The Second Vatican Council called for the creation of parish councils. Its main purpose is to serve as an advisory council to the Pastor of the Church. Council members are task-oriented, and are present to help serve, maintain, and invest time into parish life. Furthermore, their vast knowledge of their parish community aids them in utilizing the the many gifts of the parish laity in service of the Church, to continuously carry out the mission of Christ. Council members are determined by the pastor, who he deems fit through a process of discernment.

There are many important elements that form the essence of parish life:

• Evangelization
• Worship and Word of God
• Community
• Service
• Leadership

These elements constantly interrelate in parish life, each nurturing and supporting the other. Recognizing these essential elements and understanding their interrelationship are central to the functioning of the pastoral council. These elements are what make pastoral councils “pastoral”. Therefore the goal of the parish council is primarily to research, consider, and propose for action those matters considered to be truly “pastoral.”

Through regular meetings, the pastor and the parish council will discuss the vision of the parish, and what the essential elements are to the life of the parish. They will discern regularly where the Holy Spirit would like to lead the Church within their own community. By revisioning the mission of the Parish, the entire parish community can then join together in fulfilling its unique role within the local and universal Church.

Our Parish Pastoral Council Members

• Gary O’Grady
• Gavin Semelhago
• Linda Janssen
• Mary Townsend
• Monica McLean
• Jim Coffey