Pastoral Council

A parish pastoral council, unlike the parish finance council, is not mandated by Canon law. The primary role of the parish pastoral council is advisory, making recommendations to the pastor about the spiritual well-being of the parish. As a “visionary” council, it concerns itself with where the parish wants to be in three to five years and not with the administrative aspects of running the parish. The parish pastoral council does not run the parish, or supervise its daily work. Ultimately that responsibility falls on the shoulders of the pastor. It should be prophetic, calling the community and its leaders to grow in faith together and to respond to the needs of the people. (From “Called To Serve,” Richmond diocesan guidelines for parish pastoral councils.)

Operating under the above guidelines, we see our role and hence our title as servants. We try to balance and serve the needs of our parish community and our pastor. Typically, this comes in the form of answering questions our pastor brings to us. Each of us has also been asked to act as a liaison between Father Nixon and our parish ministries, aside from those managed by our staff. A list of those ministry assignments is included below. Ministry leaders are encouraged to reach out to their respective Pastoral Servants with any needs or topics they would like to bring before the council.

If you have a specific subject that you believe should be addressed to Father Nixon through the council, please put it in writing. Outline the topic and relevant details or issue and submit it to your ministry liaison; or, if not applicable, you can send it to Paul Roderique. It will be reviewed with Father Nixon prior to our next scheduled meeting, and he will decide whether to include it on the agenda.

Pastoral Council Contacts

(click or touch image to view contact details)