CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS of

The Pastoral Council of the Roman Catholic Community of
St. Peter's Church, Hammond,
St. Patrick's Church, Rossie
and St. John the Evangelist Church, Morristown


Prologue

There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different mysteries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone.

-from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (12: 4-6)


By divine institution Holy Church is ordered and governed with a wonderful diversity...In the Church not everyone marches along the same path, yet all are called to holiness and have reached an equal privilege of faith through the justice of God...The distinction which the Lord has made between sacred ministers and the rest of the People of God bears within it a certain union, since pastors and other faithful are bound to each other by mutual need...And so amid diversity all bear witness to the wonderful unity in the body of Christ. This very diversity of graces, ministries and works gathers the children of God into one, because "all these things are the work of one and the same Spirit." (1Corinthians 12: 11)

-from the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium 32


1. NAME

This body shall be known as The Pastoral Council of the Roman Catholic Community of St. Peter's Church, Hammond, St. Patrick's Church, Rossie and St. John the Evangelist Church, Morristown, of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, hereafter referred to as the Pastoral Council.

2. STATEMENT OF MISSION

The Pastoral Council, comprised of the pastor and members of our Catholic Community, shall provide:

A. Leadership and direction in formulating and carrying out the goals and objectives of the pastoral activity of the parish;
B. Assistance in developing a spiritual unity among the members of the parish by enhancing participation on the part of all the faithful;
C. Participation in identifying and organizing the pastoral activities by which our parish meets the specific needs of our people.
This mission will be carried out in fidelity to the teachings and the spirit of Jesus Christ, by whom the Church was established, in a consultative manner according to the norms of universal and particular law.
3. MEMBERSHIP

Non-Elected Members:
Pastor, Deacon and/or Religious and two (2) Trustees are ex-officio members of the Pastoral Council. The pastor will appoint two (2) trustees from the churches. Other members may also be appointed by the pastor.

Two (2) student representatives who are confirmed will be appointed by the pastor to represent the parish youth. The term will be for two (2) years.

Elected Members:
All parishioners of high school age and above are eligible to vote in the parish elections. Nine (9) members and one (1) alternate of the parish community are to be elected from the total membership of St. Peter's, St. Patrick's and St. John's, guaranteeing representation from all three worship sites. Membership on the Pastoral Council is open to all practicing Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Three (3) members shall be elected each year to serve a three-year term. A member may be elected for a second three-year term. After serving six (6) years, the person must be off the Pastoral Council for at least one (1) year before being eligible for re-election.

All members are expected to regularly attend Pastoral Council meetings. If unable to do so, the member should notify the pastor in advance of the meeting. If a member's circumstances change and he/she is unable to attend meetings on a regular basis, the member should notify the pastor and submit a letter of resignation. Because the work of the Pastoral Council requires the member's presence, a person who has missed more than three (3) unexcused meetings in a year may be asked to resign. The pastor shall appoint a new member to fill an unexpired term. Consultative voting should be done only among members of the Pastoral Council.

4. ELECTION OF MEMBERS

Nominations for Pastoral Council shall be conducted by ballot in April and reviewed by the Council. A list of six (6) names will be compiled from the top recipients of votes cast and will be placed on the ballot for the election, which will be held the third weekend in May. The individuals who receive the greatest number of votes will be elected, provided that all three worship sites are represented on the Pastoral Council. If not, the pastor will name one or more of the candidates on the ballot from the worship site not represented.

5. MEETINGS

Pastoral Council meetings normally shall be held six (6) times during the year, every other month, at 7:00 pm, at St. Peter’s Church in Hammond. Additional meetings may be called as the pastor deems necessary. Meetings may take place only if the pastor (or pastoral administrator) is present. Meetings will follow an established agenda. Meetings shall be open to all people of the parish.

In extraordinary circumstances, the Pastoral Council may enter into executive session during the meeting, in which only the Pastoral Council members may participate. Non-members may not participate or be present at these sessions.

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of voting members. A secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings.

6. OFFICERS

The pastor shall be the presiding officer of the Pastoral Council. The pastor does not vote. Unless a pastor has previously agreed to abide by the Pastoral Council's decision in a given matter, the pastor has the final decision on matters of the Pastoral Council.

A vice-chairperson is to be chosen from among Pastoral Council members. A secretary may be either a Pastoral Council member or another capable member of the parish.

7. COMMITTEES

The Pastoral Council may establish standing or ad hoc committees to assist on-going ministries or to meet other needs of the parish which may arise. Though without a vote, representatives of these committees are encouraged to attend Pastoral Council meetings.


8. BY-LAWS

By-law changes may be proposed and discussed at a Pastoral Council meeting and voted upon at a subsequent meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Pastoral Council members present, along with the approval of the pastor, is necessary to change the by-laws. All revisions shall be subject to the approval of the Bishop of Ogdensburg.


























COMMITTEES


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Religious Education Committee shall be concerned with the religious education of school age, on-school age and special education persons. Members of the Religious Education Committee are to be concerned with assisting the pastor in recruiting teachers, reviewing textbooks, development of curriculum and special education opportunities as well as other matters concerning religious education.

PASTORAL LIFE/EVANGELIZATION
The Pastoral Life/Evangelization Committee shall work to promote the strength and power of God's word in the lives of parish members. The role of this committee is to include updating the parish census, fostering home visitation, caring for the sick, bereavement and reaching out to those not practicing their Catholic faith.

LITURGY COMMITTEE
The Liturgy Committee shall be concerned with the liturgical environment and worship atmosphere so that worshippers may be able to experience an atmosphere in which to further develop their spiritual relationship with God. The role of this committee shall include liturgy planning, including working with musicians in selection of music, formation of and scheduling of lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers and greeters as well as providing other opportunities to enhance the spiritual life of the parish.

BUILDINGS and GROUNDS
The Buildings and Grounds Committee shall be involved with planning and the physical maintenance of parish property and worship sites.