PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL OF ST. WILLIIAM OF YORK PARISH

We, the People of God in the parish of Saint William of York, in union with each other, with our Pastor, with the Chief Shepherd of our diocese, and in union, too, with all the members everywhere of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ and governed by His Vicar, the Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, do hereby unite to form a Pastoral Council.

We do so conscious of the fact that every one of us is a member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) and that in this body "there are different gifts but the same Spirit (and) different ministries but the same Lord" (ibid. vv. 4-5). We acknowledge that each of us is called upon to offer his or her particular gift or ministry for the service of the whole body, "so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:1).

We do so in response to the recommendations of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council who, after urging that councils be formed in dioceses "to assist the apostolic work of the Church either in the field of making the gospel known and men holy, or in the charitable, social or other spheres", added that so far as possible similar councils should be established in parishes also. (see Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, # 26).

Finally, aware that Christ has told us that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5), we ask for the guidance of His Holy Spirit so that all our words may be spoken and all our works done in His love and wisdom and that they may contribute to the establishment of His reign.

PASTORAL COUNCIL (2009-2010)

Pastor

Fr. Michael DeAscanis

Officers

Frank Krach     (President)
Larry Davis      (Vice-president)
Barbara Tipton (Secretary)

Members-at-large

Gretchen Parry

Doug Lechmann

Bernie Reinckens                                 

Gianpiera Borroni

Celine Greene

Jon Kosloski