BYLAWS OF ST. PAUL PARISH COUNCIL

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP, VACANCIES, REMOVALS, APPOLNTMENTS

Section 1: Any member of the Council may resign by filing a written resignation with the chairperson. At any meeting of the Council, a discerned member may be removed for good cause by a vote of three-fourths of the Council. Any member whose removal has been proposed shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the meeting. Good cause includes missing two consecutive meetings without good reason; physical or mental incapacity; or failure to perform duties as a Council member without good reason.

Section 2: A vacancy among the discerned members shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the chairperson with consideration being given to the persons participating in the previous discernment process. This appointment is subject to approval by the Council.

ARTICLE 11: NOMINATION, ORIENTATION, DISCERNMENT

Section 1: The selection of Council members shall be by open nomination an discernment. Nominating forms will be available at all Masses on a weekend in Spring.

Section 2: Each year one-third of the members shall be discerned for a term of three years to fill the vacancies of the members whose terms are due to expire. The slate of candidates should be as representative as possible of the parish community. The parish will be provided with information on the nomination process and nominating - forms. The persons-nominated will be contacted for their acceptance.

Section 3: There will be an orientation session prior to discernment.

Section 4: On the evening of discerning there will be a prayer service, dialogue of candidates and Council members and discernment.

ARTICLE 111: OFFICERS

Section 1: The Council chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary will be selected annually at the first meeting following discernment. In filling these positions, each office will be considered in the following order:

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

Secretary

For each position, a vote will be taken by written ballot for that particular office. A majority vote is required to be elected. If necessary, re-voting will continue until a majority is reached. Each of the three offices shall be filled by the same procedure.

Section 2: The Chairperson shall:

a) Organize and coordinate the activities and processes of the Council and assist in preparing the agendas;

b) Conduct all meetings of the Council;

c) Appoint, with Council approval, the liaison to each committee;

d) Be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Council;

e) Conduct all votes utilizing the process of consensus; and

f) Perform such duties as the Council may direct, consistent with this office.

Section 3: The Vice-Chairperson shall:

a) Assume all duties of the chairperson in his/her absence;

b) Become chairperson in the event of the chairperson's death, disability, resignation or removal; and

c) Perform such duties as the chairperson or Council may direct, consistent with this office.

Section 4: The Secretary shall:

a) Keep an accurate record of the minutes of all Council meetings;

b) Provide a copy of the previous meeting's minutes to all Council members prior to the next regular meeting;

c) Post in a conspicuous place in the church a summary of the previous Parish Council meeting as promptly as possible after each Council meeting. Post a complete copy of the minutes after approval at the next Council meeting.

d) Maintain the official list of all Council members and their terms of office, the names of the Council officers, the list of committees serving the Council and the names of committee chairpersons and committee; promptly fill out Office for Parish Stewardship and Lay Leadership Development registry forms following each discernment and keep this current with regard to address of membership changes.

e) Keep a current record of attendance of members at Council meetings.

f) Be responsible for advance notification to all members of the Council of both regular and special meetings.

g) Report to the Council all communications; handle all correspondence as directed by the Council.

h) Perform such duties as the chairperson or Council may direct, consistent with this office.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at such time, place and date as the council may designate.

Section 2: The agenda shall be decided in advance by the chairperson and the pastor, based on committee reports received from each standing committee and on an understanding of the ongoing needs and concerns of the parish. Parishioners may submit items for the agenda to the chairperson for consideration.

Section 3: Notice of special meetings shall be sent to all members within a reasonable time prior to the meeting, stating its time, place or purpose. No other business than that stated as the purpose shall be conducted at that meeting.

Section 4: Advance notice of the time and place of meetings of the Council shall be published in the parish bulletin, and all members of the parish are entitled and welcome to attend as observers, with the exception of closed sessions, which will be rare. The Council may open any meeting to discussion by parish members on such subjects and under such rules as the Council may announce.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

Section 1: The basic functions of the Council committees are:

a) To identify the needs of the parish.

b) To communicate these needs to the Council, discerning with them which needs can realistically be addressed and where inter-committee collaboration might be effective.

c) To formulate long-range goals and objectives after prioritizing needs.

d) To develop the means to implement the goals.

e) To submit the proposed programs to the Council for approval and support.

f) To annually present a detailed budget to the Finance Committee for its consideration of the overall parish budget.

g) To contact the Finance Committee with proposals for expenditures not included in the annual budget.

h) To maintain communication with the parish concerning programs, encouraging active support and involvement.

i) To maintain communication with the respective Archdiocesan offices for guidelines and resources.

j) To provide ongoing formation of committee members in areas of concern through workshops, study, spiritual formation, etc.

Section 2: The responsibilities of the standing committees of the Council are:

a) Prayer and Worship

1. Fosters the ongoing spiritual development of the parish members.

2. Provides opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith through prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations.

3. Identifies the spiritual growth needs of parishioners.

4. Plans and promotes parish-wide programs of a spiritual nature: Eucharistic weeks, missions, days of reflection, etc.

5. Develop support systems for spiritual formation of parishioners through encouraging small study/prayer/reflection groups within the larger parish (i.e., scripture study groups, prayer groups, charismatic prayer groups, ecumenical prayer groups, etc.).

6. Promotes development of church ministries, both clerical and lay.

7. Provides opportunities for the spiritual growth of leadership groups, especially the Parish Council and standing committee chairperson, through retreats, prayer services and day of renewal and reflection.

8. Develops opportunities for ecumenical cooperation, understanding and prayer; and/or invites charismatic and ecumenical prayer groups to use parish facilities and/or hold prayer services in conjunction with those planned by other groups, for greater appreciation and understanding.

9. Assesses the appropriateness and effectiveness of all programs, celebrations and support systems with regard to deepening the parish's spirituality and sense of mission.

10. Determines budget priorities in the area of the committee's ministry and makes recommendations to the Parish Council through the Finance Committee.

11. Studies the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and collaborates with staff in implementing RCLA in the parish.

12. Implements the recommendations of the Archdiocesan Office for Prayer and Worship.

b) Christian Formation

Description: The role of this mandated standing committee is to develop within the parish an awareness that the parish community has the responsibility for promoting the educational/formational aspect of the Church's mission. Christian Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith.

This committee is advisory to educational administrators in the design, implementation and evaluation of the total Christian educational/formational programs in the parish, which includes: sacramental preparation, adult and family ministry, youth ministry, school ministry and child ministry.

The committee structure provides for a comprehensive approach to Christian education/formation by acting as the overall coordinating and integrating body regarding all aspects of Christian education/formation in the parish. The approach may be accomplished according to Christian Formation programs, according to functions, or a combination.

Responsibilities:

1. Assists in the development of the long-range plans for Christian education/formation of the parish providing a comprehensive approach for all ages and stages in life.

2. Identifies needs in the parish regarding Christian education/formation programs.

3. Develops and recommends to the Parish Council educational/formational policies for the parish which are consistent with Archdiocesan policies and guidelines.

4. Determines budget priorities in the area of the committee's ministry and makes recommendations to the Parish Council through the Finance Committee.

5. Develops sources of revenue for the operations of the educational/formational programs in conformity with parish policies and in collaboration with program administrators.

6. Assists the pastor/administrator in defining the roles, responsibilities and relationships of the educational administrators and Parish Council regarding educational/formational programs. Committee members may serve on search, grievance and conciliation committees at the parish level.

7. Facilitates communications and coordination among all educational/formational programs of the parish by reporting to the Parish Council, the parish community, the cluster and Archdiocese.

c) Human Concerns

Description: The Human Concerns Committee discerns various types of social needs of persons in the parish and wider community, especially the poor, and identifies resources to meet those needs enlisting the active cooperation of parish members. This mandated standing committee fulfills the justice dimensions of scripture and our church tradition acknowledging that every Christian is called to service and to work for justice. The Committee's area of responsibility is two fold:

1. to meet the current ongoing needs;

2. to work for changes in the structures of society which are oppressive

Committee members are not responsible to actually DO all the committee's work but rather INVOLVE OTHERS in actively accepting the responsibility of their Baptism. The committee supports those in the parish who are already involved in service, advocacy, justice education, and empowerment of people - whether church-centered, in their occupations or in some other area. This committee works with community groups and other parishes to help solve social problems

They keep parishioners aware of issues relating to respect life efforts, justice, peace, hunger and the homeless on local, national and international levels so that appropriate Christian action on such issues can be determined.

Responsibilities:

1. Discerns the social needs of various ages within the parish and the wider community, especially the poor.

2. Develops responses and programs to meet those needs, as well as identifies resources and makes referrals to already existing church agencies and community groups.

3. Involves others in actively accepting the responsibility of their Baptism - to help people in need.

4. Supports those in the parish who are already involved in service to the needy, whether church-centered or in some other area.

5. Develops a consciousness within the parish of the major social problems in the community and the world.

6. Works with other parish committees, community groups and neighboring parishes and/or denominations to help solve social problems.

7. Seeks to respond to needs through a balance of four approaches:

A. Direct Service - assists the parish in performing works of charity and relating to organizations that provide service.

B. Justice Education -helps the parish integrate a justice dimension in all its sacramental and teaching ministries.

C. Advocacy - relates to organizations which advocate for people in need and changes in public policy.

D. Empowerment - assists the parish to relate to social change organizations in which people take actions themselves on the issues which affect them.

8. Determines budget priorities in the area of the committee's ministry and makes recommendations to the Parish Council through Finance Committee.

d) Building and Grounds

Description: The concerns of this committee involve the physical conditions of parish property, its maintenance and upkeep. This committee identifies and articulates the needs of the parish in this area and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee.

Responsibilities:

1. Periodically inspects all parish properties and recommends priorities of needed repairs, remodeling and new construction.

2. Evaluates current needs with regard to parish properties and plans for future requirements.

3. Writes necessary specifications for desired repairs and has several contractors submit firm quotations.

4. Studies bids and makes recommendations to the Parish Council through the Finance Committee.

5. When possible locates parishioners who will donate their time and talent to handle necessary work.

6. Inspects regularly for hazards.

7. Maintains regular visual inspection of buildings and property.

8. Maintains a complete set of architectural plans, drawings, specifications, etc., which cover all existing buildings and remodeling projects of the parish plant.

e) Finance

Description: The Finance Committee makes recommendations to the Parish Council concerning all aspects of parish financial and budget matters; personnel; stewardship of resources; church support and fundraising coordination; and upkeep of the physical facilities and properties of the parish. The activities and recommendations of this mandated standing committee are firmly rooted in the biblical concept of stewardship. The committee works closely with the Parish Council and is supportive of all other committees. This committee does not decide priorities for the parish - that is the responsibility of the Parish Council.

Responsibilities:

1. Aids and advises the pastor concerning the administration of parish goods within the limits of canon law and the directives of the Archbishop.

2. Fulfills Archdiocesan requirements concerning the financial administration of the parish.

3. Coordinates all fundraising in the parish, emphasizing the biblical concept of stewardship of time, talent and treasure.

4. Informs parishioners about parish support through parish communications media.

5. Reviews and counsels parish officers on all banking arrangements, capital expenditures and long-term contracts.

6. Approves financial statements for submission to the Chancery and Archdiocesan Office for Parish Finances.

7. Monitors and makes recommendations to the Parish Council with respect to the proper upkeep of the physical facilities and properties of the parish accomplished through the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

f) School Advisory Board

Description:

The purpose of the School Advisory Board, while sitting as a committee and in conjunction with the school principal, shall be to develop and define school policies. These policies shall govern the administration of St. Thomas Aquinas Academy. The School Advisory Board shall support and evaluate the implementation of these policies. The committee's By-Laws are approved by the Parish Council.

Two members from each of the cluster parishes will be selected through discernment by their respective Parish Councils. One member will then be selected to serve as the Parish Council liaison to the School Advisory Board.

g) Stewardship

Description: The Stewardship Committee is responsible for the ongoing stewardship educational efforts of the parish. Members of the committee are faith-filled individuals committed to building a community of prayer and hospitality which welcomes and affirms all gifts. This committee works closely with other standing committees to ensure stewardship efforts are consistent and fulfill the parish mission. Developing programs for welcoming new parishioners, designing creative tools which invite all parishioners, including children to share their time, talent and treasure, producing quality reports that communicate the generosity of the parish community and the accountable use of the parish resources are areas of focus for the Stewardship Committee.

Responsibilities:

1. Understands and promotes the biblical concept of stewardship to all parishioners and parish groups.

2. Oversees the efforts of stewardship education in the parish including the annual commitment or recommitment of parishioner's gifts.

3. Recruits Individuals and/or Couples to share their personal testimonies about Stewardship through Lay Witnessing.

4. Prepare a Time and Talent List or Catalog of Parish Committee/Ministries and be responsible for keeping the list or catalog current.

5. Ensure that all who come forth to offer their gifts are contacted, recorded and thanked.

6. Develop a welcoming program that helps hew parishioners feel embraced by the parish, provides materials that highlight parish life and invites participation by all.

7. Educate parishioners about stewardship through various parish communication vehicles and publications, i.e. bulletin, parish/school newsletters, monthly statements, brochures, and general intercessions.

8. Collaboration with Prayer and Worship to incorporate Stewardship opportunities in homilies and reflections that may take place during Mass.

9. Conduct a parish census.

10. Evaluate the Stewardship educational effort and awareness on an annual basis.

11. Produces comprehensive reports that reflect the generosity of the parish community.

12. Provide in-service and continuing education opportunities for your Stewardship Committee.

13. Oversees the implementation of various stewardship efforts, which may include home visits, phone-a-thons, capital campaigns, planned giving, ministry fairs, annual stewardship days, and small group prayer opportunities.

Section 3: All committees are accountable to the Council. The principle of subsidiary shall prevail in the committee structure so that decisions are made on the most appropriate level. Each committee will meet regularly. Committee chairpersons will meet with the Council as the need arises.

Section 4: Membership of standing committees shall be established and approved by the Council. There will be one-year renewable membership. Members who become uninterested or inactive will be replaced by the chairperson or committee with the approval of the Council.

Section 5: The chairperson of each committee shall be chosen by the committee members for competence, leadership ability and knowledge of the committee's area of ministry.

Section 6: Each standing committee shall have a liaison to the Council. Such liaison shall be appointed by the Council chairperson with the approval of the Council and shall serve a term of one year.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

The By-Laws may be amended by the Council by a vote of two-thirds of all members of the Council at two successive regular meetings on the Council.

By-Laws Adopted May 1988

By-Laws amended February 2005

By-Laws amended December 2006