Staff

PASTORAL COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON

The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that works with the Pastor regarding all matters pertaining to the pastoral life of the parish. The pastor is the ultimate decision maker. The Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson provides leadership and organizes the Parish Pastoral Council in conformance with the Archdiocese of Regina Guidelines – Parish Pastoral Council & Parish Finance Council mandated by a decree (the “Decree”) dated March 1988, revised April 2010.

 

Activities/Responsibilities:

– Is responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing the agenda in consultation with the Pastor, and chairing the meetings.

– Maintains a list of current Parish Pastoral Council Members.

– Ensures that any changes to the list of Parish Pastoral Council Members are communicated promptly to the Parish Volunteer Screening Committee.

– Collaborates with the Pastor in developing and reviewing the pastoral plan of the parish.

– Has an ongoing and open dialogue with parishioners and parish ministries to assess their perspectives regarding the pastoral needs of the parish community.

– Acquainted with the documents of the Church which help them to understand the vision of the Church and the nature of parish.

– Assists parish ministries in the implementation of the pastoral plan of the parish.

– Chairs the activities of the Parish Pastoral Council and its subcommittees.

– Communicates and collaborates with the various Ministry Coordinators.

– The Chairperson, if unavailable to chair a Pastoral Council meeting, is responsible for notifying the Pastor, who will assign the Vice-Chairperson or another member to chair that meeting.

– Observes discretion in the confidential matters arising from Parish Pastoral Council.

 

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

– Is known in the parish community, participates in parish life and is of good character.

– Must be at least 18 years of age.

– Must have at least 2 years experience as a Parish Pastoral Council Member

– Has an understanding of and commitment to the Church as expressed in the teachings of the Church.

– Should have leadership, organizational and decision-making skills.

– Has an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of the parish, its ministries and its people.

– Should have spiritual and temporal skills necessary to discern the needs of the parish and provide the appropriate services to realize those needs.

– Should be skilled in collaboration, interpersonal communication and group process.

– Is willing to participate in ongoing formation.

– The Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson shall not be related to:

  • The Pastor
  • The Parish Finance Council Chairperson

 

Personal Traits and Qualities

(The following description may be of assistance to those considering this position)

– Desires to serve the community and to commit time and talents to this ministry.

– Honest, dependable and can maintain strict confidentiality.

– Has the ability to listen and to articulate what one has heard.

– Needs to be flexible and have good relational skills.

– Desires spiritual growth and has openness to prayer and reflection.

– Has the ability to motivate and encourage others.

 

Orientation and Training:

– Standard parish orientation program and familiarity with the Archdiocese of Regina Guidelines / Parish Pastoral Council & Parish Finance Council and any constitution or by-laws at the parish.

 

Participant Group

– Parishioners, Parish Pastoral Council Members and all those involved in parish ministry. Support, Supervision, and Evaluation

– The Pastor is the first level of support, supervision and evaluation. Length of Ministry.     _____ year term.

 

Benefits and Working Conditions:

– Will have a direct impact on the pastoral and spiritual decisions made in the parish.

– Will further develop leadership and organizational skills.

– Will further develop own spiritual growth.

– This is a volunteer position requiring a time commitment of ______ hours per week or ______ hours per month.

– Must be available to attend all scheduled meetings.

 

Screening Recommendations

– This is a High Security position

  • Completion of a Volunteer Information Form is required.
  • An interview and personal reference checks are required.
  • A Criminal Record Check is required.
  • Training and orientation are required.
  • There will be supervision by the Pastor and/or his designate.
  • Participant follow-up will be conducted.

PARISH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Under the direction of the Pastor, the administrative performs the office duties required in the parish. The assistant’s role is to provide office/secretarial assistance to the pastor, the pastoral assistant. This ministry may also provide relief to the paid office staff.

 

Activities/Responsibilities

– Provides reception duties for the parish such as answering the telephone, e-mails, receiving and distributing messages.

– Provide a friendly reception to people entering the office.

– Create the weekly/biweekly/monthly bulletin.

– Distributes information regarding parish events or archdiocesan events to the appropriate people as well as posting information for the parishioners as a whole.

– May be responsible for maintaining the financial and the religious directories of the parish.

– Ensures that bills and expenditures are paid in a timely fashion.

– Handle mail appropriately.

– May record and distribute minutes of the parish council meetings.

– Observes discretion in the confidential matters arising from the Parish.

– Registered in the parish and striving to live in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

– In good standing with the Pastor and the parish community.

– Must be at least 18 years of age.

– Is recognized within the parish community as a person of good reputation.

– Can relate effectively and communicate clearly with others.

– Possess good organizational skills.

– Computer skills.

– Has a general knowledge of the ministries and services provided by the Parish.

– Skills in accounting and/or finance would be an asset.

 

Personal Traits and Qualities

(The following description should be of assistance to those considering this position)

– Desires to serve the community and to commit time and talents to this ministry.

– Is honest, trustworthy, enthusiastic and able to motivate others.

– Has a spirit of generosity.

– Is able to communicate well with others.

– Has the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

– Is comfortable with being accountable and is sensitive to the observance of proper boundaries.

– Pays close attention to details.

– Is open and sensitive to people.

 

Orientation and Training

– Standard parish orientation program and other training as provided.

– Training programs as offered by the Archdiocese or other applicable programs.

 

Participant Group

– Members of the Parish community and surrounding community.

– Representatives of the Archdiocese of Regina.

– Support, Supervision, and Evaluation

– The pastor is the first level or support, supervision and evaluation.

– Length of Ministry ____ year term.

 

Benefits and Working Conditions

– Opportunity to perform community service and gain experience for the purpose of school or career advancement.

– This is a volunteer position which requires a time commitment of _____ hours per week or _____ hours per month.

– Must be available to attend all regularly scheduled meetings.

– Must be able to attend the orientation session and training sessions as required.

FINANCE CHAIRPERSON

The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of lay persons established to advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. The pastor is the ultimate decision maker. Within the Archdiocese of Regina, Parish Finance Councils were mandated by a decree (the “Decree”) dated March 1988, revised April 2010. This Decree is contained in the Archdiocese of Regina Guidelines – Parish Pastoral Council & Parish Finance Council.

 

Activities/Responsibilities

– The Chairperson may be the spokesperson for the Finance Council in its reports to the parish community.

– Maintains contact list of Parish Finance Council Members.

– Ensures any changes in the list of Parish Finance Council Members are communicated promptly to the Parish Volunteer Screening Committee.

– Ensures that an annual budget, to meet the pastoral and operating needs of the parish, is properly prepared for review by the Pastor and the Finance council.

– Ensures that the parish accounting conforms to Archdiocesan requirements.

– Ensures that counting and recording of collections follow Archdiocesan procedures.

– Reviews, approves, and compares to budget, the Financial Report that is submitted to the Archdiocese.

– Ensures the timely and accurate completion of the “Parish Finance Council Annual Report to the Archdiocese” each year.

– Prepares, publishes and presents an annual financial statement and report for the parish community.

– Reviews “The Archdiocese of Regina Personnel Policies and Procedures for Parish Employees” and ensures that the practices are being adhered to in the parish.

– Encourages support of Archdiocesan fundraising projects as well as parish campaigns.

– Evaluates and makes recommendations regarding fundraising and reviews the offertory regularly in relation to the budget.

– Regularly inspects church property and develops a plan for the financing of anticipated repairs and other capital expenditures.Observes discretion in the confidential matters arising from Parish Finance Council business.

– Parish Finance Councils should meet regularly. The Pastor in consultation with the Chairperson should set the agenda.

– The Pastor is ex-officio Chair of the Parish Finance Council. The Pastor appoints one of the lay members as Chairperson.

– The Chairperson is responsible for assisting the Pastor in setting the agenda for meetings, and working with the Pastor in the implementation of actions or proposals agreed to by the Parish Finance Council.

– May coordinate, develop, oversee or delegate to a Parish Finance Council Member the fundraising activities of the Parish.

 

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

– Is a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.

– Must be at least 18 years of age.

– Is known in the parish community, participates in parish life and is of good character.

– Should have skills in finance and property.

– Has appropriate leadership and facilitation skills.

– Has good organizational skills.

– Can relate effectively and communicate clearly with others.

– Additional skills that would assist the Parish Finance Council are experience in legal matters and personnel administration.

– The Parish Finance Council Chairperson shall not be related to:

  • The Pastor
  • Any member of the Parish Finance Council
  • The Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson

 

Personal Traits and Qualities

(The following descriptions may be of assistance to those considering this position)

– Desires to serve the community and to commit time and talents to this ministry.

– Honest, dependable and can maintain strict confidentiality.

– Pays close attention to detail.

 

Orientation and Training:

– Standard parish orientation program and training provided by previous Parish Finance Council Chairperson and/or Pastor.

 

Participant Group

– Parish Finance Council Members.

 

Support, Supervision, and Evaluation

– The Pastor is the first level of support, supervision and evaluation.

 

Length of Ministry

– The term of service for council members should be included in the parish constitution and should be for a minimum of two years, but preferably three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms served. (Archdiocese of Regina Guidelines – Parish Pastoral Council & Parish Finance Council page 9)

 

Benefits and Working Conditions

– Will have a direct impact on the financial management of the parish.

– Good training & experience for those seeking advancement in the fields of Finance & Accounting.

– This is a volunteer position requiring regular and annual general meetings each year.

– Must be available to attend all scheduled meetings.

– Must be able to attend the orientation session and training sessions as required.

 

Screening Recommendations:

If this is a High Security Position the following is required:

  • Completion of a Volunteer Information Form.
  • An interview and personal reference checks are required.
  • A Criminal Record Check is required.
  • Training and orientation are required.
  • There will be supervision by the Pastor and/or designate.
  • Participant follow-ups will be conducted.