Of

Saint Michael Parish Council

Cheney, Nebraska

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be: St. Michael Parish Council

ARTICLE II:  OBJECTIVES

The primary mission of this organization shall be to foster the spiritual and temporal well-being of the parish community of Saint Michael.  To this end, the Council will endeavor:

A)

To foster a deeper faith in and a greater understanding of Jesus present in the Church, in and through the Eucharist, as the central dimension of our lives as Catholics.

B)

To promote a spirit of understanding, cooperation and mutual support of pastor, parishioners, families and children in the living out of our Catholic faith.

C)

To encourage parishioners to actively participate in development and celebration of vibrant liturgies, educational programs and parish organizations and functions

D)

To serve as an advisory board for the pastor in the day to day and year to year operations of the Parish

E)

To serve as a vehicle of information dissemination, parishioner feedback and program implementation for the Parish

F)

To call forth the talents and contributions of St. Michael parishioners

G)

To foster greater appreciation of the Catholic Church by way of education and evangelization.

ARTICLE III. AUTHORITY

The Association shall accept the authority of the Bishop, respective Diocesan Boards and the Pastor.  The authority of the Council as an advisory Board is always subject to the final judgment of the Pastor. The authority and membership of the parish council shall be limited by church law, faith, morals, diocesan policy and civil law. The parish council shall have access to all parish financial records.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Any registered member of Saint Michael parish at least 18 years old shall be eligible for membership in the Parish Council, with the exception of the high school member. The Executive Board shall consist of seven members. One elected member of the Parish Council shall be a student in grades 9 – 12. This Parish Council member shall represent the youth of St. Michael parish and be an advocate for the needs and wants of the parish youth.

Section 1

The parish’s Grand Knight and President of the Altar Society shall serve ex officio on the parish council. In this capacity, they shall also serve as trustees of the parish.

Section 2

The term of an elected office shall be two years.  No member may hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.  The council’s high school member shall serve for a one year term.

Section 3

Members are to be installed for their term of office as the last item of business at the May meeting.

Section 4

The remaining four members of the Parish Council are to be elected from applications from parishioners.

ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

Section 1

Applications for parish council will be accepted from parishioners in April of each year for election in May. 

The parish bulletin is to be used in this effort.

Section 2

Nominees are to fill out an application form stating the reasons they want to be on the parish council. Applications will published for all parishioners to review. The parish will vote for the five new members in May.  Results of the elections shall be announced through the bulletin

ARTICLE VI.  MEETINGS

Section 1.

MONTHLY MEETING:  The regular Parish Council meeting shall be held on a monthly basis.

Section 2.

GENERAL MEETINGS:  General meetings of the Parish Council shall initially be held on the second Thursday of every month unless a more appropriate date is chosen for a particular month.

Section 3

ATTENDANCE:  Parish council meetings shall be open to members of the parish. Parishioners are invited to bring any issue to one of the elected parish council members for discussion or raise the issue themselves at the monthly meetings. The parish council also reserves the right to meet in executive, closed-door session if warranted

Section 4

EMERGENCY MEETINGS:  Under extraordinary circumstances, the pastor may call a meeting of the parish council without formal notice.

Section 5

NOTICES:  Regularly scheduled meetings of the parish council on the second Thursday of each month shall be announced in the parish bulletin at least one week in advance and preferably two consecutive weeks.

ARTICLE VII.  RULES OF ORDER

The agenda for the monthly meetings is to be set by the pastor. After considering agenda items, the floor is to be open for parish council members or other parishioners to raise any issue pertinent to parish life.

ARTICLE VIII.  QUORUM

A simple majority of those present shall be required to conduct business at a general meeting.  The Parish Council must have a majority of its voting members attending to conduct business.

ARTICLE IX  QUALIFICATIONS OF PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS

Every member of the Parish Council is expected to be faithful to Mass attendance, the teachings and works of the Church and to support the parish financially.

ARTICLE X  COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES

The Parish Council shall maintain the following standing committees:  Family/School Association, Finance, Knights of Columbus, Liturgy, Maintenance, Outreach/Evangelization, Altar Society, Social Events, and Youth.  The chairperson of each committee shall determine the organization and operation of their respective committees within the framework of the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Parish Council.  Additionally, special committees may be established by the Parish Council, however such committees might be temporary in nature and their responsibilities shall terminate upon completion of their specific task or upon direction of the Parish Council.

A)

Family/School Association: The areas of possible involvement include but are not limited to: Retreat Promotion, Catholic Social Services, St. Vincent dePaul Society, Matt Talbot, Pro-Life, C.C.D., Catholic Schools and Babysitting, etc. These representatives shall keep the parish at large apprised of various events or functions planned in, by or for the Catholics schools, St. Michael C.C.D. program and oversee the coordination of these events with other parish-wide events.

B)

Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee shall be constitutive of the parish council and be responsible for developing a preliminary parish budget for the parish, monitoring levels and methods of parish contributions, recommending fund raising and stewardship activities undertaken on behalf of the Parish and assist in coordinating such activities once approved, and supervise the annual Charity and Stewardship Appeal (D.D.P.) within the parish.

C)

Knights of Columbus: This representative shall keep the parish at large apprised of various events or functions planned by or for the Knights of Columbus and oversee the coordination of these events with other parish wide events.

D)

Liturgy: This Committee in conjunction with the Pastor shall be responsible for those events, which center on the Sacred Liturgy and other Para-liturgical events and devotions in the life of the Parish. They are to work with the Pastor to assure that Parish Liturgies are always dignified and uplifting to the hearts of the people. The liturgical organizations, which play a part are: Choir, Servers, Lectors, Acolytes, Perpetual Adoration, Sacristans, etc.

E)

Maintenance: This Committee shall work closely with the Pastor in overseeing and assisting in the general and special maintenance of the Parish Plant and Grounds. Duties include but are not limited to: Snow removal, lawn care, building upkeep, floor care, minor repairs, landscaping, etc.

F)

Outreach/Evangelization Committee: This committee coordinates and supervises programs connected with the Church's mission of teaching, preaching and sanctifying. It includes but is not limited to: identifying St. Michael parishioners, providing means for inactive Catholics to return to the Church, Prayer Apostolate, Lay Committee for Vocations,  Adult Religious Education, Bible Study,  Marriage Preparation, Baptism Preparation, R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), etc.

G)

Altar Society: This representative shall keep the parish at large apprised of various events or functions planned by or for the Altar Society and oversee the coordination of these events with other parish wide events. This Committee is responsible for sponsoring regular events directed toward the promotion of a genuine spirit of friendship among parishioners.  The areas included under the auspices of this Committee include but are not limited to:  Welcoming Committee, Greeting/Hospitality, Coffee & Rolls, Christmas Party, etc.

H)

Youth Activities: Shall be responsible for planning and implementing regular programs for youth of a social, spiritual, educational or recreational nature. Shall coordinate these activities with other parish activities and be accountable for involving young people in parish affairs. The areas of responsibility include but are not limited to: CCD, Summer School C.C.D., Godparents, etc