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St. Bernadette R. C. Church |
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5930 South Abbott Road Orchard Park, New York 14127-4597 716-649-3090 |
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Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Council is to act as a consultative body that communicates with the Pastor and Parish Community, and recommends for present and future growth, both spiritually and physically, as outline by the Vatican Council.
- - - from Parish Pastoral Council of St. Bernadette Parish Constitution, Article II |
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Parish Pastoral Council Meetings The Council meets during the “Big Meeting” on the first Wednesday of the month. |
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Parish Pastoral Council |
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Please Note: The Council is in the process of reorganization; updated information will be posted as provided. |
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Parish Council News
Traditionally, the role of the Parish Council has been to advise the Pastor as to the needs and direction of the parish as a whole, as well as conducting events which promote fellowship within our parish family. Not so visible are the inherent responsibilities of the Council, it goes well beyond just providing advice.
Our role includes assisting our Pastor, Assistants, and Ordained Staff in guiding our parish to continued and sustained growth, both spiritually and financially; maintain the viability and growth of Catholic Education by actively supporting our Parish School and Religious Education Program; identify and support the needs of the dozens of Parish Organizations who are literally doing the Lord’s work on a daily basis; identify and promote new opportunities for Fellowship not only within the parish, but also within our community; but most importantly, we are your voice, the voice of the parishioner.
One of our most popular fellowship events are the Parish Coffee Socials. We would like to expand these to additional Masses and possibly on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, the dedicated individuals who have hosted these on behalf of Parish Council are moving on to other ministries. We would like to develop the hosting of the coffees into a family ministry, where we supply the materials, and a number of families host a single Mass on a rotating schedule. This is a great opportunity for those who like to entertain, but needn’t be concerned about having 100 or more people in their house. If you’re interested, contact Ralph at 662-7712.
The Council is currently undergoing re-organization. We are looking for additional individuals who may be willing to give of their time in service on Pastoral Council. If you have been confirmed, are registered in the parish, and wish to know more, contact the rectory office for more information.
Check for more Parish Council news in the weekly bulletin, available on the home page. |
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From Fr. Paul’s Column in the March 27, 2011, Bulletin:
Our Church — What I’m Thinkin’…
For a number of reasons — including my inability to communicate a clear vision to them — we don’t have an active Pastoral/Parish Council.
Ralph McNall has been in communication with the Parish Life Office of the Diocese of Buffalo which is going to make another effort to get this thing moving. However, those meetings will not start until after Easter. And while I rely on advice from a number of sources — Finance Council, ministerial Staff, individual committees and parishioners— these groups still cannot take the place of a Pastoral Council as far as setting a spiritual and temporal agenda and accomplishing actual tasks necessary to add to the vibrancy of our parish.
At the next BIG MEETING NIGHT on Wednesday April 6 at 7pm, I will meet for the first half-hour (about 7:20 to 8pm) with any parishioners who may want to serve in this capacity. |
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From the April 3rd, 2011, Bulletin St. Bernadette Parish Pastoral Council Some Thoughts
Fr. Paul communicated some things he is looking to have a Parish-Pastoral Council do, including;
Setting a spiritual and temporal agenda Accomplishing actual tasks necessary to add to the vibrancy of our parish Large parish-wide fundraisers
The focus of the recent PATHWAYS to Parish Vitality conference and other Diocese Office of Parish Life meetings was parish re-vitalization through evangelization. Associated goals are:
Formation - Enthusiasm for faith – Foster parishioner engagement Invitation to Others – Salvation in Jesus Christ – Build Parish capacity for mission and outreach Transformation – by the saving power of Jesus Christ – Foster Values in Society
The above is the basis for numerous Evangelization ideas which would include what Fr. Paul is looking to have a Parish-Pastoral Council do. A vibrant parish through evangelization provides a vision for a Parish-Pastoral Council. But, a vision is of little value without some fully engaged parishioners to act on the vision. While other committees and numerous ministries provide opportunities for parishioners to be fully engaged in evangelization activities, they do not adequately address everything that is needed to restore and maintain the vitality of St. Bernadette Parish. To that end I believe we need not only an active, but a diverse Parish-Pastoral Council that includes:
One or more parents of Parish School students (complement to there being at least one non-parent on the School Board) One or more teenagers from Edge and/or Life Teen One or more single young adults. Both married and single seniors. Parishioners with disabilities. Active involvement of other parishioners, committees, ministries, and ministerial staff as needed to build parish capacity for mission and outreach.
If you are not already fully engaged in parish life, please consider getting engaged, not just involved.
Ralph McNall – March 28, 2011 |
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From the May 1st, 2011, Bulletin The Need for a Parish Council
Dennis Mahaney from the Office of Parish Life in the Diocese of Buffalo, will be at St. Bernadette’s on Thursday, May 5th at 7 PM in the Msgr. Nugent Room to discuss the need for a Parish Pastoral Council and what can be done to meet that need. While St. Bernadette Parish is vibrant in many ways, this has not been reflected in its Council for some time, as reflected in the difficulty we continue to have getting parishioners to participate in the Council. This predates Fr. Paul’s arrival and is particularly frustrating given that a number of much smaller parishes do not appear to have this problem. And we shouldn’t need to be in the situation a number of smaller parishes are in, i.e., the need to consolidate, in order to get parishioners interested in participating in what should be ―the Parish Leadership Team‖ of St. Bernadette Parish. Dennis likes to say ―Real parish success comes less from doing things right, than from doing the right things!‖
Please come and hear what Dennis has to say and seriously consider joining the Parish Leadership Team.
… Ralph McNall |
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THE PARISH COUNCIL NEEDS YOU!
The Parish Pastoral Council has a few positions available for those who are being called to serve. Duties include assisting our Pastor as well as other staff in fostering pastoral activity or care. Your involvement will help guide our parish toward continued and sustained pastoral growth as well as help support other parish ministries and organizations which assist in doing the Lord’s work on a daily basis both here at St. Bernadette as well as in the community at large. Step up and be heard; the Parish Pastoral Council is YOUR voice - the voice of the parishioner. If you feel the spirit leading you, please contact the Parish Office or Donna Mitchell at 866-9301, email: dmitchell@cks.edu for further information. Young adults are especially encouraged to join. |