CONSTITUTION FOR ST. PATRICK'S PASTORAL COUNCIL CARBONEAR
Parish Mission Statement
The parish of St. Patrick's exists for the spiritual and material growth of the people of God in this area. Responding to our call to be followers of Christ, we, the parishioners, together with the pastor, strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. We will be of whatever service we can to other people in other parishes.
Article I: Terms And Concepts
1.1 The term "parish" refers to the community of the Catholic faithful who reside in the geographical boundaries of St. Patrick's Parish, as defined by the Diocese of Grand Falls.
1.2 The term "pastor" refers to the priest appointed by the bishop to serve the parish. The pastor works collaboratively with the members of the parish council.
1.3 The term "council" refers to the St. Patrick's Parish Pastoral Council, which is a group of people selected by the parish according to Article III of this constitution.
Article II: Role Of The Council
The function of the pastoral council is to assist the pastor in the administration of the parish in the following manner:
2.1 To encourage leadership in the parish community.
2.2 To recommend courses of action regarding parish matters.
2.3 To serve as a vehicle for any and all members of the parish to make known their views on parish matters.
Article III: Membership Of The Council
3.1 Any member of the parish, 18 or older, is eligible to be a member of the council.
3.2 The council shall consist of SEVEN parishioners elected by the parishioners and the immediate past chair of council.
3.3 The council may appoint up to THREE additional members if deemed helpful by the council.
Article IV: Terms Of Members
4.1 Membership on the council will be for a term of 2 years. All members are eligible for re-election or re-appointment up to a maximum of 4 years.
4.2 Where a vacancy occurs in the elected membership, the council will select a person to fill the vacancy until the next regular election.
4.3 Elections shall take place in accordance with Article VIII.
Article V: Officers And Duties
5.1 The CHAIR shall a) conduct all meetings of the council b) be an ex-officio member of each committee of council c) be a signatory to all official documents and a signing officer for financial transactions.
5.2 The VICE-CHAIR shall a) perform all duties of the chair in his/her absence b) assist the chair in carrying our his/her duties c) become the chair pro-term if the chair is unable to continue to be the chair.
5.3 The SECRETARY shall a) be responsible for council communications and correspondence b) consult with the chair in the preparation of an agenda c) arrange for adequate minutes to be kept.
Article VI: Meetings
6.1 The pastoral council shall ordinarily meet monthly except for July and August.
6.2 Special meetings may be called by the chair or the pastor.
6.3 A quorum shall consist of more than one half of the members.
Article VII: Committees
7.1 Committees shall include a) Finance Committee b) Liturgy Committee c) Building and Maintenance Committee
7.2 The chair of each committee is appointed (by the chair of the council) from the members of that council. Other members shall be selected from the parish at large, not to exclude other council members. Membership is for a 2 year term.
7.3 The pastoral council may establish other committees, standing or pro hoc, as the need arises.
Article VIII: Voting
8.1 A nominating committee (or steering committee) will call for nominations 4 weeks prior to the election.
8.2 Voting shall take place before or after each of the masses on a weekend to be determined. To be eligible to vote, a parishioner must be 18 years old.
8.3 The nominating committee shall appoint returning officers for the supervision of the election.
Article IX: Amendments And By-Laws
9.1 The constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the council provided that the proposed amendment has been circulated in writing to all members and discussed at a previous regular meeting.
9.2 The council shall make such by-laws as considered necessary by the fulfilment of its goals.
9.3 The council shall authorize committees of council to establish their own by-laws, subject to council approval.
