Estatutos del Consejo Pastoral

 

BYLAWS

of

THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

of

ST. LUKE the EVANGELIST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

PALM HARBOR, FL.

March 1, 2007

 

The Pastoral Council provides consultation to the Pastor in formulating and communicating the parish mission and fostering Pastoral activity. The Council does not serve as a Board of Directors or a legislative body. Focused on mission and not management, the Council is an invaluable resource to the Pastor and to the parish

 

ARTICLE I

 

Section 1 – Purpose of the Pastoral Council

 

This council is established for the following purposes:

 

(a) To be an advisory and consultative body to the Pastor.

 

(b) To provide channels of communication and cooperation among the clergy, religious, laity and among themselves.

 

(c) To support the pastoral work of the parish in its sanctifying, charitable, social, educational, financial and other roles.

 

(d) To assess the needs of the parish and community, and with approval of the Pastor, to develop programs aimed at fulfilling those needs.

 

Section 2 – Authority

 

(a) This Council makes recommendation to the Pastor. These recommendations must be consistent with the teachings and laws of the church.

 

(b) The Pastor participates in Council discussions and provides the Council with information that may be helpful in making recommendations. The Pastor may choose to incorporate, modify, or nullify any recommendations made by the Council

 

(c)The Pastor is the authority who makes the final decisions concerning the parish and likewise any changes in these By-laws.

 

ARTICLE II – MEMBERS OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

 

Section 1 – Number of members

 

(a) The Pastoral Council shall consist of no more than 7 appointed members excluding the Pastor.

 

(b) The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of the Pastoral Council.

 

Section 2 – Qualification for Members

 

Members of the Pastoral Council must be registered supporting members of the parish, who are fully initiated, practicing Catholics and have been members of the parish for at least one year. All members will be appointed by the Pastor and consent to serve, if appointed.

 

Section 3 – Term of Office of Members

 

The terms of office of the members shall be as follows:

 

(a) Council Members following their appointment shall serve a three year term which begins January 1

 

(b) No member shall serve more than six years.

 

(c) The terms shall be staggered as determined by the Pastor

 

(d) Any member may be removed by the Pastor at his discretion.

 

Section 4 – Vacancies

 

(a) In the event that a vacancy occurs on the Pastoral Council, that vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Pastor.

 

(b) In such a situation the appointee shall serve the remaining term of the member whom the appointee is replacing.

   

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

 

Section 1 – Number of Appointed Officers

 

The officers of the Pastoral Council shall be a Chairperson and a Secretary. Officers will be appointed by the Pastor from among the members of the Council at the first meeting of the Council of the new calendar year. The Chairperson shall have served at least one year as a member of the Pastoral Council.

 

Section 2 – Term of Office

 

The officers shall serve for a term of one year, unless extended at the request of the Pastor.

 

Section 3 – Vacancies

 

Should a vacancy occur in any of the offices set forth above, such vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the Pastor at or prior to the next meeting after the vacancy occurs.

 

Section 4 – Confidentiality

 

The pastor may deem certain business of the Pastoral Council to be held in confidence.  All written communications of the Council must be approved by the Pastor.

 

Section 5 – Duties of Officers

 

The duties of the officers shall be as set forth below.

 

(a) The Chairperson shall chair each meeting and perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of Chair.

.

(b) The Secretary shall keep the record of the Pastoral Council. The record will include, but not be limited, to attendance of members at meetings, mailing of Council meeting notices, recording and preserving meeting minutes, and mailing meeting agendas, along with a copy of meeting minutes. The above shall be provided in a timely manner. The Secretary will also perform other duties pertaining to this office.

   

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS OF MEMBERS OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

   

Section 1 – Regular Meetings

 

Regular meetings of the Pastoral Council shall be held four times each year, at such times and places as determined by the Pastor. Any parishioner who feels they have business to present to the Council may request the opportunity to present that business to the Council by notifying the Chairperson at least two weeks before the regular scheduled meeting stating the nature of the business. With the approval of the Pastor and the Chairperson, such item and speaker may be placed on the Agenda for such meeting. The Pastoral Council may go into executive session, at which time the meeting would not be open to the public, to consider matters which are either sensitive or of a confidential nature.

 

Section 2 – Special Meetings

 

All requests for special meetings require the approval of the Pastor. Special meetings of the Pastoral Council may be requested by either the Pastor or the Chairperson, whenever deemed necessary, or on the request of a member of the pastoral Council, due notice having been given to all members of the Council. Due notice shall be considered to be at least two week prior to the special meeting date.

 

Section 3 – Quorum

 

The Pastoral Council will be legally assembled for the conduct of business when at least a quorum of the membership is present. A quorum of the Council shall be a simple majority of the Council. In the absence of a quorum the Council may meet at the discretion of the Pastor.

 

Section 4 – Order of Business

 

The order of business at meetings of the Pastoral Council shall be:

 

(a) Call to order

(b) Invocation

(c) Roll call of members

(d) Presentation by Invited Guests

(e) Approval f the minutes of the previous meeting

(f) Reading of communications and announcements

(g) Committee reports

(h) Old business

(i) New business

(j) Closing prayer

(k) Adjournment

 

Section 5 – Procedure

 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings, unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws. In the event of a conflict of interest, which shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Pastor or the Chairperson, a Council member shall refrain from voting on the matter under discussion.

 

At the discretion of the Pastor a facilitator may be invited to promote discussion among members of the Council.

 

ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES OF PASTORAL COUNCIL

 

Committees may be appointed by the Pastor as needed. Committee Chairpersons shall be chosen among the members of the Pastoral council by the Chairperson, with the approval of the Pastor. A Committee Chairperson, in turn, shall select such members of the Council or other members of the parish.

   

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all appointed members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been given to each member at least two weeks before such meeting. No amendment or addition to these bylaws shall be made which is not consistent with Cannon Law, and all such amendments or additions shall be approved by the Pastor. These bylaws may also be amended at any time, by the Pastor.