Parish Councils
Two Parish Councils for Each Parish
In accord with the norms of church law, there are two separate parish councils, a parish pastoral council and a parish finance council.
Each parish council meets with the pastor at least quarterly. The two sets of council members select their own council secretaries each year.
Terms of council memberships are for one year, and are renewable each year by the pastor, in consultation with his parish staff members.
Pastoral Council. The parish pastoral council consists of full-time parish staff members and other parish leaders, as appointed by the pastor.
Canon 536. §1. After the diocesan bishop has listened to the presbyteral council and if he judges it opportune, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish; the pastor presides over it, and through it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their office give their help in fostering pastoral activity. §2. This council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by norms determined by the diocesan bishop.
Finance Council. The parish finance council consists of parishioners with proven expertise in business and finance, as appointed by the pastor.
Canon 537. Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescriptions of canon 532. (Canon 532 follows below on this webpage. Feel free to consult the entire Code of Canon Law regarding these matters.)
Canon 532. The pastor represents the parish in all juridic affairs in accord with the norm of law; he is to see to it that the goods of the parish are administered in accord with the norms of canons 1281-1288. (The technical details of canons 1281-1288 are readily available online.)
Parish Vision
Saint Dennis Church . . .
Looking Upward in Faith
Moving Forward in Hope
Leading Onward in Love
. . . to New Life in Christ!
Parish Mission
We are a faith community of
prayer, learning, and service.
Please come and join us as
Intentional Disciples of Christ.
– 2022 –