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St. James Pastoral Council
· Click here to contact a member of the Pastoral Council
· Click here to view the minutes from recent Pastoral Council meetings.
St. James Pastoral Council Planning Session Report
September 22, 2007
There were 12 parishioners that met on Saturday September 22, 2007 for the Parish Planning Session which was moderated by Sister Mary Alice Kline.
After breaking into small groups, we were asked to describe the strengths of Saint James. The two small groups put our conclusions together then we reflected on if these strengths were stated in our Parish Mission Statement. We all felt that the Mission Statement is reflective of who we are.
We then discussed areas of where we would like to have Saint James grow. Nine areas were identified. Sister asked us to vote on the five most important areas. There were four areas that had the most importance. We then broke into small groups to set one year identifiable goals for these areas. Each small group reported on their area. Here is the conclusion:
1) Restructuring approach to local Social Justice efforts
a) Invite Office of Urban Affairs to offer informational evening on Catholic Social teaching and Ministry
b) Prison Ministry
c) Investigate "Just Faith Ministries"
d) Contact Saint Elizabeth Seton's Social Action Committee
Social Concerns Committee is in charge
2) Expand Youth participation in the Parish
a) Coordinate activities to have maximum participation, develop calendar considering DRE Office, Youth Group and Town Activities
b) Increase participation by 30% in youth areas i.e. Religious Education, Junior Choir, Altar Servers and Youth Group
DRE and Youth Director are in charge
3) Explore Opportunities for Inter-parish collaboration
a) Support Saint Elizabeth Seton's Office of Urban Affairs Award by having full table at OUA banquet, Sending congratulations letter, making announcement recognizing them
b) Hold a social get together combining both Parishes
c) Support efforts to have the Youth collaborate in some activities
Community Life is in charge
4) Seek ways to educate/form Parishioners in Liturgy, Scripture and Catholic
a) Use homilies to educate parishioners
b) Increase communication between homilist and parishioners
1) Seek agreement by Pastor and deacon
2) Opportunity to question issues brought up in homily
3) Communication would result in an insight into this community i.e. people's needs or understanding
4) Vehicles, website to exchange questions, concerns
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St. James Pastoral Council Constitution Summary
Have you EVER wondered about the St. James Parish Council? Well, in case you have… or are wondering NOW… the Council has recently changed its name to the St. James Pastoral Council and has adopted a revised Council constitution. The Council members would like to take this opportunity to introduce, or reintroduce, you to the Council. The Pastoral Council acts as an advisory body to the Pastor for all matters of the parish. The Council meets monthly from September to June and makes recommendations to the Pastor through a process of discussion and consensus. To give parishioners a greater understanding of the role and function of the Pastoral Council, below are excerpts from the revised Constitution.
Copies of the complete Pastoral Constitution are available by request at the parish office, from any Council member and by clicking here.
Purpose of Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is a shared effort of the clergy and laity to collaborate in the ministry of the parish community. The Council is a consultative and advisory body of the parish and its mission is to provide wisdom, give direction, serve, and be a catalyst for development. The functions of the Pastoral Council are:
· To accept responsibility with the Pastor for the life and mission of the Church in the parish.
· To act as an authentic representative voice of the People of God to the Pastor.
· To provide an open and honest forum of communication and dialogue regarding parish affairs among the Pastor, Deacon, pastoral staff and the parish community.
· To assist the Pastor in the administration of the parish through recommendations and active cooperation.
· To encourage by all available means a vigorous and effective lay apostolate, especially through the Council's Standing Committees.
· To collaborate with other religious bodies and with civic, business and professional organizations in working for the common good of the community.
· To participate, by active cooperation with other pastoral councils, in the total life and mission of the Church within the Archdiocese.
· To be a visible witness to the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.
· To discern the needs, temporal and spiritual, of the parish, its people, and the wider community of which the parish is a part, and to find the resources to meet those needs.
· To encourage coordination and mutual assistance in the integration of the ministries of the various parish committees and groups.
· To develop itself into a praying, unified Christian community.
Pastoral Council Membership
The Council is currently comprised of 19 members and may have a maximum of 24 members drawn from the following categories:
1. Staff: Pastor, Deacon, Director of Religious Education/Formation, Director of Music, and Pastoral Associate
2. Committee Representatives: Members of the Pastoral Council Standing Committees (currently includes the following parish committees: Building and Grounds, Community Life, Liturgy, Respect Life, Social Concerns, Stewardship, and Youth Group) who act as liaisons between the Council and their respective committees.
3. At Large: Lay adult parishioners
4. Representative of the Finance Council (ex-officio)
Any registered parishioner in good standing, who is at least 18 years old, except for the Youth representative, is eligible to be a member of the Council. All members, excluding the category of Staff members serve staggered two-year terms. The Council's Nominating Committee is in the process of seeking interested parishioners as nominees for Council membership in the At Large category. Also, the Council would like to expand the number of Church groups or committees that are represented on the Council. Please contact any Council member if you are interested.
Pastoral Council Meetings
Currently, the Pastoral Council meets on the first Monday of every month (except July and August). We begin with prayer in the Blessed Sacrament chapel at 6:30 PM and then meet at 7 PM in Father Shea Hall. Parishioners are welcome to attend Council meetings.
Pastoral Council Members
Below is a list of current Council Members. Please feel free to contact any Council member with your input, questions, or concerns after Mass or by e-mail.
John Arcari (Community Life)
Fr. Dave Baranowski (Pastor) - 529-8655 ext. 16
Mike Bocchini, Vice-Chairperson (At-Large) - 529-0418
Rene Egan (Stewardship) - 721-8715
Sharon Gagne (Youth Group), youthgroup@stjamesrh.org
Lorraine Levesque (Liturgy)
Gerry Luczak, Chairperson (Respect Life), gluczakins@sbcglobal.net
Marie Nespral (Social Concerns)
Joy O'Sullivan (Director of Music Ministry) - 529-8655 ext. 17
Bob Pallotti (Deacon) - dbobp@sbcglobal.net
Lori Riley, Secretary (Precious Blood Prayer Group) - 563-5230
Jean Roncaioli (Precious Blood Prayer Group) - 529-9396
Bob Smith (Buildings and Grounds), ssmith83@snet.net
Carol Rizzo (Religious Education)
Click Here to view the full text of the
Revised Pastoral Council Constitution
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