American Catholic | Daily Catholic Question

Home

Catholic News

Daily Features

St. Anthony Messenger

Books

Catholic e-Greetings

Parish Newsletters/Services

Daily Catholic Question

What are the responsibilities of parish councils?

Canon law permits the existence of a parish council. It also allows the bishop to mandate that the parishes in his diocese each have a parish council. If the bishop has not mandated a parish council, a pastor himself may decide to establish a council in his parish.

The purpose of the parish council is to assist the pastor in the pastoral care of the parish. But the council is a consultive body. It advises and offers its opinion. It does not have legislative or decisive power. The governing of the parish is, by law, in the hands of the pastor.

Click here for the rest of today's answer

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Daily Catholic Question for 3/1/2013

Daily Catholic Question for 3/3/2013

Philip Neri: Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the whole post-Renaissance malaise.
<p>At an early age, he abandoned the chance to become a businessman, moved to Rome from Florence and devoted his life and individuality to God. After three years of philosophy and theology studies, he gave up any thought of ordination. The next 13 years were spent in a vocation unusual at the time—that of a layperson actively engaged in prayer and the apostolate. </p><p>As the Council of Trent (1545-63) was reforming the Church on a doctrinal level, Philip’s appealing personality was winning him friends from all levels of society, from beggars to cardinals. He rapidly gathered around himself a group of laypersons won over by his audacious spirituality. Initially they met as an informal prayer and discussion group, and also served poor people in Rome. </p><p>At the urging of his confessor, he was ordained a priest and soon became an outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretenses and illusions of others, though always in a charitable manner and often with a joke. He arranged talks, discussions and prayers for his penitents in a room above the church. He sometimes led “excursions” to other churches, often with music and a picnic on the way. </p><p>Some of his followers became priests and lived together in community. This was the beginning of the Oratory, the religious institute he founded. A feature of their life was a daily afternoon service of four informal talks, with vernacular hymns and prayers. Giovanni Palestrina was one of Philip’s followers, and composed music for the services. </p><p>The Oratory was finally approved after suffering through a period of accusations of being an assembly of heretics, where laypersons preached and sang vernacular hymns! (Cardinal Newman founded the first English-speaking house of the Oratory three centuries later.) </p><p>Philip’s advice was sought by many of the prominent figures of his day. He is one of the influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church itself. His characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety.</p>

Disrespect comes with many faces. Sometimes what’s unspoken speaks louder than any words.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	New audiobook
	Ronald Rolheiser on the Eucharist—discover true intimacy with God and one another!

	New book
	Are you ready to get your faith in shape? This book is your personal trainer!

	New book from Mark Hart
	Faith and humor from the Bible Geek in 140 characters or less. #Youwillbeblessed

	New from Dr. Ray Guarendi
	Dr. Ray coaches parents to make discipline less frequent, less frustrating, and more consistent!

	The Pope Who Quit
	Learn about Pope Celestine V and why he gave up the chair of St. Peter.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	Third Sunday in Lent
	Keep in mind today that the cross of Christ is at the heart of our faith.

	Reconciliation
	Make time soon to be reconciled to God, Church, family and friends. Express your peacefulness with our e-cards.

	Love
	Surprise someone you love today. Catholic Greetings offers you a selection of e-cards from which to choose.

	Lent
	In this season of penance, may we put aside those things that keep us from the Lord.

	Praying for You
	Sometimes prayer is the only appropriate action for those who rely on God’s mercy.

Come find us at:

American Catholic is for Catholics, all Christians and seekers. Find Roman Catholic Saints, Minute Meditations, Catholic Church Questions and Catholic News. Post Prayer Requests and send Catholic e-cards. Discover Catholic Books, Catholic Audio Books, Catholic Videos, and a leading Catholic Magazine.