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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.
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