The parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor and the coordinating and unifying structure of the Parish communion. The Parish Pastoral Council is the means of achieving the full participation of the whole parish in its mission, by giving all a voice in supporting, guiding and directing the various aspects of parish life. It gathers together the visions, hopes and needs of the communion, 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 are evaluated annually.

(Taken from the Archdiocese of Detroit, Parish Pastoral Council: Guidelines and Handbook)