Pastoral Council Members

Name: Alice M. Edwards

Number of Years as Parishioner: 1957 to 1970; 1986 to present

Number of Years on the Council: 2 years

Favorite Saint: St. Francis of Assisi

Fondest Memory of Parish: Meeting so many wonderful people and priests, baptism of children

Job, and Organizations: Retired RN, currently getting involved with parish nursing program, member of the Altar and Rosary Society, Hospice Council, Family Services, Volunteer Board at Mercy Hospital.

Things I want the Parish to know about me: "I feel the need to give back, I've been very blessed in my life."

Name: Alison Smith

Family: Married to Jason Smith, daughter Brenna (4 years old), with one on the way.

Number of Years as a Parishioner: 8 years

Number of Years on the Council: 2 years

Favorite part of St. Patrick's: Feast of St. Patrick Festival - "It was fun to meet people and be involved with this activity."

Job: 3rd grade teacher

Things I want the Parish to know about me: "Member of parish council to become involved in community of St. Patrick's."

Name: Carol Andress

Family: Larry, husband of 42 years, daughter, Teresa Hecker and husband, Darin, grandsons, Ben and Josh, daughter, Deb Dickbernd and husband, Jim, grandchildren Nate and Breana, and son, Dave and wife, Vicki, grandsons, Brandt and Kade.

Number of Years as Parishioner: 25 + years

Number of Years on Council: 2 years

Favorite Saint: Blessed Mary

Favorite part about St. Patrick's: I enjoy very much being part of the St. Patrick family. Being able to help with our St. Patrick Festival last year in its initiation was a great experience for my husband and I. It was so good to see the parish come together in a united effort to make this event such a success.

Job: Division Head Assistant at First National Bank

Things I want the Parish to know about me: St. Patricks has been an important part of our family for years. My husband grew up in this parish, we were married here in 1965, our daughters were both married here, and 4 of our 6 grandchildren were baptized here, so it has a special place in our hearts. My involvement in the parish has gradually been increasing a bit at a time, and it is fulfilling for me to serve this parish community in whatever small ways that I can. I currently lector periodically at the 7:30 mass, have been involved in the RCIA program, assist in the Bible Study program, take communion to the homebound, and serve on the Pastoral Council. We are also part of a parish faith sharing group.

Name: Don Morse

Family: Margaret (wife), daughter Laura, son Eric

Number of Years as Parishioner: Originally joined in 1977

Number of Years on Council: First year

Favorite part about St. Patrick's Parish: Parish picnics & dinners

Job: Computer programmer

Things I want the Parish to know about me: Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Knight of Columbus, Various other parish events.

Name: Gil Ridenour

Family: John & Carolyn (parents), sisters Minette & Brittany. Will be married this summer to fiance, Shannon Koester

Number of Years as Parishioner: Since 1985

Number of Years on Council: 2 years

Favorite Saint: St. Augustine of Hippo

Favorite part of St. Patrick's Parish: All the parish activities the church offers, meeting new people, building church and community relationships.

Job: Graduate student at Creighton University in Theology, will graduate this May; Part time employee at St. Patrick's church, organize ministries, and assist Fr. Dave.

Things I want the Parish to know about me: "I am currently applying to schools to continue my graduate work in theology. I love being a part of the faith community here at St. Patrick's where there are so many people excited and involved with their faith. I want to continue to build up our faith knowledge and the bond that we share with one another and God through ministries, friendships, and education."

Name: Ralph O'Donnell

Family: Ruth O'Donnell (wife), Mathew & Kristi and Quincy O'Donnell, Jennifer, Brooke, Katie and Emily O'Donnell

Number of Years as Parishioner: 15 plus years

Number of Years on the Council: 2 years

Favorite Part of St. Patrick's Parish: The Parishioners, Church and grounds.

Job: Police Officer for the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa

Things I want the Parish to know about me: "On council because I believe that everyone needs to do more than just weekly mass."

Name: Victoria (Vickie) Janousek

Family: Husband: Richard; children: Jean (Bret) Brooks and two grandchildren (Boone, IA); Pam Janousek (El Paso, TX); Steve Janousek (Des Moines, IA); Dave Janousek (Bayonne, NJ)

Number of Years as Parishioner: 2 years - 1973-1975; July 2006 to present

Number of Years on the Council: First year

Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux

Favorite part about St. Patrick's Parish: "My fondest memory was the baptism of our daughter, Pam, at St. Patrick's Church in 1975."

Organizations Involved In: "For enjoyment, I like to read (I love the Council Bluffs Library); I attend the Symphony Pop Series at the Holland Center; and I attend the Nebraska Huskers basketball games in Lincoln. My husband and I are big fans of Doc Sadler and the Huskers."

Things I want the Parish to know about me: "I am very happy to be in my first term of the Pastoral Council at St. Patrick's. I am learning quite a bit about parish life, the council itself and the workings of the parish. The council is presently studying Evangelization which is a very important part of every parish. I also enjoy studying Church liturgy, how it evolved following Jesus' rising to our present day celebrations. I am currently a Eucharistic Minister at the 9:00am Mass; a member of both the 9:00am choir on Sundays and the Memorial Choir, and I also am a proud member of the SERRA CLUB."

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