Parish Councils
At this time Gesu has two major councils that aim to help our parish grow and thrive both spiritually and temporally:
FINANCE COUNCIL
The Finance Council is composed of members of the parish, chosen to serve as an advisory group to the pastor. The Council is charged with overview of the financial concerns of the parish and the administration of parochial goods. The Council meets every other month, and more often as the need arises.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council is an advisory board to the pastor for pastoral leadership in the parish. Composed of parishioners, it provides accurate and relevant counsel to the pastor regarding the needs of parishioners and recommends responses to those needs.
See below for our current council members and info about them (as it becomes available):
Frank Leinweber
I'm Frank Leinweber, president of the Gesu Pastoral Council. My family and I have been parishioners for over twenty years. While my wife and I were married elsewhere (Alexandria, VA) our two boys received most of their sacraments here. We love Gesu, particularly the welcoming feeling and wonderful fellow parishioners. I am a retired market research professional but stay busy substitute teaching, working with kids through Reading for Literacy and involvement with the Pastoral Council and other church-related activities.
I'm hoping to see and get to meet more of you as time goes on. If you see me, let me know how we are doing and if there is anything in particular that you like, would like to see changed, or have a concern with - that's how we will continue to improve and grow as a parish.
Gwen Mays
My name is Gwen Mays and I have been a member of the Gesu Parish for twenty plus years and a member of Pastoral Council for the last five years. I have served in many ministries over the years, including Eucharistic Minister, Sanctuary Guild, and at present am an active member of the 50+ Club. I am a convert where I bring an abundance of the love of Christ to my Catholic faith. I am a graduate of the University of Toledo where I graduated with honors.
My purpose is transparency between the Pastoral Council and Parishioners. It is important to me that goodness, honesty and truth be shared without exception. You can find me at the Saturday 4:00pm Mass where my family and I celebrate our Lord.
Sara Yecke
My name is Sarah Yecke, one of the newest members of the Pastoral Council. My family has been parishioners at Gesu since 2018. When we first started trying to find our church "home" after moving back to the area in 2016, we immediately felt the warmth and spirit of the Gesu community. People took the effort to shake our hands and learn our names--little things mean a lot.
We've been gradually getting more involved in the parish, including being Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. I am also leading an effort among the Pastoral Council to encourage more families (especially with young kids) to be regular Mass attendees and registered parishioners. You'll see us up front at the 10am Mass most Sundays so our four kids can see what's going on and (hopefully) pay more attention. Join us!
Karen Billmaier
My name is Karen Billmaier and I’ve served on the Pastoral Council for about 3 years. I’m a mother of 3 daughters, a proud grandmother of 7, and an RN, retired after working for 45 years. I enjoy family, friends, traveling, numerous hobbies, and of course church where you can find me at 10 am on Sundays. As a lifelong parishioner I have a lot of history at Gesu. I went to school here as did my children. Numerous activities, committees, and ministries have been part of my life at Gesu. I’m privileged to be a long time Eucharistic minister, Lector, and now a choir member. Throughout all this I have made many friends and found a community. I feel blessed to have had many dedicated priests, present included, who have made parish life richer.
My mission as a member of the pastoral council is to help foster community and spiritual growth for all. I would encourage every parishioner to become a part of some ministry or activity because in my experience, you get much more out of it than you put in.
Annie (Baibak) Johnson
I am Annie (Baibak) Johnson, a life-long member of Gesu. I am a proud third generation Gesu parishioner and my mother taught kindergarten at Gesu for over 40 years, creating a strong connection to the school with me. My Grandmother attended Gesu school and was married to my grandfather in the 1950s when the church was in the gym. My dad, aunts and uncle all went to Gesu school as well. I always joke that I went to school up and down Bancroft St - graduating from Gesu school, St. Ursula Academy, and then the University of Toledo. My favorite part of Gesu growing up was the historical feel of the church and the gorgeous pipe organ music. Today I would add the welcoming community of family and friends.
I was asked to join the Pastoral Council about 5 years ago and I love helping guide new ideas to fruition; my favorite being the Lenten Soup Suppers and this website. You can find me with my husband and two daughters in our “Family Pews” at 10am Sunday Mass, or up in the loft running the Sunday LiveStream on our parish’s YouTube Channel @gesutoledo. I love to share my joy and pride for Gesu with everyone I know and anyone I meet. Gesu is a beautiful community with deep roots and a generous heart.
Heidi Scouten-Best
My name is Heidi Scouten-Best and I have been a member of the Pastoral Council for the last 5 years. I began attending Mass at Gesu in 1992 when my husband Bob and I bought our house in Old Orchard. Bob and I have two grown boys, Alec and Nick, who both were baptized at Gesu and graduated from St. Francis. I was not Catholic when my children began to make their Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. I began to have a great desire to become Catholic and finally was able to go through RCIA in 2013. After RCIA, I became a Eucharistic Minister and began working with the Giving Tree. I have also helped with several Pancake Breakfasts and receptions after the Easter Vigil.
As each year goes by, my desire to see Gesu Parish remain a strong and vibrant Parish grows greater. I serve on the Pastoral Council to help continue the strong traditions of Catholic Faith and Salesian Spirituality in West Toledo. I can usually be found at the 10:00 Mass on the right side of the church. I look forward to helping our Parish in any way that I can.