To some, his ‘gift’ was that they should be apostles: to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; to knit God’s holy people together for the work of service to build up the Body of Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:11-12
Parish Pastoral Council Leadership
Each baptized parish member shares in the concern for the mission of the Church. The Parish Pastoral Council members support the mission as lived and experienced in the parish community.
“… But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ”
(Mark 10:43-45)
As part of the Council, all members are called to take on a leadership role, and this calls for a discernment process. Throughout the process, a person needs to ask: What talents, virtues, and limits do I possess that indicate my ability to serve God’s people through a commitment to lay ministry? Members of the PPC are reminded that prayer and collaboration are at the basis of their service. Members are called to witness and to collaborate with the pastor, for the spiritual welfare of the parish community. When approached to be a potential member of Parish Pastoral Council, it’s easy to hesitate. We might doubt that we are not good enough or qualified enough to sit on council. Regardless, all of us are gifted in one way or another and are called to share those gifts with the parish community.
For more information see Archdiocesan Policy 1105 Parish Pastoral Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council provided broad themes that led to the formation of parish pastoral councils (PPCs). The laity should accustom themselves to working in the parish in union with their priests, bringing to the Church community their own and the world’s problems as well as questions concerning human salvation, all of which they should examine and resolve by deliberating in common. As far as possible the laity ought to provide helpful collaboration for every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by their local parish.
(Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 10)
Decree on the Laity
The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity refers to the relationship between lay people and pastors: “As sharers in the role of Christ, the laity has an active part to play in the life and activity of the Church.” Lay men and women hear and answer the universal call to holiness primarily and uniquely “in each and every one of the world’s occupations and callings and in the ordinary circumstances of social and family life which, as it were, form the context of their existence. All of the baptized are called to work toward the transformation of the world. Working in the Church is a path of Christian discipleship to be encouraged by the hierarchy. (See Lumen Gentium, nos. 30, 33, 37).
(Coworkers in the Vineyard, USCCB, 2005.)