Commissions
Commissions in our parish
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation… he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” – Romans 12:6-8
Among laypeople, sisters, brothers and the ordained there exists a harmony and balance: cooperation and collaboration. Such working together is essential if the Church is to become the “salt of the earth.”
As the role of the ordained priest is to consecrate bread and wine to be the Body and Blood of Christ, so the role of the layperson is to consecrate the world!
Purpose: Although the Commissions can be defined as the working arm of the Pastoral Council, they are also responsible for visioning and planning for a specific area.
These commissions make recommendations to the council and implement the council’s policies. There are five commissions which operate in our parish. They consist of Education and Formation, Spirituality and Worship, Parish Life, Peace and Social Justice, and Stewardship & Parish Administration. The commission members are to be a prayerful group open to ongoing faith formation themselves. It is only through ongoing formation and study that a Commission can envision the possibilities for creating a vibrant parish.
Pastoral Council
“Where there is no vision the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18
Charter Action Plan
Purpose
Aware of the absolute importance of its mission, the Church seeks constant renewal, it never ceases to beg the Holy Spirit for the grace it needs to be the Light of the World. Begun by his preaching the Good News which had been promised for centuries, this church was enlivened and illuminated by the words, the works, the miracles, the very person of Jesus Christ. The mission of Jesus is to live and proclaim the message of love and forgiveness, build a faith community where all are welcomed, serve the poor and oppressed, enable all to grow in relationship with God and others and to call people to thankfulness and praise of God through liturgy. The Pastoral Council is a collaborative ministry between laity and religious founded on the belief that all baptized persons are gifted and called to the mission of Jesus Christ. Those who participate in collaborative ministry recognize and believe in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Structure
Those selected members on the council are to be of deep faith and open to the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The members should be concerned more about God’s will rather than their own. The participants should reflect cultural, racial, and age diversity within the parish. Members consist of the pastor, 13 lay ministers, the associate pastor and the parish deacons. The term of a Pastoral Council member is three years. No member should serve more than two terms. A member whose first term has expired would be eligible to serve a second term, however they must participate in the parish selection process. The members of the Parish Council discern the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary. Membership on the Pastoral Council is open to all practicing Catholics of the parish and is achieved by the process of discernment.