The PurPose of Parish
Pastoral Councils
Collaboration
The vibrancy of God’s life is manifest when:
 All the baptised collaborate together in the
mission of Christ
 Parish Pastoral Councils provide the structure to
enable priests and people to work together
 Building up dynamic Christian communities
characterised by faith, service, worship and
evangelisation
 The PPC enables discernment to take place
about what is best for the parish
Task 1: Reflection & Planning
Discerning the needs of the
parish community
Involving the whole parish in
response to needs
Task 2: Animation
Enabling the baptised to discover
thier call as disciples
By discerning the gifts of
parishioners
By developing the gifts through
provision for on-going formation and
training
Task 3: Action
Providing structures
that will marry the needs of the
parish
With the gifts and resources
available
Task 4: Communication
Ensuring effective dialogue takes
place within
The parish
The diocese
The wider community
Task 5: Evaluation
Reviewing the life and activities
of the parish
So that parish have a sense of
Proceeding towards
Brining about the reign of God
Pastoral Planning
Involves taking time out to reflect
on the life and mission of the parish
To formulate clear goals for the
future
Inspired by gospel values
Rooted in the life experience of the
parish
Within the local diocese
Faith Conviction
Pastoral Planning is a strategic process informed
by the following principles:
 All the baptised share in the mission of Christ
 All baptised are gifted and have a right and
duty to use these to build up the body of
Christ
 The Holy spirit speaks through all the baptised
 Where two or three are gathered Christ is in
the midst
 Prayer is the key to any form of renewal
Key Principles of Pastoral
Planning
1. Communication: every step needs to be
clearly explained to parishioners
2. Facilitation: Good facilitation is not an
optional extra
3. Participation: involvement of parishioners
leads to greater ownership
4. Look Out: Look at what is happening beyond
the parish
5. Pacing: take one step at a time
6. Money: Awareness of Parish Finances focuses
budgeting
Careful Coordination
PPC organises a timeline for things to
be done
Sub-committees can be set up to do
further practical work
One PPC member should chair the subcommittee
A PPC member should be nominated to
liaise with outside facilitator/s.
Sub-committees for
Pastoral Planning
1. Publicity
2. Hospitality
3. Prayer
4. Facilitation
The Publicity Group
Encourages parishioners to take
part in the venture
They will explain to
parishioners:
What is happening and why
When and where it will take
place
How it will be organised
The Hospitality Group
Books venues
Organises seating
arrangements for large group
work and small break out
groups
Welcomes people as they arrive
Co-ordinates refreshments, etc
The Prayer Group
Works with the overall co-ordinator
interweaving prayer throughout the
sessions/meetings
Sets up a focal point for prayer
space
Provide prayer sheets/ leaflets when
required
The Facilitation Group
 Takes responsibility for any small group
work
 Organises training for facilitators
 Ensures necessary equipment is available:
Markers
Blue Tac
Sheets of paper
Questions for the Group, etc.
Six Step Planning Process
1. Calling the Parish
2. Mission Statement
3. Assessing Needs
4. Setting goals
5. Sharing Responsibility
6. Calendaring
1. Calling the Parish
To Prayer
Looking to God for
inspiration, strength and
vision
2. Mission Statement
Holding a Parish Assembly
In order to form a Mission
Statement
And discern what Christ is
calling us to be
3. Assessing Needs
By means of a
Reflectionnaire
Examining current realities
Exploring future needs
4. Setting Goals & Objectives
Prioritising what needs to be done
Naming the steps
Making goals SMART
Specific
Manageable
Achievable
Realistic
Targeted
5. Sharing Responsibility
Translating the Mission Statement
into reality
Setting up working groups
Outlining plans of action
6. Calendaring
Naming the priorities
Charting the priorities for
the Year ahead
Entering them into public
Parish Calendar