The Council shall be called "The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of St. Joseph's, Christchurch".

The PPC is a representative body of Christ's faithfull, whose purpose is the promotion of the mission of the church in our parish.  It shall at all times work in close collaboration with the Priest (s) of the parish, advising him (them) in matters pertaining to the Pastoral Ministry.

The function of the Pastoral Council is to facilitate the Pastoral Mission of the church within the parish and to design the ways in which the work of the church is to be accomplished.

In accordance with the mind of the church, the council shall have a consultative voice only.  Through its insight, expertise and prudent advice, it will help the priest(s) identify, implement and evaluate those pastoral initiatives and policies best suited to the spread of the gospel in this particular area.

The council shall consist of then to fifteen members who shall be Parishioners. A majority of two thirds shall be Catholic.

The term parishioner includes:

1. Any baptised Catholic living within the Parish Geographical Boundary.

2. Any baptised Christian who usually worships in the parish church.

All clergy of the parish (and Pastoral Assistant if there is one) shall be ex-officio members.

Not less than half the members shall be freely elected by the Parishioners.

The parish priest shall freely co-opt onto the council not more than five members, noted for their talents, skills or positions they already hold in the parish.  Care should be taken to ensure that, where suitable persons are available, pastoral groups, different age groups and geographical areas are represented.

The period of office shall be three years.  No member should seve more than two consecutive terms of office but shall be eligible for subsequent re-nomination.  To ensure continuity, members may be asked to volunteer for one extra year.

Any member failing to attend three consecutive meetings without reasonable explanation shall be deemed to have resigned.

Vacancies shall be filled by co-option by the council.

The parish priest shall be President of the Pastoral Council.

The council shall appoint annually a facilitator who shall chair the meetings of the PPC.

The council shall have a Secretary who is to be appointed by the members.

The ppc shall meet at least five times each year.  There can be no meetings of the PPC without the Parish Priest; however, should the need arise for the PPC to meet to consider an urgent pastoral need and the Parish Priest is not able to preside at the meeting, he may delegate the presidency of that meeting to another person.  An extra ordinary meeting may be called at the request of not less that four members of the council.

Prior to each meeting, the Priest, together with the facilitator and secretary, shall draw up the agenda.  Members of the council are invited to submit items for the agenda, which should be circulated to members a week before the meeting.  The agenda shall include matters pertaining to the mission of the church i.e.. the full range of pastoral activities which will enable this particular faith community to listen more attentively to God's word and put into practice in its day-to-day life.

Because of the unique nature of the council, a short period before each meeting shall be given over to prayer and reflections on an appropriate section of God's word.

A quorum shall consist of fifty per cent plus 1 of the current membership.

The council may set up sub committees to advise on matters of particular pastoral concern.  Other people, because of their particular expertise and competence, may be co-opted onto those sub-committees.

Prayer, study, reflection and in service education on the nature and mission of the church is of paramount importance for every member of the council.

The norms of this constitution are to be approved by the Bishop of the Diocese.