Pastoral Council
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The Pastoral Council consists of twelve individuals who were nominated for the position and who through a process of discernment were appointed by their peers to serve on the Pastoral Council.
The Pastoral Council is an advisory body to the Pastor and serves to help keep the Pastor informed of the issues, ideas, concerns and dreams of the parishioners. The Pastoral Council will help the pastor understand these matters so that he can make wise decisions on the parish’s behalf.
The Church teaches that councils are not parish forums or sounding boards. Rather, pastors consult councils so that they might benefit from the council’s work of study, reflection, and suggestions.
The Council has had two standing committees, Finance and Stewardship. The Finance Committee makes suggestions to help manage Parish funds, review and comment on budgets, and seek ways to find and allocate financial resources to accomplish the mission of the Pastoral Council.
The Stewardship Committee helps implement the concept of intentional discipleship whereby each parishioner understands they are a child of God, called to be of service to the Roman Catholic Church in their local parish. Parishioners are encouraged to “tithe” or return to the Lord ten percent of their earnings/gifts in a manner consistent with the parishioner’s time, talent and treasure.
Recently the Pastoral Council approved the formation of three new committees who look to the Pastoral Council for guidance and direction. The new committees are: Liturgy, Maintenance, and Communications. Each committee will benefit from parishioner involvement and the individual’s stewardship of their God given gifts. This stewardship - the gift of time and talent to the parish will help reduce expenses, provide improved activities and events, help preserve parish assets, and most importantly, give God’s people the opportunity to “give back to God.”
The Liturgy Committee will have representation from: the liturgical ministers (i.e. lectors, ushers, etc.); music section leaders; and those involved in enhancing and beautifying our worship (i.e. sewing, flower, and altar ministries, etc.). Anyone with specialized liturgical training or education, or those wanting to ensure our liturgies are the best gift we can give to God, are invited to participate. The committee will meet on the Second Thursday of every other month. The first gathering of the Liturgy Committee will be September 8, 2016 at 7pm in the Family Life Center Assembly Room. We should be together about 90 minutes.
The Maintenance Committee will be comprised of those who “plan” and those who “do.” Work may involve examining a wall to ensure structural integrity, replacing an electrical outlet, snaking a drain, repairing drywall, painting or cleaning up an area. Those with specialized skills in architecture, engineering, design and planning; as well as those with trade skills; electrical, plumbing, construction, HVAC, and all around “handyman skills”, as well as those who are happy to “do what I’m told” are encouraged to join this committee. The first gathering of the Maintenance Committee will be September 17, 2016 at 9am in the Family Life Center South Meeting Room. We should be together about 90 minutes.
The Communications Committee will provide information in many forms and mediums, to keep parishioners, the community and the media informed about the wonderful events and activities at the Parish. From planning a stewardship campaign to helping with the website, working on the bulletin to establishing a social media presence, we need people with skills in advertising, marketing, public relations, graphic design, copywriting, social media and printing to make our communications efforts fruitful. You are invited to participate in the first gathering of the Communications Committee on September 17, 2016 at 11am in the Family Life Center South Meeting Room. We should be together about 90 minutes.