The Council met for the second time in 2011 on Wednesday 2nd March, invigorated by the
enriching experience of the previous weekend when we, in recognition of the importance
of our continuing spiritual development as a team, attended an Ignatius Province
Introduction program. We thank Frances Tilly, our Parish Pastoral Associate, who played
the principal role in organising the weekend and was one of the two excellent presenters,
and Edwin Galea, our Ministries Coordinator, for his very able assistance. It was a
marvelous opportunity to spend time together in the wonderful ambience of Stormanston
House in reflection and prayer and in spiritual formation through a greater understanding
of the Ignatian way.
Our meetings are always lively with plenty of discussion and attentive listening on the part
of everyone. Continuing the practice of the previous Parish Council, we start on the dot of
7.30pm and finish the meeting at 9 o‟clock. Our meetings open and close with prayer and
we review the effectiveness of each meeting against the criteria we have developed based
on Ignatian spirituality and good meeting principles.
On Wednesday evening the discussions at our meeting focused on:
THE ROLE OF THE LAITY
Who are the laity
What is their role
What is the role of the priest
How do we encourage the laity to be actively involved, acknowledging at the same
time that many already are
What support does the laity need.
THE ROLE OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
What is its role
Does it exist only to advise the Parish Priest on pastoral matters relating to the
Parish?
The decision-making processes of the Parish Council.
We are now collating all the responses from our interactive discussions at the meeting.
We noted that Vatican11‟s vision for parish is a mission oriented community centered on
the Eucharist, with priest and laity co-responsible for ministry. Pope Benedict XV1 admits it
is a vision unfulfilled. He said “Too many of the baptized do not feel part of the ecclesial
community and live on its margins, only coming to parishes in certain circumstances to
receive religious services… it is necessary to improve pastoral structures in such a way that
the co-responsibility of all members of the People of God in their entirety is gradually
promoted, with respect for vocations and for the respective roles of the consecrated
persons and the laity. This demands a change in mindset, particularly concerning lay
people. They must no longer be viewed as “collaborators‟ of the clergy, but truly
recognised as „co-responsible‟ for the Church‟s being and action.” (Address to Rome
diocese, May 2009) - Jan Brady, Chair of the Parish Council