PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS

IN THE

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

RESOURCE MANUAL

 

 

 

PART I
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.     Overview and Summary of Resource Manual

II.    Parish Pastoral Council Formation

a.     Introduction

b.     Overview

c.     Parish Constitution and By-Laws

d.     Meetings

I. OVERVIEW and SUMMARY OF

RESOURCE MANUAL

(Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils (DPPC) A)

This RESOURCE MANUAL is concerned with the implementation of the Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils. The overall aim of the implementation is the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the Diocese. This renewal is guided by the Diocesan Mission Statement.

With its words, “We the Catholic faithful…are called,” the Diocesan Mission statement expresses evangelization in terms of vocation, that is, that we are called by God to call others to God. Evangelization, in other words, is a vocation to bring others to their vocation.

In light of the Diocesan Mission Statement’s vocational understanding of evangelization, Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils, designed as they are to bring about parish mission statements and plans for evangelization through parish self-study, should always be read in conjunction with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for Vocations.

Following are some thoughts about the spirituality of communion and especially its demand for prayer as presented by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. They allow no doubt about the preparatory work which will be necessary if Parish Pastoral Councils are going to contribute as they should to the renewal of the Diocese of Scranton.

Pope John Paul II saw pastoral councils as one of the structures for expressing and promoting communion.  In his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte, (2001, no. 45)) he stated:

Communion must be cultivated and extended day by day and at every level in the structures of each Church's life. There, relations between Bishops, priests and deacons, between Pastors and the entire People of God, between clergy and Religious, between associations and ecclesial movements must all be clearly characterized by communion. To this end, the structures of participation envisaged by Canon Law, such as the Council of Priests and the Pastoral Council, must be ever more highly valued. These of course are not governed by the rules of parliamentary democracy, because they are consultative rather than deliberative; yet this does not mean that they are less meaningful and relevant. The theology and spirituality of communion encourage a fruitful dialogue between Pastors and faithful: on the one hand uniting them a priori in all that is essential, and on the other leading them to pondered agreement in matters open to discussion.

 

The Holy Father also stressed the importance of understanding and practicing the theology and spirituality of communion. He has reminded us that a spirituality of communion must be learned, applied and lived, before we begin reorganizing and restructuring our parishes. Before, during and after the formation of a parish pastoral council or its renewal according to the diocesan directives, efforts must be made and continue to be made to understand and live a spirituality of communion. This will help to place the Parish Finance Council as well as the Parish Pastoral Council in the context of communion and avoid misunderstanding concerning the purpose or ways of proceeding with these advisory groups.

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Prayer and study must be a part of every meeting. Occasionally a day of recollection and in-service days, as needed, should be planned. Meetings organized by the Diocese must be seen as not only required or helpful, but as another expression of communion between the Diocese and the parish.

In an address to Canadian Bishops on their Ad Limina visit (May 20, 2006), Pope Benedict XVI offered them some advice that is applicable for us as well:

 

In your plan of pastoral renewal, you are faced with the delicate task of the reorganization of parishes and also of dioceses. This can never be carried out in an appropriate way by simple social models of restructuring. Without Christ, we can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). Prayer roots us in truth, reminds us incessantly of the primacy of Christ and, in union with him, the primacy of the interior life and of holiness.

The parishes are, therefore, rightly considered above all as houses and schools of communion. Consequently, the reorganization of parishes is essentially an exercise of spiritual renewal. This calls for a pastoral promotion of holiness, so that the faithful remain attentive to the will of God, from whom we share true life, becoming participants of the divine nature (cf. Dei Verbum, no. 2).

After encouraging prayer and providing a caution about simply using “social models of restructuring”, he stresses the necessity of being rooted in Christ.

Such holiness, or such profound communion through Christ and in the Spirit, is affirmed among other things by an authentic pedagogy of prayer, by an introduction to the lives of the saints and to simple forms of spirituality that embellish and stimulate the life of the Church, by regular participation in the sacrament of reconciliation, and by a convincing catechesis on Sundays "the day of faith," "the day one cannot do without," "the day of Christian hope" (cf. Dies Domini, nos. 29-30; 38).

I am certain that the rediscovery of Jesus Christ made flesh, our savior, will lead to a rediscovery of the personal, social and cultural identity of the faithful. Far from confusing the diversity and complementarity of the charisms and functions of ordained ministers and lay faithful, a reinforced Catholic identity will revive the passion for evangelization, which is proper to the vocation of every believer and of the nature of the Church.

Related to His Holiness’ thought about “vocation” is the Pastoral Plan for Vocations of the Diocese of Scranton. Our Holy Father also said:

Within the universal call to holiness (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:3) is found the particular vocation to which God summons every individual. In this regard, I encourage you to remain vigilant in your duty to promote a culture of vocation.

Our Pastoral Plan for Vocations is an integral part of the New Evangelization. It will be a significant responsibility of the Parish Pastoral Council to develop, after the parish self-study, a Parish Evangelization Plan that will implement the universal call to holiness and thereby activate the particular vocation of every individual. The Diocesan Pastoral Plan for Vocations gives direction for fulfilling this responsibility. This Resource Manual should be read in the light of the Pastoral Plan for Vocations, and the Pastoral Plan for Vocations should be read in the light of this Resource Manual. They are meant to be complimentary.

 

 

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A commitment to prayer and study will assure the effective organization or restructuring of the parish pastoral council, the development or renewal of the parish mission statement and a Parish Evangelization Plan that includes a plan that is vocational.

In Novo Millennio Ineunte (2001, no. 38), the late Pope John Paul II gave us these encouraging words:

If in the planning that awaits us we commit ourselves more confidently to a pastoral activity that gives personal and communal prayer its proper place, we shall be observing an essential principle of the Christian view of life: the primacy of grace. There is a temptation which perennially besets every spiritual journey and pastoral work: that of thinking that the results depend on our ability to act and to plan. God of course asks us really to cooperate with his grace, and therefore invites us to invest all our resources of intelligence and energy in serving the cause of the Kingdom. But it is fatal to forget that "without Christ we can do nothing" (cf. Jn15:5).

It is prayer which roots us in this truth. It constantly reminds us of the primacy of Christ and, in union with him, the primacy of the interior life and of holiness. When this principle is not respected, is it any wonder that pastoral plans come to nothing and leave us with a disheartening sense of frustration? We then share the experience of the disciples in the Gospel story of the miraculous catch of fish: "We have toiled all night and caught nothing" (Lk 5:5). This is the moment of faith, of prayer, of conversation with God, in order to open our hearts to the tide of grace and allow the word of Christ to pass through us in all its power: Duc in altum! On that occasion, it was Peter who spoke the word of faith: "At your word I will let down the nets" (ibid.).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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II. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL FORMATION

A. INTRODUCTION

This resource manual is a companion to the Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils. It is meant to assist those responsible for the implementation of the directives. Occasional supplements will be issued on a number of themes: Pastoral Plan for Vocations, Evangelization of Persons and Cultures, etc.

            The Parish Pastoral Council is a vital structure for the renewal of parish life as outlined in the Mission Statement of the Diocese of Scranton . These councils also respond to Bishop Martino’s call for a “New Evangelization” in the Diocese of Scranton.

            Recognizing that the success of the “New Evangelization” depends upon the active participation of the members of the parishes, the Presbyteral Council recommended that Bishop Martino mandate the establishment of a Parish Pastoral Council in every parish.  Bishop Martino accepted that recommendation and mandated that every parish have a Parish Pastoral Council in order to foster the participation of the entire parish – clergy, religious, laity – in the pastoral life and mission of the parish, the diocese and of the universal Church. The norms governing these councils are contained in the Diocese of Scranton Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils.

            A Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body which advises and assists the pastor in areas of pastoral concern. It will be involved in developing a parish pastoral plan and participating in ongoing pastoral planning both on a parish and regional level.

            Parish Pastoral Councils are to conform to the Diocese of Scranton Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils, which gives the reasons for, the essential qualities of, and the ways in which a Parish Pastoral Council functions. By using the directives, all the parishes of the Diocese of Scranton, both those establishing Parish Pastoral Councils for the first time and those with well established Councils, will be more closely united in the process of renewal.

            This manual is a resource for Parish Pastoral Councils. The materials in it can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each parish.

 

B. OVERVIEW

            The following overview provides the key concepts that are the basis for understanding Parish Pastoral Councils in the Diocese of Scranton:

Mission

Consultative Body

Pastoral Concerns

Pastoral Planning

Consensus/Prayerful Reflection

Roles within the Council

Relationships

 

MISSION                                                                                          (DPPC C)

            All the baptized are called to participate in the life and mission of the Church. The mission of the Church is rooted in the mission of Christ:  “Go into the world and proclaim the Good News to all of creation” (Mark 16:15‑17).

            From its earliest days the Church has responded to this mission in various ways depending upon the times and circumstances. Vatican Council II reminded us that we must be about the mission of Jesus, and that all the baptized – lay, religious and clergy – are called to exercise both their right and responsibility to participate in the mission of the Church. Here in the Diocese of Scranton, we are in the midst of a “New Evangelization”, in order to deepen our understanding and revitalize our efforts to be the parish and diocese that Christ calls us to be in these times.

            The Diocesan Mission Statement provides a focus towards which our efforts for renewal are directed:

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON MISSION STATEMENT

“We the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Scranton , in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, are called through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church .  Priests, deacons, religious and laity, under the leadership of our Bishop, cooperate to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture of life, justice and peace.”

           

The Diocesan Mission Statement is also intended to provide the parishes with a basis for reflection as they seek to respond more fully to what Jesus is asking of them in these times. It gives the parishes a framework in which they are able to examine themselves and to reflect on how they are living out the mission of Christ. This renewal of parishes is critical. The following statement from the National Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Committee on the Parish highlights this:

The parish is for most Catholics the single

most important part of the church. This is

where for them the mission of Christ continues.

This is where they publicly express their faith,

joining with others to give proof of their

communion with God and with one another. …

It is in the parish that the most intimate

concerns of individuals and the broadest reaches

of the church’s mission come together.

(Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1993)

 

 

CONSULTATIVE BODY                                                          (DPPC D) (DPPC D.5)

            Collaboration through consultation is a means for participation of the laity in the Church’s mission. The Parish Pastoral Council, a consultative body, provides a structure whereby the laity, religious and clergy work together, that is, collaborate, to promote the Reign of God – to build up the Body of Christ. Both the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the revised Code of Canon Law call for the development of Parish Pastoral Councils.

            A consultative body is a group of advisors who make recommendations after careful deliberations. As a consultative body, the recommendations of the Parish Pastoral Council bear considerable weight. It is not a decision-making group, although it has an essential role in the decision making process. In a parish, the pastor has the central leadership role and is the final decision maker. However, he carries out this role in consultation with others. He gathers information, seeks advice and counsel and gives serious consideration to what he hears before he makes his decision.

            Furthermore, the specific functions of the parish pastoral council, i.e., to propose a mission statement for the parish, to provide opportunity to collaborate for the good of the parish, to plan for spiritual growth, and to make recommendations to the pastor, enjoin upon the pastor and council members the obligation to be accurate and objective in their observations and judgments. This requires accuracy, diligence in the gathering and reporting of data and objectivity in evaluations and recommendations. It also requires careful attention to the specific culture of the parish and the region, concern for the wider community of which the parish is a part, and appreciation for special populations and/or circumstances.

            The Parish Pastoral Council is the major consultative body advising the pastor in certain pastoral issues. It is envisioned that this council will work in cooperation with the Parish Finance Council. The pastor will look to the Parish Pastoral Council for recommendations on how the parish can be faithful to living out the mission of Christ. He will consult the Council when he needs the practical wisdom of the members before making a decision that will affect the parish. He will not consult the Parish Pastoral Council about technical matters, where an expert opinion is necessary. The Parish Pastoral Council does not deal with the administrative, day‑to‑day operations of the parish. Nor is it a grievance forum for parish groups, the parish school or parish personnel.

            In summary, the pastor needs to consult with the laity who in turn have the right to express their views and concerns to the pastor. The Parish Pastoral Council is an important structure established to foster this collaboration in the mission of Christ by all its members (cf.: Directives, p. 11).

PASTORAL CONCERNS

            Pope John Paul II in a general audience on September 1, 1993 described parishes in these words:

“Parishes are the living organs of the one body of Christ, the one Church. They welcome and serve both the members of the local communities and all those who for any reason come there at a given moment.”  Pastoral concerns are issues which flow from the very nature and purpose of the parish’s mission.

            Examples of these issues are:

·                     liturgy and prayer life of the parish

·                     the teaching of the faith to all age groups in the parish

·                     the practice of the faith and its proclamation to others

·                     the service of all in need: the hungry, hurting, aging, shut‑ins, addicted, lonely and disabled

·                     promotion of vocations in the parish

·                     concerns for peace and justice in the parish.

·                     ecumenical and interfaith activities.

            The Parish Pastoral Council recommends pastoral plans and directions in response to these kinds of issues. These plans and recommendations need to be broad but directional.

PASTORAL PLANNING                                                          (DPPC E.6)

            Pastoral planning is a prayerful and collaborative process by which a Parish Pastoral Council comes to a deeper awareness of the parish as a local community of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church . This planning develops a Parish Mission Statement, assesses parish strengths and resources, limitations and needs, and makes recommendations to the pastor concerning priorities and goals. Planning devises ways to accomplish the mission of the parish and evaluates what is done. It does so in light of the Gospel, Church teachings, Diocesan pastoral priorities and the specific realities of the parish. Pastoral planning helps to answer the questions: “Who are we as a parish?  What do we seek to become as a parish community?  What are we called to do? How are we best going to do it?”

            Pastoral planning encourages the collaboration of clergy, religious and laity. It needs to be an ongoing process within each parish that promotes cooperation with neighboring Catholic parishes and develops an awareness of being a part of the Diocese of Scranton, based on the principles of communion and subsidiarity.

            The Parish Pastoral Council, with the pastor as president, is the pastoral planning body of the parish. It carries out this task in collaboration and cooperation with the parish staff, committees, groups and parishioners. As the pastor consults with the Council, so the Council itself is called to consult with other parish leadership and parishioners in its planning processes. As the planning body of the parish, the Parish Pastoral Council needs to be rooted in prayer, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as well as committed to patient listening and to study.

CONSENSUS/PRAYERFUL REFLECTION                                               (DPPC E.4)

            The Parish Pastoral Council makes recommendations to the pastor through a consensus process in an atmosphere of prayerful reflection. Consensus is the process of arriving at a decision after a time of prayer and study. It is characterized by general agreement rather than by voting. It results in a recommendation that all the members of the council agree to accept and support.

            The process of consensus decision-making is one where all sides have an opportunity for input, for appropriate and adequate discussion, for reflection, and for the resolution of major discrepancies. The importance of this model is that there are no winners or losers as there are in a voting model. Where there is a recommendation, reached by consensus after prayerful reflection, all of the people who participated in making the recommendation have been prepared to uphold it.

            The recommendation that the Council makes must be based on what is good for the whole parish. Council members will need to listen to the members of the parish: those who are active and those who are inactive. It will study the needs of the broader community of which the parish is a part and determine how best to respond to those concerns as well. Councilors need to commit themselves to regular times of prayer and study centered on Jesus and the teachings of the Church if they are going to be prepared to engage in consensus.

 

ROLES WITHIN THE COUNCIL

            It is important to remember that there is a unity of mission but a diversity of roles when we consider the work of the pastor, the coordinating committee, the members of the Council and the parish staff. Together they are united in making the parish the place where all can enter into the mission of Christ.

Pastor                                                                       (DPPC E.1) (DPPC F.IV.1) (DPPC G.II.1)

The pastor serves the parish entrusted to him by the Bishop. He has the central leadership role in the life of the parish. The pastor carries out this role in consultation and cooperation with the other priests, deacons, staff members and parishioners. The Parish Pastoral Council advises and assists him in pastoral matters. The pastor presides over the Council and the coordinating committee.

Coordinating Committee                                             (DPPC C.IV.4) (DPPC G.5)

            The coordinating committee is responsible for formulating the Council’s agenda, planning the meetings and dealing with Council matters between meetings. It is composed of the pastor, the chairperson, the vice-chairperson and the secretary.

Members                                                              (DPPC F.III) (DPPC G.I.1)

            Members of the Parish Pastoral Council are to be representative of the entire parish, recognizing and reflecting the parish’s rich diversity. The Council needs to include women and men, the old and the young, the married and the single, people of different economic levels, different racial and ethnic origins and different educational backgrounds. It needs to have people of varying opinions and ideas. All the members must be committed to fostering the life and mission of the church and to promoting the good of the whole parish.                   

            The Parish Pastoral Council is to be a representative body and not a body of representatives. It is not recommended that parish committees or organizations be specifically represented on the Parish Pastoral Council. People are not elected to serve a certain constituency or to bring a particular agenda to the council. Councilors should not see their rules as representing parish committees or organizations such as the Liturgy Committee or the Home and School Association. In fact, if a member of a parish committee or parish organization becomes a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, the following guidelines should apply:

Members of the Parish Pastoral Council must recognize their responsibility to represent the entire parish rather than the exclusive membership or agendas of parish committees or parish organizations to which they may belong.

            Representation is partly a matter of structure and partly a matter of attitude. From the perspective of structure, the Council should include a cross-section of the parish and, at the same time, give evidence of a balance. From the perspective of attitude, members of the Parish Pastoral Council are to consider the good of the whole rather than a single point of view. All Councilors need to recognize the responsibility to think and act on behalf of the entire parish and not just one particular group or organization.

Parish Staff

            Parish staff persons may be nominated and selected to serve as Parish Pastoral Council members. If so, they assist the pastor in keeping the other staff members and parish committees and organizations abreast of the current topics, directions and future plans being discussed at the Council meetings. With the pastor they also can provide the Council with the insights and concerns that staff persons and parish committees and organizations have regarding topics and directions that the Council is considering.

RELATIONSHIPS

            The Parish Pastoral Council needs to have good relationships with the staff, committees, groups and people of the parish. These relationships are to be rooted in a deep respect for each other and a desire to work in a cooperative manner. Each parish will have to determine how best to live out all of these relationships mindful that regardless of what the particular purpose or function groups have, all must be about the mission of Jesus. Periodic in-services and days of prayer for parish staff on the mission of the Church and parish will help members of a staff to understand how they support, and contribute to the mission of the parish. What they do and how they do it, the way that a staff works together can be effective components of evangelization. Effective channels of communication need to be established and nurtured, as well as supportive structures to facilitate good relationships.

            Parish Committees and Organizations

            The Parish Pastoral Council is to cooperate with parish committees which address such areas of parish life as worship, spirituality, community, evangelization, vocations, education, and service. These are not Parish Pastoral Council Committees. The Parish Pastoral Council functions as a planning body not a coordinating group. It does not have standing committees which report to it, although it may set up ad hoc committees which have a specific task and limited duration of existence. Parish committees and organizations are linked to the Parish Pastoral Council thorough the pastor and staff.

            It is important for parish committees, parish organizations and the Parish Pastoral Council to understand clearly the vital part each plays in the overall parish community. A Parish Pastoral Council is responsible for focusing on the overall spiritual growth of the parish. It plans for the whole. Parish committees and organizations have a more specialized focus which may be related to some aspect of the life and mission of the parish. These committees and organizations render an invaluable service to the parish. The common ground for the Parish Pastoral Council, parish committees and parish organizations is dedication to the mission of Jesus Christ. Opportunities for sharing prayer and reflection on this common mission should be encouraged and utilized for the benefit of the whole parish. Each organization needs to see how it contributes to the evangelizing mission of the parish.

            To encourage unity and integration and to foster close working relationships among all parish groups, the Parish Pastoral Council meets at least once a year with the leaders of the parish committees and parish organizations. This meeting should explore how each group supports and encourages the evangelizing mission of the parish.

Finance Council

            The Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council are consultative bodies within a parish. They have separate and distinct purposes. One deals with the overall pastoral concerns while the other deals with specific financial concerns. Despite these distinctions, the two Councils are related in their mutual concern for the life and mission of the parish. Cooperation and collaboration between the two bodies are essential. The Finance Council assists the Pastor in implementing the pastoral plans recommended by the Parish Pastoral Council by making fiscally responsible recommendations. Both Councils are to foster a cooperative relationship through regular communication. A member of the parish Finance Council is an ex officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council in order to facilitate this communication.

Parishioners

            Council members need to be available to the parish community in order to become informed of its pastoral concerns. They need to know how people feel and what they think about issues that affect parish life. Some ways that can help this to happen are through conducting parish forums/assemblies, surveys, parish meetings, etc. The Council needs to foster and call all the members of the parish to live out their baptismal commitment.

 

Parish Staff

            A positive relationship between the Parish Pastoral Council and the parish staff is essential. Good communication can foster this working relationship. Parish staff can be a resource to the Council and the Council can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the staff. The parish staff can provide the Council with their insights and concerns about topics and directions that the Council is considering. The parish staff with the pastor links committees and organizations to the Council.

            The Parish Pastoral Council can provide the parish staff with a more complete understanding of the needs and concerns of all the members of the parish. It can also provide an overview of the connections that exist among the various dimensions and elements of the parish. A spirit of cooperation and mutual respect must prevail if the relationship between the Council and staff is to be a positive force for parish unity and growth.

C. PARISH CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS  (DPPC F)

            The Parish Constitution and By-Laws are the operating procedures of the Parish Pastoral Council. The Parish Constitution and By-Laws are to be in accord with the Diocese of Scranton Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils. Each Parish should adapt the following Constitution and By-Laws to their particular situation.

CONSTITUTION

NAME OF THE PARISH 

        The legal name of the parish is the Church of _______Name of the Parish_____, located at ______Address of the Parish_____.

PREAMBLE

            Insert the Mission Statement of the Parish (See pp. 35-47, Mission Statement).

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE                                                    (DPPC D)

 

            The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to foster full participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the parish, the Diocese and the Church Universal. The parish faith community participates in this mission by growing in holiness: by worshipping God in Word and Sacrament; and by fostering Christian community through concretely serving those in need, especially the poor.

ARTICLE II: FUNCTION                                                  (DPPC F.II)

            The general function of the Parish Pastoral Council is to advise the Pastor in those pastoral matters presented to it by the Pastor. It carries out its function by:

1.         Providing information to the Pastor regarding the needs, concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members;

2.                  Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement and periodically re-evaluating and revising it;

3.                  Developing a parish pastoral plan;

4.                  Participating in ongoing pastoral planning;

5.                  Recommending policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan;

6.                  Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of programs;

7.                  Reflecting on Diocesan pastoral priorities and recommending how they can be implemented in the parish.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP                                  (DPPC F.III)

The Parish Pastoral Council of the Church of _____Name of the Parish_____ shall consist of the following members in addition to the Pastor, _____Parochial Vicar(s) and Permanent Deacon(s)_____:

1.         _____# of members      ex-officio members,

2.                  _____# of members  _  members nominated by the parish at large,

3.                  _____# of members__ members appointed by the pastor.

4.                  One young adult delegate. (Optional; See p. 15, Diocese of Scranton Directives for Parish Pastoral Councils.)

ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION                                                (DPPC F.IV.1)

Section 1: Pastor

The Pastor is the President of the Parish Pastoral Council. He presides by:

1.         Assuring that the scope of the Council’s concerns reflects the entire mission of the parish, the Diocese and of the Universal Church ;

2.                  Assisting and creating among the members of the Council an atmosphere of trust and unity to serve as a witness in strengthening and nurturing the parish faith community;

3.                  Approving the Council agenda after consulting with the Coordinating Committee (cf. below);

4.                  Sharing information, listening actively, contributing to the discussion and promoting consensus.

Section 2: Officers                                                                           (DPPC F.IV.2)

The officers of the Council shall be elected by its members. They are the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary.

 

Section 3: Meetings                                                                (DPPC (F.IV.3)

Parish Pastoral Council meetings are convened by the Pastor at least four times a year. Extraordinary meetings can be held at the request of the Pastor. All meetings require a quorum of members consisting of the simple majority of members.

All meetings are to begin with prayer for twenty minutes, followed by study for twenty minutes. Meetings should last no longer than two and one‑half hours.

Section 4: Committees                                                          (DPPC F.IV.4)

The following are standing committees of the Parish Pastoral Council:

1.         The Coordinating Committee is composed of the Pastor, the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary. It is responsible for formulating the Council’s agenda and dealing with Council matters between meetings.

2.                  The Nominating Committee is chaired by the Vice-Chairperson of the Council along with two other members of the Council for the process of receiving nominations from the parish at large for new Council members.

                3.             Ad hoc Committees are created by the Pastor as required.

ARTICLE VI: BY-LAWS                                           (DPPC F.V)

Provided that they do not contradict any of the provisions of the previous articles, by-laws for the operation of the Council may be established by a majority vote of the membership present at any meeting. By-laws can be amended or repealed in the same manner. All such by-laws require the approval of the Pastor.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS                                 (DPPC F.VI)

Section 1: Membership Approval

This constitution may be amended by a two‑thirds majority of the members.

Section 2: Notification of Amendment

The entire membership of the Council must be notified of the proposed amendment in writing at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

Section 3: Approval

All amendments to this constitution shall be subject to the approval of the Pastor and the Diocesan Bishop.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP                                     (DPPC G.I)

Section 1: Membership Privileges                                     (DPPC G.I.1)

            Ex-officio, nominated and appointed members shall all have an equal voice in the decision making process.

Section 2: Terms of Office                                                     (DPPC G.I.2)

            Nominated and appointed members serve a three‑year term with the possibility of serving a second term.  Nominated and appointed members may serve only two consecutive terms. Young adult delegates to the Parish Pastoral Council serve for a period of one year.

            Normally, not more than one‑third of the Council’s membership should be changed at one time.

            In a newly formed Council, one‑third of the membership serves a three‑year term, a two‑year term and a one‑year term, respectively. This determination is made by drawing lots. Those serving a one‑year term in a newly formed Council may serve for two additional consecutive terms.

Section 3: Nominations                                                         (DPPC G.I.3)

            The Vice-Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council shall chair the Nominating Committee. Two other Council members shall be appointed by the Council Chairperson to serve on the Nominating Committee.

            The Nominating Committee shall actively seek nominations from the parish at large. Once the list of nominees has been reviewed and it has been determined that individual nominees have met the criteria for membership, members of the Nominating Committee shall contact each approved nominee to ascertain their willingness to be considered for membership on the Parish Pastoral Council. Those willing to stand as nominees will then participate in an information session about the role of Council members to further assist them in their discernment as potential candidates for membership on the Council.

            When a final pool of nominees emerges, the pastor along with the existing members of the Parish Pastoral Council select the new members using one of the following processes:

·                     Selection by the pastor and the existing members of the Parish Pastoral Council.

·                     Election by the parish at large (simple majority).

            In the formation of a new Parish Pastoral Council, the pastor shall determine the ex officio and appointed members first. These members will then serve as the Nominating Committee with the pastor as chair. The Nominating Committee will assist the pastor in the determination of new Council members.

ARTICLE II: OFFICERS

Section 1: Pastor                    (DPPC E.1)   (DPPC E.5)   (DPPC F.III.2)  (DPPC G.II.1)

            As President, the Pastor shall preside over the Parish Pastoral Council.

Section 2: Election and Term of Officers (DPPC F.IV.2)  (DPPC G.II.2)

            The elected officers of the Parish Pastoral Council shall be the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote. Terms of office shall be for two years unless their membership expires prior to completion of a two-year term. Offices shall begin immediately following the election.

Section 3: Vacancies                                                    (DPPC G.II.3)

            If the Chairperson resigns, the Vice‑Chairperson shall assume the chair and continue as Chairperson for the balance of the year. At the next meeting, an interim Vice‑Chairperson shall be elected to server the remaining term.

            If the Vice‑Chairperson resigns, a replacement shall be elected by a simple majority at the next meeting.

            If the Secretary resigns, the Chairperson shall appoint a replacement from among the Council members.

Section 4: Responsibilities of Officers                        (DPPC G.II.4)

            Chairperson

·                     To conduct Council meetings;

·                     To assist the Pastor in conducting the Council’s work;

·                     To serve on the Coordinating Committee which formulates the Council’s agenda;

·                     To call special meetings with the approval of the Pastor;

·                     To appoint a replacement for a Council Secretary who resigns;

·                     To appoint the Nominating Committee;

·                     To carry out other duties as described in the parish directives.

Vice-Chairperson

·                     To conduct Council meetings in the absence of the Chairperson;

·                     To assist the Chairperson in the discharge of his/her duties;

·                     To serve on the Coordinating Committee which formulates the Council’s agenda;

·                     To chair the Nominating Committee.

·                     To carry out other duties as described in the parish directives.

Secretary

·                     To record the minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council and Coordinating Committee meetings and to see that the minutes and the agenda are made available to the Council members;

·                     To maintain attendance and other records;

·                     To handle Council correspondence;

·                     To serve on the Coordinating Committee which formulates the Council’s agenda;

·                     To carry out other duties as described in the parish directives.

Section 5: Duties of the Coordinating Committee  (DPPC F.IV.4)                    (DPPC G II.5)

            The Coordinating Committee is composed of the Pastor, the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary. It is responsible for formulating the Council’s agenda and dealing with Council matters between meetings.

 

SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR EX OFFICIO MEMBERS                 (DPPC F.III.2)

“Besides the Pastor, Parochial Vicar(s), and Permanent Deacon(s), there are three ex officio members, one of whom must be a member of the Parish Finance Council. The two other ex officio members are parish staff members.”

Membership                                                                            (DPPC F.III.2)

The following comments are made to assist in the selection of ex officio members of the Parish Pastoral Council (cf.: Directives, p. 13):

One ex officio member must be a member of the Parish Finance Council.

Others may be the Principal of the parish elementary school, the Director of Religious Education, the Director of the Parish Social Apostolate, the Director of Worship, the Director of Youth Apostolate or other professional staff members.

The pastor exercises the pivotal role between the Parish Pastoral Council and the parish staff, the parish committees and organizations, and the parish at large.

However, in union with the pastor, parish staff persons who serve as Parish Pastoral Council members can assist the pastor in keeping the other staff members and parish committee and organizations abreast of the current topics, directions and future plans being discussed at the council meetings.

Also, in union with the pastor, parish staff persons who serve as Parish Pastoral Council members can provide the Council with the insights and concerns that staff persons have regarding topics and directions that the Council is considering.

In conjunction with the above statements, it is recommended that the ex officio members of the council be staff persons who have a good working relationship with the pastor, other staff persons, parish committees and organizations, and with parishioners in general. In addition, these individuals should have good listening and communication skills.

SUGGESTED CRITERIA FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS  (DPPC F.III.4)  (DPPC G.I.2)

Since the Council is to be representative of the entire parish community, the members of the Council ought to reflect the diversity within the parish.

General Membership                                                             (DPPC F.III.1)

The pastor is to appoint three members to the council representative of the community in order to reflect the diversity in the parish community.

Appointed Members                                                               (DPPC F.III.4)

The following comments are made to assist in the selection of the appointed members of the Parish Pastoral Council (cf.: Directives, p. 14):

The Council needs to include men and women, the old and the young, the married and the single, people of different economic levels, different racial and ethnic origins and different educational backgrounds. It needs to have people of varying opinion and ideas. All the members must be committed to fostering the life and mission of the Church and to promoting the good of the whole parish.

To insure that the Council is representative of the entire parish, it is recommended that the appointments be made after the selection of nominated members has taken place.

SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR MEMBERS NOMINATED BY THE PARISH AT LARGE                                                                          (DPPC F.III.3)  (DPPC G.I.3)

Parish Pastoral Councils are composed of the Pastor and his Parochial Vicar(s), representative parish staff members and lay members of the parish. Since the Council is to be representative of the entire parish community, the members of the Council ought to reflect the diversity within the parish. Lay members of the Parish Pastoral Council are to be parishioners in good standing.

 

General Membership                                                             (DPPC F.III.1)

A process for nominating members should be conducted by a Nomination Committee chaired by the Vice-Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Nominated Members                                                              (DPPC F.III.3)

The following comments are made to assist in nominating new members of the Parish Pastoral Council (cf.: Directives, p. 13):

The Council needs to include women and men, the old and the young, the married and the single, people of different educational backgrounds. It needs to have people of caring opinions and ides. All the members must be committed to fostering the life and mission of the Church and to promoting the good of the whole parish.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for developing a process for nominating Parish Pastoral Council members, as well as conducting the nomination process.

Suggested Elements in a Nomination Process                      (DPPC G.I.3)

(To be adapted by the Nominating Committee to meet parish circumstances)

1.                   Encourage parishioners to pray to the Holy Spirit for Wisdom. Include petitions in the General Intercessions at Mass.

2.                   Develop a nomination process that will foster the selection of members representative of the parish’s diversity who are able to think and act on behalf of the entire parish.

3.                   Establish the timeline that you will follow.

4.                   Inform the parishioners that six people will be appointed from the roster of nominees. Ask them to think about whom they will nominate to serve on the Council. (See page 26 – Criteria for Nominees for Parish Pastoral Councils.)

5.                   Distribute Nominations Forms and request parishioners to nominate people for Parish Pastoral Council. This can be done after Mass or by mail. (See pp. 27-28 for sample Nominations Forms.)

6.                   Members of the Nominating Committee contact all nominees to ascertain their willingness to be considered for appointment to the Parish Pastoral Council.

7.                   Invite willing nominees to an information session about the role of Council members. Nominees decide if they want to be candidates for membership. (See pp. 29-30 for outline of Information Session)

8.                   Communicate the nominees to the pastor and the members of the Parish Pastoral Council who continue to fulfill terms of office. New members are selected using one of the following processes:

·                     Through prayer and discernment, the pastor and members of the Council reach consensus regarding the selection of new members.

·                     Arrange for an election by the parish at large to determine new members (simple majority).

9.                   Determine terms of office for members. The Directives state:  “In a newly formed Council one third of the membership serves a three‑year, a two‑year and a one‑year term, respectively. This determination is made by drawing lots. Those serving a one‑year term in a newly formed Council may serve for two additional terms.”

                       

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES

FOR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

The purpose of nominations from the parish at large is to establish a list of nominees:

►         who are able to represent the entire parish,

►         who will reflect prayerfully on matters that come before the council,

►         who recognize and reflect the parish’s rich diversity,

►         who are willing to work for consensus on major issues,

►         who are Catholics and parishioners in good standing,

►         who can carry out the following tasks:

            inform pastor of needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members;

            participate in developing and reviewing a parish mission statement;

            participate in developing and recommending parish pastoral plans;

            participate in ongoing pastoral planning;

            recommend policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan;

            review and evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs;

            reflect on Diocesan pastoral priorities and recommend how they can be implemented in the parish.

SAMPLES OF

NOMINATION FORMS FOR

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS

 

SAMPLE I

NOMINATION FOR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

 

Name of Nominee ______________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Telephone Number _____________________________________________________

Please list your reasons for nominating this person and describe what you believe he/she will bring to the work of the Council.

 

Have you talked to the nominee?  YES _____   NO _____

 

Nomination submitted by _________________________________________________

Return to:

BY ___________________________________________ (Date)

SAMPLE II

NOMINEES FOR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

1._____________________________

2. _____________________________

3. _____________________________

4. _____________________________

5. _____________________________

6. _____________________________

Nomination submitted by _________________________________________________

Return to:

BY ___________________________________________ (Date)