PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

BACKGROUND:
The Pastoral Council consists of the Pastor together with a group of parishioners chosen by the parish community. They share responsibility for the building a vital Christian community focused on living and promoting God's values of love, justice and peace..

AIMS:
  • To be part of a group of committed lay people who come together with their parish team to share responsibility for the development of the parish community of faith and the mission of the Church in the Booval/Riverview area.
  • The Parish Pastoral Council invites all parishioners to participate in planning, encouraging, guiding and directing the various aspects of parish life.
  • The Parish Pastoral Council seeks to enrich the quality of parish life and ensure that parishioners have available to them all they need to grow in holiness and to discover and live out their personal and community call to mission.
  • The Parish Pastoral Council will listen to research and identify needs, ideas, hopes and criticisms from parishioners.  
  • The Parish Pastoral Council evaluates parish life and mission in the light of Christ's teaching, broader Church initiatives, and the values and goals of the parish i.e. Pastoral Planning.
  • The Parish Pastoral Council will develop, implement, review and improve pastoral prograrnmes.

MEMBERSHIP

The following are current members of the Parish Pastoral Council:
  • Fr Thomas Varkey MCBS (Ex-officio - Pastor),
  • Chris Hicks (Chair),
  • Cat Isaacs (Secretary),
  • Bernadette Arthur
  • Cathy Peacock
  • Denise Jones
  • Janet Habermann
  • Les Scott
  • Malcolm Mittra ​
  • Sia Stagg
OVERVIEW & PROCESS

The term of a Pastoral Councilor is for 3 years with half of the council being renewed every 18 months. You can nominate yourself or other people who you think might be suitable in this role. The person will then be asked along to the discernment sessions. Note that this does not automatically mean you become a Parish Councilor! You have the option to decline. All we ask at this stage is for you to attend the discernment sessions. The sessions will provide both information on what it is to be a councilor and prayerful reflection to ask the Holy Spirit if this is your calling. Should you wish to continue/ are selected, then your term on the Council will start and last for 3 years. At the end of the term there is no obligation to continue to another term. The full description of the Pastoral Council and what is entailed can be found by following the ministry link.