Pastoral Council

 THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

“Should a wise. man answer with windy knowledge…? Have you listened in the council of God?” (Job 15:2, 8)

The Pastoral Council comprises the heads of the major ministries of the parish, plus a few observers (staff and some volunteers). The Council is led by the Council Chair and serves as an advisory body to the Pastor. Canon Law recommends that every parish should have a Pastoral Council. The Church believes that such a body can be a unifying structure of the parish community, enabling the faithful to participate actively and fully in the mission of the parish.

The Council advises the Pastor in areas affecting the spiritual, educational, social, and financial life of the parish; initiates projects to improve parish life in those areas; communicates plans, decisions, and event calendars, and seeks to bring all parishioners into closer union with Jesus Christ. The Council seeks to ensure constant growth and success of the parish by developing long-term capital spending needs and resources, and by providing for the orderly transition of volunteers into leadership positions in the many parish ministries.

Every parishioner can visit and observe the deliberations of the Council. Parishioners of St. Rose of Lima who wish to visit and observe any of the Council’s proceedings are kindly requested to contact the Council Chairperson through the parish office.

The Code of Canon Law on the Pastoral Council:

Can. 536 §1 

If, after consulting the council of priests, the diocesan Bishop considers it opportune, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish. In this council, which is presided over by the parish priest, Christ’s faithful, together with those who by virtue of their office are engaged in pastoral care in the parish, give their help in fostering pastoral action. 

Can. 511 §2 

The members of Christ’s faithful assigned to the pastoral council are to be selected in such a way that the council truly reflects the entire portion of the people of God… taking account of the different regions … of social conditions and professions, and of the part played in the apostolate by the members, whether individually or in association with others.