Preamble to the Constitution

We, the priests, deacons, and lay people of Immaculate Conception Church, Stony Point, New York, in union with each other and with our Pastor as our Shepherd, agree that the parish exists for the good of all its people, and that parish concerns cannot be adequately provided for without the active cooperation of the laity. We unite to form a Parish Council to bring together the parish family in a spirit of trust and cooperation in order to:

1. cooperate with the Pastor for the good of the parish
2. discern the needs of the people and attempt to meet them
3. be a Christian community and model for other organizations
4. further the Gospel of Christ by assisting in the apostolic work of the Church.

Article II Purpose and Objectives

A. To conduct meetings, explore new policies, and establish committees in conjunction with the Pastor;
B. To support the Pastor and his responsibility for the life and mission of the Church in the parish;
C. To assist the Pastor in the administration of the parish through recommendations and active participation;
D. To act as an authentic representative voice of the People of God, lay and clergy, to the Pastor;
E. To encourage by all available means a vigorous and effective lay apostolate;
F. To collaborate with other religious bodies and professional organizations in working for the common good of the community;
G. To participate by active cooperation with Area Councils and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, in the total life and mission of the Church within the Archdiocese;
H. To create an open, prayerful atmosphere in which the Council can work effectively.

Goal

The goal of the Parish Council is to help make Immaculate Conception Parish a community worshipping together in a common liturgy, living a life in the sacraments, espousing a common creed, and forming itself to preach the Gospel, serve the community and give witness to the world.

Responsibility

The Parish Council is directly responsible to the Pastor, and in a very real sense, to the people of the parish as well. According to the spirit of Vatican Council II, the Pastor and members of the parish share responsibility before God and the Archbishop for the spiritual and temporal affairs of the parish.

Authority

The Parish Council is a consultative body which assists the Pastor in making decisions. Its decisions are binding when they are consistent with Canon Law and ratified by the Pastor.

The Council will promote the dignity as well as the responsibility of the lay people in the parish and confidently assign them duties.