Download these documents:
- PPC Guidelines (.docx)
- Election Proess (.docx)
Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines
1. Purpose
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) exists to serve the parish community and encourage all parishioners to participate fully in the life and mission of the parish and of the wider Church.
It seeks to do so by:
- Offering assistance and advice to the Parish Priest and providing a structure and resource to ease his workload and plan for the future.
- Supporting, co-ordinating and promoting the work and worship of the parish and initiating new activities.
- Focusing energy and resources on being a welcoming parish that reaches out into the world.
- Communicating openly with the whole parish, and seeking the ideas and views of parishioners.
2. Principles
- Firmly rooted in prayer
- Clergy and lay people working together
- Open and transparent decision-making and ways of working
- Strong two-way communication between the PPC and the wider parish community
- Inclusive and collaborative approaches
3. Accountability
Under Canon Law the Parish Priest is entrusted with the pastoral care of the parish under the authority of the Bishop. The existence and operation of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), which is an advisory group, are at the discretion of the Parish Priest who has final decision-making authority.
4. Membership
The PPC consists of:
- The Parish Priest as President assisted by any other clergy assigned to the parish by the Bishop.
- Up to three representatives from each church within the parish.
- The head teacher (or their representative) from St Mary’s RC Primary School and St Philip Neri RC Primary School.
- A representative of the Parish Finance Committee
- Other co-opted members as necessary
The PPC will elect a Chair and Vice-chair from within its membership and identify a Secretary to produce notes of meetings. One member of the PPC will be nominated as a Safeguarding lead for the group.
5. Meetings
- Ordinary meetings will usually take place a minimum of 4 times each year. Items for the agenda should be notified at least 7 days before the meeting. Items of ‘Other Business’ notified at least 24 hours ahead of the meeting will be considered for inclusion. ‘Safeguarding’ and ‘Health and Safety’ will be standing items on each agenda.
- To be quorate any ordinary meeting requires a minimum of 5 members to be present.
- Wherever possible, decision-making will be by consensus – recognising that the Parish Priest has ultimate responsibility to the Bishop for the running of the parish. If a vote is required, all members are eligible to vote – with the Chair having the casting vote.
- Each year an Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held and will be open for all parishioners to attend.
- Minutes of each PPC meeting will be taken, circulated to PPC members, ideally within 10 days of the meeting and then made available within the Parish within 3 weeks of the meeting.
- A schedule of proposed meeting dates for the year will be produced, and adhered to whenever possible, although there will be flexibility to alter dates or to omit meetings as appropriate.
6. Elections
- Members (other than clergy, head teachers and co-opted members) will be elected by ballot (where necessary) and by a simple majority.
- The term of office is for three years in the first instance with the ability to be re-elected. Ideally members will serve for a continuous period of no more than 6 years although, should it not prove possible to recruit a replacement member, a further term of up to 3 years can be agreed.
7. Review of Guidelines
These guidelines should be reviewed at least every two years. Any proposed changes will be considered by the full membership of the PPC.
Parish Pastoral Council Election Process
Note: This document should be read in conjunction with the Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines above, which set out information about the PPC and the roles and responsibilities of members.
1. Purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council
a) Purpose:
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) exists to serve the parish community and encourage all parishioners to participate fully in the life and mission of the parish and of the wider Church.
It seeks to do so by:
- Offering assistance and advice to the Parish Priest and providing a structure and resource to ease his workload and plan for the future.
- Supporting, co-ordinating and promoting the work and worship of the parish and initiating new activities.
- Focusing energy and resources on being a welcoming parish that reaches out into the world.
- Communicating openly with the whole parish, and seeking the ideas and views of parishioners.
b) Principles:
- Firmly rooted in prayer
- Clergy and lay people working together
- Open and transparent decision-making and ways of working
- Strong two-way communication between the PPC and the wider parish community
- Inclusive and collaborative approaches
2. Eligibility for Nomination
A nominee must be:
- A baptised Catholic and a regular worshipper within the Parish of Our Lady and St Philip Neri
- At least 14 years old
- Willing to commit to regular PPC meetings and parish initiatives
3. Nomination Phase
- The opening of nominations at all weekend Masses and through parish communication channels.
- Nomination forms made available for four weeks.
- Parishioners may self‑nominate or nominate another parishioner with their consent.
- Completed forms must be returned to the parish office
4. Publication of Candidate Information
- All eligible candidates’ profiles (taken from the nomination form) are compiled into a Candidate Information Sheet.
- This sheet is made available in print and online one week before voting begins.
5. Voting Process
Where an election is required:
- Voting is open to all parishioners aged 14+.
- Voting may take place:
- After all weekend Masses
- At the parish office during the week
- Each parishioner may vote for up to 3 candidates
- Ballots are collected securely and counted by a small, appointed Election Committee consisting of parishioners not standing for election.
6. Announcement of Results
- Results are reviewed and confirmed by the parish priest.
- Newly elected members are announced at all weekend Masses and through parish communications.
7. Commissioning of New Members
- New PPC members are formally commissioned during a Sunday Mass.
- They begin their service at the next scheduled PPC meeting.