Elections November 2024

BY: Haley Pederson
POSTED October 22, 2024 IN
General

Elections November 2024
Pastoral Council

The Pastoral Council Elections at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church are just around the corner! Taking place the weekend of November 2 and 3, 2024, this is a crucial opportunity for parishioners to help shape the spiritual and administrative direction of our parish community. The Pastoral Council serves as an advisory body to our pastor, helping to foster unity, grow ministries, and guide the future of our parish. Voting will occur during all Masses that weekend, and we encourage every parishioner to participate in this important process.

The candidates' photos and bios are available both here on our blog and in the Narthex of the church. These dedicated parishioners come from all walks of life, each bringing unique gifts to serve the church. When casting your vote, consider the following skills and attributes that make an effective Pastoral Council member:

  • Strong faith and commitment to the Catholic Church
  • Active involvement in parish life
  • Good communication and leadership skills
  • The ability to work collaboratively with others
  • A heart for service and ministry
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
  • Vision and creativity in addressing the needs of the parish
  • Commitment to fostering the spiritual growth of the parish community

Meet the Candidates

Stacy Carpenter, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024

STACY CARPENTER

Stacy Carpenter is an alumna of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (1992), Louisiana State University (1995), and Colorado State University (1998). She has been married to her beloved Jeff for 29 years. After 10 infertile years of desperate prayers, God blessed them with seven amazing children, all of them homeschooled. Stacy has been a parishioner at MQP since her family moved here in 2016.

She loves to play percussion with praise and worship music, and to volunteer with the high school youth group. She is also the Regent of our parish's Catholic Daughters of America Court. Stacy used to teach college math and train brains at LearningRx, but she recently answered a 15-year calling to study CranioSacral Therapy and opened her own practice this year. Nothing makes her happier than using the gifts God gave her to serve Him and lead others to Him.

Pedro Mudafort, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024

PEDRO MUDAFORT

My family and I have been a member of the Mary Queen of Peace Parish since 1994. I belong to the Knights of Columbus and to the ACTS Group.

Up until recently, I was working out of town. Since I'm retired now, I want to be more involved in the parish.

I'm looking forward to being part of the parish pastoral council and assist in making a better future for our community.

Stephanie Reyes, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024

STEPHANIE REYES

Stephanie was born and raised a Catholic in Kansas. She was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Garden City, Kansas, and made her first Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation at St. Dominic's Catholic Church. In 1981, she married Keith Reyes from Kalamaula, Molokai, Hawaii, at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Garden City, Kansas.

After getting married, Stephanie moved to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and worked in the insurance industry. In 1983, she started a federal civil service career in the Department of the Army in Germany. In 1987, she moved to the Bossier area and continued her career at Barksdale Air Force Base. After 33 and a half years, Stephanie retired from the Department of Defense, April 2017.  She holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University.

Stephanie Reyes is a member of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where she has attended Mass for the past 24 years. Stephanie is an active member in the church and gives her time and services to the Ministry of the Word, St. Vincent de Paul, and the bereavement team.

Stephanie enjoys crocheting, family events, farming, ranching, horseback riding, kayaking, playing piano, reading, and quilting.

Sara Ruliffson, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024

SARA RULIFFSON

With my family, I've been an active member of Mary Queen of Peace since moving to Louisiana in 2018 with the Air Force. After focusing on raising my three sons, I'm starting a new career as a middle school teacher at Cope Middle School. I've served as the altar server coordinator for three years, growing their numbers with flexibility for our busy families. I believe our parish is ready to grow as our community grows while continuing to be a close and welcoming community.

Bill Shelton, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024

BILL SHELTON

I have been an active member of MQP Parish since its inception. I have served on the councils for both Mary Queen of Peace and St. George. I would like to see our church community thrive as it once did. Among the ways we can achieve this together include frequent prayer, making newcomers feel welcome, getting feedback from parishioners, and developing a clear mission statement. I can work with and work through others to accomplish common goals.

As a native of Shreveport, I lived in Coushatta from 1993 to 2014, then returned to Bossier City to help care for my father. I have been married since 1988 and have three adult children. I have over 35 years in the financial services industry, owning my own business since 1998. I've been a notary public since 1994 and am currently serving Bossier Parish as a Justice of the Peace for District 1. I'm committed to serving our community.

"We are not saying that we can do this work ourselves. It is God who makes us able to do all that we do." 2 Corinthians 3:5

Mary Simon, Candidate for Pastoral Council November 2024.

MARY SIMON

I joined Mary Quinn of Peace Catholic Church about a year and a half ago after moving here with my husband from Missouri City, Texas. In Texas, I was a member of St. Angela Merici
Catholic Church where I served in various roles including usher, Eucharistic minister, and a member of the Pastoral Council. I'm a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and worked for almost 40 years in the industry in energy industry in finance, retiring in 2019.

In joining Mary Queen of Peace, I bring not only a strong faith in God but the experience I have in working with individuals at all levels and with all different types of backgrounds. I believe in the pure goodness of people and I believe in service.

I'm truly excited with the church home we have found here. My desire is to work with the pastor and the rest of the members of the Pastoral Council to evangelize and continue the planning necessary to ensure this growing congregation has the services that they need, putting my faith in action.

Vote on November 2nd/3rd.

As a parish family, it is essential that we come together to discern who will help guide Mary Queen of Peace into the future. Please take the time to review the candidates’ bios, reflect on their potential contributions, and, most importantly, attend Mass and cast your vote the weekend of November 2 and 3. Every vote counts in ensuring that our parish leadership reflects the heart and soul of our community. We look forward to seeing you there!

haley
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