Pastoral Council

UPDATE!  The week of Thanksgiving, I sent a letter to the members of our tri-parish pastoral council. In this letter I explained the new direction of the pastoral council and then let them know that I have "disbanded" the current pastoral council.  With a new direction and clarity of focus, the council will be different from what the current members said yes to many years ago. All current members of the council are welcome to continue on the pastoral council as we move in this new direction, but I wanted to give them the freedom to step down if they want to.  Some have already expressed their desire to step down, others probably will soon, and some will stay on.  

Please continue to pay attention to the bulletin, I will write a bulletin that clarifies the roles of the various committees in our three parishes, so that the role of the pastoral council is made clear.  I will also explain, in great detail, the vision of the pastoral council as we move forward; this way you can discern if you want to be a member of this committee. For right now, the short version is: the pastoral council will help the pastor discern ways for our parishioners to meet and grow in relationship with Jesus and each other (Evangelization and Mission).  We will ask, pray about, and answer questions like: "How can we do a better job of helping our children grow in their relationship with Jesus?"  "How can we better serve our more senior parishioners by giving them opportunities for community, learning, and prayer?"  We will no longer worry about finances and buildings, that is what our Finance and Maintenance committees are for.  If we decide that we want to do a major project or make a major change, then a committee for that purpose will be erected and will have people from finance, maintenance, and pastoral councils on it - along with other parishioners who wish to be on the specific committee.  

Please begin asking the Lord if you are called to help with this committee. Once I know how many spots need to be filled; I will communicate first through this bulletin and make announcements at Mass.  Then I will take nominations and call the people nominated; eventually I will ask some to serve on this council.  This change will help us go from maintenance to mission and so fulfill the Archbishop's big goal.  I'm excited about this and know the Lord is guiding it.   

Finance Council

Each Finance Council reviews the finances of the parish quarterly and then the summary is published for the parish.