Parish Council

SAINT HENRY PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

INTRODUCTION AND INAUGURATION

September 14, 2005

1.  Pastoral Councils are mandated by our Roman Catholic Church:

Cf. Diocesan Pastoral Council – Canons 511 – 514

(Christian faithful who are in full communion with the Catholic Church; selection should reflect diversity – region, social condition, professions, individuals or groups that have role in the apostolate. No one except Christians of proven faith, good morals and outstanding prudence are to be appointed to the pastoral council).

2.  Parish Pastoral Council is mandated by Canon 536 and the decision of the local bishop. It is a quasi replica of the Diocesan PASTORAL COUNCIL.           

Can. 536.“…A pastoral council is to be established in each parish; the pastor presides over it, and through it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their office give their help in fostering pastoral activity. This pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by norms determined by the diocesan bishop.”

3.  Saint Henry Pastoral council consists of the pastor who celebrates the sacraments, appointees from those who assist him in Eucharistic Liturgy and other celebrations and also appointees from the various organizations that are involved in the parish apostolate.

Thus: The Pastor, appointees from: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Servers, Choir, Ushers, Greeters and from Organizations such as, Evangelization / Religious Education, C.W.O., C.C.W., C.M.O., Outreach, Hospitality, Adult Christian Formation, etc.

4.  FIRST AGENDA OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

a). Parish Annual Retreat – To fix the most suitable week in the year for maximum attendance – Council agreed on second week of Lent every year.

b). As published in our parish Bulletin of August 14, 2005 quoted below:

“My first request is that we put our heads and hands together and organize a befitting retirement sendoff Mass and party for our pastor Emeritus whose ministry in this parish for the past 25 years touched many lives including mine.  Let us right away reserve Sunday, October 30, for this purpose. Monsignor Reynolds will be the principal Celebrant at the 11:30 A.M. Mass to which we will turn out in full. The Mass will be followed by other activities in the parish built by the same Monsignor Reynolds.”

I expect that between August 14 and September 14 most you have given serious consideration to my request and have come up with good ideas as to what we could do and how we are to do them. For our discussion:

1. Should we organize the suggested celebration or not?  Council unanimously voted yes.

2. If yes, what form should it take?  Suggestions and Discussion

3. Things to be done, how and by whom? Suggestions and discussion

4. Next council meeting – Wednesday, October 28, 2005, same time and place.

5. Present:

Fr. Francis Akwue, C.S.Sp., Administrator

Michael Cherup

James Pockey

Sister Joanne Bonczek

Charles Mennes

Ralph Chiocco

Phyllis Bubello

Bruce Augello

Elizabeth Wiesend

Patricia Mann

  SECOND PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Wednesday, October 28, 2005

Present for this second meeting were: 

Fr. Francis Akwue, C.S.Sp., Administrator

Bruce Augello

Phyllis Bubello

Michael Cherup

Ralph Chiocco

Patricia Mann

James Pockey

Elizabeth Wiesend

Teresa Cherup

Timothy Arnold

Ingrid Arnold

Margaret Miller

Father Francis introduced Teresa Cherup, Timothy and Ingrid Arnold. These have been commissioned to head the Hospitality Committee in the parish. After the introduction of these and the description of their ministry, the pastoral council continued with its preparations for the MONSIGNOR REYNOLDS’ DAY.