Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of Fr. Gerard together with a group of parishioners chosen by the parish community. They share responsibility for building a vital Christian community focused on living and promoting God's values of love, justice and peace.

The pastoral Council seeks to -

enrich the quality of parish life provide opportunities for parishioners

(a) to grow in holiness

(b) to discover and live out their personal and community call to mission

- to live as Catholics who effectively transform society.

In order to fulfil its role, the Pastoral Council will -

• grow in knowledge and awareness of what is already happening in the Parish
• encourage and support the good work of existing groups within the Parish
• reach out and respond to the hopes, ideas, needs and concerns of parishioners
• evaluate carefully information gathered in order to make decisions that reflect the values of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church
• set long and short term pastoral goals for the Parish
• provide opportunities for parishioners to grow in their relationship with God and each other
• develop, implement and improve parish initiatives that assist parishioners in their continuing efforts to live as effective Christians in society.

The parish is not a separate entity and is not complete without its relationship to the Deanery and the wider Archdiocese. The Parish of St. Gerard Majella is not an independent church in as much as all parishes make up a single community of faith under the leadership of Archbishop John Bathersby DD.

The Deanery and Archdiocese provide structures for the mutual exchange of information and coordination of activities on issues effecting parishes. The Pastoral Council will express its relationship to the wider community by participating in the Deanery and Archdiocesan gatherings, and providing support for initiatives promoted at these levels.

Parish Pastoral Councils give recognition to the reality that the greatest resource of the Church is the People of God. They also provide avenues for the expression of deeply held longings of parishioners to integrate their faith more effectively into all avenues of daily life.