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Charter
(click here for Adobe Acrobat version .pdf)

CHURCH OF ST. TIMOTHY, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA

April 22, 2004

In accordance with Canon 536 of the Code of Canon Law, and as directed by the Bishop of San Diego, The CHURCH OF ST. TIMOTHY, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA hereby establishes this charter for its Parish Pastoral Council:

ARTICLE I                  PURPOSE

The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is: 

    1. The threefold task of researching pastoral matters, reflecting on them and recommending practical conclusions to the pastor.
    2. Coordinating inter-committee activity.
    3. Providing a formal line of communication between all committees and the Pastor.

The council, after prayerful deliberation, shall make recommendations to the pastor with a vision for the future and a strong basis in stewardship.

The council shall address those activities and programs which foster the spiritual, intellectual, moral and temporal well being of the parish and shall work within the framework of the diocesan goals and policies.

ARTICLE II                 AUTHORITY AND AREAS OF CONCERN

The Parish Pastoral Council is consultative to the pastor. Its areas of concern include:

    1. Education Evangelization and Catechesis.
    2. Liturgy and Spirituality.
    3. Social and Pastoral Outreach.
    4. Youth and Young Adults.
    5. Marriage and Family Life.
    6. Vocations and Missionary Causes.
    7. Faith and Culture.
    8. Ecumenical and Inter-religious Cooperation.
    9. Stewardship of Time, Talent.
    10. Parish Activities and Events.

ARTICLE III               RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of the Parish Pastoral Council include:

    1. Providing recommendations to the pastor that promotes the spiritual and pastoral life of the parish.
    2. Providing vision for pastoral activity by prayerfully reflecting with the pastor upon the teachings of the Gospel and the Church.
    3. Recommending pastoral priorities to the pastor.
    4. Engaging parishioners in the life and mission of the parish.

ARTICLE IV               MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICERS

Members of the Parish Pastoral Council must be baptized, practicing Catholics, at least 18 years old, registered members of the parish, and participants in the parish worship life, especially Mass and the sacraments. The membership should reflect the various elements of the parish population (such as age, gender, and cultural and economic background).

The Parish Council has three categories of membership: At Large members, Ex Officio members and appointed members. Membership on the council includes the pastor and no less than ten (10), or more than twenty (20) others. The pastor is ex officio, and the president of the council. Other officers - chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary, shall be discerned annually by the council.

At the discretion of the pastor, the council may include: (1) ex officio members, such as the associate pastor(s) and deacon(s) (if any), staff persons (such as the Director of Religious Education), chairpersons of parish commissions or the heads of parish organizations; (2) appointed members to represent certain ministries, areas, groups or interests, or the parish at large; (3) members selected at large from and by the membership of the parish who are 18 years of age or older; and (4) two youth representatives who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 17 years, selected from and by the youth members of the parish. (Written parental permission may be necessary at the discretion of the Council.)

The term of office shall be, three (3) years. No member (except ex officio members) may serve more than two successive terms. No Youth member may serve more than one successive term as a Youth representative. Initially, the terms shall be staggered to ensure continuity.

ARTICLE V                MANNER OF OPERATION

The council's manner of operation shall be communal discernment, which includes prayerful reflection, gathering of information and dialogue. The usual method of reaching decisions shall be consensus. When voting is necessary for the pastor to get the sense of the council, council members enjoy a consultative vote.

ARTICLE VI               RELATIONSHIP OF PASTOR TO COUNCIL

The pastor presides at the council by:

    1. Making certain that the scope of the council's concerns reflects the entire mission of the Church.
    2. Enabling the council to build a community of faith and an atmosphere of trust among council members.
    3. Making certain that parish council members have adequate training.
    4. Formulating the council agenda.
    5. Sharing in the dialogue that leads to recommendations by the council.
    6. Serving as the chief administrative officer of the parish.
    7. Consulting with the council.

 The pastor may chair council meetings.

ARTICLE VII              MEETINGS

Regular council meetings shall be held at least once every three months. The pastor may call special meetings. A quorum consists of the presence of the pastor and a majority of the members.

ARTICLE VIII CHARTER REVIEW AND CHANGE

Once this charter has been approved, it is to be reviewed annually. Amendments or deletions may be made only by consensus or, if not able to reach consensus, by approval of the pastor and a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.

APPROVAL BY PASTOR: DATE:

APPROVAL BY DIOCESE DATE: