Welcome to St. Michael in Old town Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the Pastor and the unifying structure of the parish community. The PPC serves as the leadership body within the parish whose purpose is to set the vision and direction for the parish community. The PPC consists of representatives from each of the parish’s Commissions, members of staff, and parishioners who serve in at-large positions. With this structure, the PPC provides a way to achieve the full participation of the whole parish in its mission by giving all a voice in supporting, guiding, and directing the various aspects of life in the faith community of St. Michael in Old Town.

The PPC meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. Please feel free to contact the PPC, through its Chair, at pastoralcouncil@st-mikes.org, Comments and suggestions may also be dropped off at the rectory. The PPC promises to listen as it walks with the parish community confidently into the future.

Parish Pastoral Council Members

CHAIR: Jean Cocozza (Communication/

Development Representative)

VICE CHAIR: Meghan Roach (Member-at-large)

SECRETARY: Maureen Svagera (Member-at-large)

Member-at-large: Patti Carver

Member-at-large: Brandon Walsh

Member-at-large: Dave Dunning

Member-at-large: John Hancir

Member-at-large: Jutta Keenan

Member-at-large: Darrin O'Brien

Commission Representatives

Faith Formation:

Human Concerns: Marilyn Williams

Parish Life: Gisella Tomasio

Spiritual Life: Diane Kelley-Thompson

Parish Staff Representatives

Fr. Joe Morin

Ray Perpignani

Nominations for Parish Pastoral Council

Toward the end of each calendar year, the PPC undertakes the process of discerning the new members who each serve a two-year Member at-large term

Those who serve on the PPC have the important task of providing our Pastor with the necessary consultation, input, and recommendations he needs to effectively lead and serve the parish. With this in mind, it is helpful, but not mandatory, for PPC members to have had previous or current experience in ministry, perhaps as a catechist or a member of a Commission or Committee. There are also certain gifts that PPC members need to possess in order to serve in the best possible way. Some of these gifts are:

· an active prayer and faith life.

· the ability to initiate new ideas, questions, suggestions

· the ability to communicate (clarifying, giving information, summarizing)

· the ability to reach decisions by way of consensus.

· the ability to negotiate.

· the ability to reflect on and engage in conversation about issues presented to the Council.

Over the past few years, the parish community has been invited into the process of making nominations for the PPC. All nominees must be practicing Catholics who are registered in the parish.

The selection of the new members is generally conducted during the December and January months. Those who are selected will begin their terms at the February meeting. They will also be mentored by current PPC members. Those whose names are not selected will then be invited to join other commissions/committees based on their gifts and interests identified during the orientation process. The PPC encourages all parishioners to identify those in St. Michael's faith community, including themselves, whom they believe would be good, active members of the PPC.