The Parish Pastoral Council: Investing Time in God and Our Parish Community

At 7:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month, Fr. O’Brien and Fr. Robert sit down in the Parish Hall with the St. Francis Xavier Parish Pastoral Council. This group is made up of a variety of people that represent the parish. There are men and women of all ages — some are parents and some aren’t — as well as English and Spanish-speaking parishioners.

“Our role is to advise the priests when they bring topics, questions, or concerns before the council,” says Annie Ortiz, a member of the PPC. “We represent the voice of the people and are engaged in parish life. Because we are involved, we bring broader opinions from people that are in different stages of life to the priests.”

Annie is in her third year on the PPC and served as Chair last year. Steve Nelson serves as the current Chair. Members are selected based on the annual Stewardship Renewal or through recommendations from parishioners on the council. Terms on the council are three years long, but Father O’Brien can ask a member to renew their commitment for another three years.

“What’s so wonderful about this ministry is the opportunity to see Fr. O’Brien even more in a leadership setting,” Annie says. “When you are a good leader, you are a good follower. Father always wants to engage and inspire the council and he listens to our comments, questions, and concerns about matters he brings up to us. There are times the council disagrees but it is a safe place to be respectful and disagree.”

As they consider the parish’s mission to “encounter, go, and grow” the members of this ministry are especially challenged to “walk the walk.” In order to be a voice for the community, they need to be active in parish life. Sometimes that means putting yourself out there to encounter and engage others.

“I have the opportunity to also serve as a teacher with our children’s ministry,” Annie says. “It gives me additional perspectives to listen to the parents and hear their needs and desires for the parish. Even further, it’s a chance for me to model to the children the importance of investing time in the parish community because I believe in the faith.”

If you have any questions about our Parish Pastoral Council, please contact Steve Nelson at sawmillhollow@gmail.com.