The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor and the unifying structure of the Parish community. Parish pastoral councils help in fostering pastoral activity (Canon 536) and are distinct from parish finance councils, which aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods (Canon 537).
Pope Paul VI stated that the pastoral council is "to examine and consider all that relates to pastoral work and to offer practical conclusions on these matters, so that the life and activity of the People of God be brought into greater conformity with the Gospel.”
The purpose of the council is to offer practical advice to the Pastor on pastoral matters. As the Body of Christ, God's Spirit speaks through the people; outside experts cannot judge what is best for a particular parish because they are not part of it. Pastoral Councils offer what no expert can offer: a judgment about what is right for a particular parish. This is our primary motive for having a council.
At St. Pius X, the Pastoral Council is comprised of the heads of each Organization and Ministry within the Parish and they meet four times per year.
Parish Finance Council
Meets: As Necessary
The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of lay persons established to advise the pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. The authority of the pastor is not diminished by the establishment of the Parish Finance Council; rather, the council serves as a resource of knowledge and expertise on financial matters, placing these skills at the service of the pastor and the parish.
The Finance Council is directed by the values of the Gospel in fulfilling it's responsibilities, as well as by good business practices. Efficient and effective use and management of parish resources must be measured as much by their contribution to parish mission and ministry as by commonly accepted business standards.
Role of the Finance Council
Canon 352 - In all legal affairs, the pastor acts in the person on the parish in administering the good of the parish.
Canon 357 - Each parish is required to have a Finance Council which is regulated by universal law, as well as by norms issued by the Diocesan Bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of Canon 532.
This body is advisory in nature or consultative in nature and exists to advise the pastor in financial matters.
Membership
Appointed by the pastor
Functions
Advises the pastor on any major commitment of funds or parish resources for capital improvements, or debt addition in excess of $10,000.00
Advises the pastor in the investment of parish funds and support to the parish school.
Advises the pastor in the preparation, adoption, and execution of the annual budget.
Liturgy Committee
Meets: As Necessary
The Liturgy Committee plans, prepares, implements, and evaluates all aspects of our liturgy so that our diverse community can fully, actively, and consciously worship. The Liturgy Committee is devoted to nourishing and providing direction for the liturgical aspects of parish life. We seek to ensure that parishioners are provided with opportunities to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations.
The committee meets as needed, but at minimum, we meet twice per year. Specifically, we coordinate solemn liturgies, such as the masses of Christmas and Easter; however, we also discuss, plan, and implement changes to the mass according to the season or prescriptions of the bishops, or for other special occasions and rituals.
Festival Committee
Meets: As Necessary (See the "Festival" tab under "Ministries and Organizations")
Our annual Parish Festival is our largest parish fundraiser and is held each year in September or October. It is a community-wide event that encompasses additional support from our ministries and parish organizations. The Festival committee is comprised of enthusiastic volunteers who are dedicated to the success of this event.