On January 24th, 2002, Bishop Daniel Walsh approved the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) for the Diocese of Santa Rosa.

The DPC provides a means for laity, clergy and the Bishop to work together in identifying the pastoral needs of the Santa Rosa Diocese and recommend practical solutions. It allows the viewpoints of what Canon Law calls the "Catholic Faithful" to be expressed. Its goal is to assist the Bishop in promoting the Gospel message in this diocese more fully, tangibly, and directly.

Basis

The mission of the Church is the mission of Christ. This mission is to bring all into union with God the Father by the power of the Spirit in Jesus Christ our Lord. All members of the People of God are called to this mission. The catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) states that "lay activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it." (Para. 900) The establishment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council enables laity to exercise their proper role and responsibilities in the mission of the Church. In addition, through the Council, the voices, talents, energy and spirit of its members, especially laity, will be utilized.

Mission Statement

This assembly of the People of God, consisting of clergy, religious and lay persons, is called the Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (DPC). Recognizing that we are a pilgrim church on a journey of holiness, through the DPC the Catholic Community is more fully and directly able to participate in and promote the spiritual and temporal life of the People of God of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. It serves as a consultive and advisory body, on pastoral matters, to the Bishop, by raising and addressing concerns that should be considered and dealt with for the good of the entire diocese. It recommends priorities and goals, and evaluates their success. In this way it helps shape the direction of the diocese and participates in the decision-making process. It directs its efforts to fulfilling our vocation as Catholics to carry out the Gospel message in our own lives and in the greater community.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council, consisting of the five Deanery Assemblies and the Executive Board, will function in accord with the spirit and intent of its Mission Statement and Purposes.

Functions of the Diocesan Pastoral Council

The DPC will carry out the following:

1. Act as an authentic representative voice of the people of God, laity, religious and clergy to their Bishop, by honestly and forthrightly voicing their concerns, ideas, and insights as enlightened by prayer, discernment, and reflection.
2. Provide an open, honest and representative forum for bringing about full and free discussion of pastoral matters so that true consensus among the people of God may be achieved.
3. Serve as an effective two-way conduit between all parties -- Bishop, clergy, religious and laity.
4. Serve as a consultive/advisory body to the Bishop, the Executive Board, and the laity, or other diocesan committees, especially in furthering the work of evangelization.
5. Provide an appropriate model for shared decision-making.
6. Accept responsibility to support the Bishop in a spirit of collegiality for the mission of the Church in this diocese.
7. Work with the BIshop to address contemporary, religious, social, and economic issues with ethical implications.
8. Develop plans and programs to assist the laity in their task of making Christ's message manifest in their communities, workplaces and in society at large.
9. Restore and rebuild confidence and trust in the Church by assuring that mutual concerns are identified and addressed.

The composition and structure of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is pictured in the following diagram.  Click on the diagram for a larger view.

What does the DPC do?

Members will meet with the Bishop periodically and in an assembly of laity from parishes in an adjoining area. They will:

• help determine goals and priorities for the pastoral work of the Diocese and parishes,
• offer advice and guidance on how better to fulfill the mission of the Church,
• forge communication links between all segments of the Diocese, especially between the Bishop, parishes and laity.

In other Dioceses, DPCs have developed programs to revitalize parishes and reenergize spiritual life; facilitated the development of parish pastoral councils; , applied the Church's social teachings to the communities; developed programs to bring

Responsibilities of a DPC member

• Usual term is three years. Initially some may serve one or two years.
• Attend one Plenary and approximately three to five meetings per year.
• Engage in frank, direct, and constructive dialogue with the Bishop and other members.
• Study issues as needed.
• Keep in constant contact with parishes and be aware of parish issues.
• Serve as a communication link between the home parish and the DPC as a whole.

For More Information

Each Parish has a DPC Coordinator. Your parish office should know his/her name.