The parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor. The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to examine, consider, and draw conclusions concerning matters under discussion in order to recommend a course of action to the pastor. Through pastoral planning, the Pastoral Council assists the pastor in the following ways:

• Developing and living out the mission of the parish
• Forming community as a sign and witness of unity for the larger parish community
• Providing recommendations for parish priorities, directions, and policies
• Promoting communication and understanding among parish organizations and between the parish, the archdiocese, and the universal Church

The Finance Council is a consultative body that provides the pastor with advice concerning the stewardship of the parish’s fiscal resources. The Finance Council assists the pastor in the following ways:

• Providing fiscal analysis of proposed goals, strategies, programs, and administrative aspects of parish life

• Conducting long-range financial planning with regard to funding operational and capital needs in the parish

• Developing and overseeing a parish budget process which results in an annual parish budget. This process should involve the participation of those responsible for parish programs. It should be so designed that it addresses the parish’s priorities and goals as determined by the pastor and parish Pastoral Council.

• Providing financial analysis of current fiscal status reports

The purpose of the Faith Formation Commission is to assist the pastor in ensuring that the parish will offer faith formation to all in the parish, either directly or in cooperation with one or more parishes, and that a parish faith formation plan is developed and implemented. The Faith Formation Commission’s role includes the following duties.

• Ensuring that quality faith formation programs are implemented in the parish.

• Assessing parish needs for faith formation

• Advising the pastor and his delegates regarding faith formation needs

The Liturgy Commission assists the pastor in achieving the goal of full, conscious, and active participation of the people at the Eucharist, as stated in the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy. The overall purpose of the Liturgy Commission is to advise and support the pastor on the spirituality and prayer life of the parish community. The Liturgy Commission, under the direction of the pastor, may have oversight of the formation of parish liturgical ministries.

The Stewardship Commission, living out the parish’s mission and pastoral priorities in that context, will develop an annual plan for promoting stewardship in the parish. The commission members must become familiar with the USCCB’s Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response – A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship.

• Responsibilities of the Stewardship Commission include the following.

• Promoting and educating about Planned Giving as another aspect of our stewardship

• Encouraging the incorporation of appropriate stewardship emphases in the liturgy and prayer

• Encouraging the incorporation of education about stewardship in all areas of faith formation, including religious education for all ages

• Encouraging evangelization efforts as well as hospitality and welcoming by the parish

• Advocating for outreach efforts by the parish

• Encouraging the parish to live out its stewardship life through effective participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal and special collections