The mission of Saint Michael the Archangel Pastoral Council (formerly called the Parish Council) is planning. To fulfill this mission, it strives to envision, to address and evaluate the needs and goals of the parish community considering church teachings and the mission of the diocese and universal church. Pastoral planning challenges the membership to bring forth their gifts of planning, visioning, empowering, and evaluating within the framework of shared leadership among clergy and laity. The Council is a vision and planning body always looking to the future with the wisdom of the past.
As the People of God, under the leadership of the Pastor, responsibility for the mission of the parish is a shared ministry. To accomplish its mission, Saint Michael’s should continue to develop its sense of being a welcoming family community.
The Pastoral Council, representative of the parish, meets every other month or as deemed necessary by the Pastor or Pastoral Council President between the months of September and June. The meetings are normally 1 to 2 hours in length.
The Council has responsibility for:
Developing a common vision and purpose under the leadership of the Pastor or Parish Life Coordinator.
Giving counsel to the Pastor regarding pastoral activity in the parish.
Assisting the Pastor in his pastoral role.
Fostering the pastoral ministry in the parish.
The Council considers matters brought to its attention by the Pastor, and by members of the Council, the committees of the Parish, other members of the Parish community, or others as deemed appropriate by the Council. When coming to decisions as a group, their purpose is to work toward consensus using a deliberative process to advise leadership in a single voice. Under Canon Law, the ultimate decision-making authority in the Parish rests with its Pastor.
The Council has also taken the lead in building a welcoming community by coordinating Meet and Greet gatherings after masses, leading the celebration for the parish’s 150th Anniversary, establishing the use of a Poor Box for the church and coordinating the activities of other parish ministries.
Please contact President Margaret Willard, if you have interest in serving with the Pastoral Council. We are always in need of people with fresh ideas and different talents to support our parish. Email Margaret at [email protected] or call the parish office at 518.283.6110
Pastoral Council Members 2023 – 2024:
Margaret O’Connell Willard¸ President Maryann Gibson, Secretary Deacon Bob Sweeney Bob Long, Trustee Ann Marie Kowalczyk, Trustee Caroline Martin, Women’s Guild representative William Prendergast, Men’s Club representative JoAnn Taylor Monica Kreshik Nick Casale Mike Malsch Carol Bentley Douglas Lenz Elizabeth Smith Terry Berthiaume