Parish and Finance Councils
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Parish Pastoral Council
What is Parish Council?
The parish pastoral council is a recommended structure within the Church concerned with pastoral activities of parish life. It is made up of a representative body of the faithful and must include the pastor. The parish pastoral council shares the responsibility for building the parish into a vibrant Christian community that promotes gospel values of love, justice and peace. It is a consultative body of leaders who actively seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are guided by the teachings, laws and recommendations of the universal Church and the local diocesan Church.
RECOMMENDED STRUCTURE
‘In every parish in every diocese, a pastoral council shall be established, if the diocesan bishop, after consulting with the council of presbyters, so decides’ (Canon 536, #1)
Parish pastoral councils are recognized bodies within the Church structure. Like the diocesan pastoral councils, parish pastoral councils were strongly recommended by the bishops of the Second Vatican Council as a vehicle for promoting the mission of Christ and ensuring that the ‘life and activity of the people of God may be brought into greater conformity with the gospel’. The parish pastoral council is a structure of participation that facilitates ‘an organic blending of legitimate diversities’ encouraging all the baptized to work together for the good of the whole community, ‘sustaining it in all its many needs: from catechesis to liturgy, from the education of the young to the widest array of charitable works.’
Parish Pastoral Councils – Function
The general function of the Parish Pastoral Council is to advise the Pastor in those pastoral matters presented to it by the Pastor. It carries out its function by:
- Informing the Pastor of the needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members
- Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement (which will always contain the name of Jesus) and periodically re-evaluating and revising it
- Developing a parish pastoral plan
- Participating in ongoing pastoral planning
- Recommending policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan
- Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs
Joe Kadingo
717-336-6936
Jim Lawson
717-799-0080
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Parish Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of lay persons established to advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. The relationship between the Pastor and the council is one of support and collaboration. The authority of the Pastor is not diminished by the establishment of the Parish Finance Council.
It has been the consistent policy of the Harrisburg Diocese that Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils be established in each parish. While the two councils are separate and each has a different and specific role in the life and operation of the parish, they work together for the good of the parish. The chairperson of the Parish Finance Council is an ex-officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council and should provide them with periodic reports on the financial status of the parish and its activities.
The Parish Finance Council is composed of the Pastor, as an ex-officio member, and not less than three reputable and practicing members of the parish knowledgeable and skilled in financial matters. Membership is by appointment of the Pastor. Members serve for a three-year term and may be appointed to a second three-year term. The Chairperson is appointed for a term of one year and may be reappointed.
Principal responsibilities of the Council include:
- Preparation of an annual budget
- Ensuring the submission of the regular financial reports to the Diocese
- Preparation and publication of an Annual Financial Statement and Report provided to the Parish Pastoral Council and members of the Parish community.
Dave Goss
717-335-2200
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