Parish Consultative Bodies
When people tell me that they think being a pastor must be difficult, I like to remind them that the job of the laity is much more challenging. All I have to do is take care of a parish. You, the laity, have to transform the world! Even though I think I have the easier job, I still need a lot of help. Councils and Commissions help me, and the parish staff care for the parish community and live out the mission Christ entrusted to us.
The Archdiocese recommends people serve in councils and commissions for a specific term, usually three years, renewable once. One should only serve on one council or commission at a time. This means there is a constant rotation of new people on the various consultative bodies. Therefore, there is ample opportunity to serve.
The process for selection of new members begins with nominations. Suggestions for candidates are surfaced from existing commission members, from the parish staff and – at times – from the parish at large. Sometimes a commission needs a certain expertise. Sometimes it needs new members to help it better reflect the make-up of the parish.
During April and May, we will have a nomination process. I am asking you to nominate people who think would benefit the various councils and commissions. Maybe your spouse needs an evening away from the house once a month. Maybe one of your parish friends has a particular talent or interest that the parish needs. You could even nominate yourself.
Those who are nominated will be invited to an evening of discernment, to look at the role and purpose of the consultative bodies and to see if their gifts and talents match what the councils and commissions need.
Please be thinking of people you could nominate. If nominated, please consider serving. The consultative bodies of our parish are: The Parish Leadership Team (Pastoral Council), the Finance Council, Life, Justice and Peace Commission, The Faith Formation Commission, the Facility & Grounds Commission, the (new) Liturgy Commission, and the Stewardship and Evangelization Commission.