PASTORAL COUNCIL

Canon law allows the bishop to mandate the establishment of a parish pastoral council. The purpose of the parish pastoral council is to investigate pastoral matters, to consider them thoroughly and to propose practical conclusions and presents these conclusions to the Pastor in the form of recommendations.  The parish pastoral council should engage in long-term and short-term planning activities as necessary to further the mission of the parish. Council should define specific goals and objectives related to the mission, and to evaluate the success of the parish's ministry programs toward achieving the mission. Pastoral matters may include everything that pertains to the pastor’s ministries of proclaiming God’s word, celebrating the sacraments, caring for the faithful, promoting the mission of the Church to the world, and being a good steward of parish resources. The ultimate goal of parish life is to take a fresh look at its many aspects and shape them in ways that will bring people closer to the Lord.