Pastoral Council

Pastoral Councils and Committees

The documents of the Second Vatican Council affirmed that all members of the People of God are called to participate in the threefold ministry of Christ and the Church according to their particular gifts, their state of life, and their office. One of the ways through which the people accept a greater responsibility for the pastoral work of the local church is through participation in a parish's councils and commissions.

While canon law clearly lays responsibility for (and authority over) the teaching, governing and sanctifying work of a parish upon the pastor, he relies upon the advice and assistance of parishioners in accomplishing this work, especially via the parish finance and pastoral councils. (Actually, this responsibility and authority belong to the Bishop, who delegates certain aspects to the pastor.)
 

The Pastoral Council

Canon 536 from the Code of Canon Law states "If the diocesan bishop judges it opportune after he has heard the presbyteral council, 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. A pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by the norms established by the diocesan bishop."

In the Diocese of Madison, it is policy that every parish (or group of parishes sharing a single pastor) should have a pastoral council. At St. Bernard and St. Henry Parishes, we have a single Pastoral Council.  

To facilitate their work of assisting and advising the pastor, councils often structure themselves into committees with specific focus areas. Some common committees include:

• Human Concerns Committee  
  • Helps parishioners discern the needs of others, especially the poor, and identifies resources to meet those needs, enlisting the active cooperation of all parishioners. 
• Parish Life Committee
  • Supports the overall vibrancy of parish life, planning social activities, spiritual retreats and other activities which foster community and enhance the quality of parish life.
• Religious Formation
  • Assists the pastor and the parish in providing lifelong opportunities for every person to grow deeper in their faith and personal conversion. 
• Schools Committee
  • Dedicated to the promotion and welfare of Catholic education.
• Stewardship Committee
  • Promotes the giving of time, talent and treasure through a scriptural understanding of stewardship.
• Vocations Committee
  • Works with the diocesan Office of Vocations to help foster vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life and lay ministry. 
• Worship Committee
  • Assists the pastor and the parish in attaining a full, conscious and active participation in the Mass and the prayer life of the parish.
• Hispanic Committee

The Pastoral Council meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

Members of the Pastoral Council include (click on the name to send an email):

Donna Ebert
Donna O'Brien
Jeanne Wolf
John Wanke
Kathy Reinhard
Nancy Acosta
Nancy Stadler
Ronald Castellon