Category Archives: About Our Parish
Pastoral Council
In the past, the leadership of a Catholic parish often rested solely in the hands of the pastor of that faith community. Today, baptized members of parish communities are now invited to share in that ministry of leadership along with the ministerial staff who works with the pastor. The baptized do this in a very particular way as members of the parish Pastoral Council. Chosen from among their brothers and sisters in faith, the members of our Pastoral Council represent four general areas of ministry at St. Mary’s: Word, Worship, Community Building & Service.
Directions to St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church
280 Washington Avenue
Dumont, NJ 07628
201-384-0557 – (FAX)201-384-4986
From the Garden State Parkway
Take the Garden State Parkway to exit 165 and take the ramp for Oradell. You’ll end up on Oradell Avenue eastbound. Continue on Oradell Avenue to the end (blinking red light) which will be Grant Avenue. The distance to Grant Avenue is approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Grant Avenue and follow the S bend. Grant Avenue changes its name to Boulevard. Continue to the second traffic light which is Milford Avenue. The Dartley Cleaners will be on the right. Turn left onto Milford Avenue and continue over the railroad tracks to the end. You’ll be at Washington Avenue in Dumont. Make a right and you’ll see St. Mary’s Church on your right.
Meet the Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is the lay leadership of the parish. New members of the council are nominated by parishioners and ultimately selected by the current Pastoral Council. St. Mary’s current Pastoral Council includes 12 members, similar to the original apostles:
• Barbara Barba, Chairperson
• John Soltes, Vice Chairperson
• Karen Permuy, Secretary
• Margaret Yu
• Joseph Pidi
• Emily Stevens
• Laura Labetti
• Malu Canlas
• Roberta Elwell
• Joan Connelly
• Mitch Carretas
• Felicia Arrigoitia
The Pastoral Council members are the dreamers of the parish. They advise Father Dominic Ciriaco by representing the “voice” of the parishioners. They also spearhead several projects throughout the year. This current council has helped establish monthly hospitality breakfasts after the Sunday Masses and welcomed new parishioners with holiday greeting cards. The council has organized trips to Habitat for Humanity in Bergen County and Paterson, in addition to creating a new service ministry called Helping Hands.
Other goals: improving communications at the parish with a new website, focusing efforts on social justice causes, asking questions concerning the completion of the Capital Campaign and redrafting St. Mary’s mission statement.
If you’re interested in joining the Pastoral Council, call 201-384-0557 for more information.