Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan

The Grouard-McLennan Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC) is a consultative body for the benefit of the Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan, made up of representatives of the clergy, Religious and laity living and working in the Archdiocese. Its primary function is to advise the archbishop on the pastoral needs of the archdiocese, devise with him whatever pastoral plans and initiatives are deemed appropriate, and take an active part in the furthering of a pastoral plan and/or initiatives. The APC may do this either directly or through its standing committees or by means of one or more ad hoc committees.

The Curia (the Vicar General, Chancellor and Financial Administrator)
The Council of Priests and College of Consultors (one priest from each of the five regions of the Archdiocese)
One member from each of the standing committees of the APC, viz.

the Finance Committee
the Communications Committee
the Faith Formation Committee
the Aboriginal Pastoral Committee
the Francophone Pastoral Committee

One member from each of the Catholic School Boards in the Archdiocese. This may be the Superintendent or any of his assistants/deputies, the religious education consultant, or any member of the school board itself.
One member from each and any ad hoc committee formed by the APC, for as long as the ad hoc committee is functioning.
Two members from each of the five regions of Archdiocese, chosen by each region.
Two members from the collective of Religious Sisters living or working in the Archdiocese.
Any other members of the Archbishop’s choosing.

Term of Office
The term of office on the APC is two years, renewable once (for a total of four years).

The Archbishop is the president of the APC. The chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary are to be elected by all the members gathered at the first meeting of each even-numbered year. This executive will be in place for a two-year period.

The Finance Committee
The Archdiocesan Finance Committee has its own constitution.

The Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is responsible for the overall communication throughout the archdiocese of items of interest and concern. The media for providing this service is the archdiocesan web site. The archdiocesan webmaster is an ex officio member of this committee. From the web-site, it is acknowledged that any archdiocesan community can extract material to provide their own readership with material of interest to them.

The Faith Formation Committee
The Faith Formation Committee is a primary resource available to archdiocesan communities for the purpose of faith formation in all of its aspects, including but not restricted to: the Diocesan Lay Formation Program, RCIC, RCIA, school-based sacramental preparation, Bible Study groups, Cursillo, ALPHA, retreats, preparation for lay ministries.
Potential members of this committee are directors of the Diocesan Lay Formation Program, religious education coordinators for the school boards, Cursillo and ALPHA reps, etc.

The Aboriginal Committee
The Aboriginal Committee is responsible for coordinating and promoting ministry in the Native communities of the archdiocese. It is made up of representative members of these communities throughout the archdiocese, according to its own constitution.

The Francophone Committee
The Francophone Committee is responsible for providing resources and collaboration among the Francophone and bilingual parishes and communities in the archdiocese (i.e. wherever a Mass in French is offered on a regular basis), but may also include Francophone Catholics from elsewhere in the archdiocese.

Meetings
The APC meets three times a year, that is, in the months of February, May and November. The venue will be determined and announced before each meeting. [An annual general convocation will be held each year in March.]