St. Teresa’s, Albany, Georgia
Pastoral Council Guidelines
Contents
Article 1 – Name
Article 2 – Purpose
Article 3 – Function
Article 4 – Relationship to Parish Ministries, Groups and Organizations
Article 5 – Membership
Article 6 – Selection of Members
Article 7 – Officers
Article 8 – Meetings
Article 9 – Amendments
Article 10 – Pastoral Appointments/Vacancy
St. Teresa’s Pastoral Council Guidelines
Article 1 – Name
The name of the organization is “The Pastoral Council of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.”
Article 2 – Purpose
1. The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to assist the Pastor in providing leadership and vision for the parish community.
2. Uniting clergy and laity in a community of prayer and service, the Pastoral Council is responsible for developing goals which help the parish fulfill its mission as stated in the Parish Mission Statement.
3. The Pastoral Council serves as a resource to parish ministries, groups and organizations.
Article 3 – Function
1. The primary function of the Pastoral Council is to represent the parishioners and listen attentively to their needs and concerns.
2. The Pastoral Council reviews and evaluates the overall experience of parish life and worship.
3. It sets an annual parish goal and invites all ministries and groups to participate in the fulfillment of this goal.
4. It maintains open and honest communication with all parish ministries and groups and serves them as a resource.
5. It communicates regularly with parishioners through the bulletin regarding parish programs and projects.
6. It reviews the Parish Mission Statement to insure that it reflects the current reality of the parish.
Article 4 – Relationship to Parish Ministries, Groups and Organizations
1. There are six areas of parish life which are overseen by the Pastoral Council. These are: Liturgy/Worship, Wellbeing (Spiritual life, Adult Education, Pastoral Care); Youth (Youth Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Scouting); Hispanic; Community Life (Socials, Social Justice/Outreach); Buildings/Grounds and School.
2. The Pastoral Council is responsible for maintaining open communication with all the ministries, groups and organizations which comprise each area of parish life. The Council serves as a resource to these bodies and oversees their work to insure that the parish as a whole is fulfilling its mission.
3. Each Council member will be assigned to serve as liaison of one or more groups. It is the role of the liaison to keep in touch with the leaders of the ministries, groups and organizations that fall under that area of parish life. This role is one of servant leadership. The liaisons work collaboratively offering encouragement, affirmation and guidance when appropriate. The liaisons are responsible for reporting to the Council on progress being made by the various entities in fulfilling their goals and programs.
Article 5 – Membership
1. The Pastor presides over the Pastoral Council and is responsible for implementation of the recommendations of the Council approved by him.
2. The Pastoral Council consists of the parochial vicar(s) and nine members of the parish community, selected through a discernment process, as determined by the Council and approved by the Pastor.
3. Membership is reserved to registered, active, participating parishioners who are 18+.
4. The term of office shall be three years non-renewable. A period of at least one year must elapse before a former member is eligible for an additional term. The Parochial vicar(s) are not limited by terms of office.
5. Membership will be rotated in such a way than no more than one third of the Council is replaced at one time.
6. Candidates for the Pastoral Council must be dedicated to the Mission of the Church; committed to attending all meetings; willing to listen and engage actively with parishioners; able to work collaboratively with others.
7. When a member is no longer able to serve, the Pastor shall appoint a new member to serve on the Council.
Article 6 – Selection of Members
1. The Pastoral Council shall determine a process of selecting new members that utilizes some form of communal discernment. This process must allow for nominations from the parish at large and should be communicated to the parish via bulletin announcements.
2. The process should involve discernment which includes the following: a discernment of personal gifts; a reflection on the role of the Pastoral Council; the requirements and expectations of Council members; one’s ability to make a commitment to this ministry.
3. The process should be conducted by a selection committee who, once the process is completed, will recommend the new members to the Pastor for his approval.
4. New members shall be commissioned by the Pastor, ordinarily at one of the Sunday Masses.
Article 7 – Officers
1. The officers of the Pastoral Council are the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary.
2. The selection of officers shall take place at the first meeting of the new Council. Selection shall be determined by consensus. The term of office is one year and is renewable. It is the responsibility of the Pastor to oversee the selection of new officers.
3. Only those members who have served for one year or more are eligible for the office of Chairperson. All members are eligible for the offices of Vice Chairperson and Secretary.
4. The duties of the Chairperson are: provide for prayer at each meeting; promote an atmosphere of trust and open communication; lead all meetings; act as spokesperson for the Council; work with the Pastor and the Secretary to set the agenda for the meetings; insures that the Council fulfills its purpose.
5. The duties of the Vice-Chairperson are: performs the duties of the Chairperson in his or her absence; supports the Chairperson in his or her role.
6. The duties of the Secretary are: records the minutes of all the meetings; assists the Pastor and Chairperson in setting the agenda for meetings; maintains a roster of the members and records attendance; sends out the agenda and minutes in a timely fashion; receives and files all Council correspondence; performs other duties as requested by the Chairperson, or Pastor.
Article 8 – Meetings
1. Meetings of the Pastoral Council will be held quarterly. (The meeting day/time can be discussed at the meeting following the elections.) Meetings are open only to members but parishioners may attend with permission of the Pastor.
2. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or the Chairperson of the Pastoral Council. Sufficient notice shall be given to the council members in advance of meeting.
3. A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum for all meetings.
4. All meetings will open in prayer and maintain a spirit of prayerful reflection. Every effort should be made to reach a consensus. Consensus recognizes strong needs and conviction while reaching a decision that all members of the council will accept and uphold.
5. If there are acts to be voted on then each council member is entitled to one vote.
6. The Pastor is expected to give due consideration to the advice and recommendations of the Pastoral Council and not act contrary to such advice without reasonable and justifiable cause. The Pastor is not bound by any act of the Pastoral Council.
Article 9 – Amendments
1. The Guidelines of the Pastoral Council may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Council by consensus of the members and the approval of the Pastor. Proposed amendments may be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the Council by any member. The Chairperson will then present the amendment at the next meeting. Copies of the amendment should be distributed to council members at least one week prior to the meeting during which the amendment will be considered.
Article 10 – Pastoral Appointments/Vacancy
1. Because the council serves in a close relationship with the Pastor, when the office of Pastor is Vacant, or with change of a new Pastor, the Parish Council will cease to exist until the assignment of the new Pastor begins and the new Pastor re-instates the Parish Council.