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2011-2012 PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
(Pictures and contact information for
the current members,
as well as meeting Agendas and Minutes,
are
at the bottom of this page)
Pastoral Advisory Council (PAC) is the real
name for what is usually (casually) referred to as a "parish
council." There are several reasons for our choice to use the
official terminology.
First, it is the term used by the Catholic Church's Code of
Canon Law in referring to such a group, whether they are formed
to serve the diocese and its bishop or a parish and its pastor.
Second, the term highlights the emphasis of the council's work as
being "pastoral"— another "Church-speak" word which
is understood to refer to the work of pastoring: everything that pertains to the spiritual care
and nurture and growth of people. The understanding of "pastoral" as
relating to the pastor of the parish is secondary.
Finally, the PAC is understood by Canon Law to be advisory
since, under that Law, the pastor of the parish is the only
individual ultimately responsible to the bishop for the parish
entrusted to his care. Unlike the governing structures of
other Christian denominations, the PAC does not have decision-making
authority or the powers of hiring/firing.
Because the pastor is thus subject to the authority of the bishop
rather than to a group of parishioners,
this structure protects the parish from a pastor who is not properly
exercising his responsibilities. This arrangement also
protects the parish as a whole from a "renegade" council that would
seek to force an issue that contradicts Catholic life and teaching
or to interfere with the pastor's conscience and responsibility.
The task of the PAC, therefore, is threefold: to gather
information about parish life and activities and the needs of
parishioners, especially spiritual needs; to strive to understand
that information within the larger context of the Catholic Church's
understanding of parish life; to derive conclusions from that
information and make proposals to the pastor (and through him to the
parish staff) for the good of the parish.
In addition to making direct contact with the Saint Luke Parish
clergy and staff
to share your positive feedback, suggestions and concerns,
all parishioners are encouraged to look upon PAC Members as your
representatives
and to contact them
using the information listed below.
Please pray
regularly for our PAC Members that they be inspired by the Holy Spirit to
serve wisely and well for you, our parishioners!
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Saint
Luke Church
Walter
Jeff
Ford
David
John
M
Jack
Greg Taylor
Ron