a) Education of Parishioners: Parishioners are educated through bulletin and pulpit announcements about the Council and the selection process for at least two weeks. They are asked to give prayerful consideration to nominating parishioners or themselves for the Council.

b) Nomination: Nomination forms are distributed at all liturgies on a designated weekend. Parishioners are invited to write down the names of persons they feel have the essential characteristics of a Council member.

c) Notification: Persons whose names were submitted by parishioners are contacted by Selection Committee members to inform them of their nominations and of the required orientation. Additional nominations are acceptable if adequate time is available prior to the discernment process.

d) Acceptance: Those who feel called to serve as Council members accept nomination and participate on the final slate of nominees. The Selection Committee ensures that the slate of nominees is representative of the parish community. In no event shall any persons be deemed nominated unless the Selection Committee receives an expression of willingness to serve. If a member of the Selection Committee becomes a nominee, that person ceases to be a Selection Committee member.

e) Facilitation: The Selection Committee facilitates the actual selection process and informs the parish of the results.

Is aware of the tasks and responsibilities of the Council and communicates these to the Council, committees and parish community.

Organizes/coordinates activities and work of the Council. Develops and maintains an annual Council calendar consistent with the parish calendar.

Prepares the meeting agendas in consultation with the parish director and other Council officers. Ensures that time is spent in prayer.

Provides formation/education for Council members, utilizing the parish staff and offerings at the district and archdiocesan levels.

Facilitates Council meetings by helping the members work together, participate fully in discussions and decision-making through consensus. Also conducts parish meetings.

Monitors implementation of all Council recommendations and decisions.

Ensures that a Council budget is established and communicates budget information to the Finance /Administrative Services Committee.

If there is no council liaison, is an ex officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees of the Council.

Assists the next chairperson in understanding the Council's history, responsibilities and resources. Transfers all Council materials to the new chairperson.

Serves as the parish representative to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council district assembly.

Performs duties consistent with the office as the Council may direct.

Conducts meetings in the absence of the chairperson.

Becomes chairperson in the event of vacancy. If the vice-chairperson is unable to complete the chairperson’s term, the parish director shall appoint a new chairperson.

Leads the nomination and selection of new council members.

Leads the selection of new officers with the assistance of the Trustees.

Performs duties consistent with the office as the chairperson or the Council may direct.

Ensures that the meeting agenda is published in the parish bulletin the weekend before the meeting or posted for parishioners to review. Submits the agenda to Council members at least 3 days before the meeting.

Oversees the accurate recording of the minutes of each meeting and sees to it that the minutes and the agenda are made available to the Council members, committee chairpersons, and the parish. Provides a condensed report of the meeting for publication in the parish bulletin.

Takes attendance at meetings and records absences.

Maintains the official list of all Council and standing committee officers and members and their terms, the list of all ad hoc committee chairpersons and members and keeps these lists current with regard to addresses and phone numbers.

Works with the parish web administrator to keep the archdiocesan registry current through the Archdiocesan Extranet whenever a change in membership on Council occurs. This is done on-line.

Reports to the Council all communication. Handles correspondence for the Council, including agendas, minutes, notification of regular and special meetings, notes of thanks, etc.

Performs such duties consistent with office as the chairperson or Council many direct.

Prayer and Worship: This committee nourishes and gives direction to the liturgical aspect of parish life. They provide opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations. They identify the spiritual needs of parishioners and maintain an on going program of education and training for liturgical ministers.

Christian Formation: The role of this committee is to develop within the parish awareness that the parish community has the responsibility for promoting the educational/formation aspect of the mission of the Church. Christian Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. This committee designs, implements and evaluates the total Christian educational/formation programs in the parish, which include: child ministry, school ministry, youth and young adult ministry, and adult and family ministry. This charge is accomplished through the efforts of three sub-committees, Youth and Young Adult, School, and Lifelong Faith Formation.

The Youth and Young Adult sub-committee directs programs and activities aimed at middle school students, high school students and young adults. They are charged with developing age appropriate catechism material for high school students, developing retreats, sacramental (confirmation) preparation, and other ministerial and engaging activities such as Work Camp and summer activities. Young Adult activities include coordinating opportunities for gathering for faith sharing and continual faith formation including Theology on Tap.

The School sub-committee along with the parish director and principal are dedicated to the promotion and welfare of Catholic education through the Parish School. This committee is responsible for identifying and expressing the educational goals and objectives of the parish community for the Parish School. They are charged with developing curriculum and activities for Pre-K through 8^th grade.

The Lifelong Faith Formation sub-committee implements the areas of Christian Formation not specifically addressed in the other two sub-committees including Christian educational/formation programs in the parish, sacramental preparation (marriage, baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, R.C.I.A., and adult confirmation preparation), adult and family ministry, and child ministry. This group also assists with other parish ministry areas such as grief programs, men’s and women’s groups, senior’s programs, and other various activities.