St. Susanna Pastoral Council

    Over twelve years ago, the Parish Council of St. Susanna in conjunction with an overall renewal of parish structures, voted unanimously to change its structure from a corporate board model concerned with the daily operations of parish life to a faith community which develops vision around the spiritual direction and development of the parish.  Parish commissions share in the leadership of the parish by working the nitty-gritty issues.  Leadership of the parish is with the Pastor, in collaboration with the Pastoral Staff, Pastoral Council, and Commissions.

     The Pastoral Council of St. Susanna parish enables the parish to organize in such a way that the parish will be effective participants in the mission of the Church and give visible witness of the reign of God.  Past councils have developed vision in the areas of Community Development, Christian Formation,  Family, Evangelization, Ministry, and Youth.  The current council has recently completed their term by developing vision in the area of Peace and Justice.  

The Pastoral Council has three major roles:

1)     To develop as a faith community, which includes prayer and faith sharing.

2)     To do long-ranging pastoral planning for the parish- that is to set an informed direction for the parish which promotes the spiritual renewal of the parish.  This is accomplished through research and prayerful discernment leading to consensus.

3)     To be a recommending body to the pastor and pastoral staff.

     The members of the Council commit to a term of three years of service.  When a vision statement has been completed some members of the Council are discerned to transition to a working team to assist with the implementation of the vision. New members are then nominated from the parish at large, discerned, and after completing orientation, serve with the current Pastoral Council as they continue to vision for the long term spiritual development of the parish.