Pastor Speaks
THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL & CLERGY
The primary task of the members of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is to help the clergy shepherd God’s people, whereby the care of every individual is given importance.
- The PPC members (councilors) must help the parish to make every parishioner feel wanted, loved and cared for.
- The parish councilors are community builders. They are not merely giving advice at monthly meetings, but are constantly on the move, discovering talent, encouraging, training, growing in maturity, and building families in the area into a genuine Eucharistic community.
- The parish councillors evaluate the normal functioning of the parish and take pastoral initiatives to help the “communion” between the various bodies that make up the parish.
- The parish councilors carry out the mind the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan effectively
- The parish councilors often participate in ongoing formation programs.
Greetings to our parishioners! At the onset I wish you all a happy “Monti Fest” in remembrance of birth of Mary, Mother of God. This year the parish reflects on how we can nurture a holy, healthy and loving family. As a pastor, I have a deep respect for every family our parish and wish each family a great family feast during this season. In this issue of tidings I am addressing a vast topic of family life, by giving a birds eye view from a scriptural, church and cultural perspective.
The Biblical family
Gen 6: 18 says “J will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and
The Parish Pastoral Council, which functions as a consultative body in the spirit of Vatican II and in accordance with the provisions of Canon Law, represents all the Catholics in the Parish, i.e., the clergy, the religious and the laity. It shares with the Parish Priest and the Assistant Priests the responsibility for the growth of the Parish as a community of faith, hope and love. The Parish Pastoral Council is to act in collaboration with the Parish Clergy Team in such a manner that the entire Mission of the Church is promoted through the participation of all members of the Parish Community.
The Parish Pastoral Council is empowered in the same way the LORD tells Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel… and have them take their place there with you”. This is done to share responsibility, so Moses does not carry it alone. Moses gathers them around the tent, and the LORD comes down in a cloud. He takes some of the Spirit that was on Moses and puts it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, although they did not do so again. (Num 11:16-25). In the New Testament, Jesus appoints 72 additional disciples, sending them in pairs to every town he intended to visit. He tells them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few,” instructing them to go as “lambs into the midst of wolves” without money, bags, or sandals (Lk 11:1-24)
With the above mission, the PPC members in our parish are called to embody Jesus’ teachings by fostering a community of love, service, and shared responsibility, collaborating with the clergy to discern God’s will for our parish. Key, actionable teachings include cultivating inclusive, servant leadership, prioritising, and promoting unity through consensus-based, prayerful decision-making.
A PPC member is a practicing Catholic who actively participates in the life of the Church. A. person with good moral character and respect within the parish community. Someone willing to serve the parish selflessly and work in unity with the clergy and other members. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, teaching that leadership is not about power or glory but about lowering oneself to serve (Jn 13:12-17). Emulating Jesus by focusing on humble service rather than power, ensuring the parish is welcoming to all, regardless of background. Leaders must not act like secular rulers; the greatest must be the servant of all, as Christ came to serve, not to be served (Mk 10:42-44). The mission of the church belongs to all the baptised, requiring collaborative leadership between clergy and laity (Lumen Gentium). True leaders take on the work of serving, bearing burdens for the common good rather than just exercising authority.
Building a “body of Christ” that reflects communion in decision-making, aiming for consensus rather than mere majority rule. It is the highest consultative and pastoral body in the parish, which, working closely with the parish priest, plans, organises, coordinates, implements, monitors and evaluates the pastoral programs and activities of the parish
Prioritising the holistic, pastoral care of the community, which involves reaching out to the marginalised and responding to societal concerns. This pastoral care includes: The responsibility to preach the Gospel and nourish the Christian faithful with the message of salvation; To celebrate the sacraments and lead the parish community in prayer; To encourage active participation in the sacred liturgy; To foster works by which the spirit of the Gospel.
The Parish is at the crossroads, to constitute a new Parish Pastoral Council. As Pastor, I wish to thank all the leaders who have rendered selfless service and commitment both in the community and the parish in the past 6 years. We welcome the new members who take up leadership roles, that they may always imitate the early church, which was inspired by the risen Lord. May we imitate Mary, the mother of Jesus and the beloved disciple John and other apostles’ faith when they returned to Jesus in the upper room. Wishing all the parishioners a grace filled Holy Week with the greatest experience of our Lord’s passion death and resurrection.
Happy Easter and Peace of the Risen Lord!
Fr. Lawrence D’cunha
OCD Parish Priest, St. Joseph Church