St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michal the Archangel Parish Pastoral Council

Constitution and By-laws

Preamble: Per directive of the Diocese of Lafayette in the Parish Pastoral Council Handbook, this constitution follows all regulations set forth by Diocesan Policy and adheres to all policies in handbook. The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) will not deviate from any policies set forth by the Diocesan ordinary, and policies set forth by the Diocese of Lafayette.

Name of the Council: St. Michael the Archangel Parish Pastoral Council.

Purpose and Objective: In light of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, the PPC serves as an advisory board for the Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church Parish in Crowley, LA. With prayerful consideration of the pastoral and temporal needs of the community of St. Michael the Archangel, the PPC serves as a sign and symbol of the unity of the Church for the spiritual progress and growth of the people entrusted to the church parish. As a consultative body for the Pastor, and as representatives of the people of God, the PPC will serve to advise the Pastor so that he may lead the people in ways that are filled with peace and joy in the many facets that involve parish life, as we journey towards God’s Kingdom of Heaven.

Membership: The PPC will consist of 7 members. Five (5) voted members and two (2) appointed from the Finance Council. Total membership of the Council will consist of those who are Council members (5), Finance Council members (2), trustees, at large members, the Pastor and Associate Pastor to have a thorough understanding and discussion of matters presented to the Council. Voting members will be the 7 voted/appointed members.  

• Any parishioner who resides in the geographical boundaries of the parish, or is a registered member of the community, and in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church, is eligible to run for election, subject to the approval of the pastor. This same standard holds for the appointed members. Members must be Confirmed members of the Catholic faith and remain in full communion with the Catholic Church during their term.
• Elections will be once a year with 3-year terms. Timing of this will be determined by the council. There will be 5 voted members and 2 appointed members.
• Each member may serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
• Nominations will take place in April/May, voting in June and new members will begin their terms in July of each calendar year.
• If a member resigns from the PPC or is dismissed for any reason, the pastor shall appoint a parishioner to complete their term.
• The Parish trustees, St. Michael School principal, Associate Pastor, Deacon and Pastoral Associate serve as ex-officio members of the PPC.

Officers: The pastor is the facilitator of the PPC           

• In the July meeting of each year, PPC will elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson. to oversee the meetings and a secretary to record minutes of meetings. In the absence of the chairperson or vice chairperson the Pastor will act as chair. The PPC chair will adhere to meeting guidelines in “Roberts Rules of Order.”
• The chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary will serve a one-year term with the option for a second term.
• Executive committee members are established at the first meeting of the year and will consist of the pastor, chairperson and the two trustees.

 Meetings: Meetings will be on a quarterly basis and will not last longer than two (2) hours; if a scheduled meeting is deemed not necessary, it will be cancelled, and the next meeting will take place as scheduled. If an emergency meeting is deemed necessary, it will be called by the pastor to be held as soon as possible.

• Guidelines of the meetings will follow standard procedures of “Robert’s Rules of Order”.
• Any person who interrupts a meeting or is deemed out of order by the pastor or the chair will be dismissed from the meeting.
• Members who want to address a particular issue must submit that request in writing to be placed on the agenda. Meetings will adhere to the agenda and non-agenda issues will not be considered.
• Meetings are open to the public and will enter a closed session if a vote is needed.
• Format for meetings is call to order, prayer, review and approval of minutes, committee/commission reports, discussion of agenda items, new business, closing prayer.
• Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or the chairperson, however, no meeting may be called or held in the absence of the pastor.

Commissions and committees: All commissions and committees will be formed or disbanded according to the needs of the parish, and on the advice of the PPC

• As needed, committees shall be established by referring a particular need to the chairperson and pastor, who will then appoint a committee with the advice of the PPC.
• Long-term commissions shall be established by the pastor as directed by needs that are expressed to the pastor and PPC by parishioners and council members.

Amendments: This constitution stands in accord with the policies set forth by the Diocese, and any amendments to this document must adhere to all Diocesan Policies.

• Amendments to the constitution must be made in writing by a current member of the PPC and submitted to the Chairperson and the Pastor prior to the meeting in which it is to be introduced.
• Amendments will be adopted by a majority vote of the PPC, provided that a quorum (two-thirds of the voting members) of the PPC is in attendance at the meeting. Members must be present to vote on all amendments and cannot make an absentee vote for any reason.
• Amendments are ratified once they are approved by the pastor, voted on and passed by the PPC, and ratified by the Bishop of the Diocese, and shall be effective as of the date of said ratification by the Bishop.

Ratifications: Any motions made to the PPC must be submitted to the agenda.

• A motion and/or recommendation for the pastor may be made by any voting member of the PPC and seconded by another voting member. Once the motion is seconded, it may be voted on by the members of the PPC. A motion is passed by a majority vote of members in attendance of the meeting in which the motion has been made.
• A quorum (two-thirds of the voting members) of the PPC must be present in order for a motion to be presented and put to vote.
• Because the pastor is the authority in the parish by virtue of his appointment by the bishop, all motions approved and passed by the PPC are subject to approval by the pastor.
• No motion will be established as policy for the parish without written and signed approval of the pastor

 Finance Council: If a finance council meeting is deemed necessary, the pastor, trustees, the current members of the finance council along with those the pastor chooses to appoint will make up the Finance Council.

 Trustees: Appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette.