CONSTITUTION OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH PASTORAL COUNCIL Article I. Name This organization shall be called the St. Joseph Catholic Church Pastoral Council (the Pastoral Council or the Council) Article II. Purpose The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to inspire a consistent focus on the shared mission of the Church mandated by the Holy Spirit through Christ in Luke 4:16-21. The central mission of the Pastoral Council is to inspire the parish to create an identity and place in this shared mission. The Pastoral Council through prayer, reflection, shared wisdom and action will join the parish in generating the passion and commitment to live the Gospel. The Pastoral Council will endeavor to encourage all to embrace the building of the Reign of God in our world always mindful that the parish does not exist for itself but for the mission of Christ (The parish: A people, A Mission, A structure, USCCB, 1980) Supporting this purpose the Council will: Foster unity; Under the leadership of the pastor assess and promote the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish; Foster a sense of lay responsibility for the stewardship of the parish; Assist in coordinating and guiding parish activities; Encourage the cultural integration and participation of all parishioners; Promote and guide a dialogue among the diverse cultural elements of the parish. Article III. Membership Section 1 The parish pastor, by virtue of the office entrusted to him by the Bishop, shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Council. Section 2 The Council will have twelve voting members with one Council member representing each of the nine committees. Section 3 The parish pastor may appoint one additional Council member, not to exceed thirteen members, for a three-year term beginning in January of the year following appointment. These appointments may be used to balance the Council, thus assuring diversity in representation. Section 4 In the event of a vacancy, it shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Pastor, and with majority approval of the Pastoral Council, for the remainder of the term vacated.
Section 5 Membership in the Council requires a commitment to attend all meetings. Anyone missing three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings, or a total of four meetings for a Pastoral Council calendar year without being excused by the President of the Council, shall in concert with the Pastor and President be removed from the Council membership. Section 6 All registered members of the parish, male and female, twenty-one years of age or older as of the date of the beginning of their term, shall be eligible for election of appointment as a Council member. Section 7 No elected member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. After an interim of one year, the member is eligible for service. Section 8 Appointed members may be appointed up to two successive 3 year terms. Appointed members are eligible for elected membership at any time, provided they have not already served two consecutive three year terms. Article IV. Election of Members Section 1 Each May, starting in 2016, the President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of the parish pastor and three parishioners, at least one of whom shall be a Council member. The committee shall elect a chairperson and shall have the responsibility for conducting the election of members under Article IV, Section 3. Section 2 The nominating committee shall draw up a slate of candidates from these and other eligible parishioners who are willing to accept membership on the Council and actively participate on one of the standing committees. The nominating committee will present the slate of candidates at the September meeting for approval. Section 3 The nominating committee shall then conduct an election by the second full weekend in November to elect the required number of members. Each parish member, eighteen years of age or older at the time of the election, shall be entitled to one ballot. Article V. Officers Section 1 Starting in 2017, the Council members shall conduct an election of Council officers at the January meeting using a majority vote. The Council shall elect its officers to serve for one year at the January meeting. Current officers are eligible to succeed themselves in the same office one time. Members holding office may be elected to another office twice. Officers shall be as follows: president, vice-president, and secretary. Only voting members returning from the previous Council year are eligible for the office of president. The terms of all Council officers shall end at the election of the new officers at the January meeting.
Section 2 The president shall preside at all meetings and, in consultation with executive committee, shall appoint all Council members to chair or co-chair one of the standing committees so that all standing committees are represented. The president and the parish pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. Section 3 The vice-president shall assist the president and when the president is absent shall perform all duties. The vice-president shall, at all times, be prepared to become president. The vice president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. Section 4 The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Council and the Executive Committee, keep a current attendance record, and give members notification of all meetings. Section 5 Vacancies shall be filled as follows: (a) the office of the president shall be filled by the vice-president for the unexpired term, and (b) the office of vice-president and secretary shall be filled by the election of the Council using a majority vote. Article VI. Meetings Section 1 Regular meetings of the Council shall be held each month throughout the year, at a date and time specified by the president. All meetings of the Council shall be open to the parish. A meeting can be closed at the discretion of the pastor if he deems it necessary for the welfare of the parish. A meeting(s) can be cancelled at discretion of executive committee. Section 2 Special meetings may be called as needed by the parish pastor, the president or at the request of any three Council members. Section 3 A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of seven voting members minimum. Article VII. Committees Section 1 The Executive Committee shall be composed of the council president, vice-president, secretary, and parish pastor. This committee shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the activity of the Council and preparation of the meeting agenda. Section 2 Parish council members will be responsible for oversight of the following nine committees; Stewardship and Development, Liturgy and Spiritual Life, Religious Education, Family Life, Social Justice, Catholic Schools, Youth Ministry, Facilities, and Finance and Administration. Section 3 The Stewardship and Development Committee will regularly survey the long-range and short-term needs, both spiritual and temporal, of the parish and develop plans aimed at fulfilling these needs. This committee will also be responsible for
implementing programs to encourage all members of the parish to contribute, time, talent, and treasure to help the parish achieve the parish mission statement. Section 4 The Liturgy and Spiritual Life Committee will work with the parish pastor and other supporting liturgical ministries of the parish in planning and carrying out liturgical celebrations. Section 5 The Religious Education Committee shall sponsor and promote programs of religious education which include Parish School of Religion, Vacation Bible School, and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and other programs of instruction and discussion for youth and adults. Section 6 The Family Life Committee facilitates the development of families through ministries that meet the diverse needs of families across the life-span. Section 7 The Social Justice Committee fosters parishioners understanding of current Catholic social teaching and promotes ways to implement the teachings through practical outreach to those in need, including appropriate works, advocacy, and solidarity. Section 8 The Catholic Schools Committee shall clarify, strengthen, and enrich the relationship of St. James and St. Patrick schools to the parish and the larger community while maintaining the mission of education all children who are enrolled at the school. Section 9 The Youth Ministry Committee shall enrich the spiritual growth of the youth of the parish and foster their active involvement in the parish and the larger community. Section 10 The Facility Committee shall make ongoing assessments of the parish campus space, safety, security, and maintenance requirements. The Facility Committee shall accept projects for consideration from various committees and the pastoral council and recommend annual project expenditures, based on priorities, to the Finance committee for budgeting. Section 11 The Finance and Administration Committee, required by Canon Law, will oversee the finances of the Parish. Section 12 Ad hoc committees may be established by the council at any time to carry out special projects. Section 13 All Council members appointed to a committee shall be appointed under Article V, Section 2. Each committee shall report in writing on their activities at each regular council meeting. The chairperson of each committee will attempt to bring in new volunteers each term.
Article VIII. Decision Process Section 1 The parish pastor has the ultimate responsibility for the entire operation of the parish. It is to be understood that any action of the council shall be in keeping with the goals of the Church Universal and diocesan policies and regulations. Section 2 The Council shall exercise a vital role in the decision making process by open and free dialogue among members on matters of parish concern as together they seek a consensus of thought and action. Section 3 The Council will strive for consensus on any issue requiring action. If consensus is not achieved, the council President shall table the issue for further discernment by the disagreeing parties to reach consensus. The issue can then be put back on the agenda for consideration. If consensus is not reached, the president can place the issue back on agenda seeking a voting majority. Section 4 Any action by the Pastoral Council shall become final and binding only when ratified, at least implicitly, by the parish pastor. Section 5 The parish pastor, upon disapproving an action taken by the Pastoral Council, may within his discretion indicate his reasons for disapproval. The Pastoral Council will allow sufficient time to reflect and share wisdom to insure their actions are in the best interest of the parish. Section 6 If there is consensus by the Pastoral Council that the pastor s decision on an action of the Pastoral Council has been arbitrary following discourse with the Pastor and following period of reflection may take recourse with the Bishop or to a diocesan board of mediation. Article IX. Amendments The Council, with the approval of two-thirds of its current voting members, shall have the power to amend this constitution at any meeting provided that the proposed amendment has been presented and discussed at a previous meeting. The change will become effective upon the approval of the parish pastor. Article X. Addendums Addendums can be added to the constitution to clarify Parish Council roles and responsibilities as needed. Article XI. Adoption This constitution will become effective and in force upon approval of the Pastoral Council and the parish pastor. Upon approval, it will replace any and all previous constitutions.
Approved at the Council meeting dated January 21, 2015 Secretary minutes on file Adopted Pastor Adopted Pastoral Council President Todd Stoner
St. Joseph Parish Council Committees Catholic Schools The Catholic School Committee shall clarify, strength, and enrich the relationship of our Catholic schools to the parish and larger community while maintaining the mission of educating all children who are enrolled at the school. Facilities Committee St. Joseph Parish campus includes all buildings and grounds belonging to St. Joseph Church Parish including the Church, St. Joseph Hall, DePew Hall, Rectory, Out-building, Parking Lots, Sidewalks and Grounds. Insure care and maintenance of the campus. Family Life Committee The Family Life committee membership shall reflect the diversity of families, across the lifespan of St. Joseph Parish families. Sacramental Preparation for Marriage Sacramental Preparation for Infant Baptism Children s Liturgy of the Word Parish Nursery Parish Homebound/hospital ministry Parish Senior Adult Group Family Life Outreach Respect Life Activities Parenting Classes Parents Afternoon/Evening Out Marriage Enrichment Bereavement Ministry (St. Joseph s Guild) Young Couples Support Young Adult Ministry Finance and Administration Committee Required by Canon Law to oversee the finances of the parish. Will prepare and present to Parish Council an annual budget and provide reports on financial stability quarterly. Liturgy and Spiritual Life Committee Adult choir Youth Liturgy Music Ministry/Musicians/Cantors Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Lector/Commentators Ushers/Greeters Altar Society (Guild)
Liturgical Environment Altar Servers Other Celebrations Religious Education Committee The Religious Education Committee membership for the purpose of ongoing evangelization shall be parishioners reflecting the diversity of St. Joseph Church and provide for the religious education needs of parish families across their life span. Parish School of Religious Education K-12 Sacramental Preparation Scripture Study Adult Catechesis Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Catholics Returning Home Small Faith Communities Missions Vacation Bible School Social Justice The social justice committee shall foster parishioner s understand of current Catholic social teaching. Promotes ways to implement the teachings through practical outreach to those in need including, appropriate works, advocacy, and solidarity. Prison Ministry Social Justice Legal Issues Environmental and Health Related Issues Ethnic ministries Social Service Outreach Advocacy Stewardship and Development Committee The Stewardship and Development Committee shall reflect a Eucharistic people of prayer, dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, who are committed to a stewardship way of life. Their purpose is to energize the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish toward a path of total stewardship. Conduct an annual ministry fair Provide for prompt follow-up on time and talent sign-ups Establish and conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of related stewardship programs and projects Foster a year round emphasis on stewardship as a way of life through the following; Prayers of the Faithful at Mass, Comments about stewardship in weekend homilies, the parish bulleting, the parish newsletter making appropriate stewardship literature available in parish booklet racks, develop a comprehensive welcoming and hospitality program for parishioners and visitors, educating parishioners about tithing/giving levels and planned giving, oversee capital fund drives.
Youth Ministry Committee The purpose of the Youth Ministry Committee is to foster the growth of youth ministry by developing contemporary and relevant ways of teaching and forming our youth in the Roman Catholic faith and traditions, thereby increasing a love and participation in school, church and community service. Jr. CYO Sr. CYO Youth Board Youth Liturgy Retreats and Spirituality Service Public Relations Fundraising