The PurPose of Parish Pastoral Councils
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Transcript The PurPose of Parish Pastoral Councils
The PurPose of Parish
Pastoral Councils
Collaboration
The vibrancy of God’s life is manifest when:
All the baptised collaborate together in the
mission of Christ
Parish Pastoral Councils provide the structure to
enable priests and people to work together
Building up dynamic Christian communities
characterised by faith, service, worship and
evangelisation
The PPC enables discernment to take place
about what is best for the parish
Task 1: Reflection & Planning
Discerning the needs of the
parish community
Involving the whole parish in
response to needs
Task 2: Animation
Enabling the baptised to discover
thier call as disciples
By discerning the gifts of
parishioners
By developing the gifts through
provision for on-going formation and
training
Task 3: Action
Providing structures
that will marry the needs of the
parish
With the gifts and resources
available
Task 4: Communication
Ensuring effective dialogue takes
place within
The parish
The diocese
The wider community
Task 5: Evaluation
Reviewing the life and activities
of the parish
So that parish have a sense of
Proceeding towards
Brining about the reign of God
Pastoral Planning
Involves taking time out to reflect
on the life and mission of the parish
To formulate clear goals for the
future
Inspired by gospel values
Rooted in the life experience of the
parish
Within the local diocese
Faith Conviction
Pastoral Planning is a strategic process informed
by the following principles:
All the baptised share in the mission of Christ
All baptised are gifted and have a right and
duty to use these to build up the body of
Christ
The Holy spirit speaks through all the baptised
Where two or three are gathered Christ is in
the midst
Prayer is the key to any form of renewal
Key Principles of Pastoral
Planning
1. Communication: every step needs to be
clearly explained to parishioners
2. Facilitation: Good facilitation is not an
optional extra
3. Participation: involvement of parishioners
leads to greater ownership
4. Look Out: Look at what is happening beyond
the parish
5. Pacing: take one step at a time
6. Money: Awareness of Parish Finances focuses
budgeting
Careful Coordination
PPC organises a timeline for things to
be done
Sub-committees can be set up to do
further practical work
One PPC member should chair the subcommittee
A PPC member should be nominated to
liaise with outside facilitator/s.
Sub-committees for
Pastoral Planning
1. Publicity
2. Hospitality
3. Prayer
4. Facilitation
The Publicity Group
Encourages parishioners to take
part in the venture
They will explain to
parishioners:
What is happening and why
When and where it will take
place
How it will be organised
The Hospitality Group
Books venues
Organises seating
arrangements for large group
work and small break out
groups
Welcomes people as they arrive
Co-ordinates refreshments, etc
The Prayer Group
Works with the overall co-ordinator
interweaving prayer throughout the
sessions/meetings
Sets up a focal point for prayer
space
Provide prayer sheets/ leaflets when
required
The Facilitation Group
Takes responsibility for any small group
work
Organises training for facilitators
Ensures necessary equipment is available:
Markers
Blue Tac
Sheets of paper
Questions for the Group, etc.
Six Step Planning Process
1. Calling the Parish
2. Mission Statement
3. Assessing Needs
4. Setting goals
5. Sharing Responsibility
6. Calendaring
1. Calling the Parish
To Prayer
Looking to God for
inspiration, strength and
vision
2. Mission Statement
Holding a Parish Assembly
In order to form a Mission
Statement
And discern what Christ is
calling us to be
3. Assessing Needs
By means of a
Reflectionnaire
Examining current realities
Exploring future needs
4. Setting Goals & Objectives
Prioritising what needs to be done
Naming the steps
Making goals SMART
Specific
Manageable
Achievable
Realistic
Targeted
5. Sharing Responsibility
Translating the Mission Statement
into reality
Setting up working groups
Outlining plans of action
6. Calendaring
Naming the priorities
Charting the priorities for
the Year ahead
Entering them into public
Parish Calendar