Pastoral Council

Greetings from the Pastoral Council,
 
The Pastoral Council began the new term in September and is looking forward to assisting Fr. Bruce and Bro. Charles and working with parish groups this year.  Every two years, the Pastoral Council elects new members to a new term of 4 years.  At the request of Fr. Bruce, this year’s council has been appointed to continue their service this year so as to maintain a continuum from last year, Fr. Bruce’s first as our pastor.  There are several new members that are replacing those that weren’t able to complete their term of service. 

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 reach any member of the council by contacting the friary office at any time using our e-mail address, staderry@stthomasderry.org, or call 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. The current members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Council are:

Fr. Bruce Czapla, OFM          (Pastor)
Br. Charles Gingras, OFM      (Associate Pastor)
Brian McNally                      (President)
Keith Strang                        (Vice-President) (Finance Council)
William Desrochers              (Secretary)
Joanne Brown                      (At Large)
Teresa Baker                      (Faith Formation)
Lisa Cyr                              (Spirituality Coordinator)
Dave DeJulio                       (Ministry Coordinator)
Kathy Fortier                       (Social Coordinator)
Pamela Lamontagne             (Outreach)
Tom McManus                      (At Large)
Paul Rakiey                         (School Principal)
Matt Tuller                           (At Large)
 
Your in Christ,
Brian McNally
Pastoral Council President