One Community - an extended family in Christ

ST CHRISTOPHER’S PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Forming Parish Pastoral Councils

Canon Law provides for the formation of Parish Pastoral Councils in Canon 536 #1:

In every parish of the diocese, a Pastoral Council shall be established, if the diocesan

Bishop, after consulting with the Council of Presbyters, so decides. The pastor presides

over the Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is composed of members of the

congregation together with those of the parish staff who have pastoral care by reason of

their office. The Pastoral Council assists in promoting pastoral action in the parish.

A Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body, pastoral in nature, because it strives to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit among God’s people in the Parish. A Parish Pastoral Council gives its help to the pastor in fostering pastoral activity. Under the authority of the pastor, it considers those things which pertain to pastoral works and proposes practical conclusions. Council meetings occur in the context of prayer and openness to the Holy Spirit, so that at all times the common good will prevail.

Serving on the Council is a ministry to the whole parish. Council members should take time to reflect prayerfully, and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others.

Members should:

  • work for the benefit of the parish community, embrace compromise,

  • act with honesty, integrity, openness; respect others and diversity of opinion,

  • enable all voices to be heard, promoting and upholding diversity and inclusion,

  • engage constructively, participate fully and take decisions with due diligence,

  • protect confidential information,

  • escalate concerns and issues, follow processes, respect outcomes and uphold resolutions.

2. Our Parish Vision

One Community - an extended family in Christ

We are a Catholic Community and Christ is the centre of our life. Moved by the Holy Spirit, as Christ's disciples, we are sent to bring the Good News of faith and love to all people. We are the Christ bearers (Christophers) to build the kingdom of God.

3. Purpose of the St Christopher’s Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

  • to work together with the priest(s) to enable our parish community to live the vision of Catholic Christianity expressed in our Parish mission statement, through the continual development and implementation of a Parish strategic plan

  • to coordinate the various activities of the parish

  • to be a forum for seeking advice, expressing opinions and reaching decisions

4. Membership of the PPC

Membership of St Christopher’s Parish Pastoral Council consists of:

  • permanent members (5) - parish priest, treasurer, safeguarding representative, master of ceremonies, director of music

  • representative members of parish activities and ministries (5), grouped as follows: Housekeeping, Youth ministries, Outreach, Formation, and Hospitality and Social

  • co-opted members (maximum 8) – ideally two under the age of 25, two representing Families, and one representing the Syro-Malabar community

The Parish Administrator attends PPC meetings to support and minute the meeting. Other people may be invited to attend relevant PPC discussions when their expertise is needed.

Where it is not possible to fill a position on the council, such as a co-opted roles representing specific communities within the parish, the council may by agreement co-opt additional members to maintain the size of the council.

The composition of the PPC is periodically reviewed and may be changed by agreement of the members. A Parish organisation chart will be maintained, showing Parish ministries and activities.

5. Terms of office for PPC members

Representative and co-opted members serve a term of 3 years. At the end of this term, preference will be given to other candidates. In the absence of alternative candidates, members with a fixed term may serve a second 2-year term. After 2 terms a member would vacate the role but may serve a further term at a future date.

6. Election of the PPC chair and Deputy Chair

The PPC Chair and Deputy are elected from among the members of the PPC and serve a 2- Year term.

At the end of the two-year term, the outgoing chair will work alongside the new chair to provide continuity and support.

The incoming Chair and Deputy should be elected 2 months before the end of the incumbent’s term.

7. Safeguarding

All members of the PPC will follow the Safeguarding Policy of the Archdiocese of Southwark (2021) and Code of Conduct for Volunteers. They are required to participate in safeguarding training as directed.

8. Administration

  • The PPC meets a minimum of 4 times per year. Additional meetings may be held as determined by the Chair in consultation with the Parish Priest and other members.

  • A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice of a meeting is normally provided.

  • An agenda, minutes of the previous meeting and relevant information/papers are circulated at least 1 week ahead of each meeting.

  • Meetings are normally held in person, in the parish hall.

  • Members are expected to attend meetings and to actively contribute their views during discussion, in order that all perspectives are considered.

  • The PPC aims to take all decisions by consensus. All decisions of the PPC are subject to the agreement of the Parish Priest.

  • Approved minutes are archived as part of the Parish permanent record.

9. Communication

  • The PPC will share via the parish website and parish noticeboards:

o A summary of the main discussions at each PPC meeting (following approval by

the chair)

o An annual report to parishioners. Presented each autumn summarising the activities of the council, the development of Parish Ministries and activities over the previous 12 months.

  • The PPC will arrange an annual event to “meet the PPC” as an opportunity to meet with members, ask questions, provide feedback and make suggestions for future parish activities.

  • An annual re-dedication and blessing of the PPC will be held on, or close to the anniversary of the dedication of St Christopher’s Church (October 31st) This year it will be held on Sunday 3rd November at 10am.

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

ROLE DESCRIPTION

ROLE TITLE: Chair / Deputy Chair of Parish Pastoral Council

RESPONSIBLE TO: Parish Priest.

ROLE PURPOSE: To be a representative of the wider parish, facilitating the active participation Of the whole parish community in contributing to the life, liturgy and mission of the Church.

The Chair and Deputy Chair work in partnership, apportioning elements of the role between them by mutual agreement, to reflect their respective skills, interests and areas of expertise. In the absence of the Chair, the Deputy Chair leads and facilitates PPC meetings.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Understand and support the ethos and mission of the parish

  • Prepare agenda for Parish Pastoral Council meetings liaising with the Parish Priest, Parish Administrator and other relevant PPC members

  • Lead and facilitate PPC meetings - drawing together the discussions, summarising key points and actions, and moving the meeting forward through its agenda

  • Regular attendance at Parish Pastoral Council meetings (held at least quarterly)

  • Be prepared for meetings – reading any documentation in advance

  • Be a visible point of contact for parishioners wishing to share views, concerns and suggestions

SAFEGUARDING

  • Be familiar with and follow the Safeguarding Policy of the Archdiocese of Southwark (2021) and Code of Conduct for Volunteers

  • Refer any concerns about a child or adult to the Parish Safeguarding Representative

  • Participate in safeguarding training as directed

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • Commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church and the ethos of the Parish

  • Commitment / Ability to behave with honesty, integrity and confidentiality

  • Ability to relate to others with respect and ease

  • Ability to listen with empathy and communicate effectively

  • Ability to work as part of a team, accommodate the views of others, working towards consensus

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

ROLE DESCRIPTION

ROLE TITLE: Parish Pastoral Council member

RESPONSIBLE TO: Parish Priest.

ROLE PURPOSE: To be a representative of the wider Parish, facilitating the active participation of the whole parish community in contributing to the life, liturgy and mission of the Church.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES – all PPC members

  • Understand and support the ethos and mission of the parish,

  • Regular attendance at Parish Pastoral Council meetings (held at least quarterly),

  • Be a point of contact for parishioners wishing to share views, concerns and suggestions, bringing these to council meetings.

  • Be prepared for meetings (and for proactive participation) – reading any documentation in advance,

SAFEGUARDING - all PPC members

  • Be familiar with and follow the Safeguarding Policy of the Archdiocese of Southwark (2021) and Code of Conduct for Volunteers,

  • Refer any concerns about a child or adult to the Parish Safeguarding Representative,

  • Participate in safeguarding training as directed,

PERSON SPECIFICATION – all PPC members

  • Commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church and the ethos of the parish,

  • Commitment / Ability to behave with honesty, integrity and confidentiality,

  • Ability to relate to others with respect and ease, working as part of a team

  • Ability to listen with empathy and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PPC MEMBERS ACTING AS ACTIVITY REPRESENTATIVES

  • Liaise regularly with other activity coordinators to identify any notable issues or achievements that should be brought to the wider Parish Pastoral Council,

  • Feedback to the other activity coordinators any relevant information from Parish Pastoral Council meetings.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CO-OPTED PPC MEMBERS

Co-opted members may be appointed to act as a representative of a specific group or community within the Parish. Others may be co-opted to contribute specific expertise or experience to the PPC or because

they are leading a specific project or initiative within the Parish.

  • Members serving as a representative of a specific community within the Parish, should liaise regularly with members of the community they represent and ensure that the PPC hears and understands the community’s views.