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PPC Functions

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PPC Functions

ST MARY’S PASTORAL PARISH COUNCIL (PPC)

2024

Introduction

The Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) of St. Mary’s Cathedral was elected for a three- year period in 2023. The main functions of the Parish Council are to facilitate proper consultation and common action in matters concerning religious formation and pastoral action in the parish and to promote and make proposals to the parish priest regarding the implementation of diocesan pastoral policy.  The PPC held its meeting on March 14, 2024 for handover from the outgoing Vice-Chairperson and assigning of members to different committees. Fr. Johannes Shalongo, OMI (Ex Officio & Chairperson), Dr. Matthias Ngwangwama – Vice Chairperson.

 

Parish Finance Council (PFC)

Since the PPC is responsible for carrying out the Parish mission and establishing the overall goals and priorities of the parish, it is essential that there be a close liaison between the Parish Council (PPC) and the Parish Finance Council, hereafter referred to as the PFC.  With the pastor, the PFC is responsible for the temporal administration of the parish finances, supplies, maintenance of properties, bookkeeping, budgeting and inventory. The PFC does not report directly to the Parish Pastoral Council. After setting the parish goals and priorities for the coming year, the Pastoral Council will dialogue with the PFC to ensure that financial resources will be available. The PFC will advise the PPC when there are any major concerns regarding parish finances or parish facilities which might hinder the parish from carrying out its planned activities. Ms Betty Ndjiva.

 

Buildings and Maintenance

The Building Committee (BC) serves to ensure that all buildings that fall under the jurisdiction of the St. Mary’s Cathedral are maintained and are in accordance to the building regulations. The BC also offers technical advice to the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) on matters relating to buildings and building standards, mechanical and electrical services, civil and structural services while also offering advice on future building works to be undertaken by the Council. Ms Tatiana Sikwila , Ms Betty Ndjiva and Mr José Andrade.

 

Liturgy and Spirituality Committee

The Liturgy Committee plans and provides for the spiritual development of each member of the parish community through liturgical celebrations, days of prayer and spiritual renewal, and any other special devotions.

 

Functions:

  • To recruit and train members of the parish community to serve in the various ministries such as musicians, readers, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality ministers, altar servers, and sacristans.
  • To co-ordinate these ministries by appointing co-ordinators and developing guidelines for each of the various ministries.
  • To educate itself through study, prayer, and participation in workshops and seminars, and to encourage other parishioners to participate in these programs and those sponsored by the diocese.
  • To review the community worship celebrations to ensure they serve the liturgical needs of the parish and to identify areas in need of development.
  • To ensure advanced planning and preparation is carried out for each of the major liturgical seasons; namely Lent/Easter/Pentecost and Advent/Christmas.
  • To work with other parish committees to co-ordinate parish celebrations of Baptism, First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation, RCIA, Marriage, and the Sacrament of the Sick, and funerals.
  • To prepare an annual budget of expenses anticipated by the committee for submission to the PFC.
  • Ms Monica Bille, Henry Olu-King and Pascalle Dahlmeier.

 

 

Parish Elders and Family Life Committee

The Parish and Community Life Committee is responsible primarily for building the parish into a faith community by identifying and providing for the social and communal needs of the parishioners, including children, youth, adults and senior citizens.

 

Membership is comprised of the Parish Priest, the Chairperson and at least one member representing each of the following segments of the parish community. People with special needs, Pastoral Care Team, Youth, married couples, senior citizens, single adults and representatives from any men’s or women’s organizations active in the Parish.

 

Its functions are to:

  • Identify communal, social and recreational needs for all parishioners such as children, youth, newcomers, families, single adults and senior citizens.
  • Determine goals and priorities that will build the parish into a true faith community.
  • Co-ordinate social and recreational activities of existing organizations and to support and help promote those activities and those sponsored by the Diocese.
  • Develop activities where needed through the recruiting of volunteers and establishment of sub-committees.
  • Welcome new parishioners and help them participate in parish life.
  • Work with other churches and civic groups in the community to provide for the social needs of our own parishioners as well as the larger community.
  • Explore ways and means of involving more members of the parish in the activities of the parish and to ensure that all activities are well publicized.
  • Prepare an annual budget of expenses anticipated by the Committee for submission to the PFC. Camillus Mahindi.

 

 

Social Action – Justice and Peace, Pastoral Action and Renewal

The Social Action Committee represents the parish community in expressing its concern about poverty and justice in both the local and broader community and in transforming that concern into commitment and action. Solutions to human suffering should always be faithful to the mission of Christ and His Church.

 

Membership includes the Parish Priest, the Chairperson and the co-ordinators or chairpersons of St. Vincent de Paul or Caritas, Council of Churches, Immigration and Refugee Affairs, Development and Peace and any other programmes concerned with the social needs of the community.

 

Its functions are to:

  • Identify the social issues and human needs in the parish and in the community.
  • Develop an action plan and assign programmes to specific communities.
  • Develop an education programme in co-ordination with the Education Committee to inform the community about human needs and social issues.
  • Act as liaison between the parish and the Diocesan Centre on social development and other Diocesan programmes.
  • Promote the overall social well-being of the community in cooperation with other denominational or non-denominational organisations.
  • Represent the parish, with PPC approval, in voicing concerns of the church about social issues to all levels of government.
  • Set up sub-committees and recruit committee members to carry out functions of the Committee.
  • Prepare an annual budget of expenses anticipated by the Committee for submission to the PFC. Dr Innocent Haingura

 

Catechetic & Education Committee

The Education Committee is responsible for discerning needs, developing, promoting and evaluating all parish education programmes. It is particularly concerned with religious education for all members of the parish and will, therefore, strive to provide all its members with religious learning opportunities, which are aimed at fostering a personal faith and expressing that faith through service. As the parish priest is the spiritual leader and teacher in the parish, it is expected that he will play a very active role in this Committee and will be called upon to give direction in all areas of religious education.

 

Its membership consists of the Parish Priest, the Chairperson and the co-ordinators or Chairpersons of RCIA Process, Baptismal Preparation Team, Marriage Preparation Team, Adult Religious Education Program, Family Religion Program, Sacramental Preparation Team and any other parish education programme.

 

Its functions are to:

  • Identify the educational needs of the parish.
  • Recommend to the PPC short and long term educational goals and priorities.
  • Determine the various educational programmes to be carried out in the parish and to schedule, promote and support these programmes.
  • Recruit co-ordinators and volunteers to carry out these programmes and ensure good communications are maintained between coordinators.
  • Ensure co-ordinators and volunteers are made aware of educational seminars and programmes offered by the Diocese and other organisations and to encourage training of volunteers where required.
  • Encourage co-operation and dialogue for the unified and harmonious integration of families, schools and parish in the religious education of children.
  • Evaluate all parish educational policies and programmes.
  • Establish an annual budget of expenses anticipated by the Committee for submission to the PFC. Mr Ben Haingura and Ms Anneley Willemse.

 

 

Youth & Vocation Promotions Committee

  • This Committee aims to actively include the parish youth in the church’s activities as well as consolidate and harmonise all youth groups in order to build and cement unity.
  • Ms Kelly Muremi

 

Public Relations and Events

This Committee works together with the other committees in organising events and functions of the parish as well as make budgetary requests to the PFC. Dr Marius Kudumo and Ms Rose B. Madi.