A Pastoral Council is a whole different philosophy from the old "Parish Council" idea. Rather than being involved in administrative and business-like tasks, the Pastoral Council looks to and advises on the spiritual well-being of the parish. Yes, this might involve decision-making concerning material need. But, primarily, the Pastoral Council looks to advise the parish priest of what is needed in different areas of spiritual awakening and implementation of the knowledge gained through that awakening.

    Often, people think of the word "compromise" when they think of the word "pastoral." As we have seen in the more recent Gospel readings, the word "pastoral" or "pastor" does not mean to compromise or serve people's feelings. It means to gently lead those who have strayed back into the fold. It means to bring them to follow their convictions or what they profess to believe. This means helping those who wander because of personal sin. It means bringing those back who have rejected their community and gone elsewhere because of a difficulty in procedures or with persons. It means practicing forgiveness. It means understanding the richness of different spiritualities, cultures, and racial gifts and coordinating them for the betterment of the Kingdom on earth. A shepherd doesn't merely watch the sheep who have strayed and say "It's ok, it's between them and God..." Shepherding means to bring back!

    Every Sunday we use words such as "unity," and "together" in the most supreme worship of God, the Eucharistic Celebration. We don't celebrate this unity merely as a parish, but with the whole Church. One compromises this reality if one is going to another parish and professes unity in the Eucharist with the whole Church- the Body of Christ. One compromises this reality if they have side-stepped the reality of their Baptism by being married outside of the Church or is living the marital union without the statement of faith found in the Sacrament. There are so many divisive issues that need to be addressed to continue with the saving of souls. Often the danger we put ourselves in of losing Heaven is through a trivial act,  but dangerous to our spirituality. We are here to bring healing to these people not by compromise, but by teaching the truth (which they may or may not want to hear) and revealing the freedom and peace it brings in Christ  when the faith is understood. We do not compromise the truth for feelings.
 

    We now have a formation program initiated for those prospective members of a Pastoral Council for our parish. It is encouraging to be able to say that these members are active, spiritually interested members of our parish who are enthusiastically interested in implementing Gospel values. They recognize that we are not only a parish, but part of the Church of the Diocese of San Bernardino with Bishop Gerald Barnes as our designated shepherd or "Ordinary" as a successor to the Apostles.

    All work that is done within the pastoral Council will be rooted in the Creed that we profess at Sunday Mass. We are "One, Holy Catholic, and Apostolic Church!" This means that we act in unity, surrendering our individual agendas for the good of all. It means that we deepen our knowledge as those who are redeemed by Christ's accomplishment in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It means that we are universal on nature, open to receiving all peoples, especially those who look for change in their lives, moving from sin and into a state of Eternal life! It means that we believe in the structure of the Church as Jesus instituted... that we are an "institution" that is Apostolic by Jesus' design, and, that we trust His words and Spirit to keep it pure through the teachings of the Apostles and their successors when they are in union with each other.
 

 "It is important to maintain a sense of the presence of God in our daily lives.  This will be our primary goal in the mission of our Pastoral Council.  We want to help those in need, comfort those who have lost a loved one, visit the sick, and bring them the Sacraments; To be there for everyone, whatever their needs; To call or stop by the office with information of any such need in our parish community."

 The above is a statement of concern for the members in formation. Please remember them in your prayers at home.  They are there to serve you. The members of this council are those who have stuck by this parish through thick and thin through the years, through good times and bad, in sickness and health. Does this sound familiar? Well, if we call ourselves the Bride of Christ it is those who live that relationship that are chose to represent you. They are by no means fickle in their relationship to you as a parish. They have made it very clear to this parish that they have the maturity to remain committed here.  Praise God for that maturity!