Fr. John Trout
Jon Monroe (Chair)
Deacon Dan Coughlin – Social Justice & Service
Bridget Chaney– Faith Formation
Dan Kraft – Prayer & Worship
Jim Lobus – Community Building
Tom Sear – Accountability
The Pastor and the Parish Pastoral Council comprises the Parish Executive Leadership Team committed to serving the Parish and Parishioners of St Joseph Church. The PPC exercises shared responsibility for the Pastoral life of the Parish under the leadership of the Pastor and is the primary advisory, deliberative and decision making body for all significant Parish affairs.
The Council is comprised of 8 members: 6 Commission leads, PPC Chair, and Pastor. The Council meets monthly (excluding July) and is responsible for:
• Directing the implementation of the Parish Pastoral Plan
• Providing strategic direction to Parish Staff and Commissions
• Serving as a resource to the Pastor on critical issues affecting the overall well-being of the parish
• Approving proposals for Parish initiatives
• Nourishing Parish Servant Leadership
• Encouraging and promoting participation of the laity throughout Parish ministries
• Serving as an avenue of communication with the Parish at large, the Pastor, and the Pastoral Staff
• Planning for the future by recommending policies, procedures and programs that fulfill the Church’s mission
• Encouraging and promoting participation of the laity
Jon Monroe serves as the Chairman of the PPC. He seeks out good ideas wherever they come from, especially ideas that come with people ready to implement them. He strongly believes that our best days as a parish are ahead of us, and that we will work together to bring Christ's love to our world that desperately needs it. In his free time, nothing makes him happier than spending time with his wife and 3 kids. He is a computer programmer by trade.
Tom Sear is pleased to serve our Parish as the Accountability Commission Lead. The Accountability Commission strives for faithful stewardship in the allocation and use of parish resources. We target to remain debt free, grow our capital reserves, and maintain a vibrant campus that helps us fulfill our parish mission.
Tom and his wife Rebecca have three children and have been engaged parishioners of St Joseph’s since they moved to Libertyville in 2005. Tom previously served as Finance Council Chair for 6+ years and is a member of the Endowment Committee. Tom is a Eucharistic Minister and enjoys participating in parish events such as those offered by the Men’s Ministry and Community Building Commission.
Deacon Dan Coughlin is pleased to serve as the Social Justice Commission Lead. The focus of the Social Justice Commission is to act as the living presence of Christ in our world as we serve one another in justice and compassion. We strive to serve those in need through the food pantry, care for creation, the bed ministry, employment ministry, international sharing, acts of kindness, conversations that matter, as well as many other community volunteering activities.
Deacon Dan was ordained to the Order of Deacon on May 11, 2019 at Holy Name Cathedral by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. Along with his wife JoAnne they have been parishioners at St. Joseph for 23 years. They have three adult children – Brian (and his wife Elizabeth), Sarah, and Sean, who are also members of our parish community. Deacon Dan and JoAnne have been involved for many years with Children’s Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, as well as numerous prayer & worship and social justice activities. Dan also served as the Youth Commission Parish Council Lead from 2010-2015 and JoAnne was a member of the Finance Council from 2010-2013.
Dan and Beth Kraft have 3 daughters and have been parishioners of St. Joseph since moving to Libertyville in 2001. Over that time, Dan has been involved in numerous ministries including the Welcome Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Christ Renews His Parish, Appalachian Mission Trip, and Community for the Kingdom among others.
Jim Lobus serves the Parish as the Community Building Commission Lead. The Community Building Commission focuses on building Community through small groups as well as large events that provide an environment of faith and fellowship for all ages of the Parish.. Mass in the Park, New Parishioner Welcoming, and the Women’s Guild are just some of the groups focused on building of community and support. St. Patrick’s Dinner and Oktoberfest are organized by the Knights of Columbus under the umbrella of this Commission as well. Recently our Retiree Ministry has expanded activities in our Parish and also in the Community of Libertyville..
Jim and his wife Katie have been parishioners for over 10 years and have 5 adult children and 1 grandchild. Jim is co-lead of the Sacristan Ministry, is active in the Men’s Ministry, and is a Eucharistic Minister.
Bridget Chaney is proud to serve as the Faith Formation Commission Lead. The Faith Formation Commission provides lifelong learning opportunities to help our parish grow in our love and understanding of Christ. The Commission encompasses Children’s Faith Formation programs including the School, as well as multiple ministries for adult formation. Bridget and her husband Scott have three children and have been parishioners for 15 years. Bridget has served as a catechist for 10 years and has taken on multiple volunteer leadership roles within Faith Formation.
Please email info@stjoseph-libertyville.org for more information.