+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members The Diocese of Metuchen Partners in Ministry Conference September 29, 2012
+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members Welcome & Introductions Pastoral Councils in the Diocese of Metuchen Best Practices Questions/Discussion
+ History of Councils in the Diocese of Metuchen 1969: Bishop Ahr mandates councils for all parishes in (then) the Diocese of Trenton 1980s & 1990s: a series of guidelines and revisions are issued Early 2000s: only 38% parishes had councils.continued
+ History of Councils in the Diocese of Metuchen 2007: First Synod of the Diocese of Metuchen Norm 26: Parish pastoral councils must be established within a definite timeline Diocese will identify parishes without councils and help them get one going 2010: More than 78% parishes with councils
+ Councils are Mandated by the Diocese A pastoral council is to be established in each parish over which the pastor presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist in fostering pastoral activity.
+ Pastoral Councils in the Diocese of Metuchen Ask and answer, with the pastor: What does Christ s mission mean in this place and this time? How might we discern God s will for our parish? How is the Holy Spirit moving among us?
+ The Norms Define The Pastoral Council A consultative body of study, prayer, parishbased reflection, planning and action Visioning Discerning Pondering Recommending Collaborating
+ Pastoral Councils Are NOT Legislative Policy-making Driven by finance Administrative Complicated in structure
+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members Question: How does this match with your ideas and/or experience of Council life?
+ Best Practices: Council Characteristics 10-15 members Two- or three-year terms Representative of the parish Members understand themselves as servant leaders
+ Best Practices: How to Select Members Traditionally By Election Appointed by the Pastor More Recently Discernment Processes BEST PRACTICE: Discernment/Pastor Review
+ Best Practices: Council Roles What works best for your council Pastor & Members Other Roles (as needed) Chair/Convener(s) Secretary (minutes) Executive/leadership committee Formation coordinator, spiritual coordinator
+ Best Practices: Getting Started Written Foundational Documents mission policies duties responsibilities of members procedures for selecting members structure, roles, subsets/committees
+ Best Practices: Staying on Track Meet monthly Work outside of meetings Annual pastoral planning session Formation as needed Days of prayer/retreat
+ Best Practices: Staying on Track Decisions by consensus Prayer (30% of meetings) Firm communication agreements Frequent check-ins or round table reflections Other Ideas Outside facilitation Bylaws Communication and celebration with whole parish
+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members What Should I Do At Meetings? Sharing Wisdom listen with your heart; speak from your soul Let the Holy Spirit guide you and your words Respect and honor the gifts of each person Help maintain the right environment Help your council stay on purpose Evaluate honestly Share accountability/leadership
+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members What Should I Do Outside of Meetings? Pray every day Best time/space/method Include prayers for your parish and your council Scripture reflection how am I meant to walk differently? Conversations with God/Jesus Get used to seeing God actively at work in your life Get in touch with the God of the Gathering Do what you say you will do
+ Diocesan Resources for New Parish Pastoral Council Members Diocese of Metuchen Norms for Pastoral Councils Diometuchen.org (offices diocesan planning diocesan planning resources for parish pastoral councils) Catholic Spirit articles/archives The Department of Diocesan Planning Other Pastoral Councils in the Diocese Yearoffaithmetuchen.org
+ Other Resources for New Parish Pastoral Council Members Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church (Documents of Vatican II) "Christifideles Laici, Apostolic Exhortation on the Laity (Pope John Paul II) Sharing Wisdom: A Process for Group Decision Making (Sr. Mary Benet McKinney) Appreciative Inquiry in the Catholic (Susan Star Paddock) Best Practices in Catholic Pastoral and Finance Councils (Chuck Zech and colleagues)
+ For New Parish Pastoral Council Members Reflection What three things will you do to become a more effective parish pastoral council member? Final Thoughts Did we miss anything you felt you needed or wanted to know? Closing Prayer