Parish Pastoral Council

HT parishioners form a community of companions of Jesus on mission with him in this place and at this time in history.  PPC members, who along with the pastor are formed by their understanding of Jesuit identity and mission and their practice of Ignatian-style prayer, are leaders of this community of companions of Jesus.

PPC members share leadership responsibility with the pastor at HT. As advisors to the pastor, PPC members assist the pastor in discerning, articulating and communicating to other parishioners the identity and mission of the parish, and they assist the pastor in assuring fidelity to that identity and mission.

The sacred nature and purpose and close relationship to the Society of Jesus demands that the PPC carry out its responsibilities in ways that are distinctively Jesuit.

For example:

• A PPC member approaches participation on the Council with an open heart and mind coupled with a willingness to listen to and follow the guidance of the Spirit, which may be expressed through one’s colleagues on the Council;
• A PPC member practices the Ignatian presupposition, that is, always presumes that the other is speaking or acting without bad intent, and always gives the other the benefit of the doubt;
• The PPC deliberates through communal discernment. Communal discernment:
  • Is a way of reaching a decision in which all have participated and which all can embrace, even if it is not what one would have chosen him/herself apart from the discernment process;
  • Seeks consensus;
  • Is not necessarily compromise, though it may involve compromise;
  • Reaches a decision through a process that respects the beliefs and opinions of each member of the group, and that preserves the group's unity and harmony and mutual affection; and
  • Is consciously and deliberately attentive to the Spirit within.

One who would like to serve as a member of the PPC:

• Engages in regular personal prayer;
• Has been an active parishioner involved in the life of the parish for at least two years;
• Has pledged to worship with the parish community at Sunday Eucharist as often as possible;
• Has participated in some parish ministry (committee) for at least one year;
• Agrees to support the parish financially;
• Has participated in some parish-sponsored retreat or prayer program or event;
• Is capable of thinking broadly and strategically and without uncontrolled bias, and has a mind and heart open to the “magis,” that is, what is for the greater good;
• Is willing to serve as a PPC member for at least three years.

One who is selected to serve on the PPC will be expected to:

• Participate with other PPC members in other ongoing formation programs that are designed to deepen their understanding of Jesuit identity and mission and the ways of proceeding that are appropriate to the PPC;
• participate in scheduled PPC meetings as faithfully as possible;
• Be a liaison and an active member of one of the parish's committees, reporting to the committee the works of the council and reporting to the council the updates on the committee's work;
• Observe or otherwise participate in parish activities and ministries so as to be familiar with the parish’s efforts to be faithful to its identity and to carry out its mission; and
• Encourage input and communication with parishioners to ensure the needs of the parish are met.