St. Christopher's Parish, Forest
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Parish Council

CONSTITUTION OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
OF ST. CHRISTOPHER'S CHURCH
FOREST, ONTARIO

 

  1. NAME

The Name of the organization shall be:  THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL OF ST. CHRISTOPHER'S CHURCH, FOREST, ONTARIO, hereafter referred to as "THE COUNCIL".

  1. OBJECTIVES

1.  To assist the pastor and share responsibility for the work of God in the community.

2.  To aim at the salvation of all through the "Total Parish Apostolate".

3.  To provide leadership and assistance in the spiritual and temporal operation of the parish.

 

  1. STRUCTURES

1.  The Council shall be comprised of the following members:

a.  The Pastor (ex-officio)

b.  8 members, representing the parish, elected by the parish

2.  The executive of the board shall be comprised of:

a.  Pastor (ex-officio)

b.  Chairperson

c.  Vice-Chairperson

d.  Secretary

 

  1. STANDING COMMITTEES

LITURGICAL

APOSTOLIC

EDUCATION

 - Readers
 - Eucharistic Ministers
 - Offertory Families
 - Music Ministry
 - Alter Servers
 - Ushers
 - Decorators
 

 - Missions
 - C.W.L.
 - St. Vincent de Paul
 - Foodgrains Bank
 

 - Children's Liturgy of the Word br 

SOCIAL

FINANCE

MAINTENANCE

 - Picnics
 - Card Parties
 - Coffee Sundays
 

 - Budget
 - Reports
 

 - Maintenance of the buildings
 - Maintenance of the grounds
 

YOUTH

 

 

 - Junior

Grades 5 - 6

 - Intermediate

Grades 7 - 8

 - Senior

Grades 9 - OAC

 

 

 

  1. AUTHORITY

1.  It is recognized that the authority of the Bishop of the Diocese is supreme.  In each parish the Authority of the Bishop is vested in the Pastor.  The Council may render advice, recommendations and assistance to the Pastor.

2.  The Council may not meet without the consent of the Pastor or his designate.

 

  1. CHANGE OF PASTOR

Whenever the parish shall receive a new Pastor, the incoming Pastor is required to re-appoint the Council or to call a new election within 2 months.

 

  1. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL

1.  Share in and help the Pastor in his responsibilities.

2.  Give diligent attention and due consideration to all aspects of parish life.

3.  Maintain harmony and goodwill through competent leadership and effective communication with the parish.

4.  Initiate changes of policy considered pertinent to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the parish.

5.  Co-ordinate the activities of all standing committees.

6.  Formulate and recommend spiritual and temporal undertakings as the need becomes apparent.

7.  Accept the responsibility for various submissions of the laity to Diocesan Committees as they may be set by the Bishop.

8.  Accept the responsibility for all standing committees activities.

9.  Nominate and elect an Executive during the first meeting after the annual general election of the Council (September meeting).

10. Appoint standing committee liaison.

 

  1. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE

CHAIRPERSON

1.  Give direction to the Executive and Council.

2.  Provide, in co-operation with the Vice-Chairperson and Pastor, the agenda for meetings of the Council.

3.  Call and preside over all Council meetings.

4.  Act as ex-officio member of all standing committees.

5.  Represent the parish at religious, civic and patriotic functions at the request of the Pastor or his designate.

6.  Be a member of the Pastoral Council Plenary Assembly.

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

1.  Assist the Chairperson in all his/ her responsibilities.

2.  Take the place of the Chairperson when he/ she is unable to attend to his/ her duties, with all powers of the Chairperson.

SECRETARY

1.  Record accurate minutes of meetings of the Council and report such minutes to the Council members.

2.  File all correspondence and reports which may be submitted to the Council.

3.  Conduct all correspondence and communicate all notices and invitations to the members of the Council.

4.  Arrange for meeting places for the Council and advise the members of any change in time or place.

 

  1. FINANCES

1.  The Council shall not hold parish funds.

2.  Parish organizations are permitted to maintain a small bank account for the efficient running of the organization.

3.  Diocesan regulations require every parish to receive permission from the Chancery Office for capital expenditures totalling over $2500, in any 6 4.  month period.  The Pastor should not seek such authorization without having consulted the Council.

4.  The annual budget shall be prepared by the finance committee for Council approval.

5.  A financial report shall be submitted annually to the parish.

 

  1. DUTIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

1.  Co-ordinate the activities of the various organizations under its jurisdiction.

2.  Choose its officers from among its own members in accordance with the rules set out for that group.

3.  Originate and recommend to the Council activities considered pertinent to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the parish.

4.  Be responsible for any work delegated to it by the Council.

5.  Prepare an annual budget for expenses, for submission to the finance committee.

6.  Prepare a report for the Council upon request.

7.  Meet as needed.

 

  1. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1.  Any member of the parish of St. Christopher's, 18 years of age and older, will be eligible for election to the council.

2.  Elections to the Council shall be held annually during the month of May, with effective dates of office to commence on June 1st.

3.  The term of office for Council members shall be 2 years.  No member shall hold more than 2 successive terms on Council.  After 2 terms as a  member of the Pastoral Council, a member must wait 1 full year before seeking re-election.

4.  The nominating committee shall be the outgoing members of the Council.

5.  Nominations shall be sought by the nominating committee.  Notice of the upcoming election shall be published at least 4 weeks prior to the election.  Nominations shall be received by the nominating committee, provided the nominees are proposed and seconded in writing.  Nominations will close 15 days prior to the elections.

6.  The Council shall have the discretion to declare vacant the office of any member of the Council who fails to attend 3 consecutive monthly meetings.  The Council may exercise this discretion at the conclusion of the third meeting missed by the member.

7.  Vacancies on the Council, between election, shall be filled by candidates with the next highest number of votes at the previous annual election.  If no such candidate is available, or if a tie exists in the next highest number of votes, the vacancy shall be filled by a bi-election to be held within 2 months.  The rules for bi-elections are the same as the general election.

8.  All votes for office will be by secret ballot.

9.  The nominating committee shall publish in the parish bulletin the names of those mentioned on the 2 Sundays preceding the election.

10. At a meeting, chaired by the Pastor, immediately subsequent to the annual election, the new constituted Council will, by secret ballot, choose from among themselves, a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary.

 

  1. BY-LAWS

1.  A member of a standing committee shall be a member of the parish.

2.  5 members of the Council shall constitute a quorum (not including the Pastor).

3.  A bare majority shall be efficient to pass any motion at any meeting of the Council, except in the case of a proposed change to the Constitution, which will require a two-thirds majority, provided the change or changes have been printed in the parish bulletin at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting.

4.  The Council shall meet at least monthly from September to June inclusive.

5.  All members of St. Christopher's parish may attend Council meetings, but cannot vote.

 

 

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