Purpose and Role of Parish Pastoral Councils with Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.: Son Rise Morning Show 04/22/2025
Parish pastoral councils allow a collaboration between the pastor and the people of the parish to generate effective ministry to the community. Listen to Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C share more in this segment of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, about parish pastoral councils.
Parish pastoral councils are a consultative body in a Catholic parish that advises the pastor on pastoral matters, helping to plan, coordinate, and review activities related to the parish's mission, such as evangelization, worship, and service. It acts as a representative body, assisting in setting goals and fostering unity, ensuring the parish responds effectively to the needs of its community.
As part of its renewal to the Church, the Council called for a number of new structures to promote active involvement and collaboration in the mission of the Church. After the Council, a new structure was proposed by the Church to call forth in an orderly fashion the insights and cooperation of persons at the level of the local community. That structure is the parish pastoral council.
The rationale for the parish pastoral council may be found in the Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church:
“By reason of the knowledge, competence, or pre-eminence which they have, the laity are empowered indeed sometimes obliged to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church. If the occasion should arise this should be done through the institutions established by the Church for that purpose and always with truth, courage and prudence and with reverence and charity towards those who, by reason of their office represent the person of Christ.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)
Notes:
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Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.
