The Parish Pastoral Council of St John The Evangelist, Barrhead
Mission Statement

1. To provide a consultative body of the parish community, including priests, religious and laity which will
work together and with the wider parish groups and community to help our parish grow in Christian faith and to support one another in our daily lives.

2. The parish council will act in communion with the Bishop. An active part will be taken in the life of the Diocese and we will bring our thoughts and objectives to bear to ensure that the Parish Pastoral Council reflects the Pastoral Priorities of the Diocese in the Parish.

Chairperson Tommy Reilly – 0141 880 5946

Constitution of the Parish Pastoral Council of St John's Barrhead

I. Title

1.1 The Council herein shall be known as the Parish Pastoral Council of St John's Barrhead and thereafter as the Council.

2. Mission

2.1 To provide a consultative representative body of the parish community, including priests, religious and laity which will work together and with the wider parish groups and community to help our parish grow in Christian faith and to support one another in our daily lives.
2.2 The parish council will act in communion with the Bishop.An active part will be taken in the life of the Diocese and we will bring our thoughts and objectives to bear to ensure that the Parish Pastoral Council reflects the Pastoral Priorities of the Diocese in the Parish.

3. Council and Parish Objectives:

3. 1 This mission will be realised through:
Liaising, working with and advising the parish team and community in devolved matters concerning the pastoral needs and welfare of the parish.
3.2 This will be achieved by:
• Coming together in the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy as a loving and supportive community.
• Promoting and living the good news of the gospel, bringing others to know Christ.
• Deepening our understanding of the faith of our parish community.
• Educating our young people in the Christian way of life.
• Making social justice a living reality in our community.
• Caring for and valuing the poor and elderly of our community.
• Comforting the sick, the dying and the bereaved.
• Leading people in prayer and encouraging family prayer within the parish.
• Discerning the particular needs of people & groups within the local community and attempting to meet them.
• Helping to maintain the Church building and financial aspects of the parish
• Ensuring that the Parish Pastoral Council is represented at Diocesan events, as appropriate, to determine our communion with the Diocese and unity with our Bishop. The Parish Pastoral Council will work with the Bishop on the agreed Pastoral priorities and will consult and work with the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

4. Duration of the Council

4.1 The lifespan of the council will normally be for four years but can be terminated at any time by the parish priest in consultation with the bishop.

5. Composition and membership of the Council

The council shall comprise:
5.1 All members of the parish team i.e. the clergy and parish sister/so
5.2 A maximum of thirty-four laypersons elected from within the parish membership. 5.3 The term of membership will be four years with an option of re-election for a further term.
5.4 Should an elected member be absent from three meetings with no apology or explanation, they will be understood to have resigned.
5.5 It is the desire of the Gouncil that its members are not seen to profit in any way from their respective membership of the council and that participation as a council member or in any work pertaining to the parish be considered as service for charity.

6. Executive

6.1 From the thirty-four elected members a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and treasurer will be elected by popular vote, or, in the instance of stalemate, by the parish priest or his appointed assistant.
6.2 If from time to time additional executives are required for any special purpose they shall be nominated by the parish priest or his appointed assistant and shall remain in office for the duration of that purpose.
6.3 If during the life of the council a member relinquishes membership a replacement may be chosen by the parish priest or his appointed assistant and shall be eligible to hold any of the available offices.
6.4 The executive will normally be elected for a period of four years from date of election.

7. Structure of subgroups

7.1 From within each of the focus groups a convenor, a vice convenor and secretary shall be elected by the group membership.
7.2 The convenors of the groups will meet with the parish team, chairperson and secretary prior to the full council meetings.
7.3 The convenors of the groups will set the timescale and structure of their group meetings and provide minutes to the full council.
7.4 The focus of groups will cover
o Finance and Fabric
o Social and Communications
o Youth and Outreach
o Liturgy and Ministries
o Faith and Spirituality
• And other areas as agreed by the council

8. Meetings

8.1 The full council will meet a minimum of four times per year with dates to be agreed by the parish team and the council.
8.2 No full council meeting can be convened without the presence of the parish priest or his appointed delegate. 8.3 It is recognised that the Parish Pastoral Council is advisory and the parish priest or his appointed assistant has the final decision in all matters.

9. Standing orders for conduct of meetings - Full council meetings:

9.1 The quorum in order for a meeting to take place will be 15 council members.
9.2 All meetings will be minuted.
9.3 A sederunt will be circulated at the commencement of the meeting.
9.4 Apologies should be submitted prior to or at the commencement of the meeting.
9.5 Minutes will be approved by the parish priest or his appointed assistant prior to distribution within the parish.
9.6 Minutes will be approved at the next meeting by two members of the sederunt.
9.7 Minutes will be made available to the parish community.
9.8 Agenda items for the full council meetings may be submitted by any council member to the secretary or parish team by one week prior to the meeting. In exceptional circumstances urgent items may be submitted for inclusion prior to the commencement of the meeting.
9.9 Meetings will be held in a courteous and structured basis.
9.10 The duration of the meeting shall not exceed a period of Ihr 30 minutes
9.11 All meetings will start and close with prayer led by members of the parish team

10. Standing orders for conduct of meetings - Convenors' meetings:

10.1. The agenda for convenors' meetings will be set by the chairperson in consultation with the parish team.
10.2 Convenors may submit items for the agenda prior to the meeting or ask for them to be included under AOCB.
10.3 All meetings will be minuted.
10.4 Minutes will be circulated to Convenors and parish team at the following convenors' meeting.
10.5 All meetings will start and close with prayer led by members of the parish team.