FORMATION OF PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Why do we need to establish a Parish Pastoral Council?
As members of the parish, each one of us has skills and knowledge that we can offer in the service of the Church’s mission of Evangelisation.
The Church tells us that we can – and we should – offer our services to carry out that mission.
Canon 536 of the Code of Canon Law says that the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), a consultative body established by the Parish Priest and governed by the Diocesan Bishop, is to foster pastoral activity within the parish. The PPC assists the parish priest in planning and coordinating pastoral care (Spiritual and Social life) for the parish community.
What will the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) do?
The PPC will meet at least four times a year to consider ways of carrying out the pastoral mission of the Church in our parish. The advice and support of the parish council is needed to help Fr Francis decide on and implement the best ways forward for the parish.
Who will be the members of the Parish Pastoral Council?
The PPC will include the parish priest and his Assistants, and ten members, if possible, of the parish drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds.
How will we find people to establish the Parish Pastoral Council?
The recommended way is for all members of the parish to suggest one man and one woman from the parish whom they think could be useful members of the PPC.
Everyone is invited to give some thought, over the next few weeks, on who would be best suited to do so. From now on, I humbly invite you to “write-in” some names and put them in the priest’s letterbox. In October, I will collate everything.
What will happen next?
Those whose names are received from the “write-in” will be invited to an information meeting, with no prior commitment to joining the PPC, but in the knowledge that they are well thought of in the parish. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
I wish God’s blessing on this parish and beyond.
Fr. Francis.