Constitution for the Parish Council
St. Benedict / St. Elizabeth Parish
PREAMBLE
We, the Roman Catholic community of St. Benedict’s Parish of Ridgely, Maryland and St.
Elizabeth’s Mission Church of Denton, Maryland, are a believing community professing faith in
God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Through the saving waters of Baptism we have died
and risen with our Savior Jesus Christ. Through Him, with Him, and in Him we are called to a life
of proclamation of the Good News, worship, communion, and service in our area of the Diocese
of Wilmington.
In communion with our Holy Father and the universal Church, in union with our Bishop, and
under the leadership of our Pastor, we seek to live out our vocation.
We are conscious of our membership in the Body of Christ and of our responsibility to
collaborate with our pastors by sharing our talents, time, treasure and wisdom for the sake of
the mission of Christ. In particular, we have been gathered as a pastoral council to advise our
pastor in those matters affecting our pastoral mission.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this body shall be the St. Benedict’s Parish Pastoral Council, hereinafter referred to
as ‘the Council.”
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
Section 1. The purpose of the Council shall be:
(a) To discern, with the authorization of the pastor, a set of pastoral goals for the parish. These
are to be developed and evaluated yearly after a sufficient period of research, reflection,
discussion and prayer;
(b) To evaluate existing programs and policies for their pastoral effectiveness;
(c) To form community within itself as a sign and witness of unity for the larger parish
community;
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