Fanshawe-thames family of                      parishes Pastoral Council

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Family of Parishes Pastoral Council is a representative body rather than a body of representatives. It is constituted for the good of the whole parish.

As we begin this journey to find parishioners who are interested in sharing their gifts and talents, by becoming a member of the Pastoral Council, it is important that we share some basic information with you about the role and function of the Pastoral Council to assist you in your decision… you will find that below.  

We also felt it was important for you to know of the time commitment… the Council typically meets on the 1^st Tuesday of each month at 7:15 PM in the Two Hearts Meeting Room at Mary Immaculate Parish for approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.

The Role and Function of the Family of Parishes Pastoral Council
The primary responsibility of the Family of Parishes Pastoral Council is pastoral planning, which is an ongoing, recurring process that is motivated by the mission of the family of parishes and the diocese. Pastoral planning involves discernment, consensus, prioritizing goals and objectives, implementation, and evaluation.

Working with the pastor, the Council identifies the needs of the parish and works towards the fulfillment of the parish mission. The traditional hallmarks of Christianity – Word, Worship, Community and Service – guide the Council in the identifying, prioritizing, and evaluating those needs. The Council articulates local goals and objectives in relation to the mission which flows from the diocesan pastoral plan.

The Council practices discernment which is a process of decision making that utilizes listening to the Word of God and reflecting on the mission of Jesus, the mission of the universal Church and the mission of the parish. Discernment requires an open mind, an open heart and a capacity for prayerful contemplation.

Qualities and Requirements for Parish Pastoral Council Members
As we seek to discern new members of [PARISH] to serve on the PPC we look for leaders who embody the following qualities:

• A desire for spiritual growth in oneself and the parish
• An enthusiasm about the future of the parish
• An ability to study issues, reflect on them and draw sound conclusions
• An eagerness to facilitate parish decisions about its direction
• The courage to work toward consensus
• A capacity to listen outweighing the need to speak
• The integrity in articulating what one has heard and what one believes
• Ability to inspire and empower
• Flexibility and openness with people and ideas