March 22, 2006

Reverend and Dear Father,  

Attached are two documents concerning parish pastoral councils. The first is a summary of the directives and the second is the Directives for the Parish Pastoral Councils.  

The summary presents an overview of the directives.  You may find it helpful to place this summary in the bulletin as a general introduction to the nature, purpose, and process to be followed in establishing the parish pastoral councils as well as information regarding the on-going functioning of the parish pastoral council.

In Novo Millennio Ineunte, Pope John Paul II states, “To make the Church the home and the school of communion: that is the great challenge facing us … Before making practical plans, we need to promote a spirituality of communion … Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, ‘masks’ of communion rather than its means of expression and growth.”

I ask that you study these documents and promote a spirituality of communion with your parish and staff. Spiritual preparation will provide a firm foundation, focus and direction for these parish pastoral councils, and the pastoral planning that is to come.  

Further assistance will include, but not be limited to, a section on the Diocesan website for Parish Pastoral Councils, a resource manual, and a resource team to help parishes in the implementation.  

With kind personal regards, I am,  

Sincerely yours in Christ,

                  /s/

Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.

                Bishop of Scranton