Installation of Vestry or Parish Council

THE INSTALLATION of VESTRY or PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS

NORTH AMERICAN OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

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THE ORDER FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PARISH OFFICERS, VESTRY / PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS, AUDITORS AND SYNODAL DELEGATES

_______________ ¶ A Hymn may be sung while the candidates make their way to the altar rail.

Sponsor: My dear brethren, hear what the Word of God saith concerning the institution of the office to which you have been called.

Lector: A Reading from The Book of Acts, Chapter 6, Verses 2 - 3.

“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reasonable that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

The Word of the Lord.

All:

Thanks be to God.

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Sponsor: Reverend Father, I present unto you these persons to be admitted to the office of Parish Officers, Vestry/Council Members, Auditors and Delegates of _______________________________ Parish/Mission.

Celebrant: Are the persons whom you present, duly prepared by purity of life, regular attendance at Church, and knowledge of their duties, to exercise their ministry to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church ?

Sponsor:

I believe them so to be.

Celebrant: Dearly beloved brethren: You have been chosen to office by the vote of this Congregation. It is my duty to impress upon you the greatness, the solemnity and the importance of the work unto which you are chosen.

You will take heed unto yourselves, to be examples to the Church in your daily living. Take heed also to the flock of God over whom the Holy Ghost has placed you in your office. Give prayerful attention unto the office which is entrusted to you, to fulfill, as unto the Lord Jesus Christ. By accepting this trust, you indicate, without reservation, your commitment and loyalty to the Constitution, By-Laws, Standards and Mission of ________________________________ Parish/Mission.

The Vestry/Parish Council provides the Rector/Pastor

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with the wisdom of the laity for the good of the parish.

Because of their knowledge and competence, the members of the Vestry/Parish Council are called to share with one another and with the Rector/Pastor, their insights, honestly, with courage and with prudence. And so, the parish is strengthened by the unity of effort achieved in reverence and charity.

Hear now the duties of the office to which you have been elected by this Congregation. It will be your duty to see that: •

the services of God’s House be held at the proper times, and conducted in accordance with the Order of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as it has been received by the North American Old Roman Catholic Church;

•

that the pure Word of God be preached as the North American Old Roman Catholic Church confesses it, and only by those duly authorized according to the Constitution, By-Laws and Standards of this parish;

•

that the Sacraments in like manner be rightly administered;

•

that provision be made for the Christian instruction of the members;

•

that due order and strict discipline maintained, and the erring admonished;

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be

• •

that the property of the Congregation be cared for and all that relates to its worldly affairs be properly administered.

It will be your duty to assist the Rector/Pastor in the care of the sick and needy; in the cultivation of harmony among the members; in promotion of the general welfare of the Congregation and in furtherance of Christ’s Kingdom, at home and abroad; and to assist the Rector/Pastor, as may be needed, in the carrying out of his duties.

•

It will furthermore be your duty to learn to work together as wise counselors and faithful disciples. Though there may be diversity in counsel, there must never be differences in aim or purpose.

•

It is your duty to be ready to counsel with the Rector/Pastor in his sacred office and to carry a sense of responsibility for the spiritual life of this parish.

•

You will have likewise the practical duty of fostering the principle of stewardship and of securing and expending the offerings of the people as these are given to carry on the work of God.

Nor should you be unmindful that, while holiness of life and conversation is required of all who bear the name of Christian, it is especially incumbent upon those who have been called to be office-bearers in His Church, to show themselves in all things, by word and example, a

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pattern of good works.

I ask you therefore: Do you accept the office to which you have been called, and do you promise to discharge its duties faithfully in the fear of God and in accordance with the Constitution of this Parish and in conformity with the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the North American Old Roman Catholic Church?

Candidates: I do, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Are you convinced that the work of this ministry is so important that, while you are appointed thereto, you should be diligent in performing the same?

Candidates: I am so convinced.

Celebrant: Will you faithfully and reverently execute the duties of your office to the best of your ability, as unto the Lord and not unto men?

Candidates: I will, by God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you strive to live in accordance with the sacredness of this office?

Candidates: I will so strive, the Lord being my helper.

Celebrant: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Who hath called you to the service of His Church, enlighten and strengthen you in your office, that you

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may prove good and faithful stewards to the glory of His Holy Name. May God guide and bless you in the doing of this work.

Let us hear now the Word of God. Lector: A Reading from The Book of Numbers Chapter 11, Verses 16-17.

The Lord said unto Moses: “Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”

The Word of the Lord.

All:

Thanks be to God.

Celebrant: Having heard the Word of God and having heard your pledge, I now charge you to take your oath of office: Candidates: I, ___________________________________________, SOLEMNLY SWEAR BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THIS CONGREGATION, THAT I SHALL FULFILL THE DUTIES OF MY OFFICE TO THE

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BEST OF MY ABILITY, JUSTLY, HONESTLY, AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY, SO HELP ME GOD, ONE IN THE BLESSED TRINITY. AMEN.

Celebrant:

Let us pray.

O God, by Whose Word all things are made holy, pour out Thy blessing  upon these pins, and grant that whosoever uses them in accordance with Thy will and Thy law, and in the spirit of thanksgiving, may experience by Thy power, health of body and protection of soul, as they invoke Thy most holy Name. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. ¶ The pins are then sprinkled with Holy Water.

Celebrant: I admit you to the office of ___________________________________, in this parish/mission; and I give you this pin (and this Constitution of _______________________________ Parish/Mission), as a token of your ministry; in the Name of the Father and of the Son  and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Lector: Ant. Without counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

All: I am Thy servant, O grant me understanding; that I may know Thy testimonies. (Psalm 119: 125) Lector:

Ant. Without counsel, purposes are

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disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Lord God, heavenly Father, Who according to Thy gracious will, hast established within Thy Church on Earth, various offices for the ministration of Thy manifold gifts of grace: We thank Thee, that in this place, Thou hast provided men and women of honest report, ready to serve this Congregation for Thy sake; and we humbly pray Thee to enrich them abundantly with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may have wisdom, strength and willing hearts for the service unto which Thou hast called them. Let Thy blessing rest also on this Congregation, not only in that which pertaineth to its temporal affairs, but, above all, in spiritual and heavenly gifts. Strengthen the faith, quicken the love and enkindle the zeal of its members, that Thy Name may be glorified, and that, both here and in all places, the Kingdom of Thy dear Son may be advanced. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: All: Celebrant:

Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Let us now recite the Lord’s Prayer.

All: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Celebrant: O Eternal God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten with Thy grace, the Officers, Vestry/Council Members, Auditors and Delegates of Thy Church, and so rule their minds and guide their counsels, that in all things they may seek Thy glory and the welfare of Thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:

Amen.

Celebrant: Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in Thy truth; All: O knit my heart unto Thee, that I may fear Thy Name.

Celebrant: Name;

So will I always sing praise unto Thy

All:

That I may daily perform my vows.

Celebrant: All:

The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit.

Celebrant:

Let us pray.

Regard, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our supplications, and confirm with Thy heavenly benediction, thy servants whom we have admitted to the lay ministry of Thy Church, that with sincere devotion of mind and body, they may offer a service acceptable to Thy Divine

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Majesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.

All:

Amen.

Celebrant: Dearly beloved, we rejoice to recognize these persons as Officers, Vestry/Council Members, Auditors and Delegates of ________________________________ Parish/Mission.

Do all you can to assist and encourage them in these offices into which they have now been inducted and installed, giving them at all times your cooperation, your counsel, and your prayers. Âś The celebrant now bestows upon each candidate, a blessing.

Celebrant: Therefore be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the Word of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Amen. Âś The candidates now return to their seats, while a Hymn is sung.

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