• identify needs of the parish and provide leadership
• set goals for the parish
• coordinate parish activities
• maintain awareness of the current issues that affect local, diocesan and the universal church

The Pastoral Council consists of eight members nominated and discerned from within the Parish Community and representatives from the various commissions as well as the professional staff.  It is organized in six commissions: Liturgy, Community Affairs, Christian Formation, Youth, Social and Finance and Administration.

Liturgy Commission

The Liturgical Commission strives to celebrate in ritual the Paschal Mystery of Christ in our midst.  Using the Liturgical Calendar as its guide, the Commission plans celebrations throughout the Church year which highlight the life of Christ and our life as a Church.  Through the planning of worship services which center on Word and Sacrament, on active participation of the community and enhanced by appropriate liturgical music, the Commission strives to make liturgy the work of the people, a work which teaches and which serves as the lifeblood of the parish.

Community Affairs Commission

This commission is charged by the Pastoral Council By-Laws to identify social needs and resources in the parish and larger community and to facilitate a response.  These needs should be met whenever possible by cooperating with other church and community groups.  The following groups or activities are implemented   through the Community Affairs Commission:  Caregivers, Bless This House, Thanksgiving Baskets, Giving Tree, May Flowers, Crop Walk and School.

Christian Formation Commission

The goals of this commission are to identify educational needs and resources within the parish  for adults, to recruit volunteer teachers, to formulate goals, to develop budget and to prepare and evaluate programs.  Outside the parish, the commission is charged to use actively the resources of the Christian Life Center.  The following initiatives implement the goals of this commission:  Orders of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, and a variety of Children's programs..

Youth Ministry

The thrust of the Youth Ministry for Saint Michael Parish closely follows the Vision Paper, written in 1976 at a gathering of the National Foundation for Youth Ministry.  The Vision Paper outlined two goals for this ministry:

• to work toward the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person,
• to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community

The document included seven aspects which are integrated into specific programs of the ministry.  Those aspects are:  evangelization, worship and prayer, advocacy, guidance and healing, community life, catechesis, peace and justice.

Junior High and Confirmation Programs involve regular meetings for catechesis for the youth and their families.  This also involves special liturgies and sacramental celebrations.

Youth Groups from both junior high and high school meet regularly for a variety of activities.

Catholic Exonians is a group of Catholic students at Phillips Exeter Academy who meet for sharing, discussion and social activities.

Social Commission

The members of this commission plan recreational and cultural programs for the varied needs of the parishioners and coordinate the social activities of the parish community.   As a part of promoting parish-wide social activities, they also provide refreshments and service other parish groups in order to strengthen a sense of community.

• Coffee and doughnuts are served after Sunday Masses to enhance the Eucharist experience.
  
• The Christmas Fair is a major event and fund raiser which includes our parish raffle.
  
• The Lenten Fish Fry, where a Lenten fish fry meal is served.

Finance and Administration Commission

Parish material needs are determined by this commission which makes recommendations and prepares a budget for approval by the Pastoral Council.  This group is also responsible for an annual financial report to the parishioners and to provide a periodic inspection of all parish properties and to recommend changes in light of parish needs.   The Finance and Administration Commission also sponsors the annual $10,000 raffle which is a major parish fund raiser.