Parish Pastoral Council
Hello my fellow parishioners, my name is Dave Jones.   I’m currently chairperson for Parish Council. I would like to introduce you to some of the basics of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Role and Function of the Parish Pastoral Councils
Canon Law provides for the formation of Parish Pastoral Councils in Canon 536 #1.
“In every parish of the diocese, a Pastoral Council shall be established, if the diocesan Bishop, after consulting with the Council of Presbyters, so decides.  The pastor presides over the Pastoral Council.  The Pastoral Council is composed of members of the congregation together with those of the parish staff who have pastoral care by reason of their office.  The Pastoral Council assists in promoting pastoral action in the parish.”

What constitutes parish staff will vary from parish to parish.  Pastoral Team members are those who are involved in the day-to-day ministry of the parish.  They may be full time, part time, or volunteers.  The Pastoral Team generally has its own unique relationship with the pastor as it endeavors to carry out its responsibilities and ministry within the parish.

 Specifically, the Parish Pastoral Council’s purpose is to enhance the process of:

• pastoral planning
• developing pastoral programs
• improving pastoral services
• evaluating the pastoral effectiveness of various programs and services

Although the Council is not a body which makes binding decisions, the recommendations of the Pastoral Council are to be taken seriously when grounded in prayer, discernment and communal wisdom.

The pastor presides over the Parish Pastoral Council.  The pastor is responsible for the final approval of Council recommendations concerning pastoral planning, programs, and services for the parish, as well as for their implementation.  While the pastor is not obliged to follow the recommendations of the Parish Pastoral Council, it is understood that he ought to do so unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.  If there is such a reason, the pastor should share this with the Council. 

How do you become a parish council member?
Every year slips of paper are placed in the pews for nominations to be a parish council member.  The following criteria must be met:

• You must be a parishioner of St. Leo’s for at least a year.
• You must be willing to attend the monthly meetings. (Monthly meetings are from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM) If there is a special project going on you might have to meet twice a month. Normally the meetings are once a month.
• If you haven’t made Cursillo yet you must keep an open mind about making Cursillo. Personally, making Cursillo was one of the best spiritual connections I’ve had with our Lord Jesus Christ.

How long is the commitment for?
If your name is selected to be a parish council member it is for three years.

If your name is selected to be an alternate, then it is for one year.  As an alternate you still are expected to attend the meetings and you also have equal say on any of the subjects that are being discussed during the meeting.

You may see Parish Pastoral Council members in Mass or at other St. Leo functions. We have lanyards with nametags to help identify us. Please feel free to ask us questions or give us ideas on how to make St. Leos  a better place.

May the spirit of the Lord always be with you and your family.
John Schiffhauer and Troy Shirley, Parish Council Co-Chairs
Contact me: [email protected]