Diocesan-Mandated Councils
The Diocese of Sacramento requires every parish to establish and maintain a Parish Pastoral Council, a Parish Finance Council, and a Parish Vocations Committee. Further, parishes which operate a Catholic school must similarly ensure that the school establishes and maintains a Catholic School Advisory Commission.
Parish Pastoral Council
The pastor identifies his Parish Pastoral Council and presides over the Council, which serves in an advisory capacity. The Parish Pastoral Council assists the pastor in serving the parish community by exploring the needs of the parish and responding appropriately. This is accomplished through prayer, listening and dialogue.
The pastor determines the size and membership of the council through a selection process of his discretion. Structure of the Council is formalized through bylaws with an elected Chairperson and a regular meeting schedule.
Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines were aproved and promulgated by Bishop William K. Weigand on November 21, 2005. Please use the following links to download the Guidelines in English or Spanish:
Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines (English) Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines (Spanish)
Parish Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council functions as a consultative body to the pastor. It consists of selected professionals to advise the pastor in these areas:
1. Preparation of the annual operating budget
2. Long-term financial planning
3. Annual parish financial report, which is submitted to the Diocesan Bishop
4. Annual and periodic financial reports to the faithful
The Council ensures that an adequate system of internal controls is in place to guide the parish in caring for and managing financial resources and temporal goods. The Parish Finance Council observes all policies and procedures outlined in the Parish Financial Management Handbook.
Parish Vocations Committee
The Parish Vocations Committee exists to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, guiding and encouraging the parish community in prayer and education about vocations, and facilitating the launch of a vocation campaign in the parish. The Committee also works to encourage promising candidates.
Committee members receive training and resources from the Diocesan Director of Vocations and Vocations Promoters.
Catholic School Advisory Commission
The Catholic School Advisory Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the principal of a Catholic school who, in turn, reports to the pastor regarding the education ministry of the parish. The primary functions of the Catholic School Advisory Commission are:
1. To promote the concept of lay ministry
2. To develop ownership and stability for the future
3. To encourage strategic planning
4. To offer financial advice
5. To develop and defend policy
6. To serve as a good public relations source
7. To enable the principal to spend adequate time as an educational leader
8. To provide parents/guardians with a voice in their children’s education
