Constitution
of the English Speaking Community
of Christ our Redeemer
Mission Statement
We, the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer want to share our talents and opportunities to serve as messengers and instruments of Christ's Gospel, following the Roman Catholic faith and tradition. Through the wide variety of cultures and international networks, our Community offers a unique opportunity to share the vision of God's Kingdom with the global community. We aim to show our love for God in the love for our neighbour and our environment and to connect our spirituality, religious formation and daily lives with the promotion of justice and peace.
The Community Council undertakes its mission to support the Chaplain in presenting the gifts and talents of the community members for the greater glory of God and service of the world.
The Community Council undertakes its mission to support the Chaplain in presenting the gifts and talents of the community members for the greater glory of God and service of the world.
Definitions
a) The English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer in Rotterdam and its surroundings, having its seat in the diocese of Rotterdam, is a public ecclesiastical juridical person according to which it is acknowledged according to Dutch Law in view of art. 2 of Book 2 of Civil Law. The Bishop of Rotterdam accordingly exercises his competence as described in the Constitution.
b) The Chaplain means that person who, by virtue of his appointment by the Bishop is responsible to the Bishop for all community affairs, decisions and actions.
c) The Community Council means that body, duly formed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, to assist and advise the Chaplain in his running of the community, all as further described in Article 2 hereof.
b) The Chaplain means that person who, by virtue of his appointment by the Bishop is responsible to the Bishop for all community affairs, decisions and actions.
c) The Community Council means that body, duly formed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, to assist and advise the Chaplain in his running of the community, all as further described in Article 2 hereof.
1. The Chaplain
a) The Chaplain is a priest and the shepherd of the faithful, as described in art. 1 (a). For them he has the same competence as a community priest in a territorial community.
b) He exercises the pastoral care for the community, which has been entrusted to him under the authority of the Bishop, sharing in the Lord's work of service in order to exercise the task of proclamation, of salvation and of direction, also in co-operation with other priests or deacons and with the help of lay people.
c) The Chaplain takes care that registers are being kept for baptisms, confirmations, marriages and funerals of the community, even when these take place in one of the territorial parishes within the area of the personal community and have been registered there.
d) The chaplain should hand over the gifts or legacies which he receives in the course of his duties from community members, to the community unless the donor or testator has made it known otherwise.
e) As the time approaches for the replacement of the Chaplain of the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer, the Community Council will contact the Bishop who has the statutory responsibility to appoint priests. Given the needs and experience of the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer of Rotterdam and surroundings, the Community Council will advise and assist the Bishop in the selection of a chaplain who will be able to minister to the unique needs of this community.
f) When no priest has been appointed chaplain by the Bishop, the community committee will ask priests to lead Sunday mass. One of those priests will be appointed as coordinator by the committee and will take care of the Chaplain’s Duties.
b) He exercises the pastoral care for the community, which has been entrusted to him under the authority of the Bishop, sharing in the Lord's work of service in order to exercise the task of proclamation, of salvation and of direction, also in co-operation with other priests or deacons and with the help of lay people.
c) The Chaplain takes care that registers are being kept for baptisms, confirmations, marriages and funerals of the community, even when these take place in one of the territorial parishes within the area of the personal community and have been registered there.
d) The chaplain should hand over the gifts or legacies which he receives in the course of his duties from community members, to the community unless the donor or testator has made it known otherwise.
e) As the time approaches for the replacement of the Chaplain of the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer, the Community Council will contact the Bishop who has the statutory responsibility to appoint priests. Given the needs and experience of the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer of Rotterdam and surroundings, the Community Council will advise and assist the Bishop in the selection of a chaplain who will be able to minister to the unique needs of this community.
f) When no priest has been appointed chaplain by the Bishop, the community committee will ask priests to lead Sunday mass. One of those priests will be appointed as coordinator by the committee and will take care of the Chaplain’s Duties.
2. The Community
The Community is, by definition, a non-profit making body initiated to perpetuate a good cause and has no specific administrative or financial reporting requirements to any other. The Community of Christ our Redeemer is part of the Catholic community of the Diocese of Rotterdam. In the Community Council of the community will be, upon approval of the Bishop, registered as:
- President: the Chaplain of the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer
- Chairperson community member elected by the community
- Vice chairperson community member elected by the community
- Secretary community member elected by the community
- Treasurer community member elected by the community
- Committees’ liaison community member elected by the community
3. Legal Representation
In all matters concerning juridical actions regarding the property of the community, the community will be represented juridically by any two of the following:
- The Chaplain
- The Chairperson and/or the Secretary of the Community Council (or by their community juridically appointed representatives )
4. Functions of the Community Council
a) According to the Literae Circulares dated 25th January 1973 of the Congregation for the Clergy, a COMMUNITY COUNCIL may be constituted to play an advisory role to the Chaplain or offer alternatives or proposals with regard to pastoral care.
b) It is on the above understanding that the Community Council is constituted. The purpose of the Community Council is to ensure that, in collaboration with the Chaplain, goals and objectives are identified and fulfilled as intended by the provisions of this Constitution.
c) The objectives shall always adequately cover, although not necessarily be limited to, the following primary areas:
i) To preserve the image of the Church, such that Jesus Christ is seen in the transactions of the Community Council.
ii) To ensure that facilities are available for opportunities to worship in English within the Roman Catholic tradition.
iii) To encourage opportunities for ecumenism.
iv) To monitor the internal needs and manage the functioning of the community.
v) To arrange for the ongoing maintenance and any addition to the material infrastructure of the community.
vi) To manage the finances, and administer all properties of the community.
vii) To arrange for the material support of the Chaplain and his assistants.
viii) To encourage social interaction amongst members of the community.
ix) To ensure that the obligations which belong to the community as part of the diocese and of the whole Church are fulfilled.
x) To perform other juridical actions and make agreements on behalf of the community.
In this way the members of the Community Council fulfil the task and duties of the council for economic affairs in co-operation with the Chaplain
d) The Chaplain, other priest(s) and the members of the Community Council should respect each other's responsibility for the good of the general conduct and management of the community. If there is no agreement between the Chaplain, other priest(s) or members of the Community Council so that co-operation is threatened, the various points of view will be set down in writing and an effort will be made to settle the matter amicably. If a consensus is not arrived at, the dispute will be brought to the attention of the Bishop by both sides.
The Bishop can annul or postpone the execution of decisions of the Community Council when they are contrary to the laws of the church or the common good of the community or the diocese.
b) It is on the above understanding that the Community Council is constituted. The purpose of the Community Council is to ensure that, in collaboration with the Chaplain, goals and objectives are identified and fulfilled as intended by the provisions of this Constitution.
c) The objectives shall always adequately cover, although not necessarily be limited to, the following primary areas:
i) To preserve the image of the Church, such that Jesus Christ is seen in the transactions of the Community Council.
ii) To ensure that facilities are available for opportunities to worship in English within the Roman Catholic tradition.
iii) To encourage opportunities for ecumenism.
iv) To monitor the internal needs and manage the functioning of the community.
v) To arrange for the ongoing maintenance and any addition to the material infrastructure of the community.
vi) To manage the finances, and administer all properties of the community.
vii) To arrange for the material support of the Chaplain and his assistants.
viii) To encourage social interaction amongst members of the community.
ix) To ensure that the obligations which belong to the community as part of the diocese and of the whole Church are fulfilled.
x) To perform other juridical actions and make agreements on behalf of the community.
In this way the members of the Community Council fulfil the task and duties of the council for economic affairs in co-operation with the Chaplain
d) The Chaplain, other priest(s) and the members of the Community Council should respect each other's responsibility for the good of the general conduct and management of the community. If there is no agreement between the Chaplain, other priest(s) or members of the Community Council so that co-operation is threatened, the various points of view will be set down in writing and an effort will be made to settle the matter amicably. If a consensus is not arrived at, the dispute will be brought to the attention of the Bishop by both sides.
The Bishop can annul or postpone the execution of decisions of the Community Council when they are contrary to the laws of the church or the common good of the community or the diocese.
5. Composition of the Community Council
a) The Community Council shall consist normally of 5 members, elected in a general meeting by the Community, together with the Community Chaplain, who by virtue of his office is the President of the Community Council. One member will be elected as chairperson, one as vice-chairperson, one as secretary, one as treasurer and one as Committees’ liaison...
b) Responsibilities of Community Council members
i) President
i) Effectively this is the chaplain of the community
ii) Leads the meetings, but normally delegates this to the chairperson
iii) Is responsible for the list of celebrants and their transportation to the chapel
ii) Chairperson
i) Represents the community officially
ii) Convenes, conducts and guides Community Council meetings
iii) Provides information about missionary and diaconal activities
iv) Although it requires the whole Council’s attention, the chairperson is firstly responsible for social activities regarding community members:
(1) welcoming newcomers
(2) saying farewell to those leaving
(3) attention to birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
(4) attention for the sick
v) Providing the secretary with details for the member’s list
vi) Legally co-represents (with the President) the community regarding community property
vii) Acts for the treasurer in his absence regarding the counting and handling of collection- and coffee money
iii) Vice-chairperson
i) Supports the chairperson in his/her responsibilities
ii) Acts as chairperson in his/her absence
iii) Acts as a liaison for the facilities required for mass and coffee
iv) Acts for the treasurer in his absence regarding the counting and handling of collection- and coffee money
v) Selects hymns and arranges for music facilities during mass, possibly in co-operation with the chaplain
iv) Secretary
i) Takes minutes of meetings and distributes them within 1 week amongst the Community Council members
ii) Makes the agenda for the next meeting and distributes it at least 1 week before the meeting amongst the Community Council members
iii) Takes care of correspondence and notices that the Community Council decides on
iv) Is the person whose address is the official post-address for the community
v) Treasurer
i) Is responsible for
(1) Receiving income
(2) Making payments
(3) Monitoring expenses
(4) Initiating and maintaining of registers of possessions, with attention to
(a) Insurance
(b) Depreciation
(c) Investment planning
(5) Keeping the accounts in a proper manner
(6) Makes a budget of income and expenses before November of the next year
(7) Makes the accounts of the past year (income and expenses, balance of possessions and debts) before March
(8) Makes an abbreviated account before May, to be presented to the community members
vi) Committees’ liaison
i) Effectively chosen from the various committees’ coordinators
ii) Represents all committees on the Community Council
c) Nominations for the above offices shall be invited by the Chaplain, in his role of President, from the general membership of the community.
d) The treasurer will normally be a community member with financial qualifications or experience..
b) Responsibilities of Community Council members
i) President
i) Effectively this is the chaplain of the community
ii) Leads the meetings, but normally delegates this to the chairperson
iii) Is responsible for the list of celebrants and their transportation to the chapel
ii) Chairperson
i) Represents the community officially
ii) Convenes, conducts and guides Community Council meetings
iii) Provides information about missionary and diaconal activities
iv) Although it requires the whole Council’s attention, the chairperson is firstly responsible for social activities regarding community members:
(1) welcoming newcomers
(2) saying farewell to those leaving
(3) attention to birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
(4) attention for the sick
v) Providing the secretary with details for the member’s list
vi) Legally co-represents (with the President) the community regarding community property
vii) Acts for the treasurer in his absence regarding the counting and handling of collection- and coffee money
iii) Vice-chairperson
i) Supports the chairperson in his/her responsibilities
ii) Acts as chairperson in his/her absence
iii) Acts as a liaison for the facilities required for mass and coffee
iv) Acts for the treasurer in his absence regarding the counting and handling of collection- and coffee money
v) Selects hymns and arranges for music facilities during mass, possibly in co-operation with the chaplain
iv) Secretary
i) Takes minutes of meetings and distributes them within 1 week amongst the Community Council members
ii) Makes the agenda for the next meeting and distributes it at least 1 week before the meeting amongst the Community Council members
iii) Takes care of correspondence and notices that the Community Council decides on
iv) Is the person whose address is the official post-address for the community
v) Treasurer
i) Is responsible for
(1) Receiving income
(2) Making payments
(3) Monitoring expenses
(4) Initiating and maintaining of registers of possessions, with attention to
(a) Insurance
(b) Depreciation
(c) Investment planning
(5) Keeping the accounts in a proper manner
(6) Makes a budget of income and expenses before November of the next year
(7) Makes the accounts of the past year (income and expenses, balance of possessions and debts) before March
(8) Makes an abbreviated account before May, to be presented to the community members
vi) Committees’ liaison
i) Effectively chosen from the various committees’ coordinators
ii) Represents all committees on the Community Council
c) Nominations for the above offices shall be invited by the Chaplain, in his role of President, from the general membership of the community.
d) The treasurer will normally be a community member with financial qualifications or experience..
6. Community Council Elections
a) Elected members of the Community Council are initially mandated to serve for a two year term and cannot succeed themselves. However if Pastoral reasons exist this term can be extended for a maximum of two years after suggestion by the Chaplain backed by a 2/3 majority agreement of the other Community Council members. Terms of office are staggered to allow for continuity of the Community Council, with elections of the 5 members at large alternating, 3 elected one year and 2 elected the following year or as modified to take into account the extended term as described above.
b) All practicing Roman Catholics of good standing in the community who are committed to the service of the church by witness and conviction and are a minimum of 18 years old are eligible for membership of the Community Council.
c) Community Council elections will be held during May of each year. All Community members who are 16 years old or over may vote. The candidates receiving the majority of the votes cast will be introduced to the sitting Community Council at its last meeting, when hand-over will take place and new officers will be elected.
d) A Chairperson vacancy will be filled by the Vice- Chairperson.
b) All practicing Roman Catholics of good standing in the community who are committed to the service of the church by witness and conviction and are a minimum of 18 years old are eligible for membership of the Community Council.
c) Community Council elections will be held during May of each year. All Community members who are 16 years old or over may vote. The candidates receiving the majority of the votes cast will be introduced to the sitting Community Council at its last meeting, when hand-over will take place and new officers will be elected.
d) A Chairperson vacancy will be filled by the Vice- Chairperson.
7. Community Council Meetings
a) The Community Council shall normally have a general meeting once per year, on a date announced four weeks beforehand. All members of the community are welcome to attend this general meeting of the Community Council, and a summary of this will be made available to community members.
b) Regular meetings of the Community Council may be held privately as determined by the Chairperson.
c) The Chaplain presides over Community Council meetings, which are chaired by the chairperson. In his/her absence, the vice-chairperson takes the chair. When both are absent, an acting chairperson is nominated by the chairperson, subject to approval by the Chaplain.
d) Minutes of all Community Council meetings will be taken under the responsibility of the secretary of the Community Council; these minutes will be approved in the first meeting of the Community Council thereafter and signed by the chairperson and secretary and will be kept in the archives of the community.
e) The Community Council will, in general, vote on motions under the guidance of the Chairperson or at the request of the Chaplain. All members of the Community Council will be eligible to vote. Where the Community Council agrees that an issue is of major importance the vote may be postponed until the following meeting and all absentee members must be formally notified. Otherwise all Community Council resolutions are proposed and passed at the same meeting.
f) Whenever the Chaplain deems that a Community Council issue encroaches on ecclesiastical laws, he may overrule the Community Council, subject to Community Council appeal of his action to the Bishop.
b) Regular meetings of the Community Council may be held privately as determined by the Chairperson.
c) The Chaplain presides over Community Council meetings, which are chaired by the chairperson. In his/her absence, the vice-chairperson takes the chair. When both are absent, an acting chairperson is nominated by the chairperson, subject to approval by the Chaplain.
d) Minutes of all Community Council meetings will be taken under the responsibility of the secretary of the Community Council; these minutes will be approved in the first meeting of the Community Council thereafter and signed by the chairperson and secretary and will be kept in the archives of the community.
e) The Community Council will, in general, vote on motions under the guidance of the Chairperson or at the request of the Chaplain. All members of the Community Council will be eligible to vote. Where the Community Council agrees that an issue is of major importance the vote may be postponed until the following meeting and all absentee members must be formally notified. Otherwise all Community Council resolutions are proposed and passed at the same meeting.
f) Whenever the Chaplain deems that a Community Council issue encroaches on ecclesiastical laws, he may overrule the Community Council, subject to Community Council appeal of his action to the Bishop.
8. Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees
a) The Community Council will appoint and/or approve standing and ad hoc committees to administer community activities when it considers this to be appropriate. Such committees will report on their activities and findings to the committees, via the committees’ liaison.
b) Responsibilities of Community Committees
a. Catering Committee
i. Organizes coffee/tea/food for after Mass
ii. Consults with the responsible people regarding the use of facilities, together with the vice chairperson, if necessary
iii. Takes care of the counting of money paid for coffee etc. and handing over of same to the treasurer
iv. Takes care of accounting for necessary purchases and handing over of same to the treasurer
b. Readings Committee
i. Organizes a list of readers, for a 3-month period
ii. Distributes the list among the readers on the list, 1 month in advance
iii. Places a copy of the list in the sacristy
iv. Takes care of replacement readers in case of their unforeseen absence
c. Sacristan Committee
i. Prepares the chapel for Mass
ii. Tidies up after Mass
iii. Takes care of the chapel’s possessions (both the facilities’ possessions as well as the community’s possessions ), before, during and after Mass
iv. Takes care of the collection during mass, and handing over of same to the treasurer
d. Youth Committee
i. Stimulation of youth participation both in the community and within the Diocese
ii. Takes care of teaching and instruction of the altar servers
iii. Takes care of coordination of religious classes
iv. Organizes a list of altar servers, for a 3-month period
v. Distributes the list among the altar servers on the list, 1 month in advance
vi. Place a copy of the list in the sacristy
vii. Takes care of replacement altar servers in case of their unforeseen absence
b) Responsibilities of Community Committees
a. Catering Committee
i. Organizes coffee/tea/food for after Mass
ii. Consults with the responsible people regarding the use of facilities, together with the vice chairperson, if necessary
iii. Takes care of the counting of money paid for coffee etc. and handing over of same to the treasurer
iv. Takes care of accounting for necessary purchases and handing over of same to the treasurer
b. Readings Committee
i. Organizes a list of readers, for a 3-month period
ii. Distributes the list among the readers on the list, 1 month in advance
iii. Places a copy of the list in the sacristy
iv. Takes care of replacement readers in case of their unforeseen absence
c. Sacristan Committee
i. Prepares the chapel for Mass
ii. Tidies up after Mass
iii. Takes care of the chapel’s possessions (both the facilities’ possessions as well as the community’s possessions ), before, during and after Mass
iv. Takes care of the collection during mass, and handing over of same to the treasurer
d. Youth Committee
i. Stimulation of youth participation both in the community and within the Diocese
ii. Takes care of teaching and instruction of the altar servers
iii. Takes care of coordination of religious classes
iv. Organizes a list of altar servers, for a 3-month period
v. Distributes the list among the altar servers on the list, 1 month in advance
vi. Place a copy of the list in the sacristy
vii. Takes care of replacement altar servers in case of their unforeseen absence
9. The Community Finances
a) Finances of the community cover the following.
i) The assets of the community
ii) Contributions of members
iii) Grants, donations, inheritances and legacies
iv) Other income / expenditure
The Community Council will ensure that all community financial transactions are conducted in accordance with the rules of this Article 10.
b) The year of accounting extends from 1st January to 31st December .
c) Annually, at the latest before the first of November, a budget of all income and expenditure will be drawn up by the treasurer on behalf of the Community Council for the following accounting year.
d) Once approved, the budget will be the basis for the financial administration of the community
e) The Treasurer gives account and justification to the Community Council of the amounts of income and expenditure before the First of March following the particular year of accounting.
f) The approval of the financial accounts by the Community Council will discharge the Community Council of its financial responsibility for the preceding year.
g) The Community Council may seek advice from third parties for approval of the financial accounts
h) The treasurer notifies the Community Council when debtors do not pay their debt.
i) The treasurer does not pay bills over € 300,--. unless these have been approved by at least one other member of the Community Council.
j) The Community Council has the right at all times to view the cash-account, the books and other financial documents of the community. The treasurer is obliged to make available all required information and explanations about his financial administration of the community.
k) An abbreviated account of the financial affairs and the budget for the following year will be given to the community members in a way determined by the Community Council
i) The assets of the community
ii) Contributions of members
iii) Grants, donations, inheritances and legacies
iv) Other income / expenditure
The Community Council will ensure that all community financial transactions are conducted in accordance with the rules of this Article 10.
b) The year of accounting extends from 1st January to 31st December .
c) Annually, at the latest before the first of November, a budget of all income and expenditure will be drawn up by the treasurer on behalf of the Community Council for the following accounting year.
d) Once approved, the budget will be the basis for the financial administration of the community
e) The Treasurer gives account and justification to the Community Council of the amounts of income and expenditure before the First of March following the particular year of accounting.
f) The approval of the financial accounts by the Community Council will discharge the Community Council of its financial responsibility for the preceding year.
g) The Community Council may seek advice from third parties for approval of the financial accounts
h) The treasurer notifies the Community Council when debtors do not pay their debt.
i) The treasurer does not pay bills over € 300,--. unless these have been approved by at least one other member of the Community Council.
j) The Community Council has the right at all times to view the cash-account, the books and other financial documents of the community. The treasurer is obliged to make available all required information and explanations about his financial administration of the community.
k) An abbreviated account of the financial affairs and the budget for the following year will be given to the community members in a way determined by the Community Council
10. Dissolution and Liquidation of the Community
a) The Bishop can dissolve the English Speaking Community of Christ our Redeemer after having heard the Chaplain and the Community Council.
b) After such dissolution, the liquidation takes place by the members of the Community Council. The final accounting of the liquidation requires the approval of the Bishop. The balance of the liquidation account will be handed over to the Bishop in order to be spent on pastoral work.
b) After such dissolution, the liquidation takes place by the members of the Community Council. The final accounting of the liquidation requires the approval of the Bishop. The balance of the liquidation account will be handed over to the Bishop in order to be spent on pastoral work.
Amendment
This Constitution is subject to amendment only when the proposed amendment receives a two-thirds vote of the whole Community Council in favour of the proposed amendment.
