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Parish Pastoral Council

Definition and Purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council

Definition:

A community of disciples, called together, to work together, to work in close consultation with the pastor and staff, to prayerfully discern and to carry out, the Will of God, for this parish now and into the future.

Purpose:

• Listen and Respond to the Spirit of God - The council, with the pastor and input from staff members, prayerfully consider what the Spirit of God is calling the parish to be and become.
• Organize Lay Participation and Cooperation - The council provides the means whereby lay members of the parish, respond to their baptismal commitment and work closely with the pastor, staff, committees, and parish organizations for the common good and mission of the parish.
• Facilitate Shared Practical Wisdom - In dialogue, members of the council and the pastor come to an understanding of the spiritual as well as physical concerns and needs of the people of the parish and broader community. The council assists the pastor in the development of parish policies and strategies to address those concerns and needs.
• Parish Planning - The council, along with staff and involvement of all members of the parish community, works with the pastor to do parish planning. This includes the formation of a parish mission statement, the assessment of needs annually, the establishment of parish goals, and priorities.

How the Parish Council makes decisions

as an advisory council

The Council is Consultative to the Pastor – Decisions of the Parish Council are made in prayerful dialogue and discussion with the pastor. If there is a disagreement between the pastor and the council, the authority rests on the pastor. In those instances where the pastor cannot accept the council’s recommendations, the pastor should provide an explanation.

By Consensus – The kind of decision making is not based on a unanimous vote, except in rare occasions. Rather decisions are based on the recommendations of strong majority. Minority opinions are valued and serious efforts are made to include minority concerns in the decisions that are made. Once, however, a decision is made, it is expected that for the common good of the parish, all will support it the best they can.

 Who can become a member of the Parish Pastoral Council?

Any registered member of the parish, 18 years of age or older, is eligible to serve on the PPC and as a trustee. Any youth member of the parish, 15 to 18 years of age is eligible to serve on the PPC as a youth member.

Members and trustees are selected/elected by Pentecost Sunday.

Terms:

• Trustees (2) ................. 2 years
• Members (12) .............. 3 years
• Youth Members (2) ...... 2 years

Meetings:

Regular meetings of the PPC are held once a month on the fourth Tuesday, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is one of two advisory councils to the pastor that the Bishop of Green Bay has mandated all parishes have in place. It’s role, along with the Parish Finance Council, is to assist , advise, and support the pastor in the formulation of goals and a vision for the future spiritual growth of the parish community. The council helps the pastor to most effectively minister to the needs of the people of God.

Did you know that our own, the late Bishop Aloysius Wyscislo, as a pastor in the archdiocese of Chicago was one of the first priests to implement a parish council at his parish before the idea of a parish council became widespread. He saw the council as an excellent way for people to share their talents, vision, and ideas for the parish as well as a wonderful resource and help to the pastor when faced with various pastoral issues.

It is the function of the Parish Council to initiate the formation of committees, such as worship, stewardship, social concerns, education, etc. All standing parish committees and groups operate with the blessing of the pastor and the parish council or finance council. No committee stands alone, and all work in close collaboration with the pastor and council to help the promotion of the goals and vision of the parish as set by the pastor in consultation with the parish council. A three year commitment is asked of a member and attendance at the monthly meetings.

In many ways, Parish Council members act as the eyes, ears, and voice of the parish and all council members are willing to meet with any parish member to listen to their concerns, questions, or comments. Parish members are welcomed to attend and offer input at parish council meetings held on the fourth Tuesday of the month (August through May), at 7:00 p.m..

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This site was last updated:  February 1, 2012

25 Oct 06