OVERVIEW OF PASTORAL COUNCILS
Based upon Cannon Law (535) our Bishop has mandated that Pastoral Councils be established in every Parish. The purpose of a council as explained in Cannon Law is to “assist in fostering pastoral activity. The task of a council is not to be involved in Parish administration or Parish finances which is the role of the Finance Council. The task of the council is assist the Pastor and the Pastoral Staff in helping the Parish better serve the poor and the needy, to better celebrate the sacraments especially the Eucharist, to help all parishioner of all ages to grow in the faith, to evangelize, and to better care for members of the parish community.
The Diocesan Guidelines on Pastoral Councils explains how the Council “fosters pastoral activity”
“The Parish Pastoral Council is intended to be a source of open and responsible dialogue between parishioners and pastors in their parishes concerning the discernment and assessment of the pastoral needs of the parish. In addition, the Parish Pastoral Council is intended to foster the mutual cooperation of both parishioners and their pastor in determining the proper pastoral planning necessary for them to fulfill together those pastoral needs.”
The code of Cannon Law (535) clearly states that the Council has a consultative vote only. The council provides the structure by which the pastor can work with the Parish in a collaborative and consultative way to achieve the pastoral mission of the Parish, but this does not mean that the Parish has become a democracy. The Pastor remains the final authority.
Canon Law also give the bishop the authority to establish guidelines for the formation and conduct of Councils in his diocese. Working with the Office of Pastoral Planning Bishop Da Cunha has developed such Guidelines. CLICK HERE TO READ THEM.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
The following are members of the combined council: Rev Freddie Babiczuk Andrew Bissinger, Greg Brilhante, Jeff Clesius, Ryan Klein, Filomena Kuchar, Paul Levesque, Shanna Lubold, Inez Medeiros, Paula Medeiros, Ana Mello, Lisa Ouellette, Ana Riley, Thomas Smith