Welcome to Parish Pastoral Council Page
“We support the Parish Priest”
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is the highest consultative body in a parish that assists the parish priest in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the overall pastoral program and mission of the Church at he parish level.
Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
Overview & Purpose
1. Nature and Function
The PPC is a consultative and collaborative body of clergy, religious, and lay faithful who:
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Discern the needs of the parish community.
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Help the parish live out its pastoral mission (evangelization, worship, service, formation, and community life).
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Support the priest in aligning parish programs with diocesan priorities and the Gospel values.
2. Composition of the PPC
Chaired by the Parish Priest, the council usually includes:
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PPC President (if different from the priest, usually a layperson appointed or elected)
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Vice President
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Secretary
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Treasurer (if needed)
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Coordinators/Representatives of:
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Liturgical Ministries Council
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Family & Life Ministry
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Education/Formation Ministry
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Youth Ministry
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Social Action/Justice & Peace Ministry
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Temporalities Committee (Finance, Property, etc.)
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Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)
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Religious Organizations (e.g. Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus)
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In some parishes, ministries are clustered (e.g. WESTFLASAC – Worship, Education, Service, Temporalities, Family Life Apostolate, and Social Action Committee).
3. Roles and Responsibilities
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Plan the pastoral direction of the parish in accordance with diocesan goals.
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Implement and evaluate parish programs and activities.
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Animate lay participation and ensure inclusivity.
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Support the priest in promoting parish unity, peace, and spiritual growth.
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Promote accountability and transparency, especially in financial and mission areas.
4. Meetings
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Regular meetings (e.g. monthly or quarterly)
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Special meetings may be called as needed by the parish priest.
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Reports from ministries and organizations are discussed.
5. Term of Office
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Members typically serve a term of 2–3 years, renewable once.
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Officers are either elected or appointed according to parish guidelines.
6. Spiritual Character
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The PPC is not a political body or a board of directors. It is a pastoral, prayerful community of servant leaders.
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All decisions are made in the spirit of discernment, unity, and mission, not by majority rule alone.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
Immaculate Conception Parish, Diocese of Tandag
PREAMBLE
We, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of Immaculate Conception Parish, called to be a community of disciples and stewards of the Gospel, hereby establish this Constitution and By-Laws of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) to guide and sustain our shared mission of evangelization, worship, formation, service, and communion.
ARTICLE I – NAME AND NATURE
Section 1: Name
This body shall be known as the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of Immaculate Conception Parish.
Section 2: Nature
The PPC is a consultative and coordinating body under the authority of the Parish Priest, concerned with the overall pastoral life and direction of the parish.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The PPC shall:
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Promote and strengthen the pastoral mission of the parish.
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Serve as a forum for dialogue, planning, and coordination of parish ministries.
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Encourage active participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church.
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Ensure that pastoral programs are inspired by Gospel values and the teachings of the Church.
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Facilitate implementation of diocesan pastoral thrusts in the parish.
ARTICLE III – COMPOSITION
Section 1: Members
The PPC shall be composed of:
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Parish Priest (Chairperson)
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PPC President or Vice Chair (if designated)
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Secretary
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Treasurer (if applicable)
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Ministry and Committee Heads, such as:
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Worship/Liturgy Council
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Education and Formation
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Social Action
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Family and Life
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Youth Ministry
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Temporalities/Finance Committee
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BEC/BCC Coordinators
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Religious organizations (e.g., CWL, K of C, Legion of Mary)
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Other appointed members by the priest (e.g. elders, professionals, experts)
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ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Qualifications
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Must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic in good standing.
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Must be actively involved in parish life and ministries.
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Willing to serve and participate in formation and activities.
Section 2: Term of Office
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Members shall serve for two years, renewable once.
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Officers may serve according to the same term unless otherwise specified by the parish priest.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS AND DUTIES
1. Parish Priest (Chairperson)
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Leads and supervises the PPC; confirms all council plans and decisions.
2. President or Vice Chairperson
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Presides over meetings in the absence of the priest.
3. Secretary
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Keeps minutes, documents, and correspondence.
4. Treasurer
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Keeps track of council finances (if necessary).
5. Members
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Actively participate in meetings, programs, and discernment processes.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
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Regular meetings shall be held monthly or quarterly, as agreed.
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Special meetings may be called by the Parish Priest or upon request of one-third of members.
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A quorum shall consist of 50% + 1 of the members.
ARTICLE VII – DECISION-MAKING
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Decisions are made through consensus or majority vote, subject to final approval by the Parish Priest.
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Every effort shall be made to discern in the spirit of communion and co-responsibility.
ARTICLE VIII – FORMATION AND SPIRITUALITY
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All members must undergo spiritual and leadership formation at least once a year.
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The PPC shall promote a culture of prayer, servant leadership, and synodality.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
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This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds of the council, with the final approval of the Parish Priest.
ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION
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The PPC may only be dissolved or restructured by the Parish Priest, in consultation with the Diocesan Office for Pastoral Affairs.