PARISH COUNCIL - PURPOSE

One of the many turning points in the life of St. Francis of Assisi came when he knelt in the ruined church of San Damiano and heard a voice from its crucifix saying "Rebuild my Church." Francis looked at the broken walls around him and at first started to do the obvious, to rebuild the abandoned church. But he soon came to realize that God was calling him to a far larger vision, a far greater mission. It was the life of Christ's Church, the life of his people, which needed to be renewed.  Through the action of the Second Vatican Council, the words addressed to St. Francis come to us as well: Rebuild my Church. Of course, only God builds and re-builds His Church.  But He calls members of the parish pastoral councils, parish finance councils and parish stewardship committees to the dignity of partnership with Him in the life-giving and ongoing effort of helping Him shape their parish communities so that those communities can more effectively channel His saving love to the world... Diocese of Yakima  - Guidelines for Pastoral Councils

PARISH COUNCIL PURPOSE

The Parish Council is the council of the pastor.  Since the pastor, by virtue of his office and ordination, is responsible for the Catholic life of the parish, it is his proper role to preside over the Parish Council. He calls it into service; nurtures within its members a disposition of openness to the Holy Spirit; participates in its process; delegates various tasks and duties; and ratifies all decisions. Without the permission of the bishop, who is pastor of the diocese, the Pastoral Council never meets without the pastor of the parish.

The Pastoral Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor (Canon 536) and provides him and the pastoral staff with information and advice on current and proposed parish programs, on maintenance of buildings and grounds, and on finance so that he may better carry out the duties for which he is responsible. 

Diocese of Yakima  - Guidelines for Pastoral Councils