Councils

The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of lay persons established to advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. The relationship between the Pastor and the council is one of support and collaboration. The authority of the Pastor is not diminished by the establishment of the Parish Finance Council.

It has been the consistent policy of the Orlando Diocese that Parish Pastoral Councils be established in each parish. While the two councils are separate and each has a different and specific role in the life and operation of the parish, they work together for the good of the parish. The chairperson of the Parish Finance Council is an ex-officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council and should provide them with periodic reports on the financial status of the parish and its activities.

The Parish Finance Council is composed of the Pastor, as an ex-officio member, and not less than three reputable and practicing members of the parish knowledgeable and skilled in financial matters. Membership is by appointment of the Pastor. Members serve for a three-year term and may be appointed to a second three-year term. The Chairperson is appointed for a term of one year and may be reappointed.

Principal responsibilities of the Council include:

• Preparation of an annual budget
• Ensuring the submission of the regular financial reports to the Diocese
• Preparation and publication of an Annual Financial Statement and Report provided to the Parish Pastoral Council and members of the Parish community.

What is Parish Council?

The parish pastoral council is a recommended structure within the Church concerned with pastoral activities of parish life. It is made up of a representative body of the faithful and must include the pastor. The parish pastoral council shares the responsibility for building the parish into a vibrant Christian community that promotes gospel values of love, justice and peace. It is a consultative body of leaders who actively seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are guided by the teachings, laws and recommendations of the universal Church and the local diocesan Church.

RECOMMENDED STRUCTURE

‘In every parish in every diocese, a pastoral council shall be established, if the diocesan bishop, after consulting with the council of presbyters, so decides’ (Canon 536, #1)

Parish pastoral councils are recognized bodies within the Church structure. Like the diocesan pastoral councils, parish pastoral councils were strongly recommended by the bishops of the Second Vatican Council as a vehicle for promoting the mission of Christ and ensuring that the ‘life and activity of the people of God may be brought into greater conformity with the gospel’. The parish pastoral council is a structure of participation that facilitates ‘an organic blending of legitimate diversities’ encouraging all the baptized to work together for the good of the whole community, ‘sustaining it in all its many needs: from catechesis to liturgy, from the education of the young to the widest array of charitable works.’

Parish Pastoral Councils – Function

The general function of the Parish Pastoral Council is to advise the Pastor in those pastoral matters presented to it by the Pastor. It carries out its function by:

• Informing the Pastor of the needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members
• Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement (which will always contain the name of Jesus) and periodically re-evaluating and revising it
• Developing a parish pastoral plan
• Participating in ongoing pastoral planning
• Recommending policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan
• Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs

SACRED HEART & ST. GERARD MISSION STATEMENT

We, the Eucharistic communities of Sacred Heart and St. Gerard, being faithful to the Mission of the Church as expressed by the Redemptorist way of life, seek and invite others into an ever deepening relationship with Jesus and with one another. Seeking to build up the Kingdom of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, nourished by the Sacraments and Prayer, we commit to reach out to everyone through evangelization, especially those most in need.

Sacred Heart Catholic School, established in 1961, is a vital part of Sacred Heart Parish. The staff collaborate with the Redemptorist Fathers to offer quality religious and academic education to students of the surrounding community.

All parents of children attending Sacred Heart Catholic School are members of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and are encouraged to actively support the PTO which serves as a vehicle of parent involvement in the School, fundraising and community-building.

• Attendance at the four (4) scheduled PTO parent meetings is required for all parents; parents are requested to participate in and support the various events sponsored by the PTO by volunteering their service.
• Parent are required to serve at least twenty (20) service hours to support the fundraising obligation of the PTO on behalf of the School. At least ten (10) of the required parent service hours must be volunteered for PTO sponsored events.
• Parents are also required to keep track of their own service hours and submit a copy to the PTO Treasurer who records hours each family has served.
• Parents are required to sign in with the chairperson of the activity when volunteering for any service activity so there is an accurate record to verify service activities.
• Families not fulfilling the twenty (20) service hour requirement are responsible to submit payment of $20 per un-served hour by the last day of school.

Families are also required to support the SHS Dinner Auction by procuring $250 in new items or gift certificates from area businesses, sell advertisements, and/or make a personal donation by the January deadline.

For more information regarding the PTO or Sacred Heart School, please visit the Sacred Heart School website

“By its very nature, the school board is advisory. It is accountable to the pastor and principal in its operation. It agrees to follow the policies and administrative procedures of the Diocese of Orlando and the Office of Catholic Schools. Members agree to use their talents, gifts and insights for the common good of the community to promote the mission and goals of Catholic education. They will defer personal agendas in order to discern with the members the issues, concerns and challenges they face in meeting the educational needs of the students. The members model the faith community to its constituents. They promote respect between and among each other, acknowledge the various views of each member, discern with each other in an open and collaborative manner and support the decisions approved by the board.”

• From the Leadership Manual for Elementary Schools
•  Diocese of Orlando Office of Catholic Schools

For more information regarding the PTO or Sacred Heart School, please visit the Sacred Heart School website