Women’s Voice Issue Dominates Northern California Lay Convocation

Submitted by Hugh O’Regan

Several approaches to expand women’s roles in parish life were identified.  Women were urged to take a more active role in liturgical rites and parish educational programs.  More emphasis should be placed on training women parish leaders and inviting women speakers to conduct such programs.  Pastors could help by offering more women opportunities to present scriptural reflections at Mass and at parish events.

The second major presentation of the day resulted in the recognition that effective Parish and Pastoral Councils, while encouraged in Church Law, need further development if they are to become an effective tool in planning and implementing ministry.  Very often the parish priest misunderstands the advantages of an active parish council and very often parishioners are not aware of what those councils should or could be doing.  As a result, the potential of the Pastoral council is largely underutilized. It was decided that now is the time to reinvigorate Parish councils and make them truly effective.

During the coming year, the Convocation organizers hope to recruit volunteers to carry the message forward that Women’s voices and Lay Pastoral Councils should be important elements in Parish life.