Mission Statement

          St. Helen is a Christian Community of the People of God who, through the Holy Spirit gather together to celebrate the sacraments and continue to develop and strengthen faith.  We offer compassion, healing and participation in prayer, social gatherings, bringing alive God's message through word and deed.

About Parish Pastoral Council

            The Parish Pastoral Council is made up of members of the faith community who serve the parish in a ministry of leadership.  It consists of people who are committed to the life of the parish.  The members should be rooted in their faith and in the parish family with a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  This body seeks to build, strengthen and nourish faith.  It serves as a model of Christian community and leadership to the rest of the parish family, empowering its members and the members of the parish community to contribute and take ownership of the life of St. Helen's.  It is a ministry of assessing and studying our parish needs and assisting to set direction.  The Parish Pastoral Council is committed to fostering communications among all members of the parish.  At all times, we are challenged to actively involve in the decision making process all those who will be affected by an action.  After prayerful study and discussion, this body introduces, advises, affirms and endorses policy decisions regarding the welfare of the whole faith community. 

            The Parish Pastoral Council works collaboratively with the pastoral leader to serve the needs of the parish.  In union with the pastoral leader, staff and standing committees, the Parish Pastoral Council shall foster the growth of the parish community through the coordination of the spiritual, educational, social, financial and outreach affairs of the parish.  This shall be accomplished by ongoing evaluation and assessment of the work of the parish in light of the Parish Pastoral Council's stated vision.

Operation of the Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Pastoral Council meetings should model Christian Community for the rest of the parish that includes quality time for prayer.  The Council will convene at least ten (10) scheduled meetings throughout the calendar year.  All regularly scheduled meetings are open to all parishioners.  Additional or make-up meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Council.  Members will receive an agenda, minutes, reports and any other pertinent material prior to each meeting.  Each meeting will include:

v     Quality prayer time

v     Discussion and action on major agenda items

Parish Pastoral Council will use appropriate means to keep the entire parish community informed as to the work of the Council.

Officers

The Parish Pastoral Council shall have three (3) selected offices.  The leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council will follow one of the following models:

                                              Model A                    Model B

                                              -  Chair                         -  Co-Chair

                                              -  Vice Chair                 -  Co-Chair

                                  -  Secretary                   -  Secretary  

New Parish Pastoral Council leadership will be selected at the September meeting of the Council.  The new leadership will preside at the monthly meetings ending at the following June meeting.  Council leaders may serve two (2) consecutive terms.

Selection of New Members

          Each spring, parishioners who are actively involved in the parish are personally contacted to determine if they are interested in serving on the council.  If they are willing to do so, they are entered into a pool of candidates.  On a designated weekend in May, the needed number of names are drawn from a basket at a selected mass.