What's Up

The Diocese of Des Moines has introduced a simplified model to guide parish pastoral councils. The model encourages a “calling forth” of candidates for the pastoral council, a period of discernment and a focus on the long-term direction of the parish as a faith community. It is modeled after the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

The Pastoral Council provides pastoral planning for the faith community it serves. Through extensive prayer, listening and learning the council assists the pastor in identifying and assessing the gifts and needs of the faith community; to clarify the parish’s mission; and to develop and initiate pastoral plans to serve this mission for the Kingdom of God.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has posted a series of resource papers on pastoral councils. Some are specific to Diocesan Pastoral Councils but others pertain to all pastoral councils.

"MAP" process

Parishes are being asked to participate in the "Ministry Assessment Project." The MAP effort focuses on five major areas of a parish's life: worship, faith formation, community life and collaborative ministry, social justice, and stewardship. Bishop Charron has asked each parish during the next several months to "undertake this assessment of their ministries, create goals and act on your findings."

For more information on this process, contact Tom Chapman.

Ministry Assessment Project booklet

Models on how to implement MAP process in a parish

Background information and resources are available:

Pastoral Council Guidelines

Pastoral Council Prayer

Candidate Reflection Form

Conditions for Discerning the Will of God

Agenda Checklist and Discerning an Issue

Discernment Day Sample Agenda

Membership Process Outline

Parish Corporation Guidelines

Parish Finance Council Guidelines

USCCB Resource Papers