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…the pastor presides over the Pastoral Council and it is composed of members of the congregation…the Pastoral Council assists in promoting pastoral action in the parish." The Pastoral Council is a consultative body, pastoral in nature, because it strives to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit among God's holy people in a particular parish.
In light of these guidelines set down by the Church, a new Pastoral Council has been formed here at St Boniface, Martyr Parish. Just before Thanksgiving twelve new members were commissioned by me to serve on the Pastoral Council of St. Boniface Church. I believe they represent a cross section of the parish with a variety of backgrounds, age and life experience; one thing they all share in common is that they are active and faith filled parishioners who not only support the parish but the pastor in the various spiritual, educational and social endeavors of our parish.
Specifically the Parish Pastoral Council's purpose is to enhance the process of Pastoral Planning, developing and initiating new pastoral programs, evaluating the pastoral effectiveness of various programs and services. It is not legislative in nature. Ultimately 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.
Meetings will be quarterly and our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 17 and the minutes of the meetings will be shared with the parish in the weekly bulletin. I thank the following parishioners who so graciously agreed to share their time and talent in this important leadership ministry!