Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council exists as a consultative body to help the clergy consider pastoral and other works and to propose and co-ordinate practical measures for implementing them (canon 536). Canon 212#2 states, “Christ’s faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to the pastors of the Church” and further Canon 212#3 says, “They have the right…the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church.”
The Parish Pastoral Council: investigates pastoral matters, reflects on them, and reaches practical conclusions that are recommended to the parish priest. Specifically, the Parish Pastoral Council's purpose is to enhance the process of pastoral planning, developing pastoral programs, improving pastoral services, evaluating the pastoral effectiveness of various programs and services. Some of the examples of aspects the council can focus on are: Music, liturgy, catechesis, youth, school, social, charity, fundraising etc. Parish Pastoral Council meetings are to take place at least four times a year, with the subsequent date to be agreed at the end of each meeting and published in the minutes.
The Parish Pastoral Council secretary will record minutes from each meeting in the form of concise action points and points of note. These will be made available on this website as soon as possible after the Meeting.