Parish Pastoral Council
Purpose and Goals:
The Pastoral Council is concerned, in general, with implementing, at the parish level, the mission of the Diocese of Harrisburg: “To share the experience of salvation received from Jesus Christ in the living Catholic tradition of Word and Sacrament, drawing all persons into a believing, hoping, loving, and serving community which, empowered by the Spirit, gives glory to the Father through Jesus, Lord and Savior.”
The mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is to follow the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ as revealed through the Roman Catholic Church and expressed through the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is committed to worshiping the Lord and to be of service to the family of God.
The primary goal of the Pastoral Council is total and continual parish spiritual renewal and outreach.
The Pastoral Council will discover and listen to the needs of the parish and set parish direction by prayerful reflection.
The Pastoral Council serves as a connecting link between the Diocese of Harrisburg and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish communicating and supporting the policy and programs of the Bishop to the people, and also making full use of diocesan resources to meet the needs of the parish community.
The Pastor is solely and completely responsible to the Bishop of Harrisburg for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the parish. The Parish Pastoral Council does not directly share this responsibility but exercises its consultative role in support of the Pastor’s responsibility.
Membership
Pastoral Council members are practicing Catholics, at least eighteen years of age, and members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Because of the possibility of a conflict of interest, paid employees’ immediate family members may not serve on the Pastoral Council.
Nine elected, voting members, are elected by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at large. The Pastor, at his discretion, may appoint other voting members.
Voting Members for the 2026-2027 Term
Chris Deshane
Nikki Krise
Becky Olejniczak
Christy Sunchych
Linda Walde
Rita Acri
George Ehgartner
Loan Nguyen
John Palkovitz
Lisa Taglang
Meetings
Meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held in the Knights of Columbus room in the Parish center. Any parishioner may address the Pastoral Council concerning a specific subject. If a parishioner wishes to address the Council concerning a specific subject, that parishioner must notify the Chairperson or the Pastor one week in advance of the Pastoral Council meeting. All meetings take place at 7PM The Parish Pastoral Council will meet the following dates:
Tuesday September 15th, 2026 *Meeting will start with installation of new members in the Church. Then the meeting will continue in St. Mary’s Hall.
Tuesday November 17, 2026
Tuesday January 19, 2027
Tuesday March 16, 2027
Tuesday May 18, 2027
Tuesday June 15 *Meeting will start with installation of new members in the Church. Then the meeting will continue in St. Mary’s Hall.