Clergy Consultative Bodies

The Presbyteral Council (Priests' Council) is a representative body of the priests of the Diocese.  The council is made up of five deans and five deanery representatives, an at large representative,  two appointees by the Bishop and the Vicar General who is ex-officio.  All incardinated priests of the Diocese, priests not incardinated in the Diocese and all Religious priests who reside in the Diocese and have the faculties of the Diocese,  are eligible to vote for the dean  and the deanery representative of the specific deanery where they reside.  The at large representative is elected by the presbyterate.
 
Although priests' councils are consultative in nature, in certain cases the Bishop is obliged to consult them, (for example, on the advisability of calling a diocesan synod, modification of parishes, norms for parish counsel, construction or sale of a church, fixing the amount of stole fees and the imposition of a diocesan tax). When the Diocese becomes vacant the presbyteral council ceases to exist
 
Presbyteral Council Members: 
All the priests in active ministry with an assignment in the Diocese of Santa Rosa are members of the Presbyteral Council along with the deans.
Bernard D’sa (Dean of Humboldt/Del Norte)
Eliseo Avendano (Dean of Mendocino/Lake)
Abel Mena (Dean of Napa)
Michaelraj Philominsamy (Dean of Sonoma North)
Alvin Villaruel (Dean of Sonoma South)
Moses Brown (Vicar General–Ex Oficio)
 

These men are freely appointed from the presbyteral council by the bishop for a collegial term of 5 years and they continue to hold their function until the new college is established (c. 502).
Bernard D’sa (Dean)
Eliseo Avendano (Dean)
Abel Mena (Dean)
Michaelraj Philominsamy (Dean)
Alvin Villaruel (Dean)
Moses Brown (Vicar General–ex officio)

These men are freely appointed from the presbyteral council by the bishop for a collegial term of 5 years and they continue to hold their function until the new college is established (c. 502).
Bernard D’sa (Dean)
Eliseo Avendano (Dean)
Abel Mena (Dean)
Michaelraj Philominsamy (Dean)
Alvin Villaruel (Dean)
Moses Brown (Vicar General–ex officio)

These men are appointed by the bishop to serve 3 year terms after having been elected by their peers.  There is no term limit.
Moses Brown–July 2021 (Group I: Represents priests ordained 2003-present)
Frank Epperson–July 2022 (Group II: Represents priests ordained 1992-2002)
William Donahue–July 2022 (Group III: Represents priests ordained through 1991)
Moses Brown–Ex Oficio

These men are elected by their peers to serve 3 year terms without the bishop’s appointment.  The officers are elected by the board members, they serve for one year terms, and they are perpetually renewable.
Gerald Gormley–July 2022
William Donahue–July 2022 (chair 3/10/2021)
Sean Rogers–July 2022
Daniel Whelton-July 2022 (for the Retired Priests)
Alvin Villaruel–July 2023
Fergal McGuinness–July 2023 (vice chair 3/10/2021)
Moses Brown–ex officio

Deacon James Carr, Director
Deacan Michael and Ann Simmons
Deacn Mike Heinzelman
Deacn Ray and Jean Noll
Deacon Jesus and Rosa Maria Fernandez
Deacon Ruben and Almia de los Santos
Deacon Frank and Marilyne Dahl
Deacon John and Gail Gai

These men are appointed for a term of five years by the bishop after he has heard the priests who minister in that deanery by holding an election (c. 553). 
Bernard D’sa (Dean Humboldt/Del Norte–July 2025)
Andre Querijero (Dean Mendocino/Lake–July 2025)
Abel Mena (Dean Napa–July 2021)
Michaelraj Philominsamy (Dean Sonoma North–July 2022)
Alvin Villaruel (Dean Sonoma South–July 2025)