The Parish Pastoral Council is called to lead the faith community in the discernment and expression of its own mission.  This role challenges parishes to redefine the nature of their leadership and call forth those who are best gifted to serve in this capacity.  The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is primarily to develop mission-focused parishes. Its focus is on the entire parish mission.

The purpose of the Pastoral Council is threefold:  (1) Parish renewal in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Second Vatican Council and the Sixth Synod. (2) Coordination and cooperation of the talents and energies of the parishioners through the parish commissions and calling forth from them the cooperation required for effective action.  (3) Sharing responsibility and accountability with the pastor and the obligations of policy making.

The Pastoral Council performs specific functions, and they are:

• To assume a rightful share of the accountability of implementing parish policy decisions.
• To determine priorities in the parish.  In determining priorities, consideration is given to the relative urgency of the parish needs and the means available to meet these needs.  Also, long range plans are formulated that promote effective parish growth. 
• To provide for communication, coordination, and cooperation between the commissions in the parish.
• To provide parish representation to the appropriate archdiocesan organization.  In all matters undertaken by the Pastoral Council, the pastor is in the position to review the decisions made by the Council as advisory and consultative.  His decision is seen by his acceptance or rejection of the recommendation.

The Commissions are groups which have representation on the Parish Pastoral Council.  The commissions focus on one specific area of the parish mission and they are to relate all parish activities to the Pastoral Council. They share responsibility with the Pastoral Council and the pastor to help to meet the parish goals and achieve the parish mission.

Each Commission has a liaison at the Parish Pastoral Council.  The current Commissions are:  Youth Ministry, Spiritual Life, Faith Formation, Stewardship, Family Life, and Parish Life.  

The Finance Council is represented by the chair on the Pastoral Council but it a separate council that sits outside of the Pastoral Council and Commission organizational structure.

The Commissions are accountable to councils and the pastor. Governing bodies have both the responsibility to make policy/rules and the authority to carry them out.  As consultative bodies, the Pastoral Council and the Commissions have the responsibility to recommend policy and procedures.

All members must adhere to the following policies:

1. Believe in the Mission Statement of St. Rita Roman Catholic Church
   
2. Work diligently to serve the faith community for the common good of the parish;
   
3. Support the Pastor/Administrator
   
4. Attend all scheduled Pastoral Council Meetings or have a representative attend in your place;
   
5. Act as a liaison between the Council and our parishioners by sharing:
   a) the concerns of the parishioners with the Council
   b) the Council's plans and recommendations with the parishioners; Commission chairpersons are to collect written reports from the respective committees for submission to the Pastoral Council at the meeting;
   
   
6. Commission chairpersons are to provide a summary of the committee reports at the Council meetings noting that which needs Parish Council action; Adhere to all directives coming from the Pastor as it relates to the Parish;
   
   
7. Meetings will be conducted utilizing Roberts Rules of Order
   
   
8. The Council meets 1^st Tuesday of each month at 7pm.

The Pastoral Council is responsible for discerning policy and for long-range planning and decision-making and coordination of commission activities.

For additional information please contact Chairperson Kerry Conwell at 317-632-9349.

In virtue of their rebirth in Christ there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality with regard to dignity and the activity whereby all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in accord with each one's own condition and function.Code of Canon Law, 208.