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Director, Office of Pastoral Planning
Deacon Frank Berning |
Chancellor
Elizabeth Simcoe
Director, Office of Ministry Formation/Administrator for the Council
David Amico
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| Albany City Deanery
Julie Hasselbarth
Albany Suburban Deanery
Frederick Burdick
N. Albany/ N. Rensselaer Deanery
Northern Albany
Barbara Nash
Northern Rensselaer
Stephanie Safford
Columbia County Deanery
Harry Schmitz
Delaware/Otsego/Schoharie Deanery
Delaware County
Charlene Caramore
Otsego County
Carole Barry
Schoharie County
Francine Apollo
Fulton/Montgomery Deanery
Fulton County
John W. McDonough
Montgomery County
Mary Ann Louison |
Greene County Deanery
Eugene Hatton
Herkimer County Deanery
Marianne Lee
Saratoga County Deanery
Diane Berning
Schenectady County Deanery
Toni LaFond
Southern Rensselaer Deanery
Marisa Donovan
Warren/Washington Deanery
Warren County:
TBA
Washington County
Arunas Budnikas |
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The Decree on the Bishops’ Pastoral Office in the Church (Christus Dominus) approved by Vatican Council II encourages the establishment of diocesan pastoral councils.
- The Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Albany was established in 1971 in accordance with Canon Law.
What is the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
The Diocesan Pastoral Council [DPC] is an advisory group that collaborates with the Bishop to offer support and to help clarify a vision for the diocese. It fulfills its mission through prayer, study, reflection and dialogue. Convening five times a year, the council is a channel of communication between the deaneries and the Bishop.
Who serves on the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is composed of laity, religious and clergy.
Current membership includes:
- The Bishop of Albany
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Deanery Representatives: One lay representative selected in consultation with the local leadership and appointed by the Bishop, from each deanery of the diocese. However, where a deanery includes two counties, there is generally a representative from each county.
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Ex-officio Members: Chancellor for Pastoral Services; Director of Pastoral Planning; and the Administrator for the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
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Appointed Membership: Parish Life Director Representative, Deacon Representative, Young Adult Representative, and Representatives from the diocesan Youth Ministry Team.
What does the Diocesan Pastoral Council Do?
A key responsibility of the Diocesan Pastoral Council membership is to provide and maintain a communication link between the Bishop, diocesan departments, and individual parish pastoral councils.
In addition, members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council:
- collaborate with the Bishop so that pastoral activity can more effectively meet the needs of the people.
- work with the dean and the local deanery to better serve the local faith community.
- serve as one of the key co-sponsors of the Autumn Diocesan Gathering (formerly called the Parish Convening).
- represent the DPC on diocesan committees as requested by the Bishop.
- foster and promote their own spiritual growth and that of their constituents.
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