Parish Pastoral Council
The Church of St. Mary Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a group of volunteer parishioners, parish staff, and resident priests, tasked with informing and advising the pastor in all areas of parish life. Our goal is to make St. Mary’s the very best parish it can possibly be. The PPC does this by observing what happens at the parish, by personally engaging with other parishioners, and by listening closely to their needs and concerns. Members of the PPC then work with the pastor to address those needs and concerns to improve parish life, both short-term and long-term.
To meet its objectives, the PPC meets monthly to discuss a wide range of topics affecting parish life, including capital improvements for the parish, Mass and other worship schedules, the School of St. Mary, Religious Education Program, service and outreach efforts, parish celebrations, and ways to improve the spiritual life of St. Mary’s parishioners.
The members of PPC want you to know that we are working to do all we can to make the St. Mary’s experience as joyful, fulfilling, and enriching as possible. We also want to hear from you. We invite you to reach out to us individually or collectively through our shared email (parishcouncil@churchofstmary.org) to let us know how we can make St. Mary’s the very best parish it can possibly be.
Parish Pastoral Council Members
Michael Lucas, Chairperson
Michael Lucas has been a member of the Church of St. Mary for 15 years. He and his wife, Jennifer, were married at St. Mary’s Church. Michael and Jennifer have three children: John, Claire, and Matthew. All three attend the School of St. Mary. Michael has been involved in the Men’s Club, Parish Day of Service as well as various parish ministries, including Extraordinary Minister of Care and Holy Family Food Pantry. Michael joined Parish Pastoral Council in 2019 and is currently serving as Chairperson.
Jeanne Burke
Jeanne Burke has been a member of the Church of St. Mary for 35 years. She and her husband, Jack, have five children ranging in age from 30-38, and all have graduated from the School of St. Mary. Jeanne has been active in many volunteer positions, including the School of St. Mary’s Parents Club and St. Jude’s Circle. Jeanne was part of an instrumental group of women who brought the Kairos Retreat to our parish, and she was a founding member of Camp Hope. Jeanne has served on Parish Pastoral Council since 2014, including her role as past Chairperson.
Aileen Ellis
Aileen (Leeni) Ellis has been a member of the Church of St. Mary for 30 years. She and her husband, Mike, have three children ranging in age from 25-33. Leeni has served in many areas of the Church community, including the Women’s Guild Board, Youth Ministry Board, Parish Day of Service, Religious Education as both a volunteer and teacher, Kairos, and Camp Hope. Leeni has served on Parish Pastoral Council since 2019.
David Hughes
David Hughes has been a member of the Church of St. Mary since 1999. He and his wife, Therese, have two boys who attended the School of St. Mary. David has served as co-chair of the School of St. Mary’s Parents Club, and he is a former School of St. Mary basketball coach. David currently serves as a lector. He has been a member of the Parish Pastoral Council since 2015.
Camille Prindle
Camille Prindle has been a member of the Church of St. Mary since 2007. She and her husband, Ross, have four children ranging in age from 18-23. Camille is very involved in the Religious Education Program where she currently serves as a second-grade teacher. She also volunteers as a teacher’s assistant at the Primary Grade Center. Camille is actively involved in volunteer roles in the Lake Forest Community, including School Districts 67 and 115. Camille has been a member of the Parish Pastoral Council since 2012 and currently serves as Recording Secretary.
Loralee Alto Van Vleet
Loralee has been a St. Mary’s parishioner for 10 years and has been a Lector for 4 of them. Her passion is motivating parishioners to get involved and sharing her personal testimony of her own blossoming faith through service. She is the mother of 4 daughters, a fitness instructor, a Pilates trainer, a Yoga instructor, and a Realtor here in Lake Forest.
Cathy Williams
Cathy Williams has been a lifelong member of the Church of St. Mary. She and her husband, Matt, have four children and four grandchildren. She has served in over 15 ministries including Women’s Guild, Women’s Bible Study, and Religious Education. She served on staff both here at Church of St. Mary for six years and at Our Lady of Ransom Parish for seven years. Cathy has been a member of the Parish Pastoral Council since 2015.
