Dear Parishioners:

The documents of the Second Vatican Council affirmed that all members of the People of God are called to participate in the threefold ministry of Christ and the Church according to their particular gifts, their state of life, and their office. One of the ways through which the people accept greater responsibility for the pastoral work of the local church is through participation on pastoral council.

While canon law lays responsibility for and authority over the teaching, governing, and sanctifying work of a parish upon the pastor, we pastors rely upon the advice and assistance of parishioners in accomplishing this work – especially via the parish finance and pastoral councils. Technically, this responsibility and authority belong to the Bishop, but they delegate certain aspects to the pastor as they do not have the time to manage day-to-day operations at the parish level.

I am excited to announce that the following individuals have discerned a role in parish leadership, and I have formally accepted their nominations to join our combined pastoral council: Charles Anderson, Frank Conforti, Bryce Mitchell, James Scalzo, and Ed Stuckey. They will be joining the current members at our September meeting: Ned Brooks, Pam DeWitt, Sue Pauls, Skip Rivers, Homero Santos, Jeff Sexton, Jim Spino, Stacey Stanich, and Michele Venturella.

Again, I want to once again thank our outgoing members for their participation on our counsel: Linda Kranjak, David Galbis-Reig, and Dan McDermott. I am grateful for everyone who shares a passion for making the downtown parishes of St. James the Apostle and St. Elizabeth successful in forming disciples in Christ.

May the Lord keep us in his constant care, so that, under his protection, we may be free from all troubles and by our good works show dedication to his holy name.

~ Fr. Sean