FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Department of Shared Responsibility?
The Department of Shared Responsibility was established in the Archdiocese to put into practice the concepts and teachings of Vatican II: a spirit of collegiality, collaboration and subsidiarity. The creation of Councils by Vatican II provided the laity with an opportunity to use their gifts in service to the Church.
   
How are these concepts put into practice?
The spirit of collegiality fostered by the Second Vatican Council has resulted in the development of Parish Pastoral Councils and Deanery Councils.
   
What is a Parish Pastoral Council?

The Parish Pastoral Council is the primary wisdom group of the parish, comprised of the pastor, staff members and laity whose ministry is one of leadership sharing and the responsibility in seeing that the mission of Jesus is lived out in the parish.

   
What is the overall purpose of a Parish Pastoral Council?

The purpose of a Parish Pastoral Council is to ensure that the life of the parish reflects the mission of Jesus Christ and that all parishioners are provided with the opportunity to share in that mission.

   
What is the role of the Pastoral Council?
The role of the Council is the manner in which the purpose is carried out. The roles include being visionary, evaluator, recommender, coordinator and implementor.
   
What is the difference between a Parish Council and a Parish Pastoral Council?
A Parish Pastoral Council is concerned with the pastoral needs of the parish. The parish Pastoral Council comes together to ensure that ministry is available for everyone from the youngest to the oldest parishioner.
   
What is Ministry?
Ministry is any service offered in genuine love for the common good in the name of the Lord.
   
What are the basic ministries in the Church?

The basic ministries are:
Word, Worship, Community Building and Service

   
How can I join a Council?
Membership to the council is from the ministries. People are selected or discerned by other ministers to come onto the council. For more information call the Department of Shared Responsibility of the Archdiocese of Newark at (973) 497-4353.
   
What workshops are offered by the Department of Shared Responsibility to assist Councils in carrying out their Role?

Workshops include:

  • Purpose, Role, Style of Councils
  • Planning
  • Mission Statement
  • Discernment
  • Giftedness

For more information call (973) 497-4353.

 

Shared Responsibility