Vatican II called on all Catholics to recognize and respond to their vocation to ministry. (Lumen Gentium, 37)

When parishioners share their needs and desires with pastors, they actively participate in this ministry. In line with this, the Bishop of San Jose mandates that each parish form consultative bodies to support pastoral work and manage parish resources. One such body is the pastoral council.

The pastoral council stewards the parish mission and strategic plan, advising the pastor and staff on parish matters. Through a process of study, reflection, and open discussion, the council provides recommendations to the pastor. This process, known as pastoral planning, involves investigating, considering, and recommending solutions.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN LEADERSHIP
Parishes are dynamic communities and have many facets. Engagement and dialogue are essential to lead a parish. A significant group of dialogue and engagement is the Pastoral Council. The Council meets monthly to discuss matters related to parish life, mission, and concerns. Members of the Council are selected through a discernment process.

If you are interested in serving as a member of the Council, or know someone who you believe would be a asset to the Council, please use the nomination box located in the vestibule of the church or in the parish office.

Want to learn more? Contact Lisa Rauschmeyer: jrauschmay@aol.com

Ex-officio:
Fr. Joseph Benedict, Pastor

The council’s work includes:

1. Reviewing and communicating the parish vision, mission, and strategic plan.
2. Developing goals based on the mission and strategic plan of the parish.
3. Collaborating with other groups to develop mission group goals.
4. Sharing progress and goals of the strategic plan with the parish.
5. Supporting other parish organizations in achieving their goals.
6. Evaluating progress of goals and strategic plan annually.
7. Organizing town hall meetings to involve parishioners in future planning.

Additionally, the council will be responsible to oversee the nomination period for discernment:

1. Announcing the start and end of the nomination period to the parish.
2. Placing nomination boxes in the church, parish center, and school offices.
3. Collecting and delivering nominations to the parish administrator, who compiles the list. The pastor or administrator will then contact nominees to gauge their interest in serving on the council.

The pastoral council meets monthly at the parish center, except in July and August, typically on the second Tuesday. The pastor may adjust meeting times or add extra meetings as needed for the parish’s benefit.

The Sacred Heart Parish pastoral council consists of 7-9 members chosen through a discernment process based on diocesan guidelines. Ex-officio members include the pastor, parish administrator, and assigned parochial vicars. One council member serves as the recording secretary. Prospective Council members must be available to attend Council meetings and be active members of one if not more of Parish Mission groups. Council nominees do not represent or advocate a particular agenda or constituency group within the parish but rather represent the interests of the parish as a whole. Membership cannot be renewed with a consecutive term but former members can be re-nominated and discerned after a one year hiatus. The pastor may request members to stay on the council beyond their term if needed.

The discernment committee shall be appointed by the pastor with recommendations from the following constituencies:

1. School Board – 1 member
2. Grow Our Catholic Faith – 1 member
3. Welcome the Community – 1 member
4. Act as Christians in the World – 1 member
5. Worship Together – 1 member
6. Build Our Parish Family – 1 member

The discernment committee shall be trained and overseen by a skilled facilitator who has experience with the discernment process. This process is based on the model of the selection process for leadership in women’s religious orders. The facilitator is a member of an order who discerns leadership through this process.

The tasks of the discernment committee are as follows:
1. Attend the information session following the nominating phase at which time those who have been nominated and seek further discernment are present to learn more about the Council and its work.
2. Participate in the actual interview process with the nominees to determine which candidates would best serve on the Council.
3. Submit the names of chosen Council candidates to the facilitator with clear reasons explaining choices for or against Council membership.

The pastoral council membership is selected through a discernment process led by the pastor with the involvement of current and former council members. The steps include:

1. Nominations: Announced by the pastor, usually by mid-March, with nomination boxes placed in key parish locations (church vestibule, front office of the parish center, religious education and school office counters). The period lasts 30 days. Qualifications: 16+, practicing Catholic devout to the Eucharist and Word of God, and a member for at least 1 year. Parishioners can nominate others or self-nominate.
2. Contacting Nominees: By the end of March, the pastor or delegate contacts nominees to gauge interest in council membership.
3. Information Session: By mid-April, a reception and prayer service is held to inform nominees and parishioners about the council’s purpose and process. Nominees decide whether to continue in discernment.
4. Second Discernment Session: Held in early May, facilitated by the pastor or delegate.
5. Selection: After the second session, the council recommends nominees to the pastor, who finalizes selections and informs them within 24 hours. Results are published in the parish bulletin.
6. New Members: Incoming members join the June council meeting, where outgoing members are thanked for their service.