operating norms

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
We are the people of Saints John & Paul Parish, a dynamic family of faith strengthened by the Holy Eucharist. Our hope is to be a welcoming, loving community of believers ministering to the needs of all. We are deeply devoted to God, the Roman Catholic Church, and each other through worship, the sacraments, and prayer.

PURPOSE of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
In Accord with the universal law of the Church and diocesan statutes, a Parish Pastoral Council is hereby established for SS John & Paul Parish to advise and collaborate with the pastor and pastoral staff on matters related to the pastoral welfare of the parish with special attention given to planning, evaluation, envisioning and fostering participation in parish life.

COUNCIL PRAYER AND REFLECTION
The Parish Pastoral Council is a microcosm of the parish community of faith. Hence, as parish leaders, they must be about the task of continual renewal — growth in their faith journeys throughout life. Members of the parish pastoral council need to have opportunities to pray with one another in order to deepen their individual and communal holiness. Every member is integral to the prayer of the group. Personal preparation for the meeting, a certain eagerness for sharing matters of the spirit, and full attention and participation are every member’s responsibility. It is important that council makes the time for prayer. Prayer is the source of strength and guidance for the ministry of leadership and forms the council into a community of faith at the heart of the parish.

MEMBERSHIP
Parish Pastoral Council membership shall consist of no fewer than seven (7) and not more that eleven (11) members. Should members be unable to fulfill a term, the pastor shall appoint replacements as needed. At no time should the Parish Pastoral Council be composed of less than seven (7) members.

ELIGIBILITY
A member must read, understand and sign the Code of Pastoral Conduct and must have the following qualifications:

1. Be a fully initiated Catholic (having received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) who is registered and active in parish life, is in good standing with the Church and has reached the age of 18.
2. Be a person with an understanding of and commitment to the Church as expressed in the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
3. Be committed to prayer, Gospel values and growth in personal holiness.
4. Be knowledgeable about the life and teachings of Jesus, the mission of the Church and the distinctive characteristics of the parish, its ministries and its people.
5. Be skilled in group process, interpersonal communication and collaboration.
6. Be willing to participate in on-going faith formation. The Pastor shall be charged with the responsibility for assuring that the qualifications for eligibility have been met for each candidate.

TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP
The appointment term for members is four (4) years and is renewable to a maximum of eight (8) years, beginning in October. The discernment process begins in May, overlap sessions begin in July and new members will be installed at the October Retreat.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBERS
Appointment of new members takes place in the following manner:

• All current members whose first term is due to expire are asked if they wish to be considered for appointment to another term on the Parish Pastoral Council.
• All current members of Pastoral Council, pastoral staff members, and parishioners are asked to submit names of those whom they feel might be considered for appointment to the Parish Pastoral Council. They may submit their own name or the name of someone else for consideration.
• The pastor and Pastoral Council shall review all the names submitted and accept those for consideration based on the size and complexity of the parish. Pastoral Council members will be asked to review the list of names and recommend those they feel can best serve the needs of the Parish Pastoral Council. The council will be asked to recommend the number of names needed to fill the existing vacancies. Those names are presented to the pastor for appointment to Parish Pastoral Council for a term of four years.
• New members will be installed at an installation ceremony during the October retreat.

MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Parish Pastoral Council take place in the following months: January, March, May, July, September, (October Retreat), and November. Other meetings may be scheduled by the pastor as needs arise.

COMMITTEES
The Parish Pastoral Council may suggest the formation of any Ad Hoc committee it deems necessary.

DECISION-MAKING
The ordinary operative mode for the deliberations of the Parish Pastoral Council shall be to arrive at a consensus. Discernment, collaboration and consensus characterize the deliberations of the Parish Pastoral Council.

ROLES
The following roles shall be in place at all meetings of the Parish Pastoral Council:

Presider: The Pastor is the presider and shall oversee and participate in all council deliberations.

Facilitator: A facilitator designs and oversees the process of each council meeting, assisting the group with planning, decision-making, and problem solving.

Recorder: A recorder shall be appointed to record the principal actions and significant points of deliberation at Parish Pastoral Council meetings. The recorder is also responsible for any council correspondence or other clerical tasks, including disseminating the agenda and meeting reminders to the council in advance of each meeting.

Additional roles and/or tasks may be promulgated by the Pastoral Council or the pastor as deemed necessary.

3rd revision 08/21/2007