ROLE OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

The Pastoral Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor (Canon 536). It is a wisdom body, charged with assisting the pastor in visioning, planning and overseeing the pastoral mission of the parish.  

MEMBERSHIP

Number and Qualifications:
The membership of the Parish Council  consists of the pastor, nine (9) persons from the parish at large, a representative from the School Advisory Board, and a representative from each of the major parish clusters.  (The clusters currently to be included are: Administration / Stewardship; Lifelong Learning; Parish Life; Social Concerns; Worship.)

Qualifications for membership:

• Baptized Catholic; at least 18 years old
• Active member of the parish for at least two (2) years
• Participant in Stewardship Program of time, talent and treasure
• Willing to regularly attend Council meetings and the annual Council retreat.

• In the spring of each year and in sufficient time before Pentecost Sunday, written nominations for at-large vacancies on the Parish Council will be solicited from members of the parish.
• Persons who accept nomination and who are eligible to serve will be invited to an orientation meeting and will be asked to complete a biographical form.
• The names of qualified applicants will be placed in a pool from which names will be drawn at random by the pastor on Pentecost Sunday.
• Appointed Members.
• Cluster Representatives are appointed from those currently involved in each cluster by the Pastor in consultation with the outgoing cluster representative and the Pastoral Team Liaison to the cluster.
• The representative of the School Advisory Board is appointed by the President of the School Board in consultation with the principal.

MEETINGS

The Council  meets on the last Tuesday of most months

Decision Making:
Generally, meetings are conducted informally with a goal of decision-making by consensus, but Robert’s Rules of Order may be invoked at the discretion of the President.