Parish Pastoral Council

Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church

Members of the 2010-2011 Parish Pastoral Council include:

(L-R): Marie Menard (Vice-Chair), Jan Pitts (Secretary), Cheryl Asbury, Lalonnie Saunier, Carol Fleming,
Fr. Abelardo Huanca, Julie Sanchez, Fr. John Koziol (Pastor), Manuela Kelly, Leonard Chambliss,
David Ashe, Christian Sama, Michelle Vandemark (Chairperson), Phillip Wesley, and Maurice Bertrand.

(Not Pictured): Fr. Michael Kolodziej and Henry Ohaya.

The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body which makes recommendations to the Pastor. The members are nominated by the parishioners and then selected through a discernment process. The purpose of the Council is to promote the spiritual growth of the parish community and to plan ways for the parish to carry out the mission of the Church. The members of the Parish Council represent the interests and pastoral needs of the entire parish.

The five commissions under the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Philip Benizi are described below.

Spiritual Life Commission

Our spiritual journey begins in Baptism. As members of the Body of Christ, we are invited to deepen our relationship with the Lord and with one another. The Church, our spiritual home on Earth, supports and assists us on this journey.

The Spiritual Life Commission collaborates with the Parish Pastoral Council in formulating an overall vision for the spiritual life of our parish. It seeks to be attentive to the spiritual needs of parish members and recommends goals and priorities which will assist them in becoming a more vibrant and joyful sign of the Kingdom of God.

The Spiritual Life Commission offers support and guidance to the many committees and groups under its care. It suggests strategies for the implementation of its goals and priorities and also assists in the evaluation of programs and events.

In Baptism, we become disciples of Jesus Christ and are sent forth to continue his ministry of service by reaching out to those in need.

The Social Justice Commission assists the Parish Pastoral Council in developing a Pastoral Plan which enables the parish community to respond to this vision of Christian life. This Commission is responsible for assessing the material and social needs of parish family members, as well as the needs of members of the larger community, and for setting goals and priorities which assists in meeting these needs. The Commission works with the various organizations and groups under its care to insure that these goals and priorities are met through programs and projects which involve the participation of parish members.

Consistent with our Judeo-Christian roots and our Roman Catholic heritage, the Social Justice Commission promotes a special care for the poor, the underprivileged, those in crisis and those treated unjustly.

Our faith relationship with God, begun in Baptism, continues to grow throughout our lives. We are called to deepen our knowledge of God, of Scripture, and of our Catholic Tradition, and to hand on our faith story to each generation.

The Education Commission assists the Parish Pastoral Council in forming an overall vision of Christian formation for the parish. With special emphasis on the Scriptures, Sacramental Preparation, and Christian Initiation, the Education Commission assesses parish needs and recommends goals and priorities which enable the parish to fulfill this vision. The Commission collaborates with the Religious Education staff in planning and evaluating programs.

Recognizing that parents and guardians have a primary role in the faith formation of their children, the Education Commission is committed to helping families in fulfilling this responsibility.

Despite differences in culture, language and national origin, we are united by our faith in Jesus Christ. In Baptism, we become brothers and sisters with one another.

The Cultural Commission assists the Parish Pastoral Council in forming a vision of parish life which celebrates our cultural and national diversity. The commission collaborates with national groups within the parish to assess cultural needs and sets goals and priorities which allow us to share and appreciate the various traditions and customs which exist within our parish family.

The Commission supports all cultural expressions of faith and encourages opportunities and activities where these expressions can be shared and celebrated.

Community Life Commission

Baptism initiates us into a living community of faith. As a parish family, we gather together to express and to experience the communion we share in Christ. The Community Life Commission assists the Parish Pastoral Council in developing an overall vision for the communal life of our parish.

The Community Life Commission is responsible for assessing the needs of the parish and for setting goals and priorities which will enhance and enrich the common life experienced by members of this Christian community. The Commission works with the various groups and organizations under its care, providing them with strategies for implementing these goals and priorities and helping them evaluate programs and activities.