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The St. Hedwig Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a distinct group because of its representative nature, consultative role, and consensus-seeking process. It is a way for the parish to develop a clearer and deeper understanding of the need for all to carry on Christ's mission in the world. The PPC consists of 12 members, including pastor, parochial vicar, parish business manager, and 9 parishioner-members designated by the pastor. The structure and operation of the PPC are more particularly described in its Constitution, copies of which are available in the Rectory, and contained herein. The PPC is a representative body rather than a body of representatives. The council acts as sensors or antennae. Each member brings a wisdom to the group from life, reflection, prayer and on-going learning. A council member is not the representative for any particular neighborhood, age group, or organization. Each member administers to the entire parish community. Thus the council represents all areas of parish life, young and old, men and women, and people with divergent viewpoints and backgrounds. The council provides a means for communicating to the pastor a sense of the life of the parish without representing a particular faction or personal agenda. The PPC is
consultative to the pastor. It
is a future-oriented planning group.
It is not a board of trustees watching over investments, nor does
it engage in putting out fires or micro-management.
As stated in its Constitution, “The primary responsibility of the
parish pastoral council is to assist the pastor in directional and
strategic planning through a spirit of prayer and discernment, and to
recommend goals and priorities in the shape of a long-range pastoral plan.
The parish pastoral council is advisory and consultative in that
the council members cannot act apart from the pastor.”
Decision-making
in the PPC is by consensus. Roberts
Rules of Order are not used. It
is assumed that the Holy Spirit is at work in the group. Consensus takes time, prayer, trust, and a willingness to let
go of one’s need to control and win.
The council is not about personal power but about gifts and
service. Listening,
information-giving, conversation, exploring, and discerning are the normal
forms of exchange. To have
consensus each member must see something of merit or reasonableness in the
proposal -- something of value for the parish community, the will of the
Spirit.
Lord,
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