What is the Parish Pastoral Council?
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is an important part of our Parish governance structure.
The PPC is a consultative leadership group through which priests and parishioners work together as partners in furthering the mission of Christ in the Parish.
The primary ministry of the PPC is to collaborate in planning the way forward for the parish (the Parish Development Strategy).
It does this in the context of the circumstances of the Parish, in the light of the gospels, the teachings of the Church, the signs of the times and the reflections of the members of the Parish Community (listening to our community). Through evolution of the PPC Strategy for the Parish the PPC has overseen the establishment of the Parish Group Co-ordination Team (PGCT) and the five umbrella groups that co-ordinate over 300 volunteers across 30 groups in the Parish.
The PGCT meets regularly with the Parish priest(s) and catechist and serves with the guidance of the Parish Pastoral Council. The strategy, establishment and operational management of these five groups (Communications; Faith Development; Family; Liturgy; Social Justice) has transformed our parish and delivered on our goal to enhance, grow and evolve our Parish reputation as (1) a welcoming parish and (2) a parish that listens to our community.
The PPC meets monthly and a standing order of business each month is the very important issue of child safeguarding within our Parish and our Community. l At the monthly meeting the PPC PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: discusses policy issues within the Parish, Parish strategy, local activities and initiatives and guides PGCT programmes and activities.
The two primary considerations for the PPC in 2017 have been: 1. The discernment process and timings for the election of the new PPC 2017-2020. 2. Establishing co-ordinated structures, resources, training and schedules for laity led services within Kilmacud, Mount Merrion and Clonskeagh Parishes.
How do I get involved?
If you’d like to be considered for the next PPC council 2017-2020, the process of discernment will start with a series of public meetings in September.
Details of same will be announced in the weekend Newsletter, Website, Church Notice Boards and at Masses throughout the summer months.
The process is also very well documented within our discernment booklet which will be available shortly to all.
The process concludes with an election by parishioners within the Parish AGM in late September and will be facilitated by an external guest.
The outgoing council will formally hand over to the new council during a PPC meeting in October and two members of the existing council will continue to serve in the new council for the first year to facilitate learning.
The work of the PPC is very rewarding and critical to the further development of the parish and I would encourage you to consider serving what is, after all, our wonderful community.
Kealan O’Reilly, Chairperson Mount Merrion Parish Pastoral Council