According to Church law (Canon 511),

"In each diocese, to the extent that pastoral circumstances recommend it, a pastoral council is to be established whose responsibility it is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them."

Membership of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is comprised of representatives from diocesan committees and councils, and two representatives from each region, who meet five times each year with the bishop.

- Mr. Tom Holzer, Director of Finance, presented the 2002-2003 statement on the Diocese's financial condition. The assets increased significantly because of several substantial bequests. There was an operational surplus due to offices trimming their expenses and vacancies in several offices. Overall, the Diocesan fiscal management is sound and the financial position is strong.

- The Vocation team presented the updated policies on seminarians. The Diocesan Pastoral Council reviewed and recommended them to Bishop John C. Nienstedt for approval.

- The revised Statutes for the Evangelization and Catechesis Committee were reviewed and recommended to Bishop Nienstedt for approval.

- The new Marriage Preparation Policy which was discussed at the October meeting was reviewed and recommended to Bishop Nienstedt for approval.

- The Executive Committee of the Diocesan Pastoral Council will prepare some interim guidelines for membership on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for discussion at the February meeting. These guidelines would serve in the transition period while Area Faith Communities are being implemented. They would provide for improved representation and consultation.

- There was a preliminary discussion about the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese in 2007. The Executive Committee will develop a survey to elicit ideas and suggestions from diocesan councils and committees.

- For enrichment, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' document on agriculture, For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food, was discussed. It was agreed that the document should be studied by parishes, particularly because of the rural nature of the Diocese. The document can be accessed at http://www.usccb.org/bishops/agricultural.htm.