Archdiocese helps parishes form and grow Parish Pastoral Councils
Simply put, a Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body of lay people and clergy that advises the pastor about pastoral issues. But Sister Donna Ciangio, Archdiocese of Newark Chancellor, said they are so much more—they are essential to parish life in developing the parish’s mission and planning for the future.
Sister Donna also said the councils’ primary purpose is to “keep their ears to the ground.”
The Parish Pastoral Council carries out its purpose through four interdependent functions: spiritual formation, parish planning, policy development, and communications.
READ: What’s needed in creating vital parishes
In March, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, issued a decree directing each parish to establish a parish pastoral council.
“It is the competency of the Parish Pastoral Council to advise and cooperate with the pastor in the mission of the parish. As such, the Parish Pastoral Council serves as a permanent structure for synodal dialogue among the clergy, religious, and laity,” Cardinal Tobin wrote.
In a guide published by the Archdiocese on Pastoral Councils, Cardinal wrote: “It is my expectation that each parish of the Archdiocese will have a pastoral council and find ways to listen to their fellow parishioners, seeking their advice regarding the best ways to make the Gospel alive in the hearts of all.
“We want to continue to form strong Catholic families, young adults, and adults as missionary disciples – those who can witness their faith in love and action,” he said. “We want to see parishes continue to remain close to their people, gathered by the Word, nourished by the sacraments, transmitting the faith to new generations, and serving the poor and forgotten.”
Sister Donna said the pastoral parish council will reflect on Welcome, Hospitality, and Outreach to continue the Synod experience of being a “listening Church. ”
The Archdiocese has published a planning guide that includes guidance on leading meetings, exploring a consultative model for resolving conflicts, and making decisions. Videos are also available online.
It also holds workshops for parishes to examine the purpose of Parish Pastoral Councils, how to form them, practical parish planning methods, and best practices for successful councils and parishes.
“The goal is to move parishes from maintenance to mission to become welcoming and hospitable,” Sister Donna said. “How do we address diminishing numbers in the pews and meet the spiritual needs of our youth? How do we become more creative and welcoming in outreach?”
The workshops introduce the members to the “Planning Guide for Parishes, Part One: Welcome, Hospitality, Outreach.” The book will be used in their home parish to guide councils in creating priorities and goals on projects to better meet the needs of the parishioners as a welcoming parish.
Young and old work together
Christopher Haliskoe is the president of the Parish Pastoral Council at St. Ann’s Church, which has 8 to 12 members ranging in age from 23 to 70. Haliskoe describes the members as older Italians and young professionals. He attributes the church’s expediential growth since the pandemic to its number of ministries and sense of community.
“As soon as we get a new parishioner in the door, we are welcoming them and trying to get them involved somehow in the church and its ministries,” Haliskoe said.
Father Martin Schratz, pastor, said that the older parishioners work well with the young parishioners.
“Many of the young have moved to the area for employment and don’t have family in the area. We are their family,” Father Schratz said.
He said that the pastoral council at St. Ann’s success lies in its recruitment of exceptional professionals, and he makes the final decisions.
“I let them run the show. It empowers them and gives them ownership of the church,” Father Schratz said. “And they take a lot of burden off my shoulders.”
Haliskoe and Father Schratz said the church has 30 ministries to get involved in. With groups like a new book club, knitting group, and events like Make Mozzarella Night, the parishioners feel a sense of community and belonging beyond Sunday Mass.
Councils should reflect their parishes
Barbara Sherry joined the pastoral council in 2018 at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic ChurchinBayonne. The council reflects the demographics of the church’s membership.
“Currently, we have one 25-year-old, two in their 30s, a married couple who are 47 each, four who are in their 50s, a 64-year-old, two women in their 70s and two 80-year-old women,” Sherry said. “The diversity includes one woman from the Philippines, two women from Peru, one man from Ecuador, two women from Columbia, and five who were born in Bayonne (two have been in the parish since childhood), one from Jersey City, and two who were born in adjacent states.”
She said the council is a supportive group that imbues trust with the parishioners.
The council recently produced two successful events for the church community, including a parish feast and the Living Stations during Lent.
“Everything is donated for our parish feast celebration for St. Vincent de Paul. It celebrates the diversity of the community with food, music, a parade of heritage in ethnic attire, and a program of performances,” Sherry said.
St. Vincent’s Council also gets the youth involved by promoting the idea that students can earn service hours for their school by helping with set-up, clean-up, and serving.
Sherry said the community was brought together to witness the church’s Living Stations during the Lenten season. The format, including live music, attracted people of all ages.
A welcoming parish
Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains launched its council in May 2021.
“Our pastor, Father Mike [Ward], engaged Sister Donna to help us, and within months, we were up and running. She brought so much clarity to the process. It was extremely helpful,” Geraldine Keogh, the president of the pastoral council, said. “The ongoing classes and support that Sister Donna and Milissa Else offer help us continue to strive for excellence.”
The current council is cross-generational, with members ranging in age from 18 to 70. The group began by working on “Reflections on Discipleship” and then held Synod listening sessions, exploring hospitality, communication, and information gathering.
“We wanted to know what our fellow parishioners were thinking. In addition, we also added surveys and open discussion forums. We wanted all voices to be heard,” Keogh said. “Hospitality became the vehicle with which we grew our parish and better engaged our parishioners. We now host one to two events a month for our parishioners and the local community.”
To create better communication, they have formed a team to improve the website and communications in general. This year, they will focus on multi-generational faith formation.
“The parish council has ignited our parish community, and we are seeing tangible growth in our membership every single month,” Keogh said.
The archdiocese has also formed an Archdiocesan Pastoral Council to advise Cardinal Tobin, consisting of 22 members from the four counties within the Archdiocese—Union, Hudson, Bergen, and Essex. The group researches and discusses the archdiocese’s needs, what it hears from parishioners, and pastoral conversion. Haliskoe, Keogh, and Sherry also serve on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. Haliskoe said that considering the Synod on Synodality, it’s an exciting time to be on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.
The Archdiocese will continue holding workshops this fall on how to form a Parish Pastoral Council at your church. Sister Donna suggests that churches pick a date for all pastoral council members to attend.
“Bring your experience, best practices, and questions,” Sister Donna said.
Click here to download the Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines and the Welcome, Hospitality, and Outreach Planning Resource, to sign up for workshops or more information.
Parish Pastoral Council workshops:
Saturday, Sept. 21
St. Luke Parish Center
340 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
9:30 AM-12 Noon with light refreshments
Thursday, Sept. 26
Holy Spirit Church
971 Suburban Rd, Union, NJ 07083
7-9 PM with light supper
Thursday, Oct. 17
St. Patrick, Assumption, All Saints, Jersey City
492 Bramhall Avenue, Jersey City 07304
7-9 PM with light supper
Saturday, Oct. 26
Archdiocesan Pastoral Center
171 Clifton Avenue, Newark 07104
9:30 AM-12 Noon with light refreshments
Thursday, Nov. 14
St. Mary, Rutherford
91 Home Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070
7-9 PM with light supper
