Leadership

 Councils

Parish

Council

The Parish Council is a mandated Diocesan statute and the main advisory board to the pastor. Their objective is to help the pastor implement his vision for the direction of the parish in the years ahead as well as in the present. They look at the spiritual, social, and structural needs of the parish. The Parish Council consists of Commissions and Committees.


  • COMMISSIONS are subgroups of the council responsible for setting policy, developing goals and coordinating efforts in their specific area of parish ministry. The COMMISSIONS are:
  • Worship: liturgy
  • Education: youth education; youth sacrament preparation; adult formation
  • Evangelization: Council of Catholic Women; fundraising committee, promotion committee
  • Pastoral Care: hospital and homebound visitations, care for local Veterans and homeless
  • Service: St. Vincent de Paul funds
  • Administration: buildings and grounds
  • COMMITTEES are subgroups of a commission responsible for carrying out action plans to implement parish goals.


The Parish Finance Council is a mandated body having an advisory and consultative role with the pastor in providing oversight of the financial management of the parish, with respect to the administration of all material goods belonging to the parish, and all fiscal matters of the parish. Major responsibilities include providing input and review of the annual parish budget and periodic financial statements; preparation of an annual financial report of income and expenditure for dissemination to the parishioners; review internal controls and procedures and planning for the temporal needs of the parish.


The Parish Finance Council is a key element for promoting the financial health of a parish, assuring accountability and assisting the pastor with his temporal responsibilities. They meet quarterly to review the Financial Position of the parish.


Members are chosen based on demonstrable skills or expertise in management, finance, and accounting. Members should be drawn from the parish community and reflect its diversity.


Finance Council


Great things are happening at St. Joseph Parish in 2026. We celebrated a huge milestone.  We eliminated our debt thanks to our dedicated Parishioners, Father Barbee's and Father Larlick's stewardship and the Diocese of Harrisburg's matching program under the leadership of Bishop Timothy Senior.  Please click here to read Father Barbee's letter to the Bishop.