Pastoral Council & Minutes
A Pastoral Council is a group of parishioners chosen from and by the parish community, who together with the pastor guide and oversee parish affairs as the community attempts to fulfill the mission of the church. St. Mary by the Lake is part of the NW Parishes of Racine combined Pastoral Council. Typically the council meets on the second Tuesday of even numbered months at 6:30 pm at St. Paul the Apostle parish. Please consult the parish calendar for the latest dates - all are welcome to attend.
The purpose of the council is pastoral planning. The focus of the Pastoral Council is on the mission, not on management. The council fulfills its purpose through a variety of functions.
- It continuously examines the various aspects of the life of the parish in light of the parish mission statement.
- It assesses parish needs, determines priorities and options to meet those needs with available resources, and evaluates programs and services designed to meet parish needs.
- It weighs issues and proposes practical conclusions to the pastor about them
A Pastoral Council is… Prayerful, Pastoral, Representative, Discerning, Prophetic, Empowering, and Collaborative. - Taken from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Pastoral Council Manual.
NW Parishes of Racine Pastoral Council Minutes
St. Mary by the Lake Parish Council Minutes
