Diocesan Consultative Groups:

They are the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC), Diocesan Planning Board (DPB) and Diocesan Board for Finance Councils (DBFC)

Each consultative group is composed of both lay and religious representatives who volunteer from the five regions of Oakland Diocese. In addition to the Director, a top Chancery administrator—ordinarily the Vicar General or the Chancellor--consults with each group.

Ø      The Diocesan Pastoral Council meets quarterly with the Bishop to discuss guidelines for comprehensive pastoral policy.  Through listening, studying, analyzing parish reports, and with ongoing prayerful reflection, the Council assesses to the changing needs of the diocese. The Council’s ministry is to “discern and advise” and, with the Director, to be available for guidance to the 5 regions, 23 deaneries and the 88 parishes comprising the Diocese of Oakland. The Council convenes ordinarily four times a year.  The DPC conducted regional hearings on what should go into the new pastoral plan and prepared the text.

Ø      The Diocesan Planning Board is a smaller working group which takes a more “hands-on” approach to particular pastoral planning challenges. Assisted by the Director, the Board compiles a “signs of life” baseline from information sent by all parishes in the diocese to the Bishop’s Office.  This baseline, updated annually, includes: attendance, sacraments administered, active ministries, volunteers, finances, and demographics.  By reviewing this compilation, the Board can assess growth or diminishment of churches and regions.

The DPB looks at particular churches in transition.  The Board or the Director meets with churches facing major change. After an extended listening and fact-finding process—and applying the standards set forth in The Ten Essentials, the Board recommends an appropriate plan of action and forwards it to the Priests’ Council and the Bishop.  Their months-long process usually involves the pastor, parish council, parishioners, and possibly neighboring parishes.

Ø      Diocesan Board of Finance Councils    (Currently in reorganization)

 Organizes materials and hosts workshops for pastoral staff and parish finance  councils.