According to the Diocese's Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils and Canon 536 of the Code of Canon Law, Pastoral Councils should exist in every parish. In this way, the people of the parish are consulted "in order for the Church to have the fullness of God's light and guidance." Thus, the Pastoral Council is the advisory body to the pastor, offering him the wisdom of the community. They also are responsible for long range planning and seeing the bigger picture of the parish. The Diocese's Guidelines further clarify:

1) Purpose: The Council draws upon the wisdom of the community, continually clarifying the mission of the parish, developing goals, and furthering the implementation of the goals.

2) Prayer and Study: Spiritual reflection, common prayer, and study are important, substantial, and integral parts of all Council meetings.

3) Representation: The Council discerns the movement of the Spirit through representation, "making present" the community in all its diversity.

4) Assemblies: The Council takes its major direction from periodic assemblies open to all parishioners.

5) Consultation: The Council engages in a process of consultation. For guidance in discharging his responsibility, the pastor seeks and embraces the consensus of the Council. The councilors offer their collective reflections for the development of mission, goals, and policies.

6) Presiding: In presiding over the Council, the pastor facilitates the consultation process by actively seeking the counsel of the members, encouraging frank and spirited discussion, and fostering unity.

7) Chairperson: By structuring and moderating the Council meetings, the chairperson assures a smooth and timely flow of Council business and full participation of all members in the process of consultation and consensus.

8) Scope: Deliberations of the Council focus on matters of planning, policy, and coordination.

9) Agenda: Council deliberations follow specific and public agendas focusing on parish mission, long-range goals, and attainable objectives, all by means of a well-planned meeting process.

10) Decision-making: The best pastor decisions in the parish arise from a consensus of the Council, with pastor and Council working in close collaboration. When consensus fails, and a decision must be made, the pastor decides the issue in light of the Council's work.

Current members include: Fr. David Farrugia, O.P., Pastor, Catherine Deehan, Principal, Margaret Wade, Chairperson, Vito Fabbrizio, Vice-Chairperson, Joan Moura, Secretary, Rosemar Delia, Ann Erdmann, Eunice Jackson, Michael McGuire, Kit O'Leary, Michael Ward, and Debbie Dinneen, School Rep.

For more information, please contact Fr. David Farrugia, O.P. at 510-526-4811 ext. 12.