The Second Vatican Council strongly recommended the establishment of councils to study and deliberate on pastoral matters and make practical suggestions for the benefit of the diocese. By Baptism and Confirmation all are called to share in the threefold office of Christ as priest, prophet and king, in accord with their respective roles in the Church. The Diocesan Pastoral Council is one structure which allows the laity to accomplish this by their ministry to the diocese.

The Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Trenton was established by Bishop George W. Ahr in 1968. Over the years the Pastoral Council has been involved in a number of projects as requested by Bishop Ahr and later by Bishop John C. Reiss. These have included the drafting of models for parish council constitutions, the examination and study of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, surveys of the parishes on questions such as when should the Sacrament of Confirmation best be administered and on the formation and nurturing of parish pastoral councils. Under the leadership of Bishop John M. Smith, the Pastoral Council studied the ways to combat the causes of societal violence and the means to foster vibrant parishes within our Diocese. Our recent mission focused on a opinion survey concerning leadership qualifications for lay ecclesial administrators needed to alleviate the work responsibilities of the clergy, making more allowances for the clergy to administer the spiritual needs of the people within the Diocese of Trenton.

Parish delegates from 11 deaneries in the diocese meet with Bishop John M. Smith in fall and spring General Assemblies.

A. The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to advise the diocesan Bishop on pastoral activities throughout the diocese and in general to assist the Bishop in his care of the People of God.

B. It shall develop and be governed by statutes or a constitution approved by the diocesan Bishop.

C. It shall provide a means of communication with the diocesan Bishop and shall serve a planning function when requested.

The Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Trenton is governed by its Constitution which reflects the laws and ideals of the Church, especially as expressed in the Synod statutes. The Constitution clearly describes the advisory nature of the Council and states that its role is to assist the Bishop in his care of the People of God. It is to be a means of communication between the Bishop and the laity of the Diocese and is to assist the Bishop in planning and implementing programs for the Diocese if requested. The Constitution stresses the role and mission of the laity as baptized followers of Christ and the necessary collaboration of the laity with their parish leadership. It indicates how the Council should address questions in a setting of common deliberation and emphasizes the continual need for study and search for spiritual wisdom. For example) the Constitution states that "Deanery meetings should provide an opportunity for the spiritual formation and to provide a continuous opportunity for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit." In this way the Council will benefit both the Diocese and the representatives themselves.

A. Members of the Pastoral Council shall be Catholics of proven faith, good moral character and prudence. There shall be a regular lay member and an alternate from each parish in the Diocese.

B. Where there is a functioning parish council, that group can recommend to the pastor the lay members to represent the parish; in the absence of a parish council, the pastor shall design a process to assist him in selecting members to represent the congregation.

C. All representatives shall be selected annually. No person shall serve as a representative for more than four consecutive years, except as noted in paragraph F below.

D. Each county shall have Pastoral Council Deaneries. Each deanery shall consist of the pastoral council representatives from parishes and/or communities. Each deanery shall elect a coordinator and an assistant coordinator from among its members for the purpose of setting meeting agendas, conducting meetings, and representing it at the Pastoral Board meetings. The Pastoral Council Deaneries shall have the same geographical boundaries used by the corresponding diocesan Presbyterial Council Deaneries.

E. A Pastoral Board, consisting of the coordinators and assistant coordinators of the Pastoral Council Deaneries, shall be established to plan and coordinate the activities of the Pastoral Council.

F. The Pastoral Board shall have an executive board consisting of at least the three officers as required by Article VI below and may have up to two other members selected by the officers with the approval of the Pastoral Board Membership on the executive board does not count as part of the four years of consecutive service as a representative.

G. The Pastoral Council may request secretarial support from the Chancery Office to assist in planning and coordinating its activities.

The delegate is thoughtfully chosen by each pastor to represent the respective parish community in this Council. Each delegate is a link connecting individual parishes with the diocesan church. The role of the delegate is one of promoting communication and collaboration between the individual parishes and the Diocese of Trenton.

It is important to emphasize that delegates are called by name to donate their gifts and talents. It is not an accident they have been invited to be a delegate, but there is a definite reason they are here. Their presence and contribution make a difference. By saying "Yes" to being a delegate, each has made a commitment to put into action whatever project the Bishop invites them to participate in.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DELEGATE often include one who:

• Is a good listener
• realizes the purposes for which the council exists and recognizes one's role
• has a positive attitude
• is a visionary following the example of Jesus Christ
• is open to study and reflection
• prepares oneself before meetings
• knows how to focus on issues
• communicates and has an ability to articulate accurately what one has heard

A delegate participates in the activities which include:

• attending General Assembly, Deanery, and workshop meetings
• reading and reviewing materials to educate oneself on various issues; studying and updating personal knowledge in areas of church, diocese and spirituality
• taking advantage of parish adult education programs and talks
• listening to the needs of one's parish and identifying concerns to be addressed
• collaborating with other delegates in one's deanery for exchange and sharing of ideas and to be helpful in setting up programs
• communicating with one's pastor obtaining his input on projects and keeping him up to date on the Diocesan Pastoral Council's projects and their status; to set up
• specific appointments with the pastor for these discussions
• providing information to their Parish Council regarding the Diocesan Pastoral's projects affecting the total life and mission of the Church within the Diocese.

• To meet, work with and celebrate with laity, religious, and clergy who share their faith, commitment and values
• To be visible witnesses of the message and service of Our Lord, Jesus Christ
• To participate in shaping decisions that affect the future direction of programs and ministries in the Diocese of Trenton
• To advise, assist and support the Bishop in Diocesan affairs
• To develop an adult faith life and offer leadership through prayer, life experiences, education, and discussion with other delegates
• To grow in spirituality through the Council, which is a "mysterious bonding in faith, hope, and love, which takes place within a group of persons who share a common vision toward which God is calling them." It is a sensitivity to the power of the Holy Spirit moving within the council
• To develop prayer during the meetings to facilitate meditating on directions to follow; not bookend prayer to begin and close meetings, but prayer that moves hearts and changes lives

Conduct Deanery Meetings and guide Parish Council Delegates as needed to accomplish any mission endeavors requested by our Most Reverend Bishop. Collect and summarize the results of mission endeavors and forward to the Pastoral Council President for the formation of a diocesan report by the Executive Board.