The St. Gregory the Great Pastoral Council is a faith-sharing community. Its role is to serve as a visionary body, assisting the Pastoral Staff in the evaluation of parish life and ministry. The Pastoral Council helps set goals and priorities to respond to the pastoral needs of the parish.
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH
PASTORAL COUNCIL
Rev. Michael Hall, Pastor
Rev. RJ, Parochial Vicar
Greg Bedard - Chair
Brian Farrell - Parish Trustee
Jane Latini - Parish Trustee
MISSION
The Pastoral Council is a faith sharing community. It serves as a visionary body, assisting the pastor in the evaluation of parish life and ministry. The Pastoral Council engages in both visioning and long-term planning through making recommendations to the Pastor. The Pastoral Council assists in setting goals and priorities to respond to the pastoral needs of the parish. It is consultative to the Pastor. The Pastoral Council is not a coordinating committee. It is not concerned with the day-to-day administrative operations that are the responsibility of the Pastor, Parochial Vicar(s), deacons and parish staff.
MEMBERSHIP
The Pastoral Council shall consist of the Pastor, Parochial Vicar(s), parish trustees, any delegates to any Diocesan Pastoral Council formed by the Bishop of Trenton, and no more than 12 parishioners called forth from the community at large. They “make present” the wisdom of the various members of the parish. They do not represent certain ministries. They are not elected. The members are selected through a process of prayer and discernment and then appointed by the Pastor.
The process of discernment should include: a period of prayer for the whole parish community; education for the community on the role of the Pastoral Council; an explanation of the criteria and characteristics necessary to serve; an open invitation to identify those who might serve; a gathering for those identified to help them understand the commitment; and a discernment session to select the members. The aim of the process is to call forth those that are able and willing to commit the time needed for prayer, study and the work of the Council.
The at-large members (here forth referred to as “members”) of the Pastoral Council should meet the following criteria including: being a baptized, practicing Catholic; being a registered member of the parish for at least five years; participating in the ongoing life of the parish, especially Sunday Eucharist; participating in at least one other recognized parish ministry; and being at least 21 years of age. They should also have the following types of characteristics: willingness to listen, honesty, enthusiasm about the future of the parish, a commitment to work toward consensus, a desire for personal spiritual growth and the growth of the community, flexibility, openness to new ideas, etc. The Pastor must commission all members. Members must actively participate in Pastoral Council functions as well as the liturgical and ministerial life of the parish. If a member does not attend two scheduled meetings in a calendar year without advance notice, the Council may review the member’s participation and recommend to the pastor that the member be relieved from service on the Council. The final decision whether to relieve a member from service on the Council is reserved for the Pastor, whether or not the Council recommends that a member be relieved from service. If the Pastor relieves a member of service on the Council, the Pastor may appoint a replacement at his discretion.
The term of membership for a Council member shall be three years (July 1 through June 30). It is recommended that if a member serves two consecutive terms, the Pastor will not commission that member for another term until the expiration of one year. Every attempt should be made to stagger terms among the members so as to accommodate continuity of operations.
The Pastoral Council ceases at the transfer or death of the current Pastor. A newly named Pastor may invite former Council members to advise him. Their familiarity with the parish culture and relationship with parishioners can be a valuable asset to a new Pastor.
LEADERSHIP
The Pastor presides at meetings of the Council. If the Pastor is not available, he may assign a Parochial Vicar to preside in his place.
The Pastor is assisted by the Chairperson. The Chairperson is responsible for:
Assisting in the scheduling of Council meetings.
Meeting with the Pastor, Vice Chairperson and Secretary to develop Council meeting agendas and other planning
Representing the Pastoral Council, attending meetings at the request of the Pastor, and carrying on correspondence as appropriate.
Assisting the Pastor with arranging for training and planning continuing spiritual formation for the Council.
Assisting the pastor with the appointment of special committees.
The Vice-Chairperson is responsible for:
Serving in the absence of the Chairperson.
Assisting the Chairperson as necessary.
Attending meetings with the Pastor, Chairperson, and Secretary to help set the Pastoral Council’s agenda.
Coordinating efforts of Council subcommittees.
The Secretary is responsible for:
Notifying the members of meetings.
Recording and disseminating accurate minutes of meetings.
Preparing and distribution of correspondence as directed by the Pastor.
Maintaining an archive of Pastoral Council records in the Parish Office in the Rectory.
Attending meetings with the Pastor, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to develop meeting agendas and other planning.
Facilitating Pastoral Council-related marketing/public relations efforts in concert with the Communications Director.
Securing plaques, awards or gifts to be given by the Council (e.g. plaques for members going off Council).
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary are appointed by the Pastor for a one year term. It is recommended that they not serve more than two consecutive terms in their respective position.
PARISH LIFE
Pastoral Council members should see themselves as “stewards” of the parish’s mission to be a community forming disciples of Jesus Christ. Pastoral Council members should ask, “What kind of parish are we? What kind of parish does the Gospel call us to be?”
MEETINGS
The Pastoral Council will hold monthly meetings in accordance with the schedule established at the beginning of each year. The schedule may be amended by the Pastor as the need arises.
CONSENSUS
The Pastoral Council is consultative to the Pastor. Recommendations are developed by the Council through a process of consensus.
AMENDMENTS
The Rules of Operation may be amended at any meeting having a quorum (two-thirds of members present) by consensus of members present, providing a written notice of the proposed amendment(s) has been given to all members two weeks prior to the meeting. Proposals for amendments must be submitted, in writing, to the Chairperson at least one month prior to the meeting. The amendment must be approved by the Pastor prior to becoming final. Periodic review of the Rules should occur on a five-year cycle.
St. Gregory the Great parish is unique in that it has had a Pastoral Council for over two decades. The Council is a faith-sharing group whose role is to serve and to represent the Parish community of St. Gregory the Great. Council members provide consultation to the pastor so that he might better address the pastoral needs of the parish.
You can give input to the Council by filling out the Ministry Contact form.