Councils are the primary consultative bodies to the pastor, working directly with him in the areas of pastoral planning and financial matters.  The Councils give voice to the people of God in how the parish is to fulfill its mission of bringing our families and neighbors into deeper relationship with Jesus.  The key role of the Councils in parish life is founded in the recognition that the Church is the Body Christ and all parishioners are members.  One outcome of the Archdiocese of Detroit Synod in 1969 was to call for councils to be estabished "allowing laity to share in the responsibility of making decisions that affect the life of the parish." 
Parish, Vicariate and Archdiocesan Handbook, p.5.