By Marie Mulvenna

Mrs. Penny Edmonds of Christ the King parish has been elected the new president of the archdiocesan Pastoral Council, the first woman to hold this chairmanship of an archdiocesan board or committee. Other officers elected at the recent Pastoral Council general meeting are: vice-president Gayle Peters of Blessed Sacrament, secretary Mrs. Shelia Mallon of Immaculate Heart of Mary and treasurer Dave Martin also of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.

Mrs. Edmonds said she was extremely pleased with her new obligations and looked forward to a challenging year on the Council. She announced that the Council would undertake a new format, meeting three times per year instead of four in large archdiocesan meetings, and holding two additional meetings in either Rome or Carrollton.

Mrs. Edmonds said the new format was a determined effort to replace the image of the Church as a strictly metro Atlanta institution. She stated there were many dedicated and enthused Catholics in areas outside the metropolitan area and the new format would enable the Council to include them more fully in archdiocesan matters.

The Pastoral Council has also formed several new committees in keeping with the archdiocesan survey taken last year. Included in these areas of concern would be: religious education, liturgy, youth ministry, adult education, and communications.

Mrs. Edmonds said she was very encouraged by the enthusiasms displayed by many new delegates to the Pastoral Council and said one of the Council’s aims this coming year was to make each of the delegates recognize and realize his importance to the Council.

A past president of the parish council at Christ the King, Mrs. Edmonds is also chairman of the parish liturgy committee, served as chairman of Church Communities commission of the Atlanta Council of Catholic Women and was co-founder of PACE organization (Putting Across Christian Education).

She and her husband Robert are the parents of five children.

In the area of youth ministry, Sheila Mallon, chairman of the religious education committee reported that the group recommended the circulation of a questionnaire to all parishes seeking information about existing youth programs. It was also recommended that those working in such youth ministry meet in various localities to share and discuss their programs or problems. The council expressed its gratitude to Sister Barbara Walters and her SEARCH program, asking that the program receive financial support from the parishes whose young people participate.

Dave Martin reported on the topic of personal renewal, stating that a questionnaire is being sent to all parishes for details on personal renewal progress.

Dave Rauth, communications commission chairman, reported that the members were involved in a study to improve local and archdiocesan communication through a more extensive use of all existing media.