Congratulations to Deacons Billy Dodge and Charlie Richmond who were ordained by Bishop Callahan at our Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman on Saturday morning! They are ordained as so-called “transitional” deacons. However, the term “transitional” can lead to misunderstandings. They are not transitionally deacons in the sense that they will cease being deacons at some point. No, once ordained as a deacon the man always remains in his very being a deacon. The term “transitional” is used in the sense that ministering as a deacon is not the end (in the sense of “goal”) of their vocational journey. Rather, the goal is for them to be ordained to the priesthood and serve God and His people in that vocation. This is different from our own Deacon Kevin Ray whose diaconal ministry is sometimes referred to as “permanent” insofar as diaconate indeed
is the end (in the sense of “goal”) of his vocational journey. He was not ordained with a view to him one day becoming a priest. No, he was ordained to minister as a deacon for his lifetime. We very much look forward to welcoming Deacon Billy Dodge to our parishes next weekend and prayerfully accompany him to his ordination to the priesthood, God willing, in June 2015! In the meantime, how good God is to our parishes! For the next year we benefit from the ministry of not one, but
two deacons!
By universal and diocesan Church law there are
twobodies of consultation at the parish level, namely, the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. The basic task of the
Parish Pastoral Council, “is to
serve, at institutional level, the
orderly collaboration of the faithful in the
development of pastoral activity which is
proper to priests. The Pastoral Council is thus a
consultative organ in which the faithful, expressing their
baptismal responsibility, can
assist the parish priest, who
presides at the Council, by offering their
advice on pastoral matters” (Congregation for the Clergy,
Instruction on the Priest: Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community, 26). More concretely, the purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to
investigate pastoral matters, to
consider them thoroughly, and to
propose practical conclusions about them. The Pastoral Council’s task is, first of all, to
study those matters brought to its attention and shed light on them. Its second task is to
reflect on them thoroughly, to discern their true nature, to evaluate and to ponder them. Its final task is to draw sound
conclusions. The Pastoral Council presents these conclusions to the Pastor in the form of
recommendations.
According to the norms for Parish Pastoral Councils in our Diocese of La Crosse (
On Consultation in the Parish and Deanery, 19-20), two-thirds of the members are
elected by parishioners and one-third are
appointed by the Pastor. Members serve a
two-year term that can be renewed twice. In our parishes, the terms of some members of the Pastoral Council are expiring.
Please give prayerful consideration to the nomination of their replacements. To nominate a parishioner (including yourself) simply
submit the name (or names) of the nominee(s) in writing by placing it in the offertory collection basket, mailing it to the Central Office, or emailing it to my Administrative Assistant, Becky Schmitt (
[email protected]).
Nominations close after the last Mass of Sunday, May 11.
Elections in all three parishes will be held the weekend of May 17-18.
Please keep in mind that a parishioner is
eligible to serve on the Pastoral Council who: (1) is at least sixteen years of age; (2) is baptized, confirmed, and registered member of the parish in full communion with the Catholic Church; (3) is willing and able to serve for the elected or appointed term; (4) is a contributing member of the parish in prayer, time, talent and treasure; and (5) maintains a public posture not inconsistent with the teachings of the Church. In order to serve fruitfully on the Pastoral Council, the councilor should be
wise and prudent – a committed Catholic with the capacity for study, for reflection, and for reaching sound conclusions.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Saint Luke, pray for us!
Father Kevin C. Louis, STL