Department for Envisioning Ministry

ENVISIONING MINISTRY PURPOSE STATEMENT

Ministry is serving God's people through the Church. The focal point of ministry in the Church is the parish.  Envisioning Ministry is a collaborative process by which the vitality and viability of parishes are evaluated and supported through the parish and regional planning according to the diocesan vision set forth in Bishop Zubik's Pastoral Letter "The Church Alive!"  

HISTORY of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS

The Nineteenth Diocesan Synod of Pittsburgh in 2000 called for the establishment of a parish pastoral council in every parish in the diocese.  To facilitate the movement from parish to pastoral councils, the diocese prepared a set of Interim Guidelines, promulgated in 2007.  They were assessed a year and a half later.  Comments from those who had actually begun working toward the establishment of pastoral councils helped to shape the recently promulgated guidelines One Body, One Mission.

Please contact the Department for Envisioning Ministry by phone at 412-456-3047 or by e-mail at envisioningministry@diopitt.org for further information or clarification.

What are Parish Pastoral Councils?

How do Parish Pastoral Councils serve the Church?

How do Parish Pastoral Councils work with their pastors?

What do Parish Pastoral Councils do?

RETREATS

     LENT 2012

"The Ministry of Real Presence"

Retreat Director:  Sister Susan Jenny, SC

  Pastoral Councils hold a unique place in the Body of Christ. Theirs it is to tend the pastoral life of the parish faith community, to uncover the vision and dreams of that community, and to grow into a body of servant leaders. They are responsible with their pastors for keeping the Real Presence of Christ uppermost in the heart and soul of the parish. We will explore the concept of Real Presence and what it can mean for pastoral leaders.

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“We honor the Body of Christ consisting of our brothers and sisters in faith and we honor the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.” One Body, One Mission, page 9.  

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, New Castle

8:30 am to 4:00 pm

The retreat will conclude with the Saturday Vigil Mass at 3:00 pm with Very Reverend Philip Farrell, Regional Vicar of Vicariate 4 presiding.

The registration form is available at the bottom of this page.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Kearns Spirituality Center, North Hills

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The retreat will conclude with the Saturday Vigil Mass at 3:00 p.m. with Very Reverend Robert Guay, Regional Vicar of Vicariate 1 presiding.

The registration form is available at the bottom of this page.  

MissionInsite

MissionInsite helps parishes understand the story of the people who live within the boundaries of the parish.  By providing demographic data about the community, MissionInsite is a valuable planning tool for Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils.  Data comes from the most recent national Census and is forecast to the current year and 5 and 10 years into the future.  MissionInsite is internet based and available to all parishes in the Diocese.  For information about registration, please contact the MissionInsite Administrator at envisioningministry@diopitt.org.

MissionInsite Website