Organized after the Second Vatican Council, parish pastoral councils have become part of the post-councilar expression of shared responsibility and shared ministry in the church. They witness to the basic equality of all the baptized. They serve as models of the church as a communion of the People of God.

A parish pastoral council is an organism of shared ministry that plans and coordinates the overall policy of the parish in order to carry out the mission of Christ in the church. It is a consultative body of leaders within the boundaries of the doctrine, liturgy, and laws of the church. The revised Code of Canon  Law, c 536, #1, in providing their formation states:

Functions of the Pastoral Council

to pray together, to nurture faith and reflect on the gospel

to be a sign of a truly Christian community before the church and the world

to provide servant leadership and direction for the parish by enabling parish people to share responsibility for parish life

to engage families in parish planning and overall policies for parish ministry and mission

to serve as a permanent, but flexible, structure for constructive dialogue in fulfilling Christ's saving mission

to assure through its committees a continuous and integrated survey of both spiritual and temporal needs of the parish, community and diocese and after setting priorities, to provide for the development and implementation of programs aimed at meeting these needs

to coordinate parish activities with the deanery councils and with the diocesan pastoral council

to identify, support and maximize the gifts and talents of all the members of the parish and provide for the training of lay ministries

to be stewards of all parish resources and gifts: personnel, facilities, and monies

Parish Council

862-9249
737-9475
769-1594
769-2859

737-2393
737-1828
739-5680
737-5213

737-3767
769-0866
737-1553
737-3503
737-6550
862-5267
862-9865
769-6783