Parish Councils
Vatican II called on all Catholics to recognize and respond to their vocation to ministry. This call includes an invitation to lay people to participate in Church leadership. “By reason of the knowledge, competence or pre-eminence which they have the laity are empowered -- indeed sometimes obliged -- to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church" (Lumen Gentium, 37). The Council goes on to advise that structures and institutions for lay leadership in the Church be established. (Lumen Gentium, 37)
Embracing the (Second Vatican) Council’s vision and in accord with Canon Law, the Bishop of San Jose mandates that each parish establish consultative bodies to foster pastoral activity and assist in the administration of the goods of the parish. At the parish level these bodies would include, but not be limited to, parish finance councils and parish pastoral councils. (Taken from “Ecclesiology for Consultative Bodies,” Diocese of San Jose).
The purpose of the pastoral council is to act as stewards of the parish mission and to advise the pastor on practical matters of parish life. The council studies matters brought to its attention, reflects on them thoroughly, evaluates them and draws sound conclusions.
The council presents these conclusions to the pastor in the form of recommendations. This threefold task of the council – investigating, considering and recommending conclusions – is called pastoral planning.
The pastoral council:
Embracing the (Second Vatican) Council’s vision and in accord with Canon Law, the Bishop of San Jose mandates that each parish establish consultative bodies to foster pastoral activity and assist in the administration of the goods of the parish. At the parish level these bodies would include, but not be limited to, parish finance councils and parish pastoral councils. (Taken from “Ecclesiology for Consultative Bodies,” Diocese of San Jose).
The purpose of the pastoral council is to act as stewards of the parish mission and to advise the pastor on practical matters of parish life. The council studies matters brought to its attention, reflects on them thoroughly, evaluates them and draws sound conclusions.
The council presents these conclusions to the pastor in the form of recommendations. This threefold task of the council – investigating, considering and recommending conclusions – is called pastoral planning.
The pastoral council:
- Develops, if one does not already exist, and communicates the parish mission.
- Develops goals and prioritizes them based on the needs of the parish, the Gospel and the teachings of the Church.
- Chooses the highest priority goals to focus on for a particular period of time.
- Works collaboratively with parish groups to develop specific plans to achieve the goals.
- Publishes and communicates about the plan to the parish on a regular basis.
- Assists parish organizations to implement these plans.
- Regularly evaluates results and measures success.
- For gathering input and establishing priorities, the council reaches out and listens to parishioners on an ongoing basis, e.g., by holding periodic town hall meetings.
Finance Council
Members of the Parish Finance Council shall be members of the Parish community who have been baptized in the Catholic Church (canon 204), who remain in communion with the Catholic Church (canon 149), are not barred by a legitimate sanction (canon 96) and who have demonstrable skills or expertise in financial management, fiancé, civil law, and/or general business matters and are of impeccable integrity.
Members of the Parish Finance Council shall be members of the Parish community who have been baptized in the Catholic Church (canon 204), who remain in communion with the Catholic Church (canon 149), are not barred by a legitimate sanction (canon 96) and who have demonstrable skills or expertise in financial management, finance, civil law, and/or general business matters and are of impeccable integrity.
The Parish Finance Council shall be made up of between three and nine people, in addition to the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life, the Parish administrator, the Parish accountant, and Parochial Vicar(s). No Parish employee or member of the immediate family of a Parish employee may serve on the Parish Finance Council. No members of the Parish Finance Council may be related to the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life.
Members of the Parish Finance Council shall be appointed by the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life for a fixed term of two to three years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Terms are to be staggered for council continuity and member rotation. Members may be terminated by the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life “at will.”
Each Parish Finance Council will regularly review the Parish Financial Statements, but no less than quarterly, and help the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life develop the Parish Budget.
Members of the Parish Finance Council are permitted to serve as volunteers in other capacities with the Parish [i.e. lectors, ushers, catechists, etc.] if such other role or roles do not create a conflict of interest.
The Pastor/Minister of Parish Life is required to consult with the Parish Finance Council on the following matters: 1) Any unbudgeted, undisclosed commitments of Parish resources in excess of $10,000; 2) The management of funds that the Parish is authorized to retain and manage; 3) The Annual Financial Reports and Annual Budget of the Parish; and 4) The Annual Financial Reports and Annual Budget of the Parish School, if any. The Parish Finance Council shall assist the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life in reviewing and formulating the Annual Financial Report provided to the Parish community, as required by canon 1287. Except as provided above, the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life remains the juridical authority of the Parish and is responsible for all final decisions.
Members of the Parish Finance Council shall be members of the Parish community who have been baptized in the Catholic Church (canon 204), who remain in communion with the Catholic Church (canon 149), are not barred by a legitimate sanction (canon 96) and who have demonstrable skills or expertise in financial management, finance, civil law, and/or general business matters and are of impeccable integrity.
The Parish Finance Council shall be made up of between three and nine people, in addition to the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life, the Parish administrator, the Parish accountant, and Parochial Vicar(s). No Parish employee or member of the immediate family of a Parish employee may serve on the Parish Finance Council. No members of the Parish Finance Council may be related to the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life.
Members of the Parish Finance Council shall be appointed by the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life for a fixed term of two to three years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Terms are to be staggered for council continuity and member rotation. Members may be terminated by the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life “at will.”
Each Parish Finance Council will regularly review the Parish Financial Statements, but no less than quarterly, and help the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life develop the Parish Budget.
Members of the Parish Finance Council are permitted to serve as volunteers in other capacities with the Parish [i.e. lectors, ushers, catechists, etc.] if such other role or roles do not create a conflict of interest.
The Pastor/Minister of Parish Life is required to consult with the Parish Finance Council on the following matters: 1) Any unbudgeted, undisclosed commitments of Parish resources in excess of $10,000; 2) The management of funds that the Parish is authorized to retain and manage; 3) The Annual Financial Reports and Annual Budget of the Parish; and 4) The Annual Financial Reports and Annual Budget of the Parish School, if any. The Parish Finance Council shall assist the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life in reviewing and formulating the Annual Financial Report provided to the Parish community, as required by canon 1287. Except as provided above, the Pastor/Minister of Parish Life remains the juridical authority of the Parish and is responsible for all final decisions.
Buildings and Grounds Council
Members: Mauriel Solis (Chair), Manuel Diego, Felix Hernandez, Lazaro Carlos, Rogelio Rodriguez, Javier Rivas, and Frank Acosta.
Under the direction of the Pastor, the Building and Grounds Committee oversees all activities associated with the operation, maintenance and repair, safety and security of all buildings, grounds, furnishings and equipment owned by the Church. The Committee ensures that all Church buildings and its surroundings remain in good repair are a safe environment for the parish staff, parishioners and those that visit the parish.
The Committee will consist of five active members who knew about the Church Ministries. Their familiarity with Church programs and activities gives them insight into how facilities can capitalize on opportunities for growth in liturgical life, outreach and service. The members will be appointed by the Pastor as volunteers and perform their duties through a combination of volunteer labor and contracted services.
Activities/Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Pastor, the Building and Grounds Committee oversees all activities associated with the operation, maintenance and repair, safety and security of all buildings, grounds, furnishings and equipment owned by the Church. The Committee ensures that all Church buildings and its surroundings remain in good repair are a safe environment for the parish staff, parishioners and those that visit the parish.
The Committee will consist of five active members who knew about the Church Ministries. Their familiarity with Church programs and activities gives them insight into how facilities can capitalize on opportunities for growth in liturgical life, outreach and service. The members will be appointed by the Pastor as volunteers and perform their duties through a combination of volunteer labor and contracted services.
Activities/Responsibilities
- Lead in determining the needed construction, remodeling, repair, and maintenance of all properties belonging to the church.
- Oversees the maintenance and repair of the parish building and its surroundings which include: church, parish office, portable classrooms, grounds/gardens, etc.
- Regularly inspect the parish facilities to assess the maintenance and repair requirements and reports all findings to the Pastor.
- Recommends to the Pastor the prioritizing of maintenance and repair projects to be undertaken around the parish.
- Solicit quotations for work needing to be done around the parish and oversee all work that is contracted out by the Church.
- Ask for and utilize volunteers from among the membership, when appropriate.
- Establish and enforce guidelines for securing buildings, vehicles and equipment. Publish responsibilities for locking doors, turning lights on or off, and maintaining correct thermostat settings.
- Prepare reports for the Parish Finance Council and Pastoral Council about the repair and maintenance work needing to be done around the parish.
- Preparing annual operating facilities and maintenance budget that represents the needs of maintaining all property and equipment for submission to the Finance Council.
