Parish Pastoral Council Workshop

The following was given to participants at the September training sessions for Parish Pastoral Councils. The information is important for all members of our parishes. The reason for Parish Pastoral Councils is because they provide a structure to express the nature of the Church as Communion and Mission, and invite the participation of all of the Baptized in the mission of the Church on the level of the Parish. The Councils are to express and be guided by the principles of communion and subsidiarity. The Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils describes the relationship of Communion and subsidiarity in these words: “The parish, then, must always be understood in relationship to the diocese, called in Canon Law “a particular church.” Communion and subsidiarity, which are always to complement one another, constitute this relationship. Communion occurs through the Bishop’s efforts ever to further the union of parishioners with one another, of parishes with the Bishop and diocese and of the diocese with the Church universal. When this is taking place because members of the church, in accord with their roles and abilities, are fully engaged in serving the church, subsidiarity is happening.” 

Communion with God that is expressed in prayer and growth in holiness, communion with one another as members of the body of Christ, and the interconnection of Catholic parishes with one another because of their communion with the diocesan bishop are different aspects on the vertical and horizontal level of Communion. 

The principle of subsidiarity recognizes the talents, vocations, resources and insights of the local parish as it seeks to evangelize and provide pastoral care to the parishioners and the surrounding community. These two principles must work together. Subsidiarity must be exercised in communion with the bishop and other parishes of the diocese. No parish is an independent congregation, acting on its own or in a vacuum. In the practice of subsidiarity the experience of the parish comes from the local level to the diocesan level, and provides an important enrichment. The diocese and the parishes must work together, respecting the rights and responsibilities of each level. The Parish Pastoral Councils are both consultative and collaborative as they promote an awareness of all vocations: ordained, vowed religious and laity being called to share their gifts and skills for the mission of evangelization of persons and culture within the parish community and in its surrounding environment.

The Parish Pastoral Council is to be the leaven, developing the awareness of the parishioners concerning the mission of the parish in general and according to the specific needs and particular challenges within the parish and surrounding community. The Pastor together with his advisers will conduct a disciplined parish self study and develop a parish plan for evangelization.

The attitudes, qualities and skills necessary to be a member of a Parish Pastoral Council are listed in the following article. The statement notes the various roles and relationships of this advisory group and describes what a Parish Pastoral Council is and what it is not. It focuses on the purpose of the council for pastoral planning for pastoral concerns and on activities that are not to be of its concern and must be avoided.

The following statement outlines the ground rules for non defensive listening, respectful communication and working together for consensus. In summary, it outlines, what a Parish Pastoral Council is, states its purpose or mission, and how it is to be organized and how it is to function.

WHY HAVE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS?

·        An expression of Church as communion for the sake of mission

·        An experience of the Catholicity of Church, unity of mission diversity of vocations, gifts and roles. (Lumen Gentium 13)

In virtue of this catholicity each individual part contributes through its special gifts to the good of the other parts and of the whole Church. Through the common sharing of gifts and through the common effort to attain fullness in unity, the whole and each of the parts receive increase. Not only, then, is the people of God made up of different peoples but in its inner structure also it is composed of various ranks. This diversity among its members arises either by reason of their duties, as is the case with those who exercise the sacred ministry for the good of their brethren, or by reason of their condition and state of life…. Between all the parts of the Church there remains a bond of close communion whereby they share spiritual riches, apostolic workers and temporal resources. For the members of the people of God are called to share these goods in common, and of each of the Churches the words of the Apostle hold good: "According to the gift that each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 5:10).

·        Promote an awareness of personal vocation and active participation and responsibility of the baptized in the evangelizing mission of the parish

WHAT IS A PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL?

• A consultative body which advises and assists the pastor in areas of pastoral concern and pastoral planning

• Comprised of registered representatives of the parish, who are either appointed by the pastor or nominated by the parishioners

• Makes recommendations to the pastor on non-technical matters

• Focuses on the mission of the church, diocese and parish

• Promotes communion and mission

WHAT A PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL IS NOT?

• Not legislative

• Not policy making

• Not grievance machinery

• Not a finance council

• Not an elite group or clique

• Not a power group

• Not a pastor’s cabinet

• Not a closed group

• Not a place for “group think”

• Not a place to label or assign blame

• Not a coordinating council

• Not negative or narrow in thinking

WHAT ARE PASTORAL CONCERNS?  

   Pope John Paul II cited the following as pastoral concerns for every    viable parish community:  

·        Holiness

·        Prayer

·        The Sunday Eucharist

·        Sacrament of Reconciliation

·        Primacy of Grace

·        Listening to the Word

·        Proclaiming the Word

·        Liturgy and prayer life of parish

·        Teaching of the faith to all age groups

·        Practice of the faith and its proclamation to others

·        Service to all in need: the hungry, aging, shut-ins, addicted, lonely and disabled

·        Promotion of vocations

·        Concerns of peace and justice in the parish

·        Ecumenical and interfaith activities

WHAT DESCRIBES PASTORAL PLANNING?  

·        A prayerful and collaborative process of coming to a deeper awareness of the parish as a local community of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

·        Focused on the Eucharist and evangelization

·        Devises ways of accomplishing the mission of the parish and evaluating what is done

·        Encourages collaboration of clergy, members of consecrated life and lay faithful in the mission of the Church and parish

·        Operates on the principles of Communion and Subsidiarity

·        Promotes cooperation with neighboring parishes and common pastoral activity in a deanery

·        While pastoral planning in and of itself does not equate to parish restructuring, it may lead to parish restructuring.

HOW WILL THE PARISH PASTORAL

 COUNCIL FUNCTION?   

SOME GROUND RULES:  

• Prayerful
• Open to learning
• Focused on the “big picture”
• Demonstrates concern for the local communities in which it lives
• Exhibits concern for the entire diocesan community at large
• Respectful of persons, personalities and perspectives
• Empathetic and compassionate
• Positive and joyful
• Committed to the teaching of the Church
• Committed to the well being of the parish and parishioners
• Willing to deal with differences and misunderstandings with respect and forgiveness and without labeling or blaming
• Prompt in recognizing and addressing negative perceptions or consequences of a recommendation
• Promote community building and unity among council members and in the parish
• Promotes sensitivity to situations while upholding confidentiality
• Committed to open communication and dialogue
• Focused on accurate, current and pertinent information
• Advisory
• Collaborative
• Committed to CONSENSUS

What is CONSENSUS?

ü      Begins with prayerful reflection

ü      Gives all members the time and opportunity to share opinions

ü      Is characterized by active listening without the need for verbal contradiction

ü      Gives attention to the broader needs and concerns of the Church and parish

ü      NOT a voting process

ü      NO winners or losers

ü      Results in recommendations that are agreed to in a collaborative manner

ü      Results in a commitment to the implementation of recommendations by all Council members

UNITY OF MISSION and DIVERSITY OF ROLES  

ROLES on the Parish Pastoral Council  

• PASTOR

The pastor is the president of the Parish Pastoral Council who exercises his authority and responsibility in consultation and cooperation with other priests, deacons, staff members and parishioners.  When there is no pastor, there is no council. The new pastor can reconvene the prior council or reorganize a new council.

• COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Consists of the pastor, chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary of council.

• MEMBERS OF PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
1. Members are nominated by the parish community and appointed by the pastor, including ex-officio members such as the pastor or deacon
2. Reflect the diversity of the parish: gender, age, state of life, different economic levels, racial and ethnic backgrounds, educational backgrounds
3. Are a representative body of the parish, not representing different groups or organizations (e.g., Altar & Rosary, Christian Mothers, etc.)  
4. Represent a balanced, cross section of the parish community
5. Consider the common good, rather than a single agenda or special interests
6. Accountable to the parish community
7. Prayerful
8. Flexible
9. Willing and able to engage in consensus

RELATIONSHIPS with other parish groups and organizations  

• PARISH COMMITTEES and ORGANIZATIONS
1. Cooperates with parish committees which address the pastoral issues and concerns: worship, spirituality, community, evangelization, vocation, education, and service.
2. Is a planning body and not a governing body.
3. Focuses on the overall spiritual growth of the parish.
4. Common ground for Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, parish committees and organizations is dedication to mission of Jesus Christ.
5. Encourages opportunities for sharing prayer and reflection on the common mission of the parish among various groups.
6. Each organization needs to see how it contributes to the evangelizing mission of the parish and cooperates, but not competes with other groups (e.g., Altar & Rosary Society, Holy Name Society, Christian Mothers, etc.).
7. Meets at least once a year with leaders of parish committees (e.g., Youth Group, Parish Nurses, etc.) and parish organizations (Altar & Rosary Society, etc.).
8. Works with the various parish groups and committees to establish parish priorities while ensuring their participation in the evangelizing mission of the parish community.

• FINANCE COUNCIL
1. Deals with financial aspects of the life and mission of the parish by making fiscally responsible recommendations.
2. Works with pastor to implement the recommendations of the parish pastoral council.
3. Cooperates with the Parish Pastoral Council.

• PARISHIONERS

1.      Develop ways to discover the interests, concerns and understandings of the parishioners through forums, surveys, parish meetings, etc.

2.      Foster the Call to holiness and the responsibility of the parishioners to live their Baptismal commitment.

• PARISH PERSONNEL

1.      Parish pastoral staff, Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council must have good communication and cooperation.

2.      Parish staff (e.g., secretary) assists the pastor with providing accurate, current and pertinent information on the parish.

3.      Parish staff provides input and feedback in order to help the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council understand the needs and concerns of all parishioners.

4.      Understands the mission of the Church and parish, and how they contribute to the activities of the parish.

5.      Participate in periodic in-service and days of prayer to build a sense of community, collaboration and cooperation with Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council and service to parishioners, callers and visitors to the parish.

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL?  

Individuals who are:

·        Prayerful people

·        Active, participating members of the parish community

·        Willing to commit time to prayer and study

·        Respectful

·        Good listeners

·        Not seeking to develop their own personal or group agenda

·        Realistic and have a positive attitude and outlook  

THE SPECIAL SITUATION OF

MULTIPLE PARISHES WITH ONE PASTOR  

            Although the Code of Canon Law states that there is to be one council for each parish, an accommodation is made for those pastors entrusted with the pastoral care of more than one parish.  If such a pastor so chooses, while he must establish a Parish Pastoral Council in each individual parish, he may conduct joint meetings of all of the members of each council.  An adjusted membership scale and additional directives can be found in the Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils, (pages 20 and 21).

WHEN WILL PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS

BE REQUIRED?  

All parishes of the Diocese of Scranton are either to renew their Parish Pastoral Councils according to the Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils or establish a Parish Pastoral Council no later than Sunday, February 4, 2007 .  When you have renewed or established your Parish Pastoral Council, please send the name, address, e-mail address and telephone number of each member to the Office for Parish Life and Evangelization.

In February and March, 2007, the third training component on Parish Mission Statements will be scheduled.

For further information or help in establishing your Parish Pastoral Council, please contact:

Office of Parish Life and Evangelization:  (570)-207-2213

Diocese of Scranton Website:  www.dioceseofscranton.org

8/24/06