The Parish Council is a microcosm of the parish community. Its basic purpose is to set the broad direction for the parish. It safeguards and promotes the unity of the parish family. The Parish Council is a consultative body to the pastor, and the coordinating and unifying structure of the parish community. By giving all parish members a voice in supporting, guiding and directing the various aspects of parish life, the Parish Council strives for the full and active participation of parish members. Its members gather the visions, hopes, and needs of the community; reflects upon them until a consensus is reached; and translates this consensus into parish planning through the establishment of goals and objectives. The Council sees that these goals and objectives are implemented by the parish commissions and committees and evaluated by the faith community.

The Parish Council is to be sensitive to the movement of the Spirit among God’s people, to work for a unified vision among its members, and to help the whole parish meet the challenge of being a church in the modern world. Members are to develop a broad vision—by bringing together the view of all the parishioners, by their own discussion at Council meetings, by their closer work relationship with the pastoral staff of the parish, by prayer and ongoing formation. Thus the Parish Council serves to assist the growth and development of the parish as people of faith.