BACKGROUND

"The pastor is the proper shepherd of the parish entrusted to him, exercising pastoral care in the community entrusted to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share; in accord with the norm of law he carries out for his community the duties of teaching, sanctifying and governing, with the cooperation of other presbyters or deacons and the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful" (Canon 519)

"The pastor, then, has primary role of leadership in both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the parish. Ultimately, all decisions about the operation and direction of the parish need to carry his agreement and approval.  The laity are to assist the pastor in whatever way possible. The Parish Pastoral Council serves in an advisory role and the pastor takes into serious account their opinions and recommendations" (Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils, Diocese of Manchester).

Our parish is blessed to have a newly formed Parish Pastoral Team, which assists the pastor to pray for the community, to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit, and to work towards bringing together those pastoral elements in the life of the Church which will foster Evangeliztion, Faith Formation, Community,  and Charitable Service, and greater opportunities for spirital enirchment in the life of the parish.

Although the Parish Pastoral Team serves only in an advisory role, they are important in helping the pastor to build up the Body of Christ and to bring more and more persons to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Rosa Bucchio
Wanda Bushey
Brian Crawford
Carol Holleran
Bernadette Lanzillo
Jon Mallows
Kate Mallows
Kim McCarthy
Valerie Somers