004: Will many be saved or just a few?
    August 29, 2004: Good advice for guests and hosts

 • Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --
    August 22, 2004: Discipline is a sign of God's love
    August 29, 2004: Old Covenant versus New Covenant

 • Editorial -- Collaborating
    Document considers male and female
    Sidebar: Reading the text

 • Editorial -- Taken by surprise
    Community owes Frank Wood thanks

 • Foundations of Faith --
    Once they're mixed in, you can't separate the drops
    Water in wine reminds us of Christ's humanity and our divine image through him

 • Saint of the Day --
    A saint who came back to life
    English saint forever changed by the visions of heaven, hell and purgatory

 • Calendar of Events

Articles on Bishop's Appeal 2004: • Giving to Bishop's Appeal makes some major gains (May 21, 2004) • Gifts to annual Bishop's Appeal top $4 million (May 14, 2004) • Gifts to annual Bishop's Appeal near $4 million (Apr. 30, 2004) • Appeal tops $3.4 million (Apr. 2, 2004) • Diocese offers helping hands in many ways (Mar. 26, 2004)     Sidebar: Bishop's Appeal     Sidebar: Topping $3 million • Providing an escape from financial quagmire (Mar. 19, 2004)     Sidebar: Nearing $3 million • Parish finds help from diocese only a phone call away (Mar. 12, 2004)     Sidebar: Appeal giving up • Consultant helps parishes tune up Sunday liturgies (Mar. 5, 2004)     Sidebar: Appeal tops $2 million • Camp draws generations of diocesan youth (Feb. 27, 2004)     Sidebar: Appeal at 30% • Befriending persons in need (Feb. 20, 2004) • Diocese helps engaged prepare for marriage (Feb. 13, 2004) • Appeal theme mirrors Catholic way of life (Feb. 6, 2004)     Pie chart of Bishop's Appeal use • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David A. Zubik --     Blockbuster action and beyond (Feb. 6, 2004)