My brothers and sisters, today I would like to speak briefly about the Parish Pastoral Council which is a recommended structure within the church concerned with the pastoral activities of parish life. It is made up of a representative body of the faithful and must include the parish priest. The Parish Pastoral Council shares the responsibility for building the parish into a vibrant Christian community that promotes Gospel values of love, justice and peace. It is a consultative body of leaders who actively seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are guided by the teachings, laws and recommendations of the universal church and the local diocesan church. In essence, the Parish Pastoral Council, which is like a tree, is concerned with fulfilling the mission of the Christ in the local community and attending to all that affects the faith life of that community. The right and duty of all the laity to share the responsibility for the leadership of the parish finds its roots in the grace of baptism. Through the sacrament of baptism we become members of the living body of Christ and are given gifts by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all. Every baptized person has a share in the life of the mystical body of Christ and is called to play an active part in carrying out the mission of Christ on earth. The entire baptized community shares in the priestly, prophetic and leadership mission of Christ and together, whether cleric or lay, they form the communion which is the church. Lay people are co-workers in Christ Jesus with ordained ministers. St Paul, writing to the church in Rome tells us that we are like one body with many different parts; each part of the body has its own proper function and each part contributes to the well being of the whole. This Pauline image of the Church avoids the concept of uniformity, for diversity does arise, diversity of role not of membership. Because of our baptism a layperson is as much a member of the body of Christ as the Pope. The diversity of roles and functions needs to be understood and respected. Having respect for the diversity of experience, gifts, competence and hierarchic leadership strengthens the bonds of fellowship and enables the Parish Pastoral Council to work together in harmony. A parish is not an isolated unit but is part of a diocesan church, “in which the one, holy catholic and apostolic church of Christ is truly present and operative”. Today I invite you to take a glance at the picture located at the main entrance and see the names and faces of the members of our Parish Pastoral Council ■ Fr. Agustin, Pastor.
