The Council is a body based on shared ministry that assists the Parish Priest in co-ordinating the overall policy of the parish in order to carry out the mission of Christ in the Church. It is a consultative body of leaders within the limits of the doctrine, liturgy and laws of the Church.
Any queries: please contact the office 01702 292726
1. OBJECT
The Council is a body based on shared ministry that assists the Parish Priest in co-ordinating the overall policy of the parish in order to carry out the mission of Christ in the Church. It is a consultative body of leaders within the limits of the doctrine, liturgy and laws of the Church.
PREAMBLE
The Pope asks all of us to listen more to each other, to be more open and prayerful, to have a mutual respect for one another, supporting each other in our community. With this in mind we have moved to a more ‘’open approach’ to all that goes on in the parish. We give an ‘open invitation’ to all parishioners to attend all pastoral parish council meetings and to provide greater representation on the council.
Permanent PPC members will include: Our Parish Priest, Parish Secretary, The MC, The Steward of the Gospel, Our Parish school Headteacher, A Youth Representative, The Chairs of; Finance, 669, Justice & Peace, plus others co-opted by the Parish priest who are actively involved in running parish activities. There will also be 3 elected members, voted on by you the parishioners.
We hope that this ’Open Forum’ style Council will encourage greater involvement by all of you in our parish community and cover all aspects of parish life. Our aim will be to unify and support our community and its future needs.
2. CHARACTERISTICS
The essential characteristics of the Council will be as follows: -
(a) A parish council is faithful. Its members are to be true to the ideals of Christ not only for the benefit of their own spirituality but also for the growth and enhancement of Christ's teaching within the community.
(b) A parish council is pastoral. It strives to identify those matters and issues, which bear on pastoral activities affecting the lives of parishioners. It formulates, on behalf of the parish, practical conclusions regarding such matters. The Council, in consultation with the parish priest will decide what specific actions or programmes the parish should adopt in meeting its mission of assisting parishioners through their spiritual and moral development.
(c) A parish council must be representative. A council is a representative body rather than a body of representatives. A council member is not the representative for a particular section of the parish, but ministers to the entire parish community. Thus the Council represents all areas of parish life.
(d) A parish council is sensitive. All members must participate in formulating policy for the parish. This will require them to be aware of the needs and aspirations of the parishioners and of the entire community.
(e) A parish council is outreaching. It must strive to meet some of the larger issues within the Church and the world. It must seek to be a credible example of concern for justice, peace and reconciliation, bearing witness to Christ's teaching.
(f) A parish council is perceptive. It must take account of the unique talents of every parishioner. These talents are to be shared and organised for the development of the parish and the wider community. It seeks to enable parishioners to discover and develop their talents.
(g) A parish council is collaborative. As part of the diocese and deanery, the parish seeks to collaborate with other parishes to carry out the mission of the Church. The members of the parish council are responsible for leading the parish in sharing experiences with other parishes and the community at large.
(h) A parish council listens. It has a mutual respect for suggestions, adopting a synodal approach.
(i) A parish council is open and inclusive. All parishioners are invited to attend its main meetings and the AGM.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) The Council shall consist in the first instance of the clergy of the parish, three appointed, three elected members and eight permanent co-opted members – consisting of; the Head Teacher of St George’s School, the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Parish Treasurer, the Parish Steward of the Gospel, the Parish MC, the parish administrative secretary, the Youth Leader and a co-opted young person, appointed annually by the parish priest. Also two co-opted Working Group Chairs; ‘669’(social events/fundraising) and the chair of ‘Justice and Peace’(social action) and a permanent ‘Liturgical’ Working Group chaired by the MC (pp appointed).
(b) Every lay member shall be a Catholic normally over the age of sixteen years and shall be ordinarily residing within the parish or regularly attending services in the Churches.
(c) Elected and appointed members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years.
(d) Every elected and appointed member shall be eligible to be re-elected or reappointed for two consecutive full terms of office.
(e) Upon a member other than a co-opted member dying, or resigning in writing to the Parish Priest, a successor shall in the case of an appointed member be appointed by the Parish Priest, and in the case of an elected member be appointed by the Council.
(f) The Council may at any time co-opt an additional member/s but so that the number of such co-opted members shall not at any time exceed three.
4. OFFICERS
(a) The Parish Priest shall be President of the Council. He or his representative shall attend all Council meetings.
(b) After an election of members of the Council, the lay members shall appoint a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson annually from among themselves.
(c) Any member without due cause who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without good reason, will be deemed to have resigned.
(d) The Council shall have a secretary who shall be a lay member or suitable person appointed by the Parish Priest.
5. MEETINGS
(a) The Council shall meet at least three times a year, plus hold an annual AGM.
(b) It will be the duty of the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council to convene a meeting of the Council, notice shall be given by written announcements posted in the parish newsletter.
(c) The President and/or the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and any two members may convene an emergency meeting by giving the other members at least 7 days’ notice of such meeting.
(d) The quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be six members.
(e) The Chairperson, or in their absence the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside at meetings of the Council; but if neither shall be present at a meeting, the members present shall appoint one of their number to preside at such a meeting.
(f) Any parishioner may attend meetings.
(g) Business transacted at a meeting of the Council shall be decided by a simple majority of members present.
(h) The Secretary shall keep minutes of the business transacted by the Council, which shall include a record of all appointments, resolutions and other formal acts of the Council. The signature of the person presiding at the next meeting shall authenticate the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council. The minutes shall be displayed in the porches at St. George's and St. Gregory's.
(i) Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the Council shall regulate its own proceedings.
6. COMMITTEES/ GROUPS
Whenever the Council shall think fit, it may appoint from its members or other suitable persons, working groups to undertake particular business and may delegate to such a committee any of the functions of the Council but so that all acts of such a committee shall be reported to the Council and considered by it. All working committees/groups are expected to submit a short written report of their progress prior to each main meeting.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(a) Yearly, at about November/December, an Annual General Meeting shall be held:-
To receive and consider a report from the Parish Pastoral Council together with any proposal for the amendment of this Constitution;
To receive and consider the parish accounts,
To deal with such parish matters as submitted to the Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Council to convene the Annual General Meeting and to give at least 14 days’ notice thereof by written announcement posted in the newsletter, and by other such means as may be practicable.
(c) All persons ordinarily residing within the parish or regularly attending services in the Parish shall be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting and to take part in its business.
(d) The Parish Priest, or in his absence such person as he shall name for the purpose, shall preside at the Annual General Meeting.
8. REPORT
The Council shall prepare and submit to each Annual General Meeting a short report, in writing of its activities since the previous such Meeting and a copy of such report shall be posted in the porch at St George's and St Gregory's.
9. AMENDMENT
This constitution may be amended by a proposal at the AGM put forward by anyone referred to in 7 (c), and must be supported by not less than 20 signatories (eligible as under 7(c)). The proposal and any amendments will be voted upon at the AGM, and a two-thirds majority will be required. Any proposal needs to be tabled at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting to the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for amendments to be adopted.
10. FUNCTIONS
The following are the functions of the Council.
(a) To nurture the faith of the parish.
(b) To provide leadership and direction for the parish enabling all parishioners to share responsibility for parish life.
(c) To engage families and individuals in parish planning and overall policies for the parish pastoral mission and ministry.
(d) To serve as a permanent, but flexible structure, for dialogue and cooperation between clergy and laity.
(e) To ensure through its committee structure a continuous and integrated survey of the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish, wider community and diocese. Further, to set priorities and programmes to meet these needs.
(f) To co-ordinate parish activities with the Deanery and Diocesan Pastoral Councils.
(g) To identify, support, and encourage the gifts and talents of all parishioners.
(h) To be stewards of the community.
(i) To prepare and develop the parish in accordance with the mission of the Church.
Revised: November 2023
The Church wishes every Parish to have a Finance Committee to assist the Parish Priest to look after all financial aspects of parish life. It also ensures that Parish assets are kept in good order. In our Parish, a small group with financial expertise work hard on our behalf, keeping our Finances in order.
The committe members at present are:
Paul Schofield (Chair) Phone: 01702 292726
Peter Casey (Treasurer) Phone: 01702 292726
Anthony & Caroline (Gift Aid) Phone: 01702 292726
As directed in the constitution, the council consists of: Parish Priest(1), Elected(3), Parish Priest Appointees(3), Parish Treasurer, Head Teacher of St Georges School, Chair of Finance Committee, 'Steward of the Gospel' Representative, Co-opted Members (currently 3)
Fr Brett Adams - Parish Priest, Elected: Dianne Alexander, Chris McPhillips, Vacancy, PP appointed: David Andrew, Frank McEvoy, Michael Chambers, Youth Representative – Amira Charter, Permanent Posts: Lucille Shute - 'Steward of the Gospel', Paul Schofield - Chair of Finance, Annabelle Delgado - HT St George’s School, Sharon Chambers - Parish Administrator, Peter Casey - Parish Treasurer, Parish MC – Shawn Clark, Chair of Justice & Peace – Brian Fitzgerald, Chair of Social Committee – Suzanne Halvey, Co-opted Val McEvoy - Secretary
The Parish 'Three Hundred Club' provides an entertaining way to enhance Parish Funds. It is open to all, not only parishioners. Shares cost £6.00 and shareholders stand an even chance of winning a prize. Everyone is eligible and new members are always very welcome. The Club's Record book is always signed, to authenticate all banking.
Gift Aid provides an opportunity for tax paying Parishioners to increase our contributions to the church, supporting the income of our Parish. On all Offertory and second collections given in the form of GIFT AID, the Parish reclaims income tax already paid by the donor on earnings (PAYE), savings and investments. Gift Aid donors must be, and remain, tax payers. Jim Filmer, our Gift Aid Organiser, is eager to welcome everyone wishing to join the scheme.
The Parish AGM usually takes place yearly in November. This is an open forum for parishioners, who can ask questions and make suggestions. A short report of the last years work of the PPC is presented and a summary of the budgeted finances for the parish discussed.