|
|
Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines Eparchy of Edmonton
I. INTRODUCTION II. Characteristics III. RESOURCES
I. INTRODUCTIONThe origin of the Parish Pastoral Council is in the same spirit as that of the Eparchial Pastoral Council, or simply Council, which stems primarily from the wish of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, who stated in their decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church:
Following the Second Vatican Council, the Congregation for Bishops issued a Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, which called for the establishment of Parish Pastoral Councils like that of the Eparchial Pastoral Councils:
The creation of the Parish Pastoral Council is intended to give concrete expression to the principle enunciated in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church that all members of the faithful, by reason of their baptism, have a part to play in the threefold mission of the Church, namely, to teach, to govern and to sanctify, each in accord with his or her respective role (cf. Lumen gentium, no. 33). This new body within the eparchial structure is meant to give substance to the understanding of the shared responsibility of the people of God and to be representative of the local Church. The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches – promulgated in 1990 by Pope John Paul II to provide for the canonical discipline of the Eastern Catholic Churches – incorporates the conciliar directive into the general law of the Church and implements it canonically:
The canon, in effect, determines that the Parish Pastoral Council, like that of the Eparchial Pastoral Council is designed to study and to deliberate on pastoral matters and make practical suggestions for the benefit of the local parish, in particular, and for the Church, in general. The Parish Pastoral Council, in accordance with the teaching of the Church, is a consultative body. It collaborates with the Pastor, who is entrusted by the Bishop with the care of the parish. While the Pastor has the primary canonical and legal responsibility for both the spiritual and material care of the parish and its members, the Parish Pastoral Council is called and established to collaborate with the Pastor in carrying out the mission of the Church church. Through the Parish Pastoral Council’s insights, expertise, and prudent advice, it assists the Pastor to identify, implement and evaluate pastoral initiatives, parish policies and decisions which are best suited to spreading the Gospel. It assists the Pastor in coordinating and unifying the parish, and concerns itself with overall parish pastoral development and goal setting. In its booklet “The Parish Pastoral Council,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the nature of Parish Pastoral Councils as follows:
The booklet goes on to say:
Therefore, the primary purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to reflect, plan, animate and act in support of the mission of the parish community. As its name implies the Parish Pastoral Council is to focus on “pastoral” concerns. The Second Vatican Council placed pastoral at the heart of apostolic succession, designating that the pastoral function includes teaching, governing and sanctifying (cf. Lumen gentium, no. 22). Pastoral then is concerned with the fulfillment of the Church’s mission in the world, with the care of the people of God, and with the call to conversion to those who have not yet heard the gospel. In effect, a pastoral focus entails consideration of what it is to be Church in the world. The pastoral activity of the Church is aimed at all groups of persons, overlooking no sector or class of those who are to be evangelized or catechized. It requires the cooperation and coordination of all apostolic labourers, namely, laity, religious and clergy. It calls for a concerted effort in all sectors of the apostolate: liturgical, catechetical, missionary, charitable, social, cultural, family and educational so that all the resources of the apostolate in an orderly fashion are brought together in a corporate activity that aims at promoting the well-being and advantage of the whole Eparchy. Consequently, the Council is to occupy itself with and reflect on all those things which pertain to the Church’s life and ministry, which include:
4.Pastoral Reflection As a group constituted to undertake an ongoing reflection on the pastoral direction of the parish, the Parish Pastoral Council is to examine and study all matters relative to pastoral activity, weighing them carefully and proposing practical steps to be taken. They are to do so in order that whatever affects the needs of persons to be served by the parish may be realized. By its study and reflection, the Council is to provide the judgments necessary to enable the parish to plan its pastoral program systematically and to fulfill it effectively. In pursuing its pastoral mandate, the Council is to consider the life and activity of the people of God, that is, to research the needs, the ideas, the hopes of the faithful, their actions and their accomplishments. It is to do so in consultation with persons, offices and commissions which specialize in the area under consideration. The Council is to develop and recommend pastoral plans and direction through a careful process of inquiry and research, prayerful deliberation, mutual dialogue and shared wisdom, aiming at a common vision intended to benefit and build up the parish, and to promote the spread of the gospel. In occupying itself with the multiple areas of the Church’s pastoral activity, it is the task of the Council to cooperate in the ministry of governance by offering the Pastor and the parish the service of counsel flowing from the lived faith experience of the people of God in the local Church, which it represents. Thus it is proper to the Council, in keeping with its particular character, to:
II. Characteristics The Parish Pastoral Council:
Each baptized parish member shares in the responsibility for the mission of the parish. The responsibility of the Council is to develop and support the mission of the parish community. The Parish Pastoral Council is most effective when:
Basic Requirements to Serve on Parish Pastoral Council: A person who is:
Representation:
Responsibilities: Reflection – Parish Pastoral Council members should enter into a process of renewal through:
Planning – Each year the prime responsibility of the Parish Pastoral Council is to plan for the spiritual growth and direction to be taken by the parish community. Steps in the process could include:
Coordination of:
Animation of required parish projects. Ensuring that projects are carried out by the appropriate committee rather than Parish Pastoral Council completing all the work itself. Evaluation of the progress of Parish Pastoral Council and its projects. Parishes provide for a gathering of the people of God who in turn are called to share in the mission of Jesus Christ, that is:
Parishes have the mission to call forth disciples of Christ and to bring Christ's reconciling healing and saving presence to the specific needs and concerns of the Church and the world today. Ministries are established formally and informally reflecting the needs, priorities and resources of the parish.
Leadership is crucial for the success of the various ministries and has been defined as a commitment to enable others to see the dream more clearly and to somehow make it happen. Leadership has also been defined as a quality that provides vision and direction, deals with concepts, exercises faith, seeks to be effective, is an influence for good, and thrives on opportunity. Parish Pastoral Council members must develop and train themselves in the leadership skills necessary to perpetuate God's work. A variety of leadership styles exist in the community on a continuum from Authoritarian, where the leader makes all the decisions to Democratic, where the leader works with other members to make decisions. Depending on the individuals involved and the task to be accomplished anyone of a variety of styles on the continuum could be effective. Accountability and Stewardship The Parish Pastoral Council empowers the entire parish community to fulfill its mission. It accomplishes this through reflection, discernment, planning, coordinating, animating, action and evaluation. The Council is accountable to the Pastor and the parish which it serves. Stewardship is the taking on of responsibility for what is not owned. This is an appropriate role for the Parish Pastoral Council. As the steward’s role combines decisiveness with accountability and is understood to be “guest authority.” The ultimate authority and leadership for the church is exercised by Christ. The Council participates in that authority and leadership in as much as the members remain trustworthy, wise and faithful stewards. The three guiding principles of accountability and stewardship are:
In the Parish Pastoral Council by-laws, the executive members for the Council are identified with their respective terms of office, the manner in which they were selected for the position, and their responsibilities. Some basic responsibilities include the following, to which the parish may add: Pastor
Chair
Vice-Chair
Secretary
Finance Committee Chairperson
Committees are the major working mechanism of the Parish Pastoral Council. The committees’ effectiveness depends on how the Council carries out its primary responsibilities. These responsibilities are:
The parish is accountable to the Bishop. The Parish Pastoral Councils and the Regional Pastoral Councils serve as connecting links between the Eparchy and the parish, communicating and supporting the policies and programs of the Eparchy to the people of God. The mission statement and goals of a parish should reflect the mission statement and the goals of the Eparchy of Edmonton. Types of Committees Committees are of three basic types:
While in some parishes many of the responsibilities of the Parish Pastoral Council are carried out by the members of the Council itself, the following are examples of possible committees which may be of assistance to the parish . These are simply examples and need not all exist in every parish.
Committee Tasks
Committee Membership
Recruitment and Selection
Organization and Operation
Types of Committees and their Responsibilities Executive Committee Liturgy Committee Religious Education Committee Social Justice Committee Youth Committee Seniors Committee Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee Vocations Committee Family Life/Social Committee Finance Committee Property Management and Maintenance Committee Personnel Committee Nominating Committee By-law Committee Chapters/Councils of National/International Organizations
The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches mandates a parish finance committee in each parish (canon 295), which has as its primary function to help the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish. The parish finance committee is governed by canon law, Eparchial statutes and guidelines, and civil law. The pastor represents the parish in all its juridic affairs, both church and civil (canon 290, §1). 1. Nature of the Parish Finance Committee Consultative – This committee is a consultative body of people who are skilled in financial administration. While the committee need not administer directly the day to day finances of the parish, it assists the Pastor who represents the parish in its financial and church affairs. Advisory – While the committee is advisory in nature, its input must not be ignored nor should it be isolated from the Parish Pastoral Council, pastoral ministers or parish personnel. It is to work in collaboration with the Council in planning and administering the financial aspects of parish life. Administrative and Planning – The committee’s role is financial and administrative planning and related consultation. The role of the committee is distinct and separate from that of the Parish Pastoral Council, whose role is one of spiritual development, communication, goal-setting and planning. Collaborate Liaison – A collaborative liaison between the Parish Pastoral Council and parish finance committee must be developed, for example, where the chairperson and one other member of the Parish Finance Committee are members of the Parish Pastoral Council. 2. Membership The Parish Finance Committee should consist of:
Parish staff may report to the parish finance committee on occasion, but should not be committee members as conflict of interest may arise. The members of the committee are to be elected at a general parish meeting and/or are to be appointed by the Pastor, keeping in mind the need for financial and administrative experience. The committee members are to serve for 1-5 years as determined by the needs and resources of the parish. A process of rotation, replacement, re-appointments, and re-election is to be determined by the parish. The committee members are bound to fulfill their duties in the name of the Church and in accord with the norm of law. Since such duties are to be carried out in the Church’s name, they can be considered to be a form of apostolate. As an apostolate, those who share in these duties share by virtue of their baptism in the Church’s royal mission, the mission of serving. The members should have an attitude that may differ from that of persons entrusted with the administration of secular temporal goods. Their purpose is not primarily to make a profit but is to provide resources for the pursuit of the Church’s proper ends, such as the ordering of divine worship, providing decent support for the clergy and pastoral workers, and performing apostolic and charitable works, especially toward the needy. Thus the temptation to evaluate a situation simply by looking at a balance sheet is to be avoided. At all times, the members are to carry out their responsibilities with an attitude of stewardship, maintaining the Church’s trustworthiness and credibility. 3. Responsibilities
4. General Norms The Parish Finance Committee:
5. Meetings Meetings are necessary and may be conducted in a variety of styles. These include:
All who attend meetings invest personal time, effort and talent. It is important therefore, to use every opportunity to inform, influence and inspire those in attendance. Some basic suggestions for meetings:
Meeting dates should be set several months in advance.
Cooperatively planned meetings provide for shared responsibility, include agenda items of general interest, and create a collective ownership in achieving group results
Maintaining a prayerful climate at the opening and the close, with periodic reflection throughout the meeting encourages members to renew, sustain, and increase an ongoing awareness of the faith and mission that brings them together as a Parish Pastoral Council.
A carefully planned agenda, including prayer, allows everyone to examine all aspects of a meeting and prepare for each item. Agendas should be kept brief to avoid long meetings.
Copies of the agenda, previous meeting minutes or summaries, materials to be discussed, background information, data analysis, and committee reports should be made available prior to the meeting.
The group should agree on working norms, processes and procedures prior to regular meetings or series of related meetings.
Advise those reporting to briefly present the issue, note the need for action and then respond to questions. A brief written report will assist in this process.
An open time near the end of the planned agenda allows for "other" emerging interests and for individual concerns from Parish Pastoral Council members.
Once members hear the issue, lead them toward closure using all the available resources. Monitor the quantity and the quality of input. Satisfaction flows naturally from accomplishment.
The chairperson has the responsibility of keeping to the agenda items.
Provide a comfortable meeting area - check meeting room for ventilation, temperature and lighting. Ensure that all members can hear what is being said.
An indication of interest in the business of a meeting is discussion that includes everyone. Be sensitive to members who indicate a desire to become involved and actively invite feedback.
Frequently restate an issue being discussed. Seek and provide interpretation and clarification of all positions and invite feedback.
Clarity assists listeners in understanding the message and reduces the need for clarification, revision and repetition.
A record includes details about what actions and motions were taken, by whom, when, and the relevant circumstances. A copy of the minutes should be given to each Council member and should be kept on file for viewing by interested parishioners.
Eliminate those practices and procedures that no longer serve a meaningful purpose.
Informal evaluation of meetings by participants helps identify and sharpen elements that improve the quality of meetings.
At year end each committee should submit a one-page report. The report should summarize the activities of the year and provide direction for the upcoming year. These reports could form an Annual Report to the Parish. Types of Meetings Each Parish Pastoral Council should plan the types of meetings best suited to its purpose. Some suggestions are:
These sessions usually take a minimum of one full day each year. Many Councils plan a whole weekend to complete both these sessions.
Regular meetings are usually scheduled monthly for a two-three hour period. Councils should include a spiritual dimension along with the regular business of the meeting. Community-building events such as liturgies, mini-retreats. potluck suppers, and barbeques are important to Parish Pastoral Council development.
Regular committee meetings are essential to the effectiveness of the Council and the parish. Committees need adequate time to thoroughly study their respective areas of responsibility and then make recommendations to Parish Pastoral Council based on their study. Committees should meet once a month or as needed.
In addition to regular written reports to the parish community the Parish Pastoral Council is to schedule a general meeting of the parish community. At this meeting: a report of the Council’s activities is given, including that of its various committees; the annual financial statements and budget are presented for approval; and elections are held for any positions whose term has expired. The Council then elicits from the parish community recommendations for goals, objectives and activities for the upcoming year. Meeting Agenda A thoughtfully prepared agenda is essential. As a general rule a copy of the agenda should be in the hands of all Council members well in advance of the meeting to allow for thought and reflection on the matters to be discussed. The following is a suggested agenda format. The format should reflect the particular need of the style and kind of meeting to be held. Style
Kind
Agenda
Annual General Meeting of the Parish The Annual General Meeting of the parish should be held within two months after the end of the parish fiscal year, which allows time for:
At least two weeks written notification, published consecutively in the parish bulletin, of the date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting must be given to the faithful of the parish. The agenda for the Annual General Meetings should include:
Decision Making The Parish Pastoral Council may employ a variety of decision making procedures including deferring a decision to the Pastor via a recommendation. Decisions have two major aspects:
The best decision may or may not be the one which is most acceptable. Decisions can be made in several ways, most being effective within the proper context. The following are some different kinds of decisions and the advantages and disadvantages of each kind 1. Executive Decision An individual (e.g. Pastor) or a body (e.g. executive committee) has the responsibility to make the final decision. Consultation with other individuals and/or groups may be employed to varying degrees. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
2. Majority Vote Parish Pastoral Council may vote on an issue accepting the decision of either a simple majority (over 50%) or a 2/3 majority. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
3. Minority Decision A minority decides for all. In contrast to executive decisions, this type of decision is often viewed negatively, and is considered “railroading.” People who should have been included in the process have either been bypassed or not given sufficient time and information to be involved in the decision. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
4. Parish Consultation For decisions which will affect the whole parish (e.g. Divine Liturgy time changes). The Parish Pastoral Council may choose to survey the parish at large, or allow each parishioner to vote. The Council should make it clear regarding what is being asked of the parishioners. For example, do you want their opinion on the matter or do you want them to make a decision for action. All parishioners should be given sufficient opportunity to review the issue and to prepare to vote. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
5. Consensus Decision Making Parish Pastoral Council should not search for consensus unless:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
“In coming to consensus, individuals do not agree for the sake of agreeing, for such commitment would be short lived. They agree because they truly see something of value in another's position or at least in part of another's view.” (Kiting, Charles, Leadership Book, revised, New York, NY, Paulist Press. 1982, pg. 68 “Group consensus means that every participant can buy into (live with) the decision; it does not mean that everyone believes the solution is the best, but that everyone is satisfied.” (Doily, Michael and Straus, David, How to Make Meetings Work, Jove Publications. 1986, p. 244) Consensus decision making is best used in goal setting and problem solving situations where multiple factors come into play and several solutions or options are possible. For example, in a goal setting situation prioritizing a list of needs or formulating a series of objectives provides the opportunity for consensus decision making. People are encouraged to voice concerns, point out objections and shortcomings with the result being a clearer statement. Consensus decision making can be a long process depending on the issue. One of the greatest obstacles to consensus and a source of frustration is attempting to reach a decision prematurely. Either not enough information is available to make a decision or not enough options have been generated. Consensus decision making is not the same as compromise. “Compromise implies that you are giving up something you believe is important.” How to Make Meetings Work, p. 245. Consensus focuses on the process of decision making rather than the final results. It looks for solutions that will incorporate the important values held and will overcome any serious reservations. 6. Expert Decision Making - e.g. roof of church is faulty and needs repair. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Problem Solving Decision Making Model 1. Identify problem and state it clearly - e.g. - Approximately 25% of our congregation arrives late or leaves early for Sunday Divine Liturgy. 2. Gather Information - Consider all choices, causes and solutions. When did this start? What have other churches experienced? 3. Evaluate choices , causes and solutions - List all the factors that affect the issue. List as many solutions and alternatives as possible in order to find a solution that will be acceptable to all. Evaluate in light of advantages and disadvantages, practicality, church norms, present policy, cost etc. 4. Silent Prayer - Take a few minutes to listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 5. Make a decision , choose one solution - Using the consensus process, choose one solution and make a decision. 6. Accept responsibility for decision and plan for implementation - It should be clear what action will be taken, who will take the action and by what date, and how a report or evaluation will be presented. 7. Evaluate decision - Evaluate the decision and the effectiveness of the plan of action. Often the evaluation will indicate further issues to be dealt with by means of the same process. Evaluation can occur at a later specified date. e.g. after 6 months, after 1 year etc. Problem Solving in Decision Making Problem solving, like goal setting, should follow a process in order to be effective. Consider the process as follows:
Conflict Management “I appeal to you brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) Conflict management is a particular problem solving method that focuses on the internal dynamics within the group. Conflict can be reconciled by using the same decision making process described on the previous page. Conflict will not be reconciled unless all parties concerned are willing to listen to each other and work toward a common resolution. A sufficient amount of time must be given to allow all sides to state the problem as clearly and accurately as possible. After listening to the statements made, it may be helpful to have those holding opposing views restate the perception held by the other side. In this way each side better understands and appreciates the other. Some Helpful Suggestions in Managing Conflict Remember that:
Thank the person for listening and for expressing his or her views. 6. Relationships The Parish Pastoral Council’s understanding and support of the relationship of the parish church to the Eparchy of Edmonton is vitally important as the parish is accountable to the Bishop. The Parish Pastoral Council is the link between the Eparchy and the parish in communicating, supporting and implementing the ministries, programs and policies of the Eparchy. The mission statement and goals of a parish should reflect those of the Eparchy. Parishes make a vital contribution to the life and mission of the people of God in the Eparchy of Edmonton. Parish Pastoral Council’s Relationship with the Eparchy Eparchial Pastoral Council (EPC)
Deaneries Regional Pastoral Council (RPC) Whereas the deanery often times includes a large number of parishes and covers vast geographical territories, it is desirable that Regional Pastoral Councils be established in a given deanery.
“Leaders are stewards of God’s purposes and resources in human lives and history. Too easily we act as if we were the owners. Too easily we try to play God. We do not work miracles for God. He does them for us.” (Richard Kriegbaum) 1.Training and Formation Parish Pastoral Council members have an obligation to acquire the background and skills necessary for their task. Orientation and Training is essential for all incoming Council members. Every member needs to know what is involved in the Council membership so that their contribution to the Council makes use of all their gifts and talents. Parish Pastoral Committees should be trained by the Parish Pastoral Council as to their mandate, roles and responsibilities thus empowering the committee. The Eparchy of Edmonton is prepared to assist in the formation and support for all Parish Pastoral Council members. The following two workshops, offered by teams trained volunteer facilitators, are available on request: Parish Pastoral Council Workshop (full day) Enriching Our Parish Pastoral Council Ministry Workshop (full day) The parish consists of a community of people who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, live the Good News, celebrate and pray together. Parish leadership relies on prayer. Thus, members of the Parish Pastoral Council must have a deep concern for the spiritual renewal of the parish community. This involves developing a personal prayer life as well as community prayer. The following are a few suggestions for liturgical celebrations and prayers which can be used by the Parish Pastoral Council. Rite of Commissioning of the New Parish Pastoral Council General Intercessions During the Divine Liturgy, the following petitions may be added:
Presentation of the Candidates After the Ambon Prayer, that is, after “Blessed be the name of the Lord,” the Pastor invites the members of the Parish Pastoral Council to come forward and to stand facing the parishioners. The Pastor then reads the names of the Council members and their positions (chair, vice- chair, secretary, etc.). The Pastor then addresses the entire parish:
The Pastor addresses and questions the Parish Pastoral Council.
Each member of the Parish Pastoral Council responds:
The Pastor addresses the entire parish:
Prayer of Blessing
The Pastor may present the members of the Parish Pastoral Council a copy of the Bible, the Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines, or some other symbol of their work.
The Pastor concludes the Divine Liturgy. Scripture Readings Old Testament Numbers 11: 25-29 Wisdom 6: 12-16 Isaiah 61: 1-3a, 6a, 8b-9 New Testament Acts 2: 42-47 Romans 12: 4-8 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 Ephesians 4: 1-6 Philippians 2: 1-11 Gospel Matthew 5: 1-12 Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20 John 14: 23-29 John 15: 1-8 The following prayers for the Parish Pastoral Council and parish community are taken from: A Book of Blessings by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (Concacan, Ottawa, 1981). Prayer for our Parish Community
Prayer for our Parish Community
The following prayers are taken from: Prayers for the Servants of God by Edward Hays (Forest of Peace Books, Easton, KS, 1980). Prayer before a Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Prayer before a Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Prayer before a Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Prayer before a Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Prayer before a Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
3 . Parish Mission Statements General Canon law defines a parish as “a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis in the eparchy, whose pastoral care is committed to a pastor” (canon 279), where a pastor is defined as “a presbyter to whom the care of souls in a given parish is committed as to its own shepherd; he is the foremost collaborator of the eparchial bishop in the parish under the authority of the same eparchial bishop” (canon 281, §1). A parish is a community called together by God which chooses to be together because of the common universal mission of the Church to:
Keeping in mind the universal mission of the Church, the mission statement of the Eparchy of Edmonton, and an understanding of what a parish is, each parish is called upon to develop its own unique mission statement. The Mission Statement of a parish calls the members of the Parish Pastoral Council to reflect on the spiritual union of Christ and his people, the parish, before tackling earthly concerns. The Mission Statement:
Elements of a Mission Statement According to Forester and Sweetser in Transforming the Parish (1993), to accomplish it's mission the parish must:
A Mission Statement:
The Mission Statement enables the parish to establish priorities, to make policies and to use resources in such a fashion that reflects the challenge of the Mission Statement. To preserve the integrity of the mission, the planning process must be grounded in faith which will allow Parish Pastoral Council members to discern the will of the Holy Spirit for the parish. Developing a Mission Statement
Guiding Questions for Feedback on Key Elements of the Mission Statement
Using the Mission Statement The Mission Statement:
Sample Mission Statements Please note: These samples are supplied to clarify how succinct and embracing a mission statement could be and should not be used as a preferred model. Content in a succinct statement is the key as the statements although powerful are not as important in themselves as the experience of the process used in their development. As Councils change and the parish grows, it is wise to review the mission statement every year to ensure that it remains fresh and vital to the people and under the scope of the Eparchy of Edmonton mission statement. Sample 1 “We exist to serve the Lord, His Church and - Parish Community equitably through prayer, consultation, ministry and evangelization to invigorate and challenge the Laity in their daily lives, to build the Kingdom of God and transform the world.” Sample 2 “It is the mission of this parish to fully live the gospel message as a Christian Community.” Sample 3 “We, the people of God, united and motivated by the Holy Spirit, desire to praise God in our everyday lives by dedicating ourselves to share our faith and our talents in service to one another: thus, our search for ways in which to grow in Christian living will be fulfilled.” Sample 4 “We, the people of God, recognize that we are God's people in the family of Christ, and that we have as our mission to live by truth and love; to be open to the needs of all; to teach by example; and thereby strengthen the community of faith.” Sample 5 “We, God's family in _____ parish, inspired and strengthened by Christ's death and resurrection accept our vocation to follow Him and let His light shine through us to the world.” Pastoral Planning “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18). Pastoral Council planning for the parish:
Vision is characterized by:
Goal Statement - A clear statement of direction or activity as related to a major area of concern. Objective - A statement of what is to be done, for whom, when, how and at what cost in achieving the stated goal. Planning is:
Pastoral Planning Considerations :
Setting Goals and Objectives Goal setting:
John Haggai in Lead On! (pp. 39-40) lists four common fears of goal setting:
Few people employ goal setting in their own lives and so feel uneasy about the process. Goals must therefore be realistic and attainable. They must be reviewed regularly for relevance and progress achieved towards attainment. William Rademacher in The New Practical Guide for Parish Councils says there are seven main characteristics of a goal statement.
Goals should be written using action words such as: to know, to understand, to establish, to coordinate, to believe, to celebrate, to transform, to assure, etc. “Vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs” Vance Havner. Objectives outline the specific actions to be done or strategies to follow in order to accomplish the Parish Pastoral Council goals in terms of how, when, who, what, for whom and at what cost. Objectives must:
Objectives should be written using action words such as:
Sample Goal – To foster an understanding of the power of prayer in the everyday life of the parish community. Sample Objective – To foster prayer, the Liturgy Committee will organize a three day Parish Mission on the topic of Prayer, to be held during Great Lent 2006, featuring a guest homilist, at a total cost of no more than $500.00. “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” John Wanamaker Today, I will challenge myself and others to pursue our goals one step at a time. 4. By-Laws in General The parish itself is both a civil corporation under the laws of Alberta and a juridic person, ecclesiastical corporation, under the laws of the Church. That which has been acquired by gift, bequest, devise, donation, or any other means becomes the property of that parish, in turn the Eparchy, and title or right no longer resides with any person other than the parish, nor does any other person hold a reversion in that property. The Pastor is charged by canon law to manage the temporal goods of the parish. Thus, the Parish Pastoral Council, in its collaborative role with the Pastor, operates using by-laws which:
Components of the Parish Pastoral Council By-laws NAME AND ADDRESS of the Parish PREAMBLE - This section expresses the basic identity, nature and motivation of the parish. MISSION - The preamble should conclude with the mission statement of the parish, which is developed in the light of the mission statement of the Eparchy of Edmonton, namely: “To lead people into an ever-closer communion with the Trinity by together living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching and spirituality of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.” NATURE AND FUNCTION - This section states the role of the Parish Pastoral Council, what it may do on behalf of the parishioners it represents, what kind of decisions it may make on behalf of the parish, and the limits of its powers. This section should convey the concept that the Council is a consultative body, which collaborates with the Pastor in carrying out the mission of the Church. Through its insights, expertise and prudent advice, it identifies, implements and evaluates pastoral initiatives, parish policies and decisions which are best suited to spreading the Gospel. It coordinates and unifies the parish, and as such is responsible for overall parish pastoral development and goal setting. The Pastor, for his part, has the primary canonical and statuary civil responsibility for the spiritual and temporal ministry and care of the people under his jurisdiction. The Pastor is directly responsible to the Bishop, the faith community and the civil authorities. MEMBERSHIP This section describes the membership of the Parish Pastoral Council in terms of: Eligibility - a practicing member of the parish, willing and able to share responsibility for the parish community Size - Generally Councils range in size from 10-20 members in larger parishes and 5-10 in smaller parishes. Councils of 20 members or more have difficulty fostering full participation that allows good discussion and good representation with a variety of views expressed. Ex officio members - must include all priests, deacons and religious assigned to pastoral ministry in the parish. Persons Representing Ministries – The Parish Pastoral Council can benefit from the presence of those persons who carry on in the name of the parish certain ministries, for example, liturgy and religious education. Lay Members – The parish and the Parish Pastoral Council has the responsibility of discerning the talents and gifts required to lead the faith community at any given time and to present candidates through a nominating committee for election at a parish general meeting. Organizations - Representative of parish organizations and independent organizations within the parish, such as the UCYC, UCWLC, UCBC and K of C may also be members. OFFICERS The Pastor, duly appointed by the Bishop, is the Chairman. The Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Finance Committee Chairperson are usually elected. Standing committees should be elected but may be appointed. Standing committees, sub-committees and ad hoc committees should select their own chairperson and secretary. The Parish Pastoral Council Executive should include the Pastor, Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Finance Committee Chairperson and possibly some standing committee chairpersons like the Parish Property Committee Chairperson. COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES Each parish has its unique needs. The operating structure and committee work should reflect this and seek to meet the mission and needs of the entire parish and the larger faith community of the Eparchy and the Universal Church. MEETINGS Council meetings should take place monthly with the likely exception of July and August. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or by the Executive with notification given in at least one parish bulletin. The annual general meeting should take place within two months of the parish fiscal year end with a time, date and place announced at least in two parish Sunday bulletins. Written annual committee reports, including a Finance Committee report, budget, minutes of the last general meeting and an agenda should be made available in advance. While most decisions are made by majority vote, such decisions should be made in light of the Gospel, minority views, listening to the needs and desires of the parishioners and striving for consensus. COMMISSIONING AND FORMATION OF MEMEBRS The Parish Pastoral Council should be commissioned at a Sunday Divine Liturgy in the presence of the parishioners on whose behalf they serve. New members should be familiarized with the by-laws in order to be able to better understand their role on Council. Workshops offered by the Eparchy can assist in formation of both new and experienced Council members. APPROVAL OF BY-LAW AND AMENDMENTS There should be a set procedure for making changes to both the Parish mission statement and by-laws. A committee should review them annually by seeking possible amendments from the committees, organizations and parishioners in general, suggesting amendments for discussion at a Parish Pastoral Council meeting and then as an amendment at a general meeting. Usually a two-thirds majority is required for an amendment to be adopted. By-laws and amended by-laws should be signed and dated by the Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council Chair. By-laws and revisions must be approved and dated by the Bishop in writing. The parish office should be responsible to maintain an up to date version of the parish mission statement and parish by-laws in a binder and on its website, where applicable. The by-laws should be available to all parishioners. Changes could be published in the parish bulletin. “Work as if all depends on you. Pray as if all depends on God” (St. Ignatius Loyola). Parishes are to develop their by-law based on the Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines prepared by the Eparchy of Edmonton. The following sample may be used as a template, adapted to each particular parish and its specific needs. THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF [parish name] BY-LAW Preamble We, parishioners, incorporated into Christ through baptism, are constituted the people of God. As such, we are called, each according to his or her own condition, to participate in the teaching, sanctifying and shepherding ministry of Christ, and to exercise the mission which God has entrusted to the Church to fulfill in the world. The mission of our parish is understood in the light of the mission statement of the Eparchy of Edmonton, which is: “To lead people into an ever-closer communion with the Trinity by together living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching and spirituality of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.” Together with our Pastor, we recognize the authority of the Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, and we exercise our ministry in accordance with canon law; Eparchial statutes, custom, and the Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines; and the Ukrainian Catholic Parishes Incorporation Act. Article 1 – Parish Mission Statement 1.1 The mission statement of the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of [parish name] is: (refer to Section III. 3. Parish Mission Statements). Article 2 – Nature and Function 2.1 The Parish Pastoral Council, hereafter referred to as “Council,” is a representative body of the parishioners in this parish, whose purpose is to promote the mission of the Church. 2.2 The Council is the main coordinating and unifying body of the parish and is responsible for overall parish pastoral development, formulating policies and procedures, and developing goals and objectives for presentation at the Annual General Meeting, and reviewing their implementation regularly. 2.3 The Council, in accordance with the teaching of the Church, shall have a consultative voice. It shall work in close collaboration with the Pastor, who is entrusted by the Bishop with the pastoral care of the faithful of the parish, and who represents the parish both in canon law and civil law. Through its insights, expertise and prudent advice, the Council will help the Pastor identify, implement and evaluate those pastoral initiatives which are best suited to spreading the Gospel. 2.4 The Council fulfills its responsibility by perceiving a particular pastoral need, studying it with prayer and dialogue, and proposing to the Pastor and the parish a way to respond to that need. 2.5 The Council may employ a variety of decision making procedures, including deferring a decision via a recommendation. These include executive decision, majority vote, minority decision, parish consultation, consensus decision making, and expert decision making. 2.6 Where the parish is civilly incorporated, The Ukrainian Catholic Parishes Incorporation Act permits the Parish Pastoral Council to decide questions at meetings by a majority vote, keeping in mind that the Pastor, duly appointed by the Bishop, is the head of the parish. Where a meeting is held in the absence of the Pastor, decisions made are subject to his approval. Article 3 – Membership 3.1 The Council shall consist of a minimum of 10 members and a maximum of 20 members (OR smaller parishes shall consist of 5 to 10 members), in order to be more effective and less unwieldy. 3.2 All priests, deacons and religious assigned to the parish are ex officio members. 3.3 Lay Council members must be a member of the parish, willing and able to share responsibility for the parish community. 3.4 One person representing the different areas of pastoral ministry in the parish (for example, liturgy, religious education, vocations, ecumenism, youth, finance committee, maintenance) may be selected/nominated to the Council. 3.5 Organizations within the parish which are councils/chapters of a parent organization, for example, UCYC, UCWLC, UCBC and K of C, may each have one representative on the Council, with voting rights. 3.6 The Pastor may appoint up to five additional members up to the maximum number of Council members. 3.7 The period of membership shall be for a one-year term. 3.8 A member may be removed from the Council if it is deemed by the Executive that for a serious reason that member is not able to fulfill the obligations of Council member. 3.9 Any member failing to attend three consecutive meetings without reasonable explanation shall be deemed to have resigned. 3.10 A member who resigns from the Council shall do so in writing. 3.11 Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Council for the duration of the term. Article 4 – Officers and Executive 4.1 The Chairman of the Council shall be the Pastor duly appointed by the Bishop. 4.2 The Officers of the Parish, who form the Council Executive are the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Finance Committee Chairperson, all of whom are elected annually at the parish Annual General Meeting for a one-year term. They shall hold the same position for not more than three consecutive terms; however, they shall be eligible for re-election after an absence of one year or more. Article 5 – Committees and Sub-Committees 5.1 The Council may establish committees and sub-committees to advise it on matters of special pastoral concern. Other people because of their particular expertise and competence may be included in these committees and sub-committees. 5.2 Each committee shall elect from its members a chairperson and a secretary. 5.3 Standing and ad hoc committees shall report to the Council through the chairperson. Sub-committees shall report to their respective committee. Article 6 – Meetings 6.1 The Council shall hold monthly regular meetings with the possible exception of July and August. All meetings shall be called by the Pastor or in his absence, and with his consent, by the Chair. Where a meeting is held in the absence of the Pastor, all decisions are subject to his approval. 6.2 Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or in his absence, and with his consent, by the Chair. At least forty-eight hours notice of special meetings shall be given to all members. Only those matters pertaining to the stated purpose of the special meeting may be discussed. 6.3 An Annual General Meeting of the parish must be held within two months of the fiscal period year-end. Written notification shall be given to the parishioners by being printed in the parish bulletin for at least two consecutive Sundays prior to the meeting. 6.4 For all meetings, the Chair prepares the agenda in consultation with the Pastor. The agenda shall include matters pertaining to the mission of the Church. 6.5 Because of the unique nature of the Council, a short period of each meeting shall be given over to prayer and reflection on an appropriate passage from the Sacred Scriptures. 6.6 A quorum shall consist of one-third of the Council membership. 6.7 The Pastor shall not vote at meetings; however, in the case of a tie, he shall have a casting vote. 6.8 Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings unless determined otherwise. 6.9 All meetings shall be held in open session, except for in camera sessions. Parishioners shall be permitted to attend, but have no voice no vote. 6.10 The agenda of the Parish Pastoral Council meetings shall include:
6.11 The agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall include:
Article 7 – Commissioning and Formation of Members 7.1 Council members shall be commissioned during a Sunday Divine Liturgy in the presence of the parishioners whom they represent. 7.2 New Council members shall receive training and formation in their role and responsibilities shortly after their election/appointment. They shall be provided with a copy of the Council By-Law and other pertinent documentation related to Eparchial and parish policies and procedures. 7.3 The Council shall arrange for its entire membership an annual day of reflection on the nature and the mission of the Church. Article 8 – Approval of By-law and Amendments 8.1 The by-law shall not be amended, repealed or rescinded except by by-law adopted by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at a parish annual general meeting or a special meeting duly called for that purpose. 8.2 The by-law shall be reviewed annually. 8.3 All proposed amendments to the by-law shall be presented to the Parish Pastoral Council not less than thirty days prior to the meeting at which such amendments are to be considered and shall be published in the parish bulletin together with the notice of call of such meeting. 8.4 No such by-law shall have any force or effect, nor shall any committee have any powers until approved in writing by the Bishop. 8.5 The approved by-law is to be made available to the parish members, including being posted on the parish website, where one exists. Article 9 – Reference to General Norms 9.1 With regard to any matters not treated in the present by-law, the norms of canon law and civil law shall be applied. The By-Law was approved at a meeting of the members of the parish on the ____ day in the month of __________________ in the year . ________________________ ________________________
The By-Law was approved by the Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton on the ____ day in the month of __________________ in the year . _______________________ The Christian faithful are subject, in addition to the laws of the Church, also to the laws of the civil society. Thus, the Church recognizes civil law, especially in regards to what is to be observed concerning the civil effects of marriage and the administration of church property and goods, where such civil laws are not contrary to divine law or canon law provides otherwise. In this light, the Parish Pastoral Council is encouraged to take advantage of civil law especially where the protection of church rights and property are concerned. Refer to “An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Parishes of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the Province of Alberta.” Those parishes of the Eparchy of Edmonton that are civilly incorporated under “An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Parishes of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the Province of Alberta” are to keep in mind the various norms contained therein. For easy reference, a copy of the Act follows. 1956 – Chapter 73 An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Parishes of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the Province of Alberta Preamble WHEREAS The Ukrainian Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Western Canada, a corporation incorporated by chapter 191 of the Statutes of Canada, 1913 , as amended by chapter 83 of the Statutes of Canada, 1951 , has by its petition prayed that an Act be passed by the Legislature of Alberta to provide hereinafter set forth with regard to the property, rights, and powers of the parishes and missions of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada in Canada within the Province as hereinafter mentioned; AND WHEREAS it is expedient to grant the prayer of the petition; THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advise and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1 This Act may be cited as “The Ukrainian Catholic Parishes Act”. Definitions 2 In this Act,
3 (1) The members of any parish, at a meeting called as hereinafter provided, may, by a clear majority of the votes of the members present at the meeting and entitled to vote, pass a resolution constituting the members of the parish and their successors a body politic and corporate under the name: “The Ukrainian Catholic Parish of ……………”, or “The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish of ……………”, or “The Greek Catholic Parish of ……………” (giving the distinguishing name of the parish). 3 (2) A copy of the resolution accompanied by a certificate of consent in writing under the hand of the bishop of the Church in Alberta and sealed with the seal of The Ukrainian Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Western Canada, and stating that the members of the parish are members of the Catholic Church of Ukrainian Rite in Canada in communion with the Holy See of Rome, and that the parish is a parish of that Church, shall, within six months after the date of the meeting, be filed in the office of the Provincial Secretary 3 (3) A copy of the resolution, so filed, certified by the Provincial Secretary, shall be received in all cases as prima facie proof of the facts and matters therein stated. 3 (4) Fourteen days' notice shall be given of any meeting called for the purposes referred to in subsection (1) and the notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality in which the parish is situated. 3 (5) A corporation may be operated in such a manner as to be self-sustaining financially, but shall not be operated for the purpose of being, or so as to be, a source of revenue to members or parishes or to the Church. Spiritual guidance 3 (6) A corporation under this Act shall be under the jurisdiction of the bishop of the Church in Alberta and his successors in office of the same faith and rite, appointed by the Holy Father, the Pope and preserving in communion with the Holy See of Rome. Board of Trustees, financial board and organizations 4 (1) Every corporation shall have:
4 (2) The trustees shall be elected annually for a period of one year by the members present at the meeting and entitled to vote but the trustees may be re-elected. 4 (3) Members of the financial board may also be members of the board of trustees. Parochial organizations 4 (4) No parochial organization may be legitimately organized within the parish without the formal approval of the rector. 5 (1) All meetings of the members of a corporation shall be called by the rector or in his absence, and with his consent, by the board of trustees. Approval of priest 5 (2) Where a meeting is held in the absence of the rector all decisions shall be made subject to his approval. 5 (3) All questions at meetings shall be decided by a majority vote. 5 (4) In case of a tie vote, the rector shall have a casting vote. Consent of Rector 5 (5) No orders, by-laws, decisions and regulations of any parochial organization shall have any force or effect until the consent of the rector has been obtained. Signing cheques 5 (6) Cheques issued by a corporation shall be signed by the rector and one of the members of the board of trustees, or where there is no resident rector, by two members of the board of trustees. Seals, registers and minutes 5 (7) Parochial seals, registers, documents and minutes of the board of trustees, Church committees and religious organizations should be kept in the parish rectory, and possible, in a fireproof safe. 5 (8) Each corporation shall submit detailed annual financial statements to the bishop of the Church in Alberta, and shall open its financial books for inspection to a duly appointed representative of the Ukrainian Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Western Canada. 6 Every corporation may, with the written approval of the bishop of the Church, purchase, acquire, take, have, hold, receive, possess, retain, and enjoy, property, real or personal, corporeal or incorporeal, necessary for its purposes or any estate or interest therein. 7 Every corporation may, with the approval of the bishop of the Church, sell, convey, exchange, alienate, mortgage, lease, or demise, any real or personal property held by the corporation whether by way of investment for the uses and purposes of the corporation or not. 8 (1) Every corporation may make by-laws, not contrary to law, for:
8 (2) No such by-law shall have any force or effect, nor shall any committee have any powers, until the approval thereof in writing of the bishop of the Church in Alberta has been obtained. 9 (1) Every corporation may, for the purposes of the corporation:
9 (2) Every such note or bill made, drawn, accepted or endorsed by the corporation signed by the bishop of the Church in Alberta, or by some other person nominated for the purpose by the bishop of the Church in Alberta, shall be binding upon the corporation, and shall be presumed to have been made, drawn, accepted and endorsed with proper authority until the contrary is shown, and it is not necessary in any case to have the seal of the corporation affixed to any such note or bill. Requirements for execution of documents 10 Any deed, transfer, mortgage, charge, or other instrument relating to, or dealing with, real estate or any interest therein vested in any corporation, shall be deemed to be duly executed and binding upon the corporation, and shall be sufficient for the purposes for which it is intended, if there are affixed thereto the seal of the corporation attested by the chairman and secretary of the board of trustees and the seal of The Ukrainian Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Manitoba attested by the bishop of the church. 11 Every corporation shall, when thereunto required by the member of the Executive Council charged with the administration of The Corporations Act , make a full return of its property, real and personal, and of its receipts and expenditures for such period, and with such details and other information, as the said member requires. 12 No member of any corporation shall be individually responsible for any of the debts, contracts, or liabilities of the corporation. 13 A corporation formed under this Act shall be governed by such general by-laws as may be made, altered, or amended, by the bishop of the church in Manitoba. Change of names of parishes formerly incorporated 14 Every parish or mission of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in the Province of Manitoba that, before April 18, 1953, became a body corporate under An Act to incorporate the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parishes and Missions in the Province of Manitoba , being chapter 127 of the Statutes of Manitoba, 1913 , and amendments thereto, is continued as a body corporate under this Act; and this Act applies to that body corporate; and the name of each of those parishes or missions is hereby changed by substituting the words "Ukrainian Catholic Parish (or Mission)" for the words "Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parish (or Mission)" where those words appear in the name; and the titles to all properties now standing in the name of any such parish or mission shall be amended by substituting the word "Ukrainian" for the words "Ruthenian Greek" in those titles. S. M. 1991-92, c. 41, s. 41. NOTE: This Act replaces S. M. 1953 (2nd sess.), c. 81. Accountability - A process by which persons are held responsible and evaluated with regard to ministerial activity within the church. Administrator of a Parish - A priest who is not the Pastor but is appointed by the Bishop to lead in the pastoral care of a parish. He is not Pastor for one or more canonical reasons, for example, he might not be incardinated into the Archdiocese. Administrative Decisions - Resolution of those issues concerned with the day to day operation of the parish, its programs and ministries. These are the responsibility of the Pastor or the person designated by him to a particular area. Eparchial Pastoral Council - A consultative body to the Bishop regarding the pastoral needs of the local Church. Canon Law - Law enacted and promulgated by the Pope for the orderly pastoral administration and government of the Church. The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches was promulgated in 1990 by Pope John Paul II and consists of 1546 canons. Collaboration - Working together in a joint effort. Collegial - Quality of authority or responsibility shared among colleagues for the common good. Committee - A group of persons chosen to consider, investigate, report or implement recommendations. Standing committee - A committee which remains in place for an extended period of time. Subcommittees - A group formed to provide or respond to a specific need or service. Ad hoc committee – A committee established for a specific purpose or a special activity which usually disbands when its purpose is accomplished. Consensus - A means of arriving at a decision characterized by general agreement or accord, rather than by vote, and resulting in a decision that all members of the Council can accept and support. Consultation - A process whereby the one with responsibility for the parish, that is, the Pastor, seeks advice from or reflects with a consultative body such as the Parish Pastoral Council in matters pertaining to the pastoral life of the parish. Consultative Body - A group who prays and studies about an issue and is able to express an informed, educated opinion. Co-responsibility - That process by which a decision is made in such a way that those affected by it have a share in its formulation. Deanery or Protopresbyterate - A special grouping of neighbouring parishes in order to foster pastoral care through common action. Discernment - The process of studying an issue through prayerful reflection, research, discussion, interaction and deliberation. Eparchy - “An eparchy is a portion of the people of God that is entrusted to a bishop to shepherd, with the cooperation of the presbyters, in such a way that, adhering to its Pastor and gathered by him through the gospel and the Eucharist in the Holy Spirit, it constitutes a particular Church in which the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ truly exists and is operative” (canon 177, §1). Evaluation - The act of assessing positive and negative results of a plan, goal or action. Forum - A gathering of parishioners for the purpose of obtaining information regarding pastoral needs, issues, and concerns which are to be addressed by the Parish Pastoral Council. Function - The normal or characteristic action of anything. The three functions of a Pastoral Council are: 1. Spiritual Formation; 2. Pastoral Planning; and 3. Communication. Goal Statement - A clear statement of direction or activity as related to a major area of concern. Guideline - A statement of procedure which clarifies how the norms are to be applied and observed. Incardinated - Assigned to and responsible to a particular bishop and eparchy or to the Superior of a Religious Congregation/Order. K of C - Knights of Columbus Laity - Those members of the Christian faithful who are not clerics (not ordained as sacred ministers) or religious. Lumen gentium - Latin title of a major document issued by the Second Vatican Council. Translated as “Christ is the light of all nations” and referred to as the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, it delineates the meaning of Church in its structures, people and mission. Ministry – Christian faithful who are consecrated to God in their own special manner and serve the salvific mission of the Church. Mission Statement - A concise statement of the group’s purpose and reason for existence. It helps the group to identity itself and set vision and goals. It responds to the questions, “Who are we?”, “What do we value?” and “What do we seek to become?” Norm - A rule of action or standard of conduct that must or should be followed. Objective - A statement of what is to be done, for whom, when, how and at what cost in achieving the stated goal. Parish – “A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis in the eparchy , whose pastoral care in entrusted to a pastor ” (canon 279). Parishes are generally territorial, embracing all of the faithful in a certain area of the Eparchy. Parish Finance Council - A council which aids the Pastor in the administration of parish goods. Canon 295 requires all parishes to have a finance council according to the norms of the eparchial bishop and the particular law of a given Eastern Catholic Church. The council possesses consultative vote. The finance council does not set parish priorities. Parish Pastoral Council - A council which assists the Pastor in discerning how the parish can best carry out the mission of the Church. The pastoral council is regulated by the universal, common and particular law of the Church as well as by norms issued by the Bishop. The council possesses consultative vote. It is mandated for every parish in the Eparchy of Edmonton. Participative - Sharing in, taking part in. Participative Leadership - The capacity to influence the thinking of others in a given situation toward a certain goal or objective in such a way that all take ownership for both the process and its outcome. Trustees - referred to in the “Ukrainian Catholic Parish Incorporation Act” as the priest and the elected members of the Council and the Finance Committee. UCBC - Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada UCYC - Ukrainian Catholic Youth of Canada UCWLC - Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada Archdiocese of Edmonton ,Together in Ministry: Manual to Assist Parish Pastoral Councils in the Their Formation, 2 nd edition, Archdiocese of Edmonton, Edmonton, 1999. Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops , Catechism of the Catholic Church, Concacan, Ottawa, 1994. Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops , Parish Pastoral Council: Guidelines for the Development of Constitutions, Concacan, Ottawa, 1984. Dalton, W., “Parish Councils or Parish Pastoral Councils,” in Studia canonica, 22 (1988), pp. 169-185. Eparchy of New West minster, Parish Constitution, Eparchy of New Westminster, New Westminster, BC, 1999. Eparchy of Saskatoon , Eparchial Pastoral Council Statutes, Eparchy of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK, 2001. John Paul II, Codex canonum Ecclesiarum orientalium, Rome, Typis polyglottis Vaticanis, 1990. Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Latin-English edition, New English translation, prepared under the auspices of the Canon Law Society of America, Washington, 2001. Huels, J. M., The Pastoral Companion: A Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry, revised, Franciscan Press, Quincy, Illinois, 1995, especially chapter xvi on “Parish Administration,” pp. 355-374. Tanner, N., ed., Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, 2 vols., London, Sheed and Ward, and Washington, DC, Georgetown University Press, 1990. |
| Top | Home | About Us | News | Parishes | Resources | Eparchial Bodies | Contact Us | Search | Links |
