The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) recognized the laity as an integral part of the people of God, and strongly recommended that they participate actively in the affairs of the Church. This recognition and recommendation have been strengthened by the recent teaching of Pope Francis on synodality as the way of being Church.
The participation of the laity in the mission of the parish is realized through various ways and ministries. Organization wise, the Parish Pastoral Council is the highest form of laity participation in the running of the affairs of a parish.
Our parish has a Pastoral Council and a Finance Council. These two councils are constituted of parishioners chosen on the basis of their perceived commitment to the mission of Christ in the parish. Usually, they represent the diversity of gifts and expertise we find in the parish.
Both councils are consultative and advisory in nature, that is, their primary task is to advise the pastor in the best ways to administer the affairs of the parish. Whereas the Parish Council may the consulted by the pastor on all matters pertaining to the parish, the Finance Council is concerned with issues of finance.
Our present Parish Pastoral Council is new; it was established around June this year. Being a body that represents all the people of God in our parish, I would like to present its members to us. We hope to do this at the 10 am and 12 noon Masses on November 9, 2025. Thus, we will know them and be able to relate with them, and also we will pray for them for the grace to serve faithfully and effectively.
The Parish Council helps the pastor in drawing up and implementing the parish pastoral plans and goals. This includes helping him to set policies, coordinate parish initiatives, investigate and weigh pastoral undertakings, examine and solve pastoral problems and make decisions about things that serve common good in the parish. For these reasons, to some extent, we can hold them accountable for the ways things go in the parish.
While we pray for our parish council and councilors, let us remember that we all are called to participate actively in the life of our parish community and there are many ways we can do this. Ask me if you are in doubt.
-Fr Bona