
Parish Council is a group of people who together are representing the entire parish and who plan and guide its growth. They are chosen by the parish to join with the pastor in a special service of long-range planning, the setting of parish priorities, and the implementation of programs through the Six Commissions. The Role of the Parish Council cannot be understood apart from the work to which the entire parish is called; and so this section looks first at the role of the whole parish before it examines more closely the role of the Parish Council.
General membership on the Council should include:
- pastor and all priests, permanent deacons, and other persons in full-time positions of leadership, such as the school principal, director of religious education, youth minister, or director of worship.
- lay people elected by the parish. The majority of the Council should always be composed of lay parishioners.
- special appointees. Provisions should be made for a small number of persons appointed by the Pastor (no more than three) in order to provide for an unrepresented segment of the parish if there is such a need after an election.
Responsibilities
The following are the six major responsibilities of the Syro Malabar Parish Council:
Priorities & Planning - To determine the priorities and plan with vision for the future
Implementation - To ensure that the programs and activities of the parish are carried out by the Commissions
Involvement - To involve everyone in the work of the parish
Shared Decision-Making - To enable as many people as possible to contribute to the process of decision-making in the parish
Cooperation with Diocese - To cooperate with diocesan departments and through the Deanery Council with other parishes and to carry out its work according to the priorities of the Diocese and under its guidance.
Contribution to Diocese - To contribute to the formulation of diocesan goals and programs
Members and Assignments:
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Liturgy and Photography: Siby Parekatt
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Retreat, Renewal Programs, Photography, Bulletin: Joe Antony, Siby Parekatt
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Choir and Sound: Roy Nedumgottil, Gins Thachil
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Hospitality, Food, Kitchen, Food Purchase: Johnny Mannamcherry, Mathew Chacko Pallithara, Shabu Mathew
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Maintenance, Old Church, Building 5010, Parking: Shabu Mathew, George Oravumkara, Aniyankunju Vallikalam, Mathew Chacko Pallithara
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Relation with the City and Offices: Luke Chirayil
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Ushering/Collection, Ward Reorganizing, Contact with the Pioneering Members of the church, Adoration Chapel: P.D.Thomas Puthukalam
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Public Relations/P.R.O: Sebastian Emmanuel, Aniyan Kunju, George Joseph
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Cultural Academy: Lincy Vadakkumcherry
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IT, Website, Volunteer Group: Davis Kaitharath, Rosemary Sebastian, Justin Kadavil
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Fundraising, Pilgrimages, Church Decorations, Weekly flowers: Paul Vadakara, Luke Chirayil, Sunny Vallikalam
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Youth Activities and Lower Chapel: Rosemary Sebastian, Justin Kadavil, Dina Puthenpurackal, Anu Pulickan
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Youth Wards, CML: Dina Puthenpurakal
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CCD: Mariya Raju, Sebastian Emmanuel
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Convention, SMCC: Sunny Vallikalam, George Orvumkara, Biji Kollapuram
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School of Languages, Marian Grotto: Rosamma Theneyaplackal
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Medical and Emergency, Adoration Chapel: Elizabeth Sheeba Francis
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St.Thomas Feast: Trustees, Paul Vadakara (Convenor), Justin Kadavil (Co-convenor)
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Picnic and CYM Activities: Gins Thachil
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Parish Council Secretary: Beena Ramasharma, Rosamma Theniyamplackal
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North Brook Extension: Jacob Purayampallil, Mathew Alumparampil
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Ordinary Feasts, St.Chavara, St. Euphrasia, St.Sebastian etc: Biji Kollapuram, George Oravumkara
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Feast of St.Alphonsa, Ettunoyambu feast, Ward Prayers: Johnson Chemplavil
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English Choir: Anu Pulickan
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Snow Removal, Grass cutting, Premises Cleaning: George Oravumkara, Davis Kaitharath
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Seniors Forum, Senior space in 5010, Seminars and Community Renewal Seminars etc: George Joseph Kottukappally
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Young Adults’ Families: Sony Thevalakara, Gins Thachil
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Safe Environment: Davis Kaitharath, Paul Vadakara
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Internal Audit: Noby Joseph, Joe Arthaserry
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Rectory Hospitality: Roy Chavady, Mariya Chavady
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Sound Engineering: Shenny Paul, Manish Akkathara
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Ecumenism: Anto Kavalackal
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Northbrook CCD: Ajain Kuzhimattathil
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Malpans: Pauly Vathikalam
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Thirty Three Days to Morning Glory: Elsa Nambiaparampil, Shirely Tomy
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Pastoral Service: Sr.Metzy CMC, Sr.Biji CMC
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Bulletin: Thomas Kalayil, Manoj Baby
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Hospitality: Vijayan Kadamapuzha, Kunjamma Kadamapuzha, Saji Varghese, Manoj Valiyathara, Shibu Augustine, John Varkey, Monachan