WORD ON FIRE: a new series coming soon . . .

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL IMPROVEMENTS

PARISH PASTORAL The Parish Pastoral Council is making an effort to improve its effectiveness by enhancing communication to and from parishioners. The following are some practical steps that the Parish Pastoral Council will begin to initiate.

Starting January 1, 2011, Parish Pastoral Council members will be wearing name tags at Mass and other parish events so that they can be easily identified. Please visit with these council members and share your thoughts and concerns with them.

Parish Pastoral Council agendas will be posted on our website one week in advance of meetings. Minutes for each meeting will be posted on the website, once they are approved.

The Parish Pastoral Council will hold periodic input sessions open to all parishioners to allow for questions and dialogue about any issue in the life of the parish. That dynamic will be part of the meeting at All Saints Academy on January 8, 1:00PM, when the parish staff gives an update on the pastoral plan for the parish.

Parish Pastoral Council meetings may be observed by parishioners during the open portion of the meeting. Also, parishioners are welcome to raise concerns and issues during the Open Forum portion of the meeting.

The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to advise the parish’s leader, the Pastor or Pastoral Administrator. It is advisory, not deliberative and does not make binding decisions for the parish. Therefore, its greatest value to the parish lies in its ability to effectively give sound, candid advice to the pastoral leader as he/she expects.

Some council meetings may have closed portions of the meeting that are not open for observation. At times, when the subject matter is sensitive or potentially controversial, this advice is best given in a closed meeting so that Parish Pastoral Council members can give the most honest and candid advice without fear of being vilified or ridiculed, or having their input misquoted out of context or passed to other parish members inaccurately or prematurely.

The Parish Pastoral Council members are excited about these changes and encourage each of you to visit with them at any time so that your voice is heard.