Councils in the 21 st Century Series, Mrs. Terry A

So you are new to the Pastoral Council….

Context Church - Church - Pilgrim People of God Pilgrim People of God Body of Christ (1 Cor 12) Body of Christ (1 Cor 12) Ordered Communion Ordered Communion Sacrament of Christ Sacrament of Christ “Local Church” - Diocese “Local Church” - Diocese Parish Parish

The Mission Go and Make Disciples Evangelization Evangelization Initial Proclamatio n of Gospel Ongoing Conversion Rekindle Faith that has become Lukewarm …the Church, endowed with the gifts of her founder… receives the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the kingdom of Christ and of God… LG5 The Church on earth is by its very nature missionary… since it has its origin in the mission of the Son…AG2

We may think the model is... Pastor Staff/ Parish Leaders Parishioners

But this is the model that serves the mission! Parishioners Staff/Parish Leaders Pastor

Parish Pastoral Councils Parish Pastoral Councils

What does a pastoral council do?

Vatican II: The Pastoral Council “It will be the function of this council to investigate and consider matters relating to pastoral activity and to formulate practical conclusions concerning them.” (Decree on Bishops, no. 27)

1983 Code: Purpose of Diocesan Pastoral Councils “In each diocese, to the extent that pastoral circumstances recommend it, a pastoral council is to be established whose responsibility it is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them” (Canon 511). “In each diocese, to the extent that pastoral circumstances recommend it, a pastoral council is to be established whose responsibility it is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them” (Canon 511).

Canon 536 of the 1983 Code: Parish Pastoral Councils “The pastor presides over it [the council], and through it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their office give their help in fostering pastoral activity.” (Canon 536) (Canon 536)

The pastor seeks counsel. He asks them to help inform his thinking about a particular aspect of pastoral activity.

The pastor consults, not because he wants to surrender responsibility for the parish, but because he wants to exercise it wisely.

The council is representative in that it “makes present” the wisdom of the community.

What is pastoral activity? Code of Canon Law(canons ) lists normative pastoral activity in every parish. The Pastor is responsible for seeing that the activities are carried out… Word of God announced Word of God announced Instruction through Homily Instruction through Homily Catechetical Formation Catechetical Formation Catholic Education Catholic Education Evangelization Evangelization Mass and Sacraments Mass and Sacraments Care of families Care of families Consolation Consolation Care of the sick and dying Care of the sick and dying Reach out to help the poor, lonely, exiled, in any need Reach out to help the poor, lonely, exiled, in any need Promote lay involvement Promote lay involvement Cooperation between parishes, diocese, and ecumen. partners Cooperation between parishes, diocese, and ecumen. partners

Council and Pastoral Planning Study one issue at a time and make recommendations Study one issue at a time and make recommendationsOR Undertake a systematic review of parish life and create a five year plan Undertake a systematic review of parish life and create a five year plan Both are ways the Council can assist the Pastor to lead the parish in mission

The Pastoral Council is not: Responsible for the day-to-day activity or management of the parish Responsible for the day-to-day activity or management of the parish A complaint board A complaint board A project team for planning special events A project team for planning special events A board of Elders that governs the parish A board of Elders that governs the parish Made up of representatives from different organizations or ministries Made up of representatives from different organizations or ministries permanent permanent

The Pastoral Council does not: Make decisions for the parish Make decisions for the parish Set its own agenda Set its own agenda Hire and fire parish staff, employees Hire and fire parish staff, employees Meet without the Pastor Meet without the Pastor Hold open meetings like a town council on a regular basis Hold open meetings like a town council on a regular basis Implement its recommendations Implement its recommendations Supervise ministries Supervise ministries

The Pastoral Council does: Listen carefully to parishioners Listen carefully to parishioners Keep confidences Keep confidences Investigate and Study issues Investigate and Study issues Prayerfully discern the best way forward Prayerfully discern the best way forward Make practical recommendations Make practical recommendations Give their best advice to the Pastor about ways to successfully implement something Give their best advice to the Pastor about ways to successfully implement something Cease at the death, transfer or retirement of a pastor Cease at the death, transfer or retirement of a pastor

The Pastoral Council does: Work closely with the Pastor Work closely with the Pastor Collaborate with the staff and finance council Collaborate with the staff and finance council Help to keep the parish focused on the mission and avoid “navel gazing” Help to keep the parish focused on the mission and avoid “navel gazing”

3 year terms New members join annually – “staggered terms” or at conclusion of term 3 year terms New members join annually – “staggered terms” or at conclusion of term Terms of Service

Meetings Frequency Agenda includes - Prayer Faith Sharing Learning Experience Issue Issue

Work in between meetings Investigation and Study Investigation and Study Careful Listening Careful Listening Prayerful Reflection Prayerful Reflection Discernment Discernment Consider the information learned and its applicability to your particular parish and its present/future reality Consider the information learned and its applicability to your particular parish and its present/future reality

Advice: Limit Other Responsibilities No parish staff members or parish leaders with direct responsibility for leading a ministry should serve on the Council No parish staff members or parish leaders with direct responsibility for leading a ministry should serve on the Council “Tyranny of the Urgent” “Tyranny of the Urgent” Presents a challenge to seeing big picture Presents a challenge to seeing big picture Recommend Council members limit themselves to one other parish ministry while serving on the Council Recommend Council members limit themselves to one other parish ministry while serving on the Council

Questions and Answers