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Church of St. Catharine>Pastoral Council

Pastoral Council

pastoralcouncil@stcatharine.net

Are you or someone you know considering serving on the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)?

Pastoral Council Information Session
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 at 7:00 pm.

Pastoral Council Discernment Night
Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 at 7:00 pm.

We are requesting the parish community ask the Holy Spirit to bring forth those gifted to serve our parish as members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Councilors will be chosen by a two part discernment process.

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a consultative body to the pastor and assists Father Pat in coming to understand and live out the parish’s pastoral mission fostering pastoral activity in caring for and shepherding the flock. The PPC engages in both visioning and long-term planning and is not a coordinating or implementation committee. In a consultative role, the Parish Pastoral Council investigates/explores, ponders/reflects upon, and proposes/recommends. Additionally, the PPC is the eyes and ears of St Catharine parish for the pastor and aids him in gaining additional insights about parish life.

Further information about the role of a Parish Pastoral Council is here:

https://dioceseoftrenton.org/the-role-of-the-pastoral-council

Members should be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and registered active members of St. Catharine Parish at least 18 years of age.

Parish Pastoral Council Members should have a:

  • Willing Heart
  • Open Mind
  • Love of people
  • Desire and time to serve
  • Yearning to build the Church
  • Enthusiasm about the future directions of the parish
  • Eagerness to listen and inspire others in the work of the parish

Specifics about member commitment and responsibilities:

  • The PPC is comprised of 12 members.
  • Meetings with the pastor about 10 times a year on a Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm for approximately 90 minutes. Meeting attendance is crucial.
  • Occasional subcommittee work and collaboration with other leadership within the parish.
  • Access to computer and email is essential.
  • Completion of work between meetings including availability to read, process and respond to all correspondence via email and or phone.

Please consider making a nomination to the Parish Pastoral Council by sending an email with the name, email address, and phone number of the nominee to pastoralcouncil@stcatharine.net.

Continued prayers for the process of forming St Catharine Parish Pastoral Council and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing forth those called to serve.

Give us the freedom of your Spirit,
to seek you with all our hearts,
and to choose Your Will above all else.

Council Update Summer 2022

Are you called to serve our parish???

The Parish Pastoral Council has been active for over 18-months now – helping Father Pat navigate our parish to vibrantly grow in Community, Evangelization, Faith Formation, and Worship. While likely subtle to you thus far, our work has had a meaningful impact behind the scenes on many aspects of parish life and how we operate.

To keep perspectives fresh – and cultivate new ideas among our community – the council was designed to bring in new parishioners every year starting two years after its initial establishment. Existing members will roll off slowly over time as new members join.

That two-year mark is this upcoming January 2023!!! We are looking for four new councilors (age 18 and older) to join us in January and share their unique talents and perspectives.

The Pastoral Council meets once a month; with occasional sub-committee Zooms or meetings during some months; overall the commitment is manageable.

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a consultative body to the pastor and assists Father Pat
in coming to understand and live out the parish’s pastoral mission fostering pastoral activity in caring for and shepherding the flock. The PPC engages in both visioning and long-term planning and is not a coordinating or implementation committee. In a consultative role, the Parish Pastoral Council investigates/explores, ponders/reflects upon, and proposes/recommends. Additionally, the PPC is the eyes and ears of St Catharine parish for the pastor and aid him in gaining additional insights about parish life.

We pray that all parishioners ask the Holy Spirit to guide our parish in the selection of new councilors. Please consider nominating anyone who can help St. Catharine’s grow by participating in the Pastoral Council. Self-nominations are welcomed as well. Simply email the Pastoral Council directly at pastoralcouncil@stcatharine.net and include the name, phone number, and best email address for the nominee.

All nominees will be contacted in late summer with further information about the discernment and selection process.

Parish Pastoral Council Update Spring 2022

Over the last several months we welcomed an Events Committee to host social events for our parish throughout the year. Many thanks to those who volunteered for this committee! We are grateful for their enthusiasm and are excited for the new and creative ways they plan to encourage COMMUNITY within Saint Catharine’s.

In addition, the council has been working with a representative from the Diocese to analyze the parish’s current EVANGELIZATION efforts and develop a plan to ensure our ministries best meet the faith needs of our community and parish. Stay tuned for our recommendations based on this analysis!

The following elements of parish life at St. Catharine are our current priorities:

COMMUNITY: The Church of St. Catharine is a community working through the Holy Spirit providing spiritual growth in a nurturing environment, while promoting togetherness and belonging. Our campus is a place where all are welcome to experience the Love of God and enjoy each other’s company.

EVANGELIZATION: We are a community that brings people to Jesus’ Way of Life, through an encounter with Christ.

FAITH FORMATION: We help parishioners come to know and grow in their spiritual life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP: Sunday Mass at St. Catharine is a time when all Individuals and Families Are Welcomed to Experience God’s Purpose and Presence in an Energized, Uplifting Environment – Surrounded and Supported by an Engaged & Caring Community.

Please feel free to introduce yourself to council members when you see us at mass and reach out to individual councilors by clicking on their names below: