As I announced last Sunday, October 14, 2018 we will be forming a new parish council as the current parish council will complete its two-year term on December 31, 2018.
Purpose of Parish Council: The parish council is rooted in the Code of Canon Law, which speaks of a parish council to be established in the “parish, over which the Pastor presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist in activities requested by the pastor.” This parish council is consultative in nature to the pastor. The pastor determines the primary work of the council and the agenda for its meetings. Members may suggest topics and/or issues, but their inclusion is at the pastor’s discretion. The parish council is neither a governance council nor a policy-making council of the parish. Its purpose is not to vote on matters, but to provide the pastor with information which can assist in the pastoral mission of the parish.
The parish council will be composed of ex-officio, elected and appointed members. The ex-officio members are those who generally are members of the council by virtue of their holding positions. They are the Pastor, Assistant Pastor/s, Kaikkarans, members of the eparchial pastoral council from the parish, etc. Each ward can elect three representatives to the council. One representative from each ward should preferably be a woman. 1/3rd of the representatives of the total membership of the council will be appointed by the Vicar. One representative will be selected from the CCD program, one from the approved parish Associations /Organizations and two youth members from the Youth group separately.
If for any reason, the nominations don’t meet the criteria set forth in the diocesan procedure rules, the nominee will be notified of the reason for disqualification. If enough nominations were not received or more nominations were received from the respective wards, representatives will be elected during ward prayer meetings per the rules laid out in the procedure rules.
Please find attached the nomination form for 2019-2020 Parish Council as well as the Diocesan Procedure and Requirements. Interested members from each ward may complete the nomination form and submit it to me directly by October 24, 2018 by 9:00 p.m. (Please click on the links below to download both Nomination form and Rules) Parish Council Nomination Form Procedure and Requirements for General Body and Parish Council per Diocese
Council members should be sensitive to the needs, ambitions and desires of our parish to fulfill its mission, and through collaboration, consultation and support, serve as an advisory group to the Pastor.
I request your prayers, especially to have the Holy Spirit provide us with the gift of wisdom, humility and unity while electing the new council.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
