The comments that follow came from the “exploratory meeting” of November 10, 2010. They capture the thoughts and ideas of parish leaders of what a pastoral council for St. Anthony Parish ought to be. In other words, they capture a vision, a combined and common vision. They reflect the initial attempts at formulating and articulating a model which will emerge in time as members become more engaged and take ownership of the council itself. These comments are the building blocks for developing a functioning pastoral council for the parish.

For all this to work, committed members are needed to assume responsibility for the various tasks, i.e., planning, community building, research and evangelization.

Several points must be underscored from the comments, ideas and recommendations. These are, in effect, the working principles for the Pastoral Council.

1. Community of Disciples – First and foremost, the members of the PC must strive to be faithful followers of Jesus (i.e., to be disciples).
2. Guided by the Holy Spirit – Discernment is the number one task of the PC as individual members and a body.
3. Relationship building – The second most important task of the PC is building relationship with one another and with the rest of the parish, the faith community of St. Anthony’s.
4. Justice and Compassion – The third most important task of the PC is to set an example for doing justice, for putting on a heart of compassion and for walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
5. Mission oriented – The pastoral council is the reflective and active (i.e., faith-in-action) body of the parish for leadership in carrying out the mission of the church.
6. Diversity and unity – A working principle for the pastoral council must be “diversity IN unity.” While respecting diversity, the integrity and unity of the parish must be upheld.

Comments, Ideas and Recommendations

Discipleship - PC members are called through an invitation to experience relationship (discipleship), the Jesus Way. Using this model that Jesus gave (“Do this in memory of me,” i.e., to eat the bread and drink the cup in Mt. 26:26-28; and, to wash each other’s feet in John 13:14) those who come and see are formed into a relationship and become friends (John 15:15). Gradually their eyes are opened (Lk 24:31), their hearts burn (Lk 24:32), and they are sent forth (John 20:21). In a similar way, members of the Pastoral Council are formed into their role by following (discipleship) the way of fellowship (the breaking of the bread) and service (the washing of each other’s feet) as Jesus taught.

Vision and process – What was presented initially at the meeting is a vision and a process from which to discuss, reflect and discern, thus, the invitation to “come and see” ((John 1:38-39)). The first meeting is the beginning of seeing and understanding the vision. In the discussion that ensued, the matter of process (a way to proceed and conduct meetings) surfaced. As we begin to develop a structure for the Pastoral Council, we must do so from a relationship that is established and maintained, for relationship building is what being a church is about. Structures, therefore, follow relationship. One-to-one relationships are the building blocks of a community of faith.

Meetings

• “Rules” for conducting meetings: Most favor the less formal style of conducting meetings.
• Time keeping
• Recording of “minutes”
• Chairing of meetings – alternating
• Everyone gets to speak. We make sure everyone is given time to speak at the end.

Suggestion Box – This is a responsibility of the Pastoral Council. The PC follows up on what is placed in the box, i.e., to do further research.

PC membership by discernment and appointment – A prospective member is invited to discern his/her membership, and the pastor formally appoints him/her to the Pastoral Council.

Decision-making process – For the most part, the Pastoral Council works towards a consensus in its decision-making.

Building an organization by following a model – It is good to start with a PC model, someone said, a model from which to create and build. We learn from one another.

Members who are serving need a sense of satisfaction in their work. They need to know that their time and talent are appreciated and are useful.

Cultural implications and nuances are recognized and respected.

• Always work towards unity in diversity.
• Diversity is respected. Integrity and unity of the parish is upheld. Note: diversity is not just cultural diversity.
• Diversity includes ideology, philosophy, education and formation, economic, political, gender, race, etc.

Unity - When the Pastoral Council gets together, it becomes a single unit, a unified governing, discerning and planning body for the parish.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28)