Report on the 2024 Summer Diocesan Assembly - Questions for Discussion.
Parish Council Report December 6 2023
Pastoral Plan for our Parish and missions
Diocesan General Assembly Questions and Responses:
1. Response
2. Comprehensive Faith Formation
3. Pastoral Plan
Parish Council Report December 6 2023
Pastoral Plan for our Parish and missions
Diocesan General Assembly Questions and Responses:
1. Response
2. Comprehensive Faith Formation
3. Pastoral Plan
Meet the Parish Council Members
Name EMAIL ID
Andrea Ghirardelli -- [email protected]
Angel Vigil -- [email protected]
Catherine Kane -- [email protected]
Guadalupe Lugo -- [email protected]
Jake Ori -- [email protected]
Jeanne Thompson -- [email protected]
Jennifer Black -- [email protected]
John Flores -- [email protected]
Madalene Williams -- [email protected]
Mireya Ori -- [email protected]
Nadine Morris -- [email protected]
Neil Vigil -- [email protected]
Rosario Cano -- [email protected]
Shane Henrie -- [email protected]
Shelley Heath -- [email protected]
Terry Manzanares -- [email protected]
Torrey Harvey -- [email protected]
Executive Committee: John, Neil, Rosario and Catherine
Formation Committee: Shelley, Nadine, Miraya and Angel
Stewardship Committee: Torrey, Andrea, Terry, Jake Ori and Shane
Liturgy Committee: Madalene, Guadalupe, Jeanne and Jennifer Black
Requirements:
In addition to being a registered member of the parish, persons called to the important work of furthering the faith growth and mission of the parish community should give evidence of the following:
The Parish Pastoral Council is a microcosm of the total parish community.
What is the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)?
The Parish Pastoral Council or PPC is an advisory body called to renew, sustain, edify, enhance, enlarge, enrich and supplicate our Christian community by involving all of our people and others (including, but not limited to, priests, deacons, sisters, lay leaders, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, single persons, young and old) and making use of all their talents and abilities.
What does the Council do?
The Parish Council is called to serve as an advisory body to the pastor in all parish matters through shared responsibility, mutual trust and honest communication. The Council strives to promote effective communication on and in every level of the parish, providing for free and open discussion in an atmosphere and feeling of mutual trust and to provide advice to the pastor on the operations of Notre Dame Catholic Church.
The foregoing purposes together with others are inclusive rather than exclusive and are in no way intended or offered as a limitation on the purpose of the Parish Council.
Who serves on the Council?
Members fall into one of several categories:
Executive - the leadership of the Parish Council, comprising the Pastor, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary. Members, except for the Pastor, are typically previously elected or appointed members of the Council. Executive members are voting members of the Council, meaning that when a vote is called to approve an action of the council, they may participate.
Elected/Appointed - parish members who have been selected by the parish at large during the annual Parish Council Elections or those appointed by the Pastor to fulfill a specific role on the Council. Elected and Appointed members are voting members of the Council. The parish shall elect 8 parishioners as their representatives. Four members are to be elected per year, each serving a two-year term. Elected members may choose to stand for re-election, but may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
Ex Officio - the office manager, the deacons, and the immediate past president of the Council. Ex Officio members are non-voting members of the Council.
Pastoral Team - usually members of staff at the parish who serve in significant roles, e.g., the Director of Liturgy, the Director of Religious Education and the Homebound and Bereavement Coordinator. Pastoral Team members are non-voting members.
Designated - parish members who represent various parish organizations, e.g., social activities, the refugee program, the finance committee, women's group, and peace and justice activities. Designated members are non-voting members.
Committees
The Council has four standing committees on which members serve. These include the Executive Committee, the Formation Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Liturgy Committee. Each committee is chaired by an elected member of the Council. The task of the committees is to advise the Council and the Pastor on parish activities within their scope, and to make recommendations based on input from parishioners.
The activity of a parish should be centered on continuing the mission and ministry of Jesus. As a community of believers, we continue to do what Jesus did. This mission was entrusted to his apostles and disciples and has been handed on to all believers throughout the centuries. We are a people on a mission and with a mission. For this reason, committee members should look to the scriptures for guidance and inspiration about the mission as well as church documents.
How the Committees function?
Committees operate as a subset of the overall parish organization. Pastoral councils need to follow good organizational practices for the overall parish and so should every committee. The committee operates under these practices and applies them to the specific area of ministry for which it is responsible. These are the key organizational practices which committees should follow:
1. Evaluation – committees need to know how the program or ministry is performing and what participants like and want to see changed. Enrollments and registrations are starting points for evaluation. Surveys, interviews, evaluation forms can be effective approaches. Most staff members are inclined to view their work in a most positive light. Committees need to work with objective data in order to help programs and ministries develop and grow.
2. Innovation – committees need to be aware of new ideas, new approaches, and new ways of functioning. Why? Not only is that the way our world and our culture operates but our Christian faith is all about conversion or change of heart. In order to meet people “where they are,” we must look at innovative approaches and not be afraid to use them.
3. Adaptation – wouldn’t it be nice if everything turned out exactly as it was planned. Committees need to be prepared to make adaptations. What happens if the DRE becomes ill for the next six months? Being adaptive means not only addressing the immediate issue but looking at long-term solutions as well. Committees should always be on the lookout for opportunities to make programs better.
4. Graduation – this is an often misunderstood word frequently meaning “completion of some course of study or activity.” Within an organization, “graduation” means the development of and succession of leadership. Committees need to be concerned about developing leadership in the ministry as well as on the committee. Most organizations are as effective as their leaders. Who are the parish’s future catechists? Who is being groomed to organize the parish’s monthly participation in the meal program? Committees need to be talent scouts.
When and where does the Council meet?
The Council meets in the Hope Center on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm.
Name EMAIL ID
Andrea Ghirardelli -- [email protected]
Angel Vigil -- [email protected]
Catherine Kane -- [email protected]
Guadalupe Lugo -- [email protected]
Jake Ori -- [email protected]
Jeanne Thompson -- [email protected]
Jennifer Black -- [email protected]
John Flores -- [email protected]
Madalene Williams -- [email protected]
Mireya Ori -- [email protected]
Nadine Morris -- [email protected]
Neil Vigil -- [email protected]
Rosario Cano -- [email protected]
Shane Henrie -- [email protected]
Shelley Heath -- [email protected]
Terry Manzanares -- [email protected]
Torrey Harvey -- [email protected]
Executive Committee: John, Neil, Rosario and Catherine
Formation Committee: Shelley, Nadine, Miraya and Angel
Stewardship Committee: Torrey, Andrea, Terry, Jake Ori and Shane
Liturgy Committee: Madalene, Guadalupe, Jeanne and Jennifer Black
Requirements:
In addition to being a registered member of the parish, persons called to the important work of furthering the faith growth and mission of the parish community should give evidence of the following:
- willingness to acquaint themselves with the responsibilities of a Parish Pastoral Council member as outlined in the teachings of the Church.
- willingness to work with the pastor who is the leader of the parish community and with the other members of the Council in setting direction for the parish.
- willingness to work for the whole parish community rather than advocating only one point of view.
- willingness to be held accountable for active involvement and leadership in parish life and development.
- an active involvement in personal and communal spiritual growth.
- participation in the meetings of the council.
- active in the Liturgy.
- study and preparation for each meeting.
The Parish Pastoral Council is a microcosm of the total parish community.
What is the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)?
The Parish Pastoral Council or PPC is an advisory body called to renew, sustain, edify, enhance, enlarge, enrich and supplicate our Christian community by involving all of our people and others (including, but not limited to, priests, deacons, sisters, lay leaders, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, single persons, young and old) and making use of all their talents and abilities.
What does the Council do?
The Parish Council is called to serve as an advisory body to the pastor in all parish matters through shared responsibility, mutual trust and honest communication. The Council strives to promote effective communication on and in every level of the parish, providing for free and open discussion in an atmosphere and feeling of mutual trust and to provide advice to the pastor on the operations of Notre Dame Catholic Church.
The foregoing purposes together with others are inclusive rather than exclusive and are in no way intended or offered as a limitation on the purpose of the Parish Council.
Who serves on the Council?
Members fall into one of several categories:
Executive - the leadership of the Parish Council, comprising the Pastor, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary. Members, except for the Pastor, are typically previously elected or appointed members of the Council. Executive members are voting members of the Council, meaning that when a vote is called to approve an action of the council, they may participate.
Elected/Appointed - parish members who have been selected by the parish at large during the annual Parish Council Elections or those appointed by the Pastor to fulfill a specific role on the Council. Elected and Appointed members are voting members of the Council. The parish shall elect 8 parishioners as their representatives. Four members are to be elected per year, each serving a two-year term. Elected members may choose to stand for re-election, but may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
Ex Officio - the office manager, the deacons, and the immediate past president of the Council. Ex Officio members are non-voting members of the Council.
Pastoral Team - usually members of staff at the parish who serve in significant roles, e.g., the Director of Liturgy, the Director of Religious Education and the Homebound and Bereavement Coordinator. Pastoral Team members are non-voting members.
Designated - parish members who represent various parish organizations, e.g., social activities, the refugee program, the finance committee, women's group, and peace and justice activities. Designated members are non-voting members.
Committees
The Council has four standing committees on which members serve. These include the Executive Committee, the Formation Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Liturgy Committee. Each committee is chaired by an elected member of the Council. The task of the committees is to advise the Council and the Pastor on parish activities within their scope, and to make recommendations based on input from parishioners.
The activity of a parish should be centered on continuing the mission and ministry of Jesus. As a community of believers, we continue to do what Jesus did. This mission was entrusted to his apostles and disciples and has been handed on to all believers throughout the centuries. We are a people on a mission and with a mission. For this reason, committee members should look to the scriptures for guidance and inspiration about the mission as well as church documents.
How the Committees function?
- Liturgy Committee: This commission nourishes and gives direction to the liturgical and communal prayer life of the community. The members collaborate with the pastor and staff in this area of mission on liturgy preparation, the training and formation of the various liturgical ministers, and the formation of the assembly about the sacraments and liturgy. The commission may have committees, such as environment, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, lectors, etc.
- Executive Committee: The executive committee determines the council's agenda. The executive committee is composed of the pastor, DRE, Hispanic Rep. and council officers, i.e., chairperson, and vice-chairperson. The committee plans the agenda and informs the members about it in advance. The pastor presides and the chairperson conducts the meetings, assisted by the vice-chairperson. Council members and other parishioners may submit requests for consideration of agenda items to the executive committee.
- Stewardship: This commission educates and promotes the giftedness of all parishioners and the responsibility of disciples to steward all resources. The members collaborate with pastor and staff to develop strategies and practices which invite all parishioners and the parish organization itself to share time, talent, and treasure. The commission may have committees, such as new member welcome, volunteer opportunities, and communications.
- Formation: This commission promotes and develops opportunities for lifelong faith formation aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. The members collaborate with the pastor and staff in this area of mission on all programs of evangelization and catechesis. The commission may have committees, such as evangelization, child ministry, youth ministry, young adult ministry, adult and family ministry, and vocations.
Committees operate as a subset of the overall parish organization. Pastoral councils need to follow good organizational practices for the overall parish and so should every committee. The committee operates under these practices and applies them to the specific area of ministry for which it is responsible. These are the key organizational practices which committees should follow:
1. Evaluation – committees need to know how the program or ministry is performing and what participants like and want to see changed. Enrollments and registrations are starting points for evaluation. Surveys, interviews, evaluation forms can be effective approaches. Most staff members are inclined to view their work in a most positive light. Committees need to work with objective data in order to help programs and ministries develop and grow.
2. Innovation – committees need to be aware of new ideas, new approaches, and new ways of functioning. Why? Not only is that the way our world and our culture operates but our Christian faith is all about conversion or change of heart. In order to meet people “where they are,” we must look at innovative approaches and not be afraid to use them.
3. Adaptation – wouldn’t it be nice if everything turned out exactly as it was planned. Committees need to be prepared to make adaptations. What happens if the DRE becomes ill for the next six months? Being adaptive means not only addressing the immediate issue but looking at long-term solutions as well. Committees should always be on the lookout for opportunities to make programs better.
4. Graduation – this is an often misunderstood word frequently meaning “completion of some course of study or activity.” Within an organization, “graduation” means the development of and succession of leadership. Committees need to be concerned about developing leadership in the ministry as well as on the committee. Most organizations are as effective as their leaders. Who are the parish’s future catechists? Who is being groomed to organize the parish’s monthly participation in the meal program? Committees need to be talent scouts.
When and where does the Council meet?
The Council meets in the Hope Center on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm.