What is a Pastoral Council?
From time to time people ask us, “What
is a Pastoral Council.” It’s a group of people who are a resource of listening,
reflection, prayer and discernment for the good of the parish. It is not
the only group who are praying, discerning and reflecting on priorities of the
parish but it is a formal part of the structure of the parish project with the
role of helping to reflect with the parish priest upon the needs of the parish
and its priorities.
The Parish Pastoral Council is a group
of parishioners who work with the Parish Priest and the Parish leadership team
of the parish, including The Pastoral Ministry Coordinator and the Principals
of the Schools of the parish, to help reflect upon the pastoral needs and
priorities of the parish.
The words “Pastoral Needs” has a broad
meaning and relates to identifying and responding with the Pastor of the parish
in our Parish’s ministry of Spiritual care and support, and of addressing needs
and priorities in living the Mission of the Parish, which is the mission of
Jesus to proclaim the Good News to the world, in word and action and attitude.
MISSION
STATEMENT - ST MARYS CATHOLIC PARISH MARYBOROUGH
-- we the parish of St Marys
Maryborough, called by the word of God, Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy
Spirit, nourished by the Eucharist, firmly established in our Catholic faith
and tradition, seek to be a welcoming community, nurturing spiritual growth.
Building our lives on Gospel values, reaching out to all people for the purpose
of the promotion of the Reign Of God in our world.
In addition, the Parish Pastoral Council
reflects upon ways in which we are fulfilling the Mission of the Archdiocese of
Brisbane: Namely the threefold values of Jesus,
Communion and Mission. “We are Catholics who: Embrace the person and vision of
Jesus, Build Communion with God and others, and Engage
in Christ's Mission in our world.
The Parish pastoral Council is
another listening ear and an added contact-point for people to share their
questions and feedback and ideas. Naturally, people are welcome also to speak
directly to me as Parish priest or to Kathy Banney as Pastoral Ministry
coordinator or to write in any ideas or questions .
There is a contact form below.
Basically, if a person is raising a
financial question, it’s a matter for the Finance Council of the Parish. But,
if one wants to raise a question or an issue about the Spiritual or Mission
focus of the parish, then contact the Fr Paul or the Parish Council. If you are
in doubt, contact us and we will consider it and see that the right area
addresses it.
Who can raise Pastoral issues?
Well, the answer to that is “we all play a part!” :
Parishioners can raise an issue by contacting Fr Paul or Mrs Kathy Banney
or a Parish Pastoral councillor. A Parish Councillor can raise issues either
from their own observations or from discussions with parishioners, and Fr Paul
and Kathy Banney and the Principals of the Schools can raise issues too.
Finally, the Deanery Pastoral Council and the Archbishop as well as his
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council can raise issues for consideration. So,
basically, there are so many good ways that we all are involved in reflecting
upon and addressing Pastoral needs.
The members of the Parish Pastoral
Council, as people who belong to the parish, reflect together with the priest
upon the needs and issues of the parish. With the parish priest they help in
setting priorities and also work together with him to ensure that the parish is
fulfilling its mission to be disciples of Christ and
an instrument of Jesus’ love and service in the community and the world. The
words “parish” and “council” may sometimes create the wrong impression that
this group is involved in financial and very hands-on projects, but this is not
really their focus.
Years ago people often saw the parish
council as people who thought of an idea and then were the ones who went and
made it happen, but the prime task of a Pastoral Council is more about BEING
than DOING. That is not to say that they don’t initiate, support, attend or
participate in parish projects but they are there, first and foremost, to
discern priorities and help discern needs so that we can then encourage
everyone to be part of implementing those projects and needs. So keep in mind,
if someone says “the parish should do this” it’s not the PPC member who will go
and do it, but they will raise the question and very likely encourage the
people suggesting to make it happen too with the support of the parish
because it fits the priorities and vision of the parish mission.
The Parish Pastoral Council is a
reflective and advisory and discerning aspect of the parish project. It’s a
wonderful example of priest and people working together to look at the needs of
the parish.
Because of this, from time to time the
Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council is present as a representative of an
important part of the parish project. At significant parish events the Parish
Pastoral Council Chairperson symbolically represents one of the many ways lay
people are involved in the work, discernment and prioritising of the mission of
this parish.
The present membership of the Parish
Pastoral Council is Fr Paul Kelly, Kathy Banney (Parish pastoral ministry
Coordinator), Michael Byrne (Chairperson), Andrew Thomas (Secretary), Pat Ash,
Joy Massingham (College Principal) and Nathan Wilson (Primary Principal).
There are pictures up at the entrances of the church to help put faces
with names.
PARISH
PASTORAL PLAN AND INFORMATION
This parish welcomes questions,
suggestions and inquiries.
Please feel free to make a suggestion by
clicking this link:
If you would like a personal reply to any
suggestions and questions, then please click the above link and also put in
your name and email address.
If you have an anonymous (constructive
and respectful) question, please click below for a reply to your comment or
question: