The Pastoral Council is an advisory body consisting of six members of the congregation who actively practice their faith and who have demonstrated a commitment to the Parish by their actions. Members of the Council are selected by the Pastor. The Council both represents the Parishioners in consultation with the Pastor and acts an advisor to the Pastor on an “as requested” basis. The Council meets with the Pastor on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:45 pm in the Parish Social Hall, or at such other times as the Pastor may request. The Council presently has two Committees that are working groups which assist the Council in fulfilling the Council’s vision, mission and function. Committees of the Council consist of two Council members and four members of the Parish, for a total of six members on each Committee.
The Vision, Mission, and Function of the Parish Council are summarized as follows:
1.VISION – CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Through the teachings of Jesus Christ and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we strive to teach our youth, evangelize our community and renew our faithful. We shall promote the principles of the Catholic Church through scripture, prayer, sacraments, almsgiving and penance; helping each other to seek eternal salvation with God in heaven.2.MISSION STATEMENT
The objective of the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Pastoral Council is to represent the parish body and work in concert with – and under the direction of -- the Pastor in the development of parish programs and in promoting the productive interaction of parish groups in order to:
(a)Build a vibrant and cohesive Catholic community;
(b)Support our Pastor in shepherding his congregation; and
(c)Assist the members of our parish in living the vision of Christian service and encouragement.
3.FUNCTION
The Parish Pastoral Council serves in an advisory OR consultative capacity to the Pastor in his role as the assigned titular leader of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish. The Council will serve as a communication bridge between all groups within the parish and the Pastor.
The type of items/issues the Council will act upon include,but are not limited to, the following:
• Events on parish premisesThe Council, as an advisory body, will consider matters submitted to it for consideration and, if requested by the Pastor, will give advice or make recommendations to the Pastor. The Council’s advice or recommendations are non-binding, and the Pastor may accept, modify, reject, refer or table any recommendation submitted to him by the Council.
Currently, the members of the Pastoral Council are:
Dawn Andres
Gary Bentley
Carol Kamp
Kathy Martin
Hugh McDonald (Chair)
Jennifer Ross (Recorder)
The Committees of the Pastoral Council are the Communications Committee and the Outreach Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Overview: The Communications Committee assists the Pastoral Council in fulfilling elements of the Council’s mission and function.
One dimension of the Council’s mission is to promote “the productive interaction of parish groups”.
One of the functions of the Council is to “serve as a communications bridge between all groups within the Parish and the Pastor.”
The Communications Committee will implement specific actions to fulfill the above mission and function.
The Communications Committee will assist the Council and Pastor in managing communications channels and activities whereby MQH communicates with the broader community, both Catholic and non-Catholic, through the Internet, print media such as local newspapers, and other media outlets.
Members:
(a)Council Members:
Hugh McDonald, Chair
Kathy Martin, Vice Chair
(b)Parishioner Members:
Kelley Meza
Katherine McDonald
Maxine Sumpter
Janie Solis
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
1. Overview: The Outreach Committee assists the Pastoral Council in fulfilling elements of the Council’s vision and mission, which include promoting the principles of the Catholic Church and living the vision of Christian service and encouragement.
The Outreach Committee is tasked with advising the Pastoral Council on the design and implementation of social service programs and charitable works.
2. Members:
(a)Council Members:
Carol Kamp, Chair
Dawn Andress, Vice Chair
(b)Parishioner Members:
Sally Keenan
Ellen Bailey
Elizabeth Rivera
Javier Gonzalez