Each parish in the Auckland Diocese is expected to have a parish pastoral council. They were established in the diocese in 1971 and have been mandatory since then.

Members of parish pastoral councils are those who set the vision, and are "planners" and "enablers" who work collaboratively with the parish priest  to build community and serve the People of God in the parish.

In his introduction to the guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils 2007 Bishop Patrick Dunn quotes Pope Benedict

"I see that you really are a living parish where you all collaborate, where you bear each other's burdens - as St Paul says - and thus contribute to the growth of the living building of the Lord which is the Church.

She is not made of material stones but of living stones, of baptised people who feel the full responsibility of the faith for others, the joy of being baptised and knowing God in the faith of Jesus. Consequently you are striving to ensure that this parish can truly grow."

Benedict XVI PASTORAL VISIT TO THE ROMAN PARISH of "DIO PADRE MISERICORDIOSO" 26 Mar 2006

Parish Council Guidelines avaiable from the office email patl@cda.org.nz

Formation sessions for Parish Pastoral Councils offered, your place, your time, on request - contact Pat