08/28/2026
Dear St. Joseph Parish Community,
St. Joseph Catholic School is taking an important and positive step toward strengthening its future through the implementation of a school Council. This Council will provide additional leadership and support as we establish a clear vision, develop a long-term growth plan, responsibly manage the annual school budget, lead facility projects, and identify fundraising and grant opportunities.
The School Council is comprised of individuals with a broad range of expertise in education, business, engineering, finance, and management. Members represent several local churches and the broader faith community, including St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. John Catholic Church, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, along with the Archdiocese of Detroit South Region Superintendent. This diverse group brings experience, perspective, and a shared commitment to strengthening St. Joseph Catholic School and its future.
The school is an important part of the mission and future of our faith community. A healthy Catholic school provides an opportunity to form children in the faith, serve families in our community, and introduce new families to the Catholic faith. Strengthening the school therefore strengthens an important part of St. Joseph Parish Community’s overall ministry and outreach.
The School Council is designed to help the school become more proactive and sustainable. Rather than simply responding to immediate needs, we can focus more intentionally on enrollment growth, facility improvements, outreach, outside funding, and responsible investments that support the school’s mission. By bringing together individuals who can contribute experience in planning, budgeting, facilities, fundraising, and community engagement, the Council can help support the responsibilities necessary to operate and grow a successful school.
This structure will also provide stronger support for our principal and school staff while allowing the pastor to concentrate more fully on the overall parish and pastorate mission. The pastor will continue to provide pastoral leadership and offer the sacraments and other pastoral ministry to the school, while the School Council helps carry the operational, financial, planning, and growth responsibilities necessary to support a successful Catholic school. This allows our educators to remain focused on their most important work: serving and educating our children.
We are grateful that the Archdiocese of Detroit is fully supportive of this direction and wants St. Joseph Catholic School to succeed. Their support reinforces the belief that our school has an important future and that our faith community have an opportunity to build upon its strengths.
The success of this effort will depend on the continued support of our entire faith community. There will be opportunities to contribute through volunteering, fundraising, sharing expertise, supporting projects, making connections, and helping us tell the story of what makes St. Joseph Catholic School special. Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and commitment to St. Joseph Parish and St. Joseph Catholic School.
Yours in Christ,
St. Joseph Catholic School Council
Phil Cousino (Chair,) David Imbrogno, Michelle McLaughlin, Kathy Nold, Julie Ravary, Megan Scaggs, Joel Spotts, Jackie Stoiber, Rob Stoiber, and Andrew Wickenheiser
