Our Lady of the Rosary & Our Lady of Jasna Gora
PASTORAL PLANNING COUNCIL

By-Laws

Article I

The name shall be Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Jasna Gora Pastoral Planning Council - Otherwise referred to in this document as the PPC.

Article II

Mission Statement – General Purpose - Function

Section 1. PPC Mission Statement

Pastoral Planning Council calls the Church to collaborate in the mission of Jesus Christ. This ministry is a continuing process of listening, surfacing needs, and assessing resources, planning and implementing a faith-filled response within the parish community. General Principles Guiding the Formation of PPC (Appendix A)

Section 2. Diocese of Worcester Mission Statement (Appendix B)

Section 3. Parish Mission Statement (Appendix C)

Section 4. General Purpose

The purpose of the PPC is to foster full, active, and conscious participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the parish and of the Universal Church. The parish faith community participates in this mission by:

a) Worshipping God;

b) Creating and nurturing the Christian community;

c) Growing in faith and holiness;

d) Serving those in need.

Section 5. Function

The general function of the PPC is to advise the Pastor in matters related to parish life. It carries out its function by:

a) Informing the Pastor of the needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the whole parish and its members;

b) Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement (which will always contain the name Christ) and periodically re-evaluating and revising it;

c) Developing a parish pastoral plan;

d) Participating in ongoing pastoral planning;

e) Recommending policies, procedures and programs, which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan;

f) Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs;

g) Reflecting on Diocesan pastoral priorities and recommending how they can be implemented in the parish.

Article III

Membership

Section 1. Membership will consist of 12 members, equally represented by both parishes. Every PPC in its membership should be representative of the entire parish, recognizing and reflecting the parish’s rich diversity.

Section 2. The PPC may appoint “ex officio members” such as a deacon, a faith formation director etc., as they deem necessary.

Section 3. Membership requirements include: active participation in the life of the parish, registered parish member for at least one year, a commitment to the PPC mission and a positive and creative spirit.

Section 4. Terms of office shall be two years.

Article IV

Relationship with Parish Committees

Section 1. The PPC shall cooperate and coordinate with parish committees and parish organizations such as worship/spirituality, evangelization, education, parish life and human/social concerns, finance, etc.

Section 2. To encourage unity and integration and to foster a close working relationship among all parish groups, the PPC shall meet at least once a year with the leaders of parish committees and organizations; or at such times deemed necessary.

Article V

Relationship with Parish Finance Committee

Section 1. The Parish Finance Committee, mandated by the Code of Canon Law, is separate and distinct from the PPC. Communication between the two Councils is, however, essential.

Section 2. The Parish Finance Committee will share with the PPC information regarding the parish finances and temporalities on a regular basis. The Parish Finance Committee will assist the Pastor in implementing the pastoral plans suggested by the PPC by making fiscally responsible recommendations.

Article VI
PPC Organization

Section 1. At the first meeting of the whole council, a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary are elected. These officers, along with the Pastor, constitute the Executive Committee.

Section 2. With the exception of the Pastor, Executive Committee members shall serve a term of two years.

Section 3. In the event that the Pastor of a parish dies, resigns or is transferred, the PPC ceases to exist. It is the prerogative of a newly appointed Pastor to either confirm the membership of the former PPC or choose to have new members elected.

Article VII

Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

Section 1. The Pastor:

a) Assures that the scope of the Council's concerns reflects the entire mission of the parish and of the Universal Church;

b) Assists and creates among the members of the Council an atmosphere of trust and unity as a witness in strengthening and nurturing the parish faith community;

c) Approves the agenda after consulting with the Executive Committee;

d) Shares information, listens actively, and contributes to the discussion and promoting consensus;

e) Serves on the Executive Committee, which formulates the Council's agenda.

Section 2. The Chairperson shall:

a) Preside and direct the flow of meetings for PPC, using “Robert’s Rules” or any other means he/she deems necessary;

b) Serve on the Executive Committee, which formulates the Council's agenda.

Section 3. The Vice Chairperson shall:

a) Preside over PPC meetings in the absence of the Chairperson;

b) Assist the chairperson in conducting the Council's work;

c) Serve on the Executive Committee, which formulates the Council's agenda.

Section 4. The Secretary shall:

a) Record the minutes of the PPC and Executive Committee meetings;

b) Consult with the Executive Committee to prepare the agenda for the PPC meetings;

c) Make available the agenda and the minutes to all PPC Members;

d) Maintain attendance and other records;

e) Handle all Council correspondence;

f) Serve on the Executive Committee, which formulates the Council's agenda.

Article VIII

Meetings

The Pastor convenes PPC meetings at least six times a year. Extraordinary meetings can be held at the request of the Pastor. All meetings require a quorum of members consisting of the simple majority of members.

Article IX
Sub-Committees

Subcommittees will assist the PPC in creating a pastoral plan. They will include a minimum of one person from each parish. Specific sub-committees are to be determined by the PPC.

Article X
Rules of Order

The PPC shall conduct meetings in the manner that:

a) Promotes respect for members and their ideas;

b) Promotes and encourages maximum participation by members and others;

c) Promotes support of its decisions by encouraging consensus;

d) Allows appropriate time for discussion to encourage full expression of ideas and viewpoints.

Article XI
Amendments

Any of these bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a vote of two-thirds of the membership of the council present. Amendments become effective upon approval of the board.

Approved on Monday, October 23, 2006

Appendices

Appendix A. Principles Guiding the Formation of PPC
Appendix B. Mission Statement of the Diocese of Worcester
Appendix C. Mission Statement for Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Jasna Gora Parishes

Appendix A. Principles Guiding the Formation of PPC

Parish Pastoral Council is to foster full participation of the entire parish - clergy, religious, laity - in the pastoral life and mission of the parish and of the Universal Church. The following principles guide the formation of Parish Pastoral Councils:

Parish Pastoral Council is to develop a statement of purpose which reflects the identity and mission of the parish in light of the Gospel, Church teachings and the specific realities of the parish.
The Parish Pastoral Council is solely a consultative body with the role of advising and assisting the Pastor in areas of pastoral concerns.
The Parish Pastoral Council develops and recommends parish pastoral plans and directions through a consensus process and prayerful reflection.
Every Parish Pastoral Council in its membership should be representative of the entire parish, recognizing and reflecting the parish's rich diversity.
The Parish Pastoral Council is to cooperate with parish committees which address such areas of parish life as worship, spirituality, community, evangelization, education, and service.
It is the responsibility of the Pastor to convoke the Parish Pastoral Council, to preside over it, and to determine the issues to be treated by it or to receive proposals from its members.
In the event that the Pastor of a parish dies, resigns or is transferred, the Parish Pastoral Council ceases to exist. It is the prerogative of a newly appointed Pastor to either confirm the membership of the former Parish Pastoral Council or choose to have new members elected, with the exception of members who serve on this council ex officio and the members the Pastor is to appoint.
When a Parochial Administrator is appointed to a parish because of the incapacity or ill-health of the Pastor, or for some other cause, this Administrator will assume the rights and responsibilities of the Pastor in relation to the Parish Pastoral Council.

Appendix B. Mission Statement of the Diocese of Worcester

As individuals, families and parishes, our mission as the Diocese of Worcester is to respond joyfully to Christ’s call to become more fully the People of God.

Though imperfect, we are a blessed people striving to participate in Christ’s mission of reaching out to all. Therefore, we accept the Gospel challenge, which calls us to bring another to a deeper knowledge and love of God.

Since God calls us to live in community in the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves in this time and place to becoming a prayerful and faith-filled Church that truly reflects the glory of God.

Adopted 1988

Appendix C. Mission Statement for Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Jasna Gora Parishes

We, the Roman Catholic community of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Jasna Gora parishes, believe that our mission is to respond joyfully to Christ’s call to become more fully the people of God and to carry on the mission of Christ and His Church in our communities and beyond. That mission is carried on fundamentally by proclaiming the Gospel of forgiveness, love and reconciliation to every person.

We are a family of faith centered on the Eucharist, which is the summit and the source of all that we do and hope to become

Our desire is to be a community of prayer, service and stewardship leading each other closer to Christ in the variety of gifts, services and ministries that we emply to help build up the Kingdom of God.

We pray to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through the intercession of Mary, to whose care our parishes are consecrated. May the Lord of Light guide us in our earthly journey and to our heavenly home. (Adopted on Monday October 23, 2006)

Mission Task: As Disciples of Christ we therefore commit ourselves to:

worship God in spirit and truth through "prayer without ceasing," and particularly through the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments of the Church;
create and nourish Christian community in the domestic church of the family, in the life of every parish, and in society as a whole;
proclaim in word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ to all persons, inviting each of our sisters and brothers in the human community to share our faith and our mission;
teach the saving message of Christ so that all believers may come to deeper understanding, conversion and personal witness to Christ;

serve all our sisters and brothers, particularly the poor and needy, by generous acts of charity and by working together with all people of good will for justice and peace.