St. Julie Billiart parishioners
are known throughout the
Diocese of San Jose
as a community of energetic, creative, enthusiastic
volunteers and lay leaders.
Inspired by this very pro-active parish, Father Jon Pedigo
encouraged everyone to participate in a parish-wide study
to help better identify individual and community
needs, and plan for the future of this dynamic parish.
Priorities and goals for this
progressive neighborhood
Catholic church were established in a Parish Synod.
Calling on the diverse cultures and life experiences in this
community,
all parishioners were invited to participate in
the prayerful discernment of a
Pastoral Council.
This group of parishioners from diverse backgrounds would be
charged
with new and unique lay leadership responsibilities...
to fully familiarize themselves with the financial
realities
of the parish and diocese,
to share in the parish administrative function through
prayerful collaboration
and consensus decision-making,
to continue to identify the changing needs of this parish
community,
and the needs of the
world around us,
to set long term goals and work with other parish lay leaders
to
achieve them,
and to work closely with the
Pastor, Pastoral Staff, and
Finance Council.
In it's first year,
the new Pastoral Council's first responsibility was
to develop a Parish Mission Statement
which succinctly captured the goals of all
parishioners as expressed during the Parish Synod.
Each year at St. Julie Billiart Parish, all parishioners
are invited to learn about this process, prayerfully
consider
offering their time, talents, ideas and wisdom,
and participate in parish discernment for
new members of the
Pastoral Council.
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