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PASTORAL COUNCIL
Pastoral Council Guidelines
Diocese of Rockville Centre
December 8, 2002

The origin of Pastoral Councils can be traced back to the Second Vatican Council when Pope Paul VI and the Bishops articulated for the Church and for the world, the need for faithful Catholics to share responsibility for the pastoral mission of the local church. They spoke clearly of the fact that laymen and women are not merely recipients of ministry; by reason of their Baptism they are called and gifted for ministry, and together with the ordained clergy share in witnessing faith and carrying out the church's mission. The Council made it clear that clergy and laity must develop a new understanding and effective ways of collaborative leadership in the parish and in the diocese. Recognizing an additional opportunity for increase participation and involvement and the possibility of developing vibrant communities of faith, parishes have been encouraged to work towards the development of Pastoral Councils.

The Pastoral Council is a group of parishioners asked to take seriously the role of assisting the Pastor in the efforts of long range pastoral planning that allows for a greater awareness of the “larger vision” proposed by the gospels. As a visioning body, it serves as a forum of consultation for the Pastor and members, primarily by engaging them in ongoing conversations about the needs, feelings, hopes and reactions of parishioners. The purpose of this interaction is to foster the process of pastoral planning and decisions in the light of our parish mission and vision.

In 2002 Holy Name of Mary began the process of developing a Pastoral Council. Members were selected and began to work on understanding their role and becoming familiar with the many facets of our complex parish so that they will be able to provide the information and advice for effective long range planning in our parish. This, of course, is a “work in progress” and a big undertaking in a parish our size; we ask for your input, your support and your prayers as this group moves ahead in its efforts.




A Message from our Parish Pastoral Council

PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS

The Pastoral Council of Holy Name of Mary is an advisory board to our pastor. It has been in existence for the past seven years and consists of 17 members who share a commitment to Holy Name of Mary Parish. The Council meets monthly and serves as a forum of consultation for the pastor by discussing the needs and hopes of our parish community. In addition to advising the Pastor on current activities, projects and issues, the group is involved in discussions about long term plans for our Parish.

Recently, the Pastoral Council has discussed questions and concerns of parishioners that have been brought to the attention of Council members. Discussions regarding the questions and concerns have provided opportunities for all to broaden and deepen their understanding of how parish life affects, enriches and challenges family life. These discussions have also helped to create an understanding of the complexity of Parish life and the real need for patience, creativity and diligence when addressing concerns such as greater participation in Sunday Eucharist, finances, and the desire of our parishioners to be a Community of Faith. Some wonderful insights have been gained and some excellent suggestions for future consideration have been made.

Though the Pastoral Council is not normally a group that is “task oriented”, they were responsible for the very successful Parish Volunteer Party last November and are currently involved in plans for several activities to celebrate the “Year of the Priest”. Such activities include the creation of a Rosary CD and Movie Night.

The Pastoral Council will try to keep parishioners informed of their activities through occasional bulletin articles and information on our parish website. Please feel free to go to the website at www.hnom.org or to contact the Council by e-mail at hnomcouncil@aol.com.




Pastoral Council Members for 2009-2010

Father Thomas Harold

    James Aguaviva     Myriam Cisco              Pattie Mercurio   Donald Raad
    Mary Brown            Rosann Coppola         Mark Merollo       Jose Saladin
    Matt Carey              Richard Lotti               Gerry O’Brien      Dc. Clyde Ruggieri
    Suzanne Carey       Erin Ann McGovern     Luz Puerto          S. Margie Kelly


  • James Aguaviva: Member of Pastoral Council since 2006 and Parishioner since 1997. Actively involved in Parish events such as the annual Christmas Concert, Block Party, and Volunteer Party. Serves as the Family Ministry Coordinator for Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.


  • Mary Brown: Member of the Pastoral Council since 2007 and Parishioner since 1964. Actively involved in Ministry of Consolation and Pro-Life Committee. Serves as Eucharistic Minister. Past Parish involvement includes Baptism Program, CCD, Bible Study Facilitator.


  • Matthew Carey: Member of Pastoral Council since 2007 and Parishioner since 2006. Actively involved in Parish Choir since 2006. Children currently attend HNM elementary school.


  • Suzanne Carey: Member of Pastoral Council since 2007 and Parishioner since 1966. Currently involved in CCD and teaches a class of 2nd graders. Eucharistic Minister since 2007. Past Parish involvement includes member of the Folk Group from 1971- 1980.


  • Myriam Cisco: Member of Pastoral Council since 2008. Currently member of HNM School Board and in the past served as an HNM eighth grade fundraiser coordinator.


  • Rosann Coppola: Member of Pastoral Council since 2009. Life long parishioner of HNM, attended HNM school. Has children that attended HNM elementary school. Currently serves HNM as Eucharistic Minister and teaches CCD. Member of Ministry of Consolation and Saint Vincent DePaul Society. Past activities include Treasurer of HNM parents club and member of school board.


  • Father Thomas Harold: Appointed Administrator in 1999 and appointed Pastor in 2000. Spiritual and Pastoral leader of the parish. Assists at many Valley Stream community events that seeks a religious presence for the purpose of giving a blessing or offering a prayer.


  • Sister Margie Kelly: Parish Outreach Director since 1983. Member of St. Vincent de Paul. Serves on Board of Directors for Monica Apartments and Bethany House of Nassau County. Also serves on Board of Trustees for Sacred Heart Academy. Member of Pastoral Care Committee of Franklin Hospital, Valley Stream Religious Council and Valley Stream Interagency Council. Past involvement includes Board of Directors for Friend of Bridge and St. Vincent de Paul Society.


  • Richard Lotti: Member of Pastoral Council since 2009 and Parishioner since 1989. Currently serves HNM as Eucharistic Minister. Member of HNM Employment Group, Co-chair of the Stewardship Committee, Member of Stewforkids, and Co-chaired Stewforkids “Kids Helping Kids with Packages for Peace”.


  • Erin Ann McGovern: Member of Pastoral Council since 2008. Life long parishioner of HNM, attended HNM elementary school. Currently serves HNM as Eucharistic Minister and teaches CCD. Past involvement includes serving as member of Seminarian Support Group.


  • Pattie Mercurio: Member of Pastoral Council since 2009 and Parishioner since 1994. Currently serves HNM as Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Volunteer with Parish Outreach Blood Drive, Renew Committee Member, Pre-Cana. Past involvement includes organizing the HNM Annual Fishing Trip at Jones Beach.


  • Mark Merollo: Member of Pastoral Council since 2008 and Parishioner since 1998. Currently serves HNM as Eucharistic Minister. Previously been involved with volunteering for the Easter Vigil celebration. Also participated as a sponsor for the RCIA program.


  • Gerald O’Brien: Member of Pastoral Council since 2009. Past involvement includes serving on committee for Parish BBQ/Picnic. Assisted with planning Mardi Gras, Easter Egg Hunt & Family Breakfast.


  • Luz Puerto: Member of Pastoral Council since 2008 and Parishioner since 2003. Currently serves HNM as Lector and is part of the Greeting Ministry during the Spanish Mass. Also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.


  • Don Raad: Member of Pastoral Council since 2007 and Parishioner since 1993. Has children that attended HNM elementary school. Past involvement includes bingo staff member, volunteer for school outings and events, and capital campaign improvement committees.


  • Deacon Clyde Ruggieri: Member of Pastoral Council since 2008 and Parishioner since 1954. Currently serves as co-chair of Bible Study Program and Jr. Lectors. Past involvement includes co-chair of Community Awareness Committee, Parish Hospitality Ministry, Renew 2000, Community Sundays, Ministry Fairs, and assorted plays, concerts, and dances. Also served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister.


  • Jose Saladin: Member of Pastoral Council since 2009.


    Past Pastoral Council Members

    James Begley
    Kathleen Carey
    Joseph Conrad
    Deacon Tony Cuseo
    Esther Cuya
    Susan Faber
    Roger Ferrara
    Maria Garcia
    Mike Hogan
    Tony Izquierdo
    Joseph Moscola
    Kevin O’Sullivan
    Jose Piniero
    Pat Reynolds
    Mary Sheffield
    Ann Marie Skellington
    Annette Spoto
    Jack Wagner
    Maureen Weeden
    Karen Zunich




    • Please send your ideas, recommendations and suggestions to the Pastoral Council here at Holy Name of Mary using the following e-mail address:

    hnomcouncil@aol.com