FOUNDATION

Every member of St. Catherine of Siena by baptism, shares in the threefold role of Christ: priesthood, prophecy, and leadership. Therefore all are responsible for the ministry of the Church and the ongoing ministry of Christ. We believe that we ÷ pastor, staff, and council ÷ are called together to form one body that facilitates the ministry of all.

ROLE OF PASTOR

The pastor is the proper shepherd of the parish entrusted to him. He is the spiritual head of the parish and truly represents the invisible Lord. It is his duty to unite the individual faithful in a community founded in and for Christ. He is prepared sacramentally for this ministry by ordination.

The pastor bears a unique responsibility for the total parish ministry, carrying out for his community the duties of teaching, sanctifying and governing, with the cooperation of other priests, or deacons, and the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful. The pastor represents the parish in all juridical matters and is charged to administer the goods of the parish according to the laws of the universal church.

In carrying out his responsibility for the total parish ministry, the pastor does so less and less as the one and only minister, and increasingly as the presider over the ministry of the people and as sharer with the people in that ministry.

ROLE OF THE COUNCIL

The pastoral council, which consists of the pastor as presider, representative members of the parish, and staff, form one body in fulfilling the church's ministry. The relationship of the lay members of the council and pastor is based on the concept of shared responsibility and co-responsible leadership, which implies more than an advisory role. In addition, it implies that the lay members of the council have a duty to take on appropriate ministerial responsibilities.

The specific and particular ministerial role of the council should be viewed in the light of the theological meaning of "shared responsibility": that God's truth comes not only through the leaders but also through the people. The council and pastor together reflect and discern what needs to be changed or developed in the parish to make it more faithful to what God is calling it to be.

INTERACTION OF PASTOR AND PASTORAL COUNCIL IN DECISION MAKING

Integral to each stage of parish decision-making is the collaboration of the pastor and the pastoral council. After prayerful study and open discussion, the pastoral council affirms and endorses policy decisions regarding the welfare of the whole faith community. The pastor is accountable to the Bishop whom he represents, and the people of God whom he serves. Therefore, the pastor must ratify the recommendations of the pastoral council before they can be implemented. The pastor and staff ensure adherence to diocesan directives and promote implementation of local policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PASTORAL COUNCIL

The specific responsibilities of the pastoral council are to implement St. Catherine of Siena's mission statement, to further the parish plan, and to discern and address additional parish needs.

PROMISE

I, Michael Mahler, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, as presider of the pastoral council, commit myself to support the lay members of the council in their duties and responsibilities.

We, as members of the pastoral council of St. Catherine of Siena, promise to support the pastor in his duties and responsibilities.

We, as members of the pastoral council of St. Catherine of Siena pledge to build an ever stronger parish family, by empowering the parish community, by discerning the gifts and needs of our parish, and by responding to them so that the people of St. Catherine's may contribute to and take ownership of the life of the parish.

Motivated by the message of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will work to be a people of prayer, reflection, and action to serve the needs of our faith community. This is the pledge we make in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

SIZE OF COUNCIL: The Pastoral Council shall consist of 10 lay people, the pastor, 2-3 staff, and 2 youth representatives.

REPRESENTATIVENESS: Every effort shall be made for reasonable representation on the council of the diversity included in our parish. Council members should be confirmed and over 18 years of age, with the exception of the two youth members.

QUALITIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS:
* a desire for personal and communal spiritual growth
* a willingness to listen to and work with others, as well as to study and reflect an excitement about    the Parish and the Church
* a willingness to share responsibilities with others
* a commitment to work through necessary and sometimes difficult decisions
* an enthusiasm to formulate and implement goals for our Parish

SELECTION: Parishioners may nominate themselves or other parishioners for positions on the council. Two members of the same household may not serve on council at the same time. New council members will be selected as current members complete their terms or as openings occur.

Announcements shall be made at three consecutive weekend liturgies soliciting new council members. After review by a committee of the Pastor and the leaving members to ensure representativeness, names will be drawn by lottery until all vacancies are filled.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: All council members are expected to attend meetings regularly, to participate actively, and attend the annual retreat.

TERMS OF OFFICE: Each council member shall serve one 3 year term, with the option for two one-year renewals. A lottery will be used to select from among the council members who wish to renew. Youth members will be selected for one year terms.

LEADERS: Each year two chairpersons will be chosen, one serving for the first 6 months, the other for the second 6 months. In the case of the designated chairperson being unable to attend a council meeting the other chairperson will chair the meeting. Secretary shall serve for one year. A prayer leader will be selected at each meeting for the next meeting.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall consist of the two chairpersons, the secretary, and the prayer leader from the most recent meeting. The Executive Committee meets at the pastor's discretion, usually only during the summer months. The primary function of the Executive Committee is to act on behalf of the Pastoral Council when it is unable to meet in a timely manner.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Two members of the council, selected by the pastor, will be available to meet at the Pastor's discretion for consultation on confidential personnel matters.

FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS: The Pastoral Council shall meet twice a month from September through June.

STYLE OF MEETING: The Pastoral Council meetings shall be run on the consensus format.

MEETING FORMAT: Meetings will start at 7:15pm beginning with prayer and personal sharing of concerns. Time shall be made available at each meeting for parishioners who may wish to address the council. This shall be after the prayer and sharing of concerns. To keep meetings manageable, anyone interested in speaking should contact the chairperson at least one week in advance of the meeting in order to be included on the agenda. All meetings are open to parishioners as observers.

COMMUNICATION: The Council shall report once each month in the Parish Bulletin. Monthly pulpit reports by council members shall be given to the parish. The minutes of each council meeting shall be posted on the bulletin board in the Church, and a permanent record of the minutes maintained in the parish office by the secretary. Preparation of the bulletin announcement, posting in the Church, and transmittal to the secretary are the responsibility of the chairpersons.

Review Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes                

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