Pastoral Council

St. Michael the Archangel’s Pastoral Council acts as an advisory and consultative body to the pastor. The Second Vatican Council affirmed the laity’s participation in the mission of Jesus Christ by challenging all of the baptized with a call to holiness, to ministry and to community. The Vatican Council appealed to priests to support laity participation by recognizing their role in the parish community.
“Priests must sincerely acknowledge and promote the dignity of the laity and the role which is proper to them in the mission of the Church … They should listen to the laity willingly, consider their wishes in a fraternal spirit, and recognize their experience and competence in the different areas of human activity, so that together with them they will be able to read the signs of the times.”

Presbyterorum Ordinis, Documents of The Second Vatican Council

Purpose of the Pastoral Council

The Pastoral Council acts as an advisory and consultative body to the Pastor. The purpose of St. Michael’s Pastoral Council, based on the Pastoral council constitution of the Archdiocese of Denver, is as follows:

To prayerfully reflect on, and discuss with, the pastor matters which relate to the overall welfare of the parishioners of St. Michael’s.

To collaborate with other parish ministries and services to further the pastoral service of the parish.

To assist the pastor in understanding the pastoral needs and circumstances of the people entrusted to his care, and in enhancing his pastoral ministry to them.

To assist the pastor in fulfilling the mission of Christ who was sent “…to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners…” (Luke 4:18)

To have a view of parish life that is larger than their vested interests.

To carry out other functions which the pastor may entrust to them.