New Pastoral Council Guidelines

On January 1, Bishop Da Cunha instituted new guidelines for Parish Pastoral Council to be implemented as of June 30, 2022. The new regulations will necessitate some change for the Holy Redeemer Parish Pastoral Council in the coming months.

Parish Pastoral Councils are an outgrowth of the Vatican II Council almost sixty years ago. The council document, The Constitution on the Church, is known by its Latin name, Lumen Gentium. This document called for establishing diocesan and parish structures to facilitate mutual collaboration between the clergy and laity to help improve the spiritual life of the local Church.

Parish Pastoral Councils are not parish governing bodies. The primary responsibility of the Pastoral Council is to provide communication between the laity and pastor concerning the pastoral needs, plans, and activities of the parish and to involve the laity in the pastoral and salvific mission of the parish. The Pastoral Council's purpose is to help stimulate a renewal of enthusiasm of the laity in the mission of the Church. The role of the Pastoral Council is to promote open and responsible dialogue between parishioners and the pastor.

When I first came to Holy Redeemer almost five years ago, there was no Pastoral Council and not much of a history of one. At that time, Fall River Diocesan Pastoral Council Guidelines instructed the pastor to appoint council members. Shortly after becoming pastor, I invited twelve parishioners who seemed to be parish leaders to form the council. Not everyone found membership on the council a good fit for them, and since the pandemic, the council has dwindled in membership. There are four members left, Janet Holden, Lorraine Cocolis, George Lane, and Beth Norcross.

The Pastoral Council has been very helpful in implementing the vision of Vatican II. They formulated our parish Mission and Vision Statements and, just before the onset of the pandemic, developed our Parish Pastoral Plan. Despite the pandemic, the council has been meeting to help implement the pastoral plan, and we have been surprisingly successful doing that despite the pandemic.

At last month's Pastoral Council Meeting, we discussed Holy Redeemer's work to implement the new Pastoral Council guidelines. The council decided to institute a seven-member council. According to the guidelines Beth Norcross, our Religious Education Coordinator, will continue as an Ex-Officio member. The other three members agreed to continue as the pastor's appointed members for another three-year term. Three new additional members are needed, and they will come from nominations from parishioners.

According to the diocesan guidelines, membership in the council is open to all registered parishioners in full communion with the Catholic Chuch. They need to participate in the Eucharistic life and work of the parish. Knowing the role of the Pastoral Council and the qualifications for membership, do you feel you would like to be part of the Council?

After Easter, when more parishioners are back in the parish, we will be soliciting applications for the Pastoral Council. Interested parishioners are encouraged to submit applications. We will also solicit nominations of possible councilors from parishioners. These applications will be reviewed by the current council members and me. An election of the three new councilors will then take place.

I'm looking forward to the election process, especially inviting new people to participate in parish life. New blood brings new energy and insight and keeps our parish from becoming stale. Please make the process of implementing the new Pastoral Council guidelines an intention of your prayers.

Lent Now Underway

The beginning of the penitential season of Lent in preparation for Easter is now underway.

Lent has three pillars, fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. This year plan to go beyond just the rules for the season for fasting from food and drink. Fast from whatever you feel obscures your holiness. Give alms not just from your excess but make it a real sacrifice that costs you some of your comforts. Take action to strengthen your prayer life. Consider reading Sacred Scripture to stimulate your prayer. Possibly use journaling, meditation, or another new prayer form this year. Show genuine repentance for your sins by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I'm in the Reconciliation Room at the back of the church every Saturday Afternoon from 3:00-3:45 pm. I'm also available by appointment.

Stations of the Cross, a favorite Lenten prayer devotion, will be recited every Friday at 3 pm. We will recite The Way of the Cross for Seniors this week. Join us for this time of prayer.

To guide your Lenten prayer, take a copy of The Word Among Us or My Daily Lenten Visitor Lent 2022 or both from the table at the back of the church. These booklets include a Gospel Reflection, Prayer, and a suggestion for living for each day of Lent. Take one for yourself and one for a friend. They will help make your Lent more worthwhile in 2022.

Prayer For Peace in Ukraine

"Almighty God, Through Jesus' Divine Name

And the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We Humbly We Humbly Ask For Your Mercy

To Obtain Peace in the Land of Ukraine.

May All the People of That Country,

Especially Children and the Elderly, Remain Safe From Danger.

Please Do Not Let Chaos and War Reign in the Land of Ukraine

But Only a Forever Peace That Comes From You. AMEN

Close your prayer with:

Our Father …

Hail Mary …

Glory Be …