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DIOCESE OF SIMLA-CHANDIGARH
PASTORAL PLAN 2026–2033
All Commissions
Commission for Laity
COMMISSION

Commission for Laity

To form, accompany and empower lay faithful as co-responsible disciples in the Church's mission in the world.

MISSION TRAJECTORY

The Commission for Laity envisions building a participatory, responsible, and mission-oriented lay faithful, rooted in the teachings of Vatican II (Lumen Gentium) and responding to the call of a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.

Recognizing the strength of the diocesan faithful, the Commission seeks to systematically identify, form, and accompany lay leaders who will actively contribute to the spiritual, pastoral, social, and developmental mission of the Church. The Commission commits to building structured lay leadership at the Parish, Deanery, and Diocesan levels, ensuring the visible participation of the laity in decision-making bodies such as the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and Parish Finance Committee (PFC), promoting synodal leadership and co-responsibility, and forming trained lay resource persons who can effectively serve both the Church and society.

THE 7-YEAR ROADMAP

Programmatic Strategies

Short Term

2026-2028Foundation
  • Constitute Diocesan Laity Core Team and establish Deanery Animation Teams.
  • Create and approve standard guidelines for Parish Laity Teams (6–8 members).
  • Conduct baseline survey of PPC & PFC in all parishes.
  • Initiate leadership formation programs (Church teaching, synodality, social responsibility).
  • Begin awareness campaigns to promote lay participation (target youth & adults).

Medium Term

2029-2031Consolidation
  • Ensure 50–75% parishes have active, trained PPC & PFC.
  • Establish Parish Laity Teams in most parishes with regular functioning.
  • Strengthen capacity-building programs (leadership, mission engagement).
  • Promote minimum 30% lay participation in parish councils.
  • Develop professional and ministry-based networks (education, health, social action).

Long Term

2032-2033Expansion
  • Achieve 100% functional PPC & PFC with gender-balanced participation.
  • Ensure fully active Laity Animation Teams in all parishes.
  • Reach 8–10% of faithful as trained lay leaders, actively engaged in Church and society.
  • Institutionalize continuous formation systems (annual training cycles).
  • Strengthen lay-led mission initiatives in social, pastoral, and professional sectors.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES & KPIs

Our Pastoral Priorities

A mission-oriented laity are prepared ensuring active participation of the faithful in Church leadership and mission.

OBJECTIVE 01

Forming a Structured Laity Animation Teams.

KPIs

  • By Dec 2026, form the Diocesan Laity Core Team (8 members).
  • By June 2027, establish Animation Teams (3-6 members) in 100% of deaneries.
  • By Dec 2028, ensure 70% of parishes have functional Parish Laity Teams.
  • By 2033, 100% of parishes have active and trained Laity Animation Teams.

OBJECTIVE 02

Strengthening Participation in PPC and PFC.

KPIs

  • By Dec 2026, complete a baseline survey of PPC & PFC in all parishes.
  • By Dec 2027, 50% of parishes have active and trained PPC & PFC.
  • By Dec 2028, 75% of parishes ensure minimum 30% active lay participation.
  • By Dec 2033, 100% functional PPC & PFC with gender balance (at least 40% women).

OBJECTIVE 03

Forming Lay Leadership and Building Synodal Capacity.

KPIs

  • By Dec 2027, train 150 lay leaders (1% of population) in Church teaching.
  • By April 2028, train 400 leaders (3% of population) in synodal leadership.
  • By Dec 2033, 1,200 trained lay leaders (8–10% of population) contributing to society.

OBJECTIVE 04

Promoting Lay Associations and Professional Networks.

KPIs

  • By July 2027, complete mapping of all existing lay associations.
  • By May 2028, connect 30% of youth and adults (4,000 faithful) to lay groups.
  • By Oct 2030, form 3 professional networks (Education, Health, Social Action).
  • By Dec 2033, 50% of families engaged in at least one mission initiative.

ACTIVITY PLAN MATRIX (2026-2028)

#1Diocese

Forming a Diocesan Laity Core Team (2 women, 2 men, 2 youth, 1 professional, 1 social worker).

By When?Oct 2026
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleSecretary
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#2Parish

Forming of Parish Teams (6-8 members each).

By When?June 2027
FinanceParish
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringSecretary
#3Diocese

Conducting annual Orientation Sessions on the Vision of Laity and Synodality.

By When?From Dec 2026, Annually
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleSecretary
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#4Parish

Comprehensive baseline survey on councils, skill mapping, and associations.

By When?July 2027
FinanceParish
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#5Deanery

Deanery-level leadership training (2 days each, 125 leaders total).

By When?From July 2027, Bi-annual
FinanceDeanery
ResponsibleDeanery Coordinators
MonitoringParish/Deanery Coord.
#6Parish

Workshop on Structure, Financial Transparency, and PPC/PFC Functioning (70% parishes).

By When?From Sept 2027, Bi-annual
FinanceParish
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#7Diocese

Strengthening Lay Associations and motivation sessions for 4,000 faithful.

By When?From Sept 2027
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleCoordinators
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#8Diocese

Online formation sessions on Vatican II, Theology, and Social Justice (800 reach).

By When?From March 2027, Annually
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleSecretary
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator
#9Diocese

Diocesan Laity Review meeting (200 participants from PPC/PFC/Youth/Women).

By When?From May 2027, Bi-annual
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleSecretary
MonitoringPastoral Coordinator