Uniting parishes through faith, service to build a spirituality of communion

The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council is a group of 40 laypeople and clergy who assist Daniel Cardinal DiNardo in addressing the spiritual needs of the local Church, collaborating with parishes to live out this spirituality of communion, connecting faith with daily life, embracing each person’s unique gifts and supporting spiritual growth within the broader mission of the Church.  (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council)HOUSTON — In the words of St. John Paul II, all Catholics are invited to embrace a “spirituality of communion” in their homes, parishes, Archdiocese and communities. This call from the Holy Father encourages recognizing the divine presence in every person and understanding the deep connection that unites them. It is a faith that inspires seeing Christ in others and working together as one Church to share His light and love. 

At the heart of this mission is the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC), a group of 40 laypeople and clergy who assist Daniel Cardinal DiNardo in addressing the spiritual needs of the local Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the APC collaborates with parishes to live out this spirituality of communion, connecting faith with daily life, embracing each person’s unique gifts and supporting spiritual growth within the broader mission of the Church. 

An example of living out this mission is Vianey Romero, a dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Houston and a valued APC member. Romero has been involved in various events and ministries, including catechesis, faith formation and the parish council. Her involvement has deepened her understanding of the importance of creating a hospitable community that connects members with God’s presence and supports their faith journey, fostering spiritual growth and unity. 

“When I came to St. Joseph, I was looking for a community that was welcoming and helped us find what our hearts most long for — God’s presence in our lives,” Romero said. “The parish community is very important, where we worship, gather and share experiences, journeying deeper into our faith in connection with God. It can be as simple as offering a smile, a helping hand or a warm welcome and sharing information about available ministries with our members and newcomers.” 

Through collaborative efforts with fellow APC members, Romero has learned the importance of sharing new ideas and encouraging parishioners to prayerfully discern and respond to God’s call to serve. This collective effort not only strengthens and unifies the parish community but also assists pastors in managing the often overwhelming behind-the-scenes responsibilities of the parish. 

“Being part of the APC also gives us a chance to evaluate whether our parishes are growing, how welcoming we are to new members, and the strength of our relationships with current members,” Romero said. “Our parish councils can then adjust our pastoral plans or create new ones to better support the specific needs of our community.” 

Fellow APC member Jason Muriby, a parishioner at Annunciation Catholic Church since 2016, believes his unique background and experiences give him a distinct perspective to contribute. 

“My journey is interesting because I started as an engineer, then became a lawyer and later became Catholic,” Muriby said. “I believe this background and my path to Catholicism offer a unique perspective and have provided me with valuable insights as a participant in both the APC and the parish council.” 

Muriby’s diverse experiences have also deepened his understanding of the Archdiocese and his connection with fellow Catholics like Romero. This broader perspective has enhanced his awareness of its operations and collaborative efforts.  

“I have gained valuable insights into how the Archdiocese operates and its many moving parts,” Muriby said. “Updates from Cardinal DiNardo and understanding his vision for what he wants to learn from parishioners have helped me feel more connected and see the bigger picture. I believe the APC’s primary function is to provide guidance and feedback on what works well and what needs improvement in support of the direction set by the Cardinal and (Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro).”

Jim Barrette, secretariat director of the Archdiocese and executive officer of the APC, said the council had a key role in updating the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan. This plan identifies pastoral priorities, proposes initiatives, and aims to enhance parish communities within the Archdiocese. By fostering collaboration among parishes and bolstering their evangelization efforts, the plan supports a unified approach to addressing the spiritual needs of the local Church. 

“Each parish council collaborates with its pastor to create a plan that addresses the current parish community’s spiritual needs and lays the path to achieve its mission,” Barrette said. “These efforts are central to the mission of every parish. Because we are funded by the DSF, we are able to provide access to high-quality demographic data and analysis, along with professional consultations and training that support these vital missions.” 

Reflecting on his experience with updating the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan, Muriby felt guided by the Holy Spirit and appreciated the value of his skills in collaboration and idea synthesis. 

“When working on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan, the process of discussing and narrowing down diverse viewpoints into a cohesive plan aligns with what I enjoy and am experienced in, including capturing and summarizing discussions through meeting minutes,” Muriby said. “I view the work of the APC as a valuable asset to the Archdiocese, Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Italo, especially since each meeting is well-planned and structured to ensure that every minute and resource is used effectively.”  

To learn more about the APC, go to www.archgh.org/pastoralcouncil. To access the APC’s pastoral planning resources for pastors and parish councils, go to www.archgh.org/pastoralplan. 

To donate to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s DSF annual appeal, go to www.archgh.org/DSF.

The DSF supports 64 ministries, whether direct service or education, which require this critical funding to remain in operation. Out of each gift given to DSF, 100% of every dollar goes directly to supporting these ministries.