Holy Spirit Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a group of people, who are members of the community, tasked to collaborate with the pastor and the pastoral staff. They are an advisory body that helps to promote the Church’s mission and communicate the love, values, and teachings of Christ in the world. The group also discerns the needs of the community, how to respond to those needs and makes recommendations to the pastor.
To be a member of the council is a gift and a calling. It stems from baptism when God calls us to share in the threefold ministry of Christ as priest, prophet, and shepherd. Members should not only be engaged in the life of the community, but they should also be people of prayer always attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The council shares in the responsibility for the ongoing development of the faith community, working with the parishioners to provide support for their efforts to live as disciples of Christ.
Current Members
Stephanie Kavanagh – Chair
Stephanie and her husband, Chris, became parishioners of Holy Spirit in 2002. They are from San Diego and both of their children, Kathryn and Jared graduated from Holy Spirit School. While her kids were at HSS, Stephanie volunteered as a Room Mom, Library Parent, Art Vistas Docent, Parent Ambassador and chaperoned several field trips. Giving back to her community has always been a part of her DNA, especially when she believes in the mission and there is a strong connection to her Faith. She loves this parish community and how it has enriched her life spiritually as well as her family’s.
Professionally, Stephanie has been an executive in the Pharmaceutical/Medical Device world for over 20 years. In her spare time, she contributes to our church by: Currently serving as the Chair for the Pastoral Council, a Lector and a previous Chair for the Nicaragua Missions! Outside of HSP, she has been the Board President of JW House and a very active member of the San Jose Rotary.
Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, yoga and Orange Theory. More importantly, she loves connecting with people. So, if you see her around the parish, don’t be surprised if she just starts a conversation with you!
Liz Cabral
My husband Brian and I joined the Holy Spirit community 17 years ago, moving from Transfiguration parish in order to find a more vibrant community for our two daughters, now both adults. In addition to my role on the Pastoral Council I have taught Faith Formation, been involved in the gleaning ministry and Scripture Study, and am a Mass Coordinator. I graduated from the diocesan ILM (Institute for Leadership in Ministry) program in May 2019, after completing the three year program.
My work background is in child and family counseling. I left this field after nearly 15 years to become a stay at home mom when my children were in elementary school. I went back to work in late 2018, in a totally different field. I now work part time at Notre Dame High School where I work in the advancement department for events.
I became a member of the Pastoral Council because I want to see Holy Spirit continue to grow and thrive. I love the sense of community, commitment to service, and the opportunities to grow in faith offered by our parish. I would like members of our parish to feel connected and engaged and hope my work on the Pastoral Council can help bring this about.
Annetta Calhoun
I’m Annetta Calhoun and my husband, Michael and I have been Holy Spirit members since 2009. Between us, we have three adult children and four grandchildren. I have served as an EMOE, am active in the Women’s Faith Group, and for the past few years have been member of the Pastoral Council. I have learned so much while on the Pastoral Council! Like the other members, my life experiences form the perspective brought to the Council. For 28+ years I was the assistant to the owner of a construction company in the east bay and had a variety of duties over the years from contract administration to property management. It takes a lot of work to keep the parish up and going physically and spiritually. We are blessed to have clergy and staff to provide opportunities to grow our faith.
Linda Cunha-Ricchio
Linda Cunha-Ricchio and her husband, Frank, have been parishioners at Holy Spirit for 35 years. For her, an enduring aspect of parish life has been the faith community, the people. It is about worshiping God, growing in faith, learning to live out one’s discipleship ‘together’, and friendship. Linda currently serves on the HS Pastoral Council, the Spirituality Team, and as drummer in our Music Ministry Team. She has been involved in various adult formation ministry roles over the years, both volunteer and staff. Prior to retiring in 2018, Linda served Diocesan Director of the Institute for Leadership in Ministry. Linda now leads workshops and retreats on prayer and spirituality at the parish and beyond. She is trained as a spiritual director guiding and directing individuals in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Before her call to pastoral ministry, Linda worked both locally and abroad for an international computer company headquartered in the Bay Area.
Stephanie Dockendorf
Stephanie and her husband David have been parishioners at Holy Spirit since 2010 and have celebrated many milestones in the church including their wedding and Baptism of their son, Christian who is now attending Holy Spirit School. As a San Jose native, Stephanie has previous ties to St. Lucy and Sacred Heart parishes, including a long history of working and volunteering with the youth ministry programs at those parishes. Her involvement at Holy Spirit throughout the years has included EMOE, Mass Coordinator, Turkey and Tarps Coordinator, Village House, and attending many of the parish programs. She prays she can serve the parish in a way that supports long term sustainability and continued focus on building a relationship with Christ for each member of the community. She, David, and Christian are most often at the 9:30am masses, so please come share with her any feedback, questions, or ideas for the parish!
Denise Myrick
John DeRusso
John and Paula DeRusso planned to “parish shop” when they relocated to the Bay Area in 2007, but Holy Spirit upset their plans… they found their home parish on their first visit! John soon resumed his lifelong devotion to lectoring and continues to proclaim to this day. A few years after arriving at Holy Spirit, he was surprised to chair the Altar Server Ministry for about a year before transitioning to 6+ richly satisfying years as chair of the Lector Ministry. Recently he was humbled to represent Holy Spirit at the first-ever San José Diocesan Synod. He’s nearing 3 years on the Pastoral Council, where he works to blend inspiration with pragmatism. John and Paula are giddy grandparents to two young children who fortunately live within a 2-hour commute. Recently retired, they’re happily indulging their passion for the outdoors and for travel.
Jeff Aboud
Jeff and his wife, Vani, have been an active part of the Holy Spirit community since 2001 and all three of three of their children attended Holy Spirit School. Jeff has been active in a number of ministries over the years; including as a Lector for nearly 20 years and a Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Catechist for more than 10 years. He also regularly volunteered during the five years that our community hosted our Village House guests. A native of the Bay Area, Jeff attended Sacred Heart School in Saratoga and was an active member of that community, as an Alter Server and later as a Lector, throughout most of childhood and adolescence. Jeff believes very strongly in serving his community and is honored to represent his fellow parishioners as a member of the Pastoral Council. Jeff and Vani are most frequently at the 9:30am mass, so please feel free to ask any questions, bring any ideas, or just say hi!
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