Richard Collegio, Chairman

Ex-Officio Members

Appointed Members Class of 

Appointed Members Class of

Appointed Members Class of

Adopted - September 20, 2005
Amended - September 28, 2009
 
Article I – Name
 
This organization shall be known as the Parish Council of St. Clare’ Church, 110 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island New York 10308.
 
 
Article II – Purpose
 
This Parish Council shall be a consultative body with several tasks:

1. To cooperate with the Pastor for the good of this parish.
2. To identify the needs of the people and attempt to meet them.
3. To be a Christian community and model for other organizations.

1. Ex-officio members include: the Pastor; Parochial Vicars; Deacons; Principal of the School; Coordinator of Religious Education; Director of Pre School; Parish Trustees; Chairperson of the Finance Council; Parish Manager; Director of Liturgy; Youth Minister; and Director of Adult Faith Formation.
2. 18 members – men and women; appointed by the Pastor, to reflect the makeup of the parish and to include any needed expertise or experience.

1. Participate in the prayer life of this parish;
2. Are 16 years of age or older.

1. Ex-officio members serve for as long as they are in their positions. 
2.  Appointed members serve a three year term.

1. The terms of one-third of the appointed members shall expire each year.  If another opening has occurred (for example, if a member resigns after one year) someone may be appointed for the balance of that term.  That balance is considered a term of office, even if only for one year.
2. Before September, the Pastor contacts the people he has appointed, and they begin their service at the meeting in September.

1. This Council shall have three Executive Officers:
   1. Chairperson,
   2. Vice-Chairperson, and
   3. Recording Secretary.
2. Election of Executive Officers shall be reserved to appointed members of the Council only.
3. Election of Executive Officers shall be held every year at the first meeting of the Council
4. Executive Officers shall serve a one year term, renewable once for that office.

1. This council shall meet bi-monthly beginning in September of each Pastoral Year as set by the pastor.
2. Meetings are open to all parishioners.  Non-members who wish to speak at a meeting must first be recognized by the Chairperson.

1. All members have the right to vote, although they may abstain.
2. On matters that require a formal vote, one-half plus one of the membership being present constitutes a quorum.
3. As much as possible, matters shall be decided by consensus.

1. This Council shall have an Executive Committee, composed of the Pastor and three Officers.
2. Other committees and their tasks may include:
   1. Education Committee – which promotes the educational responsibilities of the parish, including the School, Religious Education, Pre School, Adult Education, and Spiritual Development
   2. Liturgy Committee – which promotes and coordinates matters of worship and Spiritual Development
   3. Christian Service Committee – which organizes outreach and evangelization to the parish and local community centered on the issues of peace, justice, and advocacy.  This includes events and programs such as blood drives, employment support, health education, counseling, and food pantry.
   4. Administration Committee – which supports the Pastor and Parish Manager in the financial and other business administration of the parish.
   5. Social Activities Committee – which promotes community-building events and assists with public relations for the parish
   6. Youth Ministries Committee - oversees the youth ministries of the parish using the United States Bishops model of Renewing the Vision and collaborates with staff members to ensure comprehensive youth ministry is at the forefront of the parish community.
   7. Temporary Committees for special purposes (i.e. ad hoc committees) to be named by the Pastor as needed
   8. Each committee elects its own chairperson and sets its own agenda and meetings.
   9. Each committee will provide a report at each Parish Council Meeting.

1. On September 28, 2009 the following amendments were incorporated into the Constitution of the Parish Council as follows:
   1. Article III – Membership
      1. The approximate number of persons was changed from 27 to 30
      2. The following ex-officio members were removed – Minister of Evangelization, Director of Parish Sports Program, and Supervisor of Parish Properties.
      3. The Minister of Liturgy was changed to Director of Liturgy.
      4. Director of Religious Education was changed to Coordinator of Religious Education.
      5. Parochial was removed from the Principal’s title
      6. The Director of Pre School was added as an ex-officio member.
   2. Article IV – Officers of the Council
      1. The following was added to Article IV:2 – Election of Executive Officers shall be reserved to appointed members of the Council only.
   3. Article VI – Meetings
      1. Was changed from This Council shall meet every two months from September through May, on the fourth Monday of the month, at 8:00pm in the Faith Formation Center to reflect:   This council shall meet bi-monthly beginning in September of each Pastoral Year as set by the pastor.
   4. Article X – Committees
      1.  2a was updated to include the Pre School and Parochial was removed from School.
      2.  2c was update to read: organizes outreach and evangelization to the parish and local community centered on the issues of peace, justice, and advocacy.  This includes events and programs such as blood drives, employment support, health education, counseling, and food pantry.
      3. 2d was updated to reflect the name Administration from Finance
      4.  2f was inserted to reflect the agreement of Youth Ministries Committee, making all subsequent points change
      5.  2i was added  which states: each committee will provide a report at each Parish Council Meeting