Pastoral Council AGENDA First meeting of newly formed council June 1, 2015, - 7:00 p.m. 1. Gathering Prayer 2. Additions to the Agenda? 3. Selection of Note-taker. 4. REVIEW: Qualifications to serve on Pastoral Council; Ministry and Responsibilities for Pastoral Council Members; Duties and responsibilities of Pastoral Council Chairperson. DISCUSSION/Reflection 5. ACTION a) Selection of Chairperson b) Selection of members to serve on committees: Finance Council Representative Selection of Representative for Council Groves (this can also be a parishioner recommended by council) Liturgical Commission Representative Faith Formation Representative Social Life Team FUN-d committee Appointment of additional members to serve on Pastoral Council 6. STAFF Reports a) Faith Formation Vacation Bible School Summer Series on CATHOLICISM Proposed Blessed Trinity Liturgical Workshops for the Diocese b) Pastoral Care c) Outreach Ministry d) Liturgy e) Finance Council > > > > > > > > >
7. Maintain Renew IMAGINE a) Please review the booklet (Maintain Renew IMAGINE) and the Power Point Presentation available on the parish website: blessedtrinitymissoula.org Click on the link on the opening page of the website. b) Report on visit with the Diocesan Building Committee and Bishop Thomas regarding our needs and plan. Fr. Hislop c) Status of Diocesan Pastoral Plan, LIVING STONES, relative to Blessed Trinity. d) Immediate Priorities: Parking Lot resurfacing; Furnace Replacement. These two projects, approved by the parish Finance Council, are scheduled to begin this summer. e) Architect: Fr Ed has met with Carl Posewitz, Paradigm V2 Architects to review plan and to secure recommendation for a Licensed Professsional Electrical Engineer to evaluate and design a new lighting system for the worship space, social center, and pastoral offices. Fr. Ed will report on this meeting. f) Setting other priorities based on the site visit report. 8. Concluding Prayer Attachment: (1)
QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE ON BLESSED TRINITY PASTORAL COUNCIL The Pastoral Council fosters the "pastoral activity" of the parish in collaboration with the pastor and pastoral staff. The following criteria, abilities or characteristics are helpful in determining parishioners you may wish to nominate: A PERSON OF FAITH AND PRAYER A Catholic person of faith who witnesses that faith through example, prayer, shared worship and study; A person who recognizes that faith is a process of continued growth and transformation, i.e., a person willing to learn. A person who recognizes and attests to the value and importance of parish life, the centrality of worship, especially Sunday Eucharist and the diversity ministry and parish mission. A person of prayer. A PERSON OF THE CHURCH A member of the Catholic Church in good standing with the Church; A person who embraces the vision of renewal articulated at the Second Vatican Council; A person who is familiar with and committed to Catholic Social Teaching; A person who is able to embrace the Catholic sense of mission and service. A PERSON OF THE PARISH An active, participating, registered member of BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY; A parishioner who contributes to the parish from his/her time, talent and treasure; A parishioner who is PRESENT and PARTICIPATES at SUNDAY MASS at BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY; A parishioner who is present at parish gatherings, especially Sunday Faith Formation sessions, and other parish activities, social and educational opportunities. A COLLABORATIVE PERSON A person who is compassionate and able to listen to the needs, concerns and gifts of others and is open to new ideas and concepts; A person of vision with an ability to see what might be possible; A person who can build community and who recognizes the diversity of ministry and people; A person who is responsible, able and willing to follow through with commitments; A person who is comfortable with the consultative nature of the Pastoral Council and a person who is comfortable with the consensus model of decision making. A person who is available, i.e., one who has the time and is able to focus energy on the work of the Pastoral Council.
What is the Pastoral Council A pastoral council is to be established in every parish of the Diocese of Helena, designed to foster the pastoral activity of the parish, in keeping with the general law of the church and diocesan guidelines. The pastor is responsible to make the pastoral council active and working in the life of the parish. Because fostering pastoral activity is the explicit task of the parish pastoral council, Blessed Trinity Catholic Community Pastoral Council is to be the primary consultative group in the parish. All other parish groups are to be enlivened and guided by the pastor, pastoral staff, with the counsel of the Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council will assist the pastor and pastoral staff in coordinating and ensuring communication about the work of all parish groups, ministry teams to interested parties in the manner most appropriate for the parish. Acts of the Synod of the Diocese of Helena,7P, page 54. In addition to the Qualifications to Serve, listed on the previous page, the following responsibilities are integral to the service of Pastoral Council Members. To foster and discern the pastoral activity and needs of Blessed Trinity Catholic Community; To promote prayer, growth in faith and faith sharing among themselves and the larger parish community; To plan for the future of the parish, which includes surfacing the parish needs and planning ways to meet those needs, and evaluating parish programs in light of the pastoral needs and obligations of the parish; To review, plan and evaluate the pastoral activities of the parish and its ministries and to set forth practical conclusions concerning them so as to conform the life and actions of the People of God to the Gospels and Traditions of the Catholic Church. Members of parish pastoral councils shall consult with parishioners about the pastoral needs and priorities of the parish; Participate vigorously in Pastoral Council meetings, articulating ideas and concerns in an appropriate and respectful manner; Be visible to the Parish community; Be an advocate for Blessed Trinity Catholic Community; Support decisions of the Pastoral Council; Work closely and collaboratively with the pastor and pastoral staff; Communicate the activities and ministry of the council with the parish and parishioners;
Be involved in the total life of the parish. Members serve on at least one of the parish ministry teams or are otherwise actively involved in the life of the parish; Articulate in appropriate manner and forum matters pertaining to the pastoral life of the parish community. Follow through on determined responsibilities and/or activities and engage other parishioners. Attend and actively participate in pastoral council meetings; Serve on designated ad hoc committees. Prayer and faith sharing are to form a significant part of a parish pastoral council meeting to assist members in their role of discerning parish issues. To represent Blessed Trinity Catholic Community. To be the spokesperson for the Pastoral Council. To be in dialogue with the Spirit of Christ Mission Advisory Council. Set agenda for council meetings in dialogue and collaboration with pastor, pastoral staff, council members, ministry core teams, parishioners, etc. Arrange for Prayer and faith sharing as a significant part of each pastoral council meeting to assist members in their role of discerning parish issues. Prepare with office staff assistance notification of council meetings and the mailing of necessary supporting materials for council agenda items (these are to be mailed at least one week prior to the meeting). Direct and chair all meetings of the Pastoral Council. Appoint ad hoc committee members as required. Insure the regular attendance of each member at the Council meetings. Insure council member s participation on parish ministry core teams when and if established. Make certain minutes of each meeting are properly recorded and mailed to each council member prior to the next meeting. Provide a brief report to the parish on Pastoral Council Activities and meetings via the parish bulletin.
Ever-living God, you gather us together as the Parish of Blessed Trinity to carry the Gospel of Christ to all people. Bless the members of this parish council. Let your Spirit enlighten their minds and guide all their actions that they may be renewed in faith, united in love, and bring to fulfillment the work of your Church to you greater honor and glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN LORD, bless us with your heavenly gifts and in your mercy make us ready to do your will! Book of Blessings