Parish Pastoral Council
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.
The Parish Council hopes to be prophetic, calling the community and its leaders to grow in faith together and to respond to the needs of the people. The Parish Pastoral Council continuously develops and articulates a deep and mature understanding of the identity and purpose of the parish. It reflects the unique personality of the parish as it evolves, using the mission statement developed by the Pastor and parishioners: “It is here that through the strength of Heaven, we teach the Word, Jesus Christ, the Tradition of His Church and celebrate His Divine Mercy.” The Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council strive to ensure that the parish is carrying out its stated mission and that the pastoral needs of the parish are met. These include Word, Worship, Community and Service. The pastor and council enable and encourage the broadest participation of parishioners in evangelizing, both within the parish and the larger community. It accepts the responsibility of hearing all voices in seeking to discern the will of God in the local community using scripture and the voice of the Church as their guide.
We are the only ministry with members elected from the parish at large. The Parish Council is made up of 12 voting members plus our pastor and deacon. The members are all practicing Catholics, registered at St. Patrick’s parish, and in good standing with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are elected for a service of 3 years, renewable once. We usually meet the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30pm to discuss the status and the future of the parish.