SECTION 1-1. The pastoral council established herein will be known as St. John’s Pastoral Council. It will be referred to in this document as the Council. The Council’s objectives are as follows:

SECTION 1-2. To promote the renewal of the church through shared responsibility for spiritual growth of the parishioners.

SECTION 1-3. To act as a living sign of the community, coordinating parish endeavors as Council liaison representatives.

SECTION 1-4. To represent the parish and serve as the principal medium of communication for the parish.

SECTION 1-5. To provide counsel to the Pastor in the areas of spiritual future planning.

SECTION 2-1. The Council membership shall consist of 10 appointed members.

SECTION 2-2. Ex-officio members shall be the Pastor, Deacon, and any designated parish staff members.

SECTION 2-3. Appointments will normally be held on the first weekend of May. The Pastor may appoint to fill vacancies when the need arises.

SECTION 2-4. Members shall be Catholic, at least eighteen (18) years of age, registered in the parish, or participating members married to Catholic registered spouses. Starting with the 2007 appointments, all terms will be for 3 years.

SECTION 2-5. Council members having served three years will not be eligible for re-appointment for a period of two years after the end of their term.

SECTION 3-1. Vacancies may occur on the Council if a member submits a written resignation to the chairperson, if an individual leaves the jurisdiction of the parish, or is removed by the Council for cause.

SECTION 3-2. Vacancies of appointed members may be filled by the Pastor.

SECTION 3-3. If the chairperson resigns the chair, the vice-chairperson shall assume that position. The vacated office of vice-chairperson shall be filled from the Council.

SECTION 3-4. Members are expected to attend all monthly regular meetings. Any member absent from three consecutive regular meetings without having been excused by the chairperson may be subject to removal from the Council.

SECTION 4-1. One-half of the members need to be present to conduct a Council meeting.

SECTION 4-2. The Pastor has the final decision over all issues discussed by the Council.

SECTION 5-1. Officers of the Council shall be chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary.

SECTION 5-2. The term of office for elected officers of the Council will be for one year with provisions for reappointment.

SECTION 5-3. Chairperson: The chairperson comes from the body of the Council members. The chairperson is presiding officer of all Council meetings. He/she may also attend all other parish group meetings in order to have awareness of overall plans, events, and happenings occurring within the parish. The chairperson will also communicate with the Pastor, at least three days prior to each Council meeting, to establish the Council meeting’s agenda.

SECTION 5-4. Vice-chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson during the absence of the chairperson.

SECTION 5-5. Secretary: The secretary will be responsible for taking and transcribing the minutes of all Council meetings. The secretary will be responsible for reproducing all printed matter necessary for the Council.

SECTION 6-2. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the chairperson, the Pastor, or by any Council member with the chairperson's and Pastor’s approval.

SECTION 6-3. All parishioners are invited to attend and present topics of discussion at a time allocated by the chairperson.

SECTION 6-4. Executive session. Only Pastoral Council members may remain present for voting.

SECTION 7-1. The Constitution may be amended at any regular Council meeting provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting, was properly discussed, and has an overall consensus approval vote.

SECTION 1-1. The following commissions shall be established:

SECTION 1-2. Membership of all commissions shall be open to all registered parishioners. The Council’s chairperson and the Pastor shall be ex-officio members of all commissions.

SECTION 1-3. In cases of overlapping commission responsibilities, the Council will decide which commission or organization has jurisdiction over the situation in question.

SECTION 1-5. Appointed Council members will act as liaisons to particular commissions. Appointments will be made at the June Council meeting.

SECTION 1-6. Each July, the chairperson of each commission will submit to the chairperson of the Council a roster of its members and a general schedule outline for the coming year that includes all planned meetings.

SECTION 2-1. Service, Fellowship and Outreach Commission:

The responsibility of this commission is to improve and expand the areas of service and fellowship within our parish as the need arises and to help other commissions and committees as necessary.

They shall coordinate social activities for the parish, initiate and organize parish events, and plan other special activities in support of our parish mission. In addition, they shall organize parishioners to support the various needs of the parish which includes such things as: painting, minor repairs, etc. The Outreach portion shall keep parishioners informed of Council affairs and other activities within the parish community. Items such as: updating and maintaining a Parish Directory, publishing and distributing newsletters and a monthly schedule of events, displaying pertinent posters, and circulating flyers are just some of the efforts of Outreach.

SECTION 2-2. Youth Group Commission:

The responsibility of this commission is to foster Christian growth in our faith community. This commission will involve the youth of our parish in programs and activities that promote religious education and spiritual development.

SECTION 2-3. Religious and Spiritual Development Commission:

The responsibility of this commission is to foster Christian growth in our faith community. This commission will assist parish programs that include, but are not limited to, Adult Religious Education, Right of Christian Initiation of Adults

(RCIA), Little Rock Scripture Study Program, and Marriage Enrichment Programs that support religious education enhancement and spiritual development/growth for all parishioners.

SECTION 3-1. For needs of a temporary nature, adhoc commissions shall be established by the Council. The Council chairperson or Pastor should appoint a chairperson to each adhoc commission established. Each chairperson will then solicit members to support their commission. Upon completion of an adhoc commission’s task, the Council will make a decision to either maintain or dissolve the adhoc commission.

SECTION 3-2. The adhoc commission’s tenure shall not be affected by the election of new Council members, but shall continue until the completion of its given task, or until the Council decides to terminate the commission’s activities.

SECTION 3-3. During the time it is in existence, the activities of these adhoc commissions shall be reported by each chairperson during each Council’s meeting.

SECTION 4-1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Council meeting provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting, was properly discussed, and has an overall consensus approval vote.

SECTION 5-1. The rules of Christian charity and common courtesy shall govern the Council.