Pastoral Council

Greetings from the Pastoral Council,
 
The Pastoral Council has begun a new session for the 2008-2009 term.  Over the last couple of months we have had a selection of new members and election of officers.  I will list this year’s council a little later in the article, right now I want to give some insight on who we are and what we do.  The Second Vatican Council called for the creation of "parish councils."  Parish councils are to serve in an advisory capacity to the pastor.  Our purpose and objectives are clearly defined in the guidelines established by the Diocese of Manchester.
 
Purpose:   To assist the pastor in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education/formation and service activities within the parish
 
Objectives: To assess adequately the needs of the whole parish and its members, and to develop and implement a pastoral plan which will promote the common good of the parish. To foster unity and a sense of community in the parish and to coordinate all parish activities in a manner that will best serve the interests of the parish. To promote programs and activities in the parish as recommended by the pastoral council, the Bishop, or the diocesan offices.
 
With these guidelines in mind we are in the process of establishing new goals for this term. Goals are used so the council has a path to follow.  What are the greatest needs of our parish?  We want you as parishioners to have an input into our planning. This is our parish, as one body, in Christ.  Part of our discernment process in establishing goals is to study, listen and pray.  We are here to listen to you, the parishioner, an active part of the Church community.  We want to be an active and interactive council that shares its works with the parish.  You can contact us at any time by calling the friary office 603-432-5000 with your contact information, including the name of a particular council member if you wish, and we will get back to you promptly.  If you know a particular individual or see that they are leading a specific group then you might feel more comfortable in contacting them. I will now list the council members and their position.
 
Fr. Roger Hall, OFM             (Pastor)
Fr. Philip Pacheco, OFM        (Associate Pastor)
Brian McNally                     (President)
Priscilla Long                     (Vice-President) (Spirituality Coordinator)
William Desrochers            (Secretary)
Kathy Fortier                     (Social Coordinator)
Dave DeJulio                     (Ministry Coordinator)
Pamela Lamontagne           (Outreach)
Joanne Brown                    (At Large)
Tom McManus                    (At Large)
Keith Strang                      (At Large)
Ken Fudge                         (At Large)
Paul Rakiey                       (School Principal)
Coral Ropple                     (Rel Ed Coordinator)
 
Your in Christ,
Brian McNally
Pastoral Council President