ST. JUDE THADDEUS CATHOLIC CHURCH - BURKBURNETT, TX
PASTORAL COUNCIL BY-LAWS

Purpose: To advise and assist the Pastor in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting coordinating and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education, and service activities within the parish.

Objectives:

1. To assist the Pastor in evaluating the needs of the whole parish and its members, especially to develop and implement a pastoral plan which will promote the common good of the parish.
2. To foster unity and a sense of community in the parish and to coordinate all parish activities under the leadership of the Pastor in a manner that will best serve the interests of the parish.
3. To promote programs and activities recommended by the Diocese as well as the Pastoral Council itself.

Membership: The Pastor, after consultation with the community at large, shall determine the number of members to the Pastoral Council, and the number of those to be appointed.

1. The appropriate total number of members shall not be less than eight nor more than sixteen.
2. Each appointed member of the Council shall:
   1. Be a Catholic who is registered and active in the parish.
   2. Be a participant in the sacramental life of the Church.
   3. Term of office: Members will be freely appointed for a term of three years. They may serve a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms., and can re-apply or be included in the discernment process after three years of non-service.

Selection process:

1. The parish will ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the selection process.
2. Names of candidates are recommended to the Pastor and the Pastoral Council by parishioners. Candidates must indicate their willingness to serve.
   1. One third of the council members should represent the younger demographic, one third represents middle age family members, and one third representing the older population.
3. The Pastor with the assistance of the Pastoral Council members and community at large will appoint the members from the list of candidates.
4. Each member is required to attend regular meetings of the Pastoral Council. If a member is unable to fulfill his or her term, the Pastor will appoint a member to finish the said term.

Meetings: A minimum of six regularly scheduled meetings need to occur during the fiscal year. Only the Pastor, or the appointed diocesan administrator, may call a meeting of the Council.

1. Meetings are not open to the public, unless invited by the Pastor.
2. There will be a minimum of one open Town Hall meeting a year, open to the public, which will be announced in advance.
3. Parish staff who are encouraged to attend Pastoral Council meetings, particularly when their ministry is being discussed.
4. The Pastor may call for an executive session when appropriate.
5. The minutes of every meeting will be made available to parishioners on the parish website.
6. In the event that the pastorate is vacant, the Pastoral Council continues to assist the appointed diocesan administrator as needed. After the new Pastor has been installed, he can reconvene the Council within two months - or at his pastoral discretion.

Scope and Authority: As a consultative body, the Pastoral Council is responsible to the Pastor, advising, assisting, and supporting him in his leadership role. The Pastor is the chief governing person and is accountable to the Bishop.  He, therefore, must preside at Pastoral Council meetings and participate in its activities to ensure that the collective wisdom and consensus of the Pastoral Council is seriously weighed and reflects the needs of the whole parish and the Diocese. The Council recognizes the varied gifts of the parish members and invites them to an active role in the parish. It is an important means by which the Pastor will hear the voice of the parish. It helps to unite the Pastor and parishioners through its deliberations and consultations.

Characteristics: The Council shall devote time to reflective prayer at each meeting to discern the parish's pastoral needs, vision, and mission plan in order to make Christ ever more present to the parishioners and to the wider community. All deliberations and consultations should represent the entire parish community using the skills and gifts of the council members. It discerns recommendations concerning the direction and priorities of the parish after having listened to the parishioners' needs and ideas; not restricted to the parish alone, but also at the local, national, and international levels.

Collaboration with the Finance Council: In order to assure good communication, a member of the Finance Council should attend the Pastoral Council meetings. Alternatively, a Pastoral Council member may attend the Finance Council meetings. Both councils will have a joint meeting under the direction of the Pastor at least once a year to share, advise, and assist the Pastor to determine the yearly goals and focuses.

Amendments: These by-laws may be amended by the Pastoral Council with the approval of the Pastor.