St. Joseph's Parish Pastoral Council

superceded by updated version November 2005


Mission and Aims

The mission of the Parish Pastoral Council, as a partner in faith, is to plan and co-ordinate for the spiritual and material needs of the Parish through the various ministries, helping the Parish grow in holiness and promoting life in all its richness.


The Parish Pastoral Council and its committees exist to serve our Parish Community. Our aims are clearly defined:

  1. To advise and support the work of the Parish Priest, the shepherd and pastor of our Community, by acting as a consultative body in the development of the pastoral, administrative and spiritual life of the Parish. Pastoral life includes aspects of Parish life that require the guidance, care and support of the Parish Pastoral Council.

  2. To assist the Parish Team, and the Community it serves, in the work of evangelisation, so that people experience the love of God in their lives.

  3. To serve as a permanent structure for constructive dialogue between the clergy, other religious and the laity of the Parish, so that all can work in close co-operation as a truly Christian Community.

  4. To listen sensitively to the whole Parish ensuring that people feel that their voice is heard, and their thoughts and feelings are reflected in the work of the Parish Pastoral Council.

  5. To develop a sense of unity and belonging in our Parish Family, by presenting opportunities for people to contribute and participate.

  6. To determine and utilise the abilities of all members of the Parish Community. To serve as an organising and co-ordinating body for all organisations, committees and group activities within the Parish.

  7. To provide energy, vision and direction, consistent with the aims of the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, and the Roman Catholic Church.

  8. To be aware of the needs of, and to endeavour to work with
    1. other Catholic Parishes in the Deanery
    2. local Christian Churches of different traditions
    3. our local Catholic Schools, St. Joseph's and St. Andrew's
    4. the wider Community of Epsom

Detailed Guidelines

Introduction

Recognising that sound pastoral decisions are informed by the wisdom of the People of God, Father William Davern, the Parish Priest, established the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Joseph's Church, Epsom on 1st September, 2002. The documents of the Second Vatican Council recommended the establishment of such Councils. They state that Catholics have a right and duty to express their opinion on what pertains to the good of the Church. Parish Priests should willingly consult their people, say the documents, and use their prudent advice. By establishing a Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Priest has acknowledged the wisdom of his parishioners and expressed his desire to share with them his responsibility for the governance of the Parish.

The Parish Pastoral Council will work in a way that fosters co-operation and collaboration, acts together and operates more by consensus than by argument and votes. It will listen to fresh ideas and be open to change. The work of the Parish Pastoral Council should be rooted in prayer and reflection on God's Word.

Purpose

The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council will be to investigate pastoral, administrative and spiritual matters, to consider them thoroughly, and to propose practical conclusions about them.

The Council's task will be, first of all, to study those matters brought to its attention and shed light on them. Its second task will be to reflect on them thoroughly, to discern their true nature, to evaluate and to ponder them. Its final task will be to draw sound conclusions. The Council will present these conclusions to the Parish Priest in the form of recommendations. This threefold task of the Council-investigating, considering, and recommending conclusions - is called pastoral planning. After the Parish Priest has accepted the recommendations of the Council, he will direct their implementation, engaging others when required.

Scope

The scope of the Council will be pastoral, administrative and spiritual matters. These may include everything that pertains to the Parish Priest's ministries of proclaiming God's word, celebrating the sacraments, caring for the faithful, guiding and supporting the Parish, promoting the mission of the Church to the world, and being a good steward of Parish resources. The scope will also include all the community and practical matters of Parish Life. There is, in short, nothing about which the Parish Priest may not consult the Council, apart from faith, orthodoxy, moral principles or laws of the universal Church. Above all the main objective of the Parish Pastoral Council should be, to work with the Parish Priest and Parish Team, in supporting and sustaining people in their efforts to live Christian lives.

Criteria for Membership

Parish Pastoral Council members will be chosen, above all, for their ability to accomplish the main task of the Council - the work of investigating, considering, and recommending practical conclusions. They will be regular attenders at St. Joseph's Church, Epsom, will be in good standing with the Church and as far as is possible, will represent a cross section of the Parish Community.

Selection of Members

There will be fourteen Parish Pastoral Council members including the Parish Priest, five of whom are elected, the others being appointed by invitation from the Parish Priest. He will make his choices recognising the need for balance, representation and diversity. He should take into account the particular needs of identifiable groups, such as the youth of the Parish, when making appointments. The appointed will include a representative from each of; St Joseph's Primary School, the Finance Committee and the Premises Management.

Operation

The appointed members of the Parish Pastoral Council will be selected for a three-year term. The first set of elected members will serve for a two year term, subsequently elected members will serve a term of three years. In this way it is hoped to have a good balance between continuity and change. Members will commence their term in the month of October. In normal circumstances membership can only be for a maximum of six consecutive years.

Elections for the five elected members will be held every three years (two years in the first instance). Nominations will be accepted either by self nomination, or by being nominated by another person (with the agreement of the nominee). Profiles will be submitted by the candidates and will include a brief outline of background, a statement on the reasons for wishing to become a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and a photograph. This profile will be placed in the narthex of the Church and the newsletter.

Voting will take place on two Sundays, in September, with postal votes being eligible. Voting forms will be available after Masses, and from the Parish Office. Those issued will be recorded against the Parish register, one form per person over 16 years of age. New parishioners may be added to the Parish register.

When appointed members resign from the Parish Pastoral Council the Parish Priest will appoint new members. When an elected member resigns, he/she will be replaced by the unsuccessful candidate, with the most votes, from the previous election.

Officers

The Parish Pastoral Council will annually elect the Chair, the Vice-Chair and Secretary. The Chair will preside at every meeting of the Council (Vice-Chair in the absence of the Chair). All members of the Council may contribute to the agenda, which will be co-ordinated by the Chair and the Parish Priest. Contributions must be submitted at least one week prior to the meeting. The Chair will facilitate Council discussions, ensuring that everyone speaks and is heard. The Secretary will keep the minutes and ensure that they are sent, to each member of the Parish Pastoral Council, within the week following the meeting.

Meetings

Meetings will always start with a short prayer and reflection, as the work of the Parish Pastoral Council should be rooted in prayer and reflection on God's Word.

The Parish Pastoral Council will meet monthly (not August). Meetings will be two hours in length. Between the monthly meetings, Council members will be expected to follow up action points from the previous meeting, and prepare for the next. The Parish Pastoral Council will be quorate if there are nine or more members present. The Parish Pastoral Council will have Open Meetings with the Parish twice yearly, normally once in January and once in July.

Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will have responsibility for being aware of the work of the SIGs. A representative of each of the SIGs will be invited to discuss their work with the Parish Pastoral Council at least once per year. This is likely to be done as a series of invitations throughout the year.