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PASTORAL COUNCIL CONSTITUTION
(Updated May 2007)
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this body shall be the St. Gabriel, WOODLAWN Pastoral Council, hereinafter referred to as “the council.”
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of the council shall be:
II. To accept responsibility as a collaborative and consultative body, with the pastor/Pastoral Life Director (PLD) for the life and mission of the Church in the parish;
III. To assist the pastor/PLD in the ministerial development of the parish through recommendations and active cooperation in the setting of broad, policy directions for the parish;
IV. To act as an authentic representative voice of the People of God, which includes laity, professed religious, and the ordained;
V. To provide an open and honest forum of communication and dialog regarding parish affairs among pastor/PLD, staff, religious, and laity;
VI. To actively encourage by all available means vigorous and effective disciples of God to evangelize the community of St. Gabriel Parish;
VII. To participate, through active cooperation with the regional council and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, in the total life and mission of the Church within the archdiocese;
VIII. To collaborate with other religious and civic groups in working for the common good of the community;
IX. To encourage good works for the entire community in which we live through active volunteerism throughout the area and committee work within St. Gabriel Parish.
X. To take whatever action it may deem appropriate to fulfill the purposes set forth in Section l of this Article.
Section 2. Pursuant to the purpose set forth in Section l of this Article, the council shall perform the following functions as recommendations to the pastor/PLD:
XI. It shall annually review the statement of the parish’s mission.
XII. It shall prepare, through long and short range planning, a statement of the needs and goals of the parish and, in union with the pastor/PLD, determine priorities among such needs and goals with respect to the allotment of personal, physical and financial resources.
XIII. It shall review and recommend, with revisions or corrections at its discretion, the proposed budgets of all offices and operations subsidized by parish funds, and shall prepare and recommend to the pastor/PLD therefore an overall annual balanced parish budget.
XIV. It shall determine ways and means of increasing parish income and reducing expenditures, and take all necessary steps to provide for their practical implementation, in consultation with the pastoral.
XV. It shall recommend any improvements or expansions to the parish property which may be deemed necessary, except where the decision in such matters is reserved to the archbishop.
XVI. It shall make recommendations to the pastor/PLD regarding membership of the parish in any civic or professional organization.
XVII. It shall render to all parishioners from time to time, but at least annually, a full report on the parish’s spiritual, material, and financial condition.
XVIII. It shall render annually to the Parish Corporation a full report on the parish’s spiritual, material, and financial condition.
XIX. It shall do all that is necessary to provide for the dignified and reverent celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, in such manner and at such times as shall be for the spiritual welfare of all the faithful of the parish.
ARTICLE III. OPERATION
Section 1. The council shall submit its recommendations to the pastor/PLD in the form of conclusions resulting from the considered reflection and discussion by the council. Ordinarily, the pastor/PLD’s determination regarding any recommendation by the pastoral council is final.
Section 2. The pastor/PLD shall communicate to the council by the next regularly scheduled meeting, a response to its recommendation(s). If the pastor/PLD, for grave reasons of fidelity to the Gospel, obedience to Church or civil law, other serious financial or administrative considerations, or religious/spiritual reasons, feels that he/she cannot in good conscience accept and carry out the recommendations of the council, he/she shall fully and frankly communicate such reservations (with regard to them) to the assembled council.
Section 3. If, not withstanding the reservations expressed by the pastor/PLD, the council determines, by a two-thirds vote, to sustain its original recommendations, and no other means offers itself at the parish level to resolve the situation, either the pastor/PLD/LPD or the council through its chairperson may petition the matter at issue to the archbishop for such action as he may deem fitting.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section l. The council shall consist of no more than fifteen voting members and no fewer than eight, all sixteen years of age or older. Membership shall be in three categories: clerical, religious, and lay, and three types: ex-officio, elective, and appointive.
Section 2. Ex-officio members of the council shall include the pastor/PLD, associate priests regularly assigned to the parish, permanent deacons, director of religious education, pastoral associate, principal of the school, youth minister, and any other staff persons involved in the direct pastoral care of parishioners. Said members shall have full voice in council discussions but shall have no vote.
Section 3. Six lay people elected from the parish at large, and 6 lay people appointed from 6 committees, who are members of the parish shall serve as voting members of the council according to the election procedures specified in Article V, “Elections.”
Section 4. Current standing members of the school board may be eligible to serve on the council.
Section 5. The pastor/PLD/PLD may name no more than three lay persons to be appointed voting members of the council, and such appointed members shall serve for the same term of office as elected members. Such appointments shall endeavor to maintain a proper balance among sexes, ethnic groups, age groups, and areas of knowledge and competence desired on the council.
Section 6. In the event of two unexcused absences, a council member may be dismissed from the council and a replacement may be procured according to the procedure specified in Article 5, Section 5.
ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS
Section l. Any lay person who:
(a) attains the age of sixteen (16) years by the date of elections, and who
(b) is a baptized, confirmed, and registered member of the parish in good standing, and who
(c) maintains a public posture not inconsistent with Church teaching, and who
(d) ) is an active member of the parish who contributes financially or with time and talent, shall be eligible to serve on the council, and all persons meeting these qualifications shall likewise be eligible to vote in such elections.
Section 2. The council, at the general meeting held in the month of May will appoint a nominating committee and designate the chairperson thereof. The committee shall identify qualified parishioners and obtain their consent to stand as candidates for the council.
Section 3. Elections shall be held in September. They shall be by secret ballot, which shall be distributed to all registered parishioners, and the 6 persons receiving the highest number of votes on the returned qualified ballots shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie, the candidate shall be chosen by lot.
Section 4. a. Elected and appointed members shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. No parishioner shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive full terms.
XX. In the first election held following the ratification and adoption of this constitution, the four (4) persons receiving the highest number of votes shall serve for a period of two (2) years, and the remaining two (2) persons receiving the next highest number of votes shall serve for a period of one (1) year. Thereafter all elections shall be for a term of 2 years.
NOTE: This will allow for a transition period into the new council and will require an election every year. Inasmuch as 2 members will serve 1 year, to start, they would have to be re-elected (or be replaced by others) to serve a 2-year term. Then those who serve the initial 2-year term would either be re-elected or replace the following year, etc.
Section 5. The new council shall take office on October 1, 2007. In the event that a vacancy occurs among the elected membership during the council year, the person who received the next highest number of votes in the more recent council election shall be asked to fill out the remaining term of the vacating member; and in the event that she/he declines, the remaining candidates shall be similarly asked, in the order of the number of votes which each received. If no candidate is available, the pastor/PLD may appoint someone to complete the term.
Section 6. A resignation creates a vacancy and the replacement should be made according to Section 5.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
Section l. Whereas the pastor/PLD presides over the work of the pastoral council, the chairing and facilitation of the council meeting is delegated to duly elected council officers. The officers of the council shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, recording secretary and corresponding secretary.
Section 2. The members of the incoming council shall, at the Second** meeting, determine among themselves the four offices specified in Section 1. Following nominations, voting shall be by secret ballot, according to the procedure outlined an the end of this document, and in the event of a tie balloting shall continue until a candidate receives a majority. Each office shall be taken individually, thus permitting candidates not elected to be nominated for the next subsequent office.
** Elected and appointed members should use the first meeting to get to know each other so that they may better identify among themselves who among them should preside in the four offices. Attendance at the first meeting by Ex-officio members is voluntary.
Section 3. The chairperson shall facilitate meetings of the council and in consultation with the pastor/PLD, shall call such special meetings as may be necessary. In consultation with the pastor/PLD and other members of the council, the chairperson of the council shall, if necessary, appoint the chairperson of all standing committees and special committees, and shall be an ex officio member of all such committees except the nominating committee. The chairperson of the council shall render periodic reports to the pastor/PLD and the parishioners on the completed and projected work of the council and shall perform all other duties that customarily devolve upon the office of chairperson, not specifically mentioned herein.
Section 4. The vice-chairperson, in the absence of the chairperson or in the event of the latter’s inability for any reason to carry out the functions of the office, shall assume, during such absence or disability, the duties of the chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall coordinate the work of all committees and, where necessary, shall report to the council on the meetings and activities of such committees. The vice-chairperson shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the president.
Section 5. The recording secretary shall take minutes of all regular and special meetings of the council, reduce such minutes to writing, preserve them in a permanent record, and distribute copies of such minutes to all members of the council at least one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting, along with the agenda for that meeting. The recording secretary shall forward in writing to the pastor/PLD all council resolutions and recommendations.
Section 6. The corresponding secretary shall prepare and send out all correspondence necessitated by the work of the council and shall maintain permanent files of such correspondence. The corresponding secretary shall also prepare notes to appear in the parish bulletin pertaining to the work of the council, as well as any other publicity material that is desired for use in various news media.
Section 8. In the event of a vacancy in any office except that of the chairperson, the council shall select someone from among its own membership to fill the office until the next regularly scheduled election. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall automatically succeed and fill out the unexpired portion of the term and a vice-chairperson shall be elected.
Section 9. Each officer shall, at the expiration of his or her term of office, turn over to his or her successor all books, papers, and other records and property pertaining to the office not later than ten days after said expiration.
ARTICLE VII.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section l. The executive committee shall be composed of the officers of the council and the pastor/PLD.
Section 2. It shall be the responsibility of the executive committee to coordinate and prepare the agenda for all regular meetings of the council and to make such agenda available to the recording secretary for mailing prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The standing committees of thecouncil and their corresponding parish organizations shall have such powers as may be delegated to them by the full council and pastor/PLD. Because of its canonical importance, the finance committee shall be named in consultation with the pastor/PLD or may be appointed in full by the pastor/PLD.
Standing committees of the council shall be Finance, Liturgy, Ways & Means, Christian Formation/Evangelization, Maintenance,
Section 2. A member of the council except the officers may serve on one standing committee but not on more than one. The council chairperson, by and with the advice and consent of the pastor/PLD and other members of the council at the annual meeting, shall designate the membership of each committee, having regard to the professional knowledge and competence desired in each case.
Section 3. The chairperson of each standing committee, in consultation with the pastor/PLD and chairperson of the council, shall be free to name to the committee, parishioners who are not members of the council in order to provide the breadth and depth that the work of the committee requires. Such committee members shall have the right to attend all regular meetings of the council, but will have no vote.
Section 4. The committee chairperson shall call meetings of the committee, shall be prepared to render a report on the work of the committee at designated meetings of the council.
Section 5. The council chairperson, in consultation with the executive committee, may create any special or ad hoc committees, which may from time to time be deemed necessary, and to designate the members thereof.
ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEE DUTIES
Section 1. Each committee shall consist of at least one pastoral council member, though not necessarily the committee chairperson, (as well as heads of any parish organizations associated with that committee.)
Section 2. The chairperson of each committee shall present written reports to the council following regular meetings of the committee. Chairpersons shall present oral reports to the council as deemed necessary. Each committee shall meet regularly to implement its work and shall report the progress or limitations of such work to the council as required during the course of the year.
Section 3. Each committee shall be responsible for submitting a budget estimating its overall expenses as well as estimates of any income derived from fund raising activities, fees or other means to the finance committee in March.
Section 4. The chairperson of each committee shall submit the names of all committee members to the council for review and publication. This shall be done no later than the scheduled meeting following their appointment.
Section 5. The chairperson of each committee shall see that the committee has a written charter statement outlining its function in cooperation with any staff persons associated with the committee.
Section 6. The chairperson of each committee shall initiate an annual evaluation of the committee’s work in conjunction with the council’s annual planning effort. The chairperson shall also present to the council for its planning considerations any proposals or initiatives generated by the committee.
ARTICLE X. MEETINGS
Section l. The regular meetings of the council shall be held on the Second Sunday of each month, following the 8:00 a.m. Mass. In the event that circumstances dictate that a monthly meeting not be held, the Chairperson shall notify the members in advance of the cancellation or rescheduling of the meeting.
Section 2. The meeting held in the month of October shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, designating the membership of the standing committees, receiving reports, and for any other business that may arise. Any such matters left unfinished at the adjournment of the annual meeting shall constitute the first order of business at the next regular meeting.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the pastor/PLD, chairperson, executive committee, or at the written request of a simple majority of the members of the council, the purpose of which shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least five days notice shall be given.
Section 4. Regular meetings of the council shall be open to all parishioners as observers. It shall be left to the discretion of the executive committee as to whether any special meetings shall be open.
Section 5. A majority of the voting members of the council shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE XI. AUTHORITY AND DECISION MAKING
Section 1. In matters of serious consequence to the parish community, the council shall make every effort, in union with the pastor/PLD, to arrive at a decision through consensus.
Section 2. Every member of the council must be involved in the consensus building process and must speak to the assembled council his or her consent or reservations regarding the matter under discussion.
Section 3. The discussion must continue, addressing any reservations until every member is either in favor of the decision or is willing to support the decision even though it may not be the preference of the individual.
Section 4. In all other matters not requiring a consensus decision, the rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this constitution and any special rules of order the council may adopt.
Section 5. The chairperson of the council may appoint a parliamentarian, who need not be a member of the council, to assist and advise in presiding at all meetings.
ARTICLE XII. RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS
Section l. The draft of this constitution shall be made available to all parishioners. Its approval shall be by the pastor/PLD and a two-thirds vote of the membership of the council.
Section 2. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the council by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the council.
XXI. Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the council at any regular meeting and voted on at the next regular meeting.
XXII. The chairperson shall appoint a committee to review the amendment. The committee shall mail a written report on its recommendations to all council members two weeks prior to the next regular meeting.
XXIII. The council shall review the amendment and committee recommendations and shall approve or disapprove said amendment
APPENDIX B:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL OFFICERS
CHAIRPERSON
The council chairperson works closely with the pastor/PLD to ensure that the council works to fulfill the mission of the parish through active collaboration with staff, parishioners, other church and civic groups, and archdiocesan officials. The chairperson is responsible for the organizational aspects of the council and chairs all meetings of the council. In light of these responsibilities, it is important that the chairperson possess a good understanding of group process and have the necessary facilitation skills to fulfill this role effectively. Duties of the chairperson include:
- Chair executive committee meetings
- Chair all regular and special meetings of the council
- Appoint chairpersons of committees, as necessary
- Monitor the agenda in terms of time and focus
- Encourage the full participation of all council members
- Ensure that all members have the opportunity to speak and that no one member exerts control over the agenda or its time frame
- Begin and end meetings on time
- Clarify council procedures
- Ensure the opportunity for periodic evaluation of council effectiveness.
- Insure good communication procedures
- Organize and conduct, in cooperation with the executive committee, any parish assemblies called by the council
- Oversee the physical setting of the meeting room to facilitate interaction and collaboration among members
- Keep open the channels of communication between the pastoral council and parishioners.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON
The vice-chairperson performs the duties of the chairperson in the latter’s absence and assists the chairperson in conducting the council’s work.
RECORDING SECRETARY
Duties of the recording secretary are:
- Provide an accurate record of the minutes of all meetings.
- Maintain a roster of membership and attendance.
- Monitor terms of members
- Continually update council documents
- Forward in writing to the pastor/PLD all council resolutions and recommendations.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Duties of the corresponding secretary are:
- Distribute information and correspondence to council members as directed
- Maintain a file of council correspondence
- Prepare parish bulletin announcements and other information pertaining to the work of the council
- Prepare publicity material for use in various news media.
Ratified and Approved by the Council December 10, 2006
APPENDIX C:
CRITERIA FOR A HEALTHY PARISH
XXIV. STRUCTURAL CRITERIA:
What is our Church?
1. COMMUNITY: A good parish will have a strong sense of itself as a community of faith, called by God, united in Christ, led by the Spirit.
XXV. LAY MINISTRY: Members will participate actively in the leadership of the parish and in staffing its various ministries.
Experiences the call of Christ to spread the Gospel and responds with active programs; the RCIA is seen as vital part of parish life.
9. SERVICE TO THE POOR: A good parish, in line with the church’s preferential option of the poor, will direct its services especially to the poor.
10. PRESENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: A good parish is involved in the life of its surrounding neighborhood; in cooperation with others, ecumenically and civilly.
11. OTHER SERVICE MINISTRY: A good parish will embody a variety of other forms of ministry service which promote equality, freedom, justice and peace.
XXVI. SUPPORTIVE CRITERIA: What does our Church need?
12. SIZE OF COMMUNITY: A good parish has enough people, especially in their active years, to take on all the ministries seen to be necessary.
13. FINANCIAL CONDITION: A good parish has enough financial resources to be able to carry out its work without placing undue strain on its people.
14. FACILITIES: A good parish has facilities that are useful for its life and work and are being maintained in acceptable condition.
Archdiocese of Baltimore, 1988
APPENDIX D:
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is deeply rooted in a tradition of leadership and service. Since its modest beginnings in the late eighteenth century, it has recognized itself as a people called by God: laity, religious, and clergy alike; rich in talents; diverse in race, language, and ethnic heritage; men and women, youth and adults—all invited at this moment in history to a renewed mission.
Our tradition affirms that all segments of church life shape this mission and together bring it to fulfillment. We are a church in the care of the Holy Spirit, blessed by the sacraments, and guided by our bishops and pastor/PLDs. Though a Local church, we acknowledge our oneness with the Universal Church, shepherded by the successor of the apostle Peter, and affirm our commitment to the values of the Second Vatican Council.
Shaped by this rich past and challenged by the promise of our future, we will above all else strive to form genuine communities of faith where the Eucharist is life-giving.
Formation is ongoing, and communities form strong bonds with one another. In these communities, our laity come to exercise their full partnership in the mystery of redemption; our religious, their witness to a life given for others; and our clergy, their modeling of a servant leadership grounded in Christ.
At the same time, as a church, we must reach beyond our communal and organizational boundaries into a world that longs for yet does not recognize the God who stands on the side of life, peace, and justice. We must become the voice of those who have no one to speak for them and the comfort of those who are oppressed. With the Jesus who shows us the way, we must also heal and recognize the parts of our world which are estranged and divided one against the other. So that in uttering “Kingdom come,” we proclaim a Kingdom coming.
Ours is a grace-filled mission, because having died, once, for all, Christ offers to all a share in his risen life. It is indeed a mission authentic and valid to the extent it bears true witness to Christ’s gospel. Thus, in living out this call wherever we find ourselves, we become the light that grows brighter in the darkness, the fabric that is yet to be completed but whose design is clear, and the story of good news which is fulfilled in the midst of its telling.
(Adopted by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, May, 1992)