Finance Council

Christ has entrusted the Church with the stewardship of temporal goods to provide for divine worship, to carry out the mission to spread the Gospel, to care for the poor and to provide for the support of clergy and lay ministers.

Canon 537 of the Code of Canon Law states "In each parish there is to be a finance council which is governed, in addition to universal law, by norms issued by the diocesan bishop and in which the Christian faithful, selected according to these norms, are to assist the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish."

Keeping in mind the policies and procedures of the Church, the consultative role of the council, as well as civil law, the finance council’s areas of responsibility include the following: accounting system, budget preparation, financial reporting, internal controls, fund-raising & management, property management & safekeeping, labor practices and requests for proxies.

Roles & Relationships

The finance council is to assist the pastor in the administration of the parish. The pastor is to give serious consideration to the advice and wisdom of the finance council especially concerning major changes in the operation of the parish. Ideally, through prayer and dialog, good decisions for the good of the entire parish are made. However, following consultation, if consensus is not possible, the final decision rests with the pastor.

The finance council should have input from parish staff concerning budget preparation.

The Pastoral Council discerns the directions, and priorities that will advance the mission and life of the parish. It is the responsibility of the finance council to translate these visions and priorities into a workable budget. When there is a significant change in the financial status of the parish, before taking action, the finance council, working with the pastor, should consult with the Pastoral Council.

The finance council is responsible to provide an annual financial report to the parishioners. In addition, if feasible, when faced with a major concern, all members of the parish should have an opportunity to learn about the issue and have input before action is taken.

Membership

It is recommended that the finance council consist of 5-7 people including the pastor and the treasurer-trustee of the parish. Members should have expertise in the areas of business, accounting, administration, the law, insurance, personnel, facility maintenance and management as well as represent a cross section of the parish community.

In consultation with the existing members of the finance council, input from other appropriate staff members and parish leaders, the pastor appoints all members of the finance council. Members of the parish staff may act as resource persons and assist the work of the council, but cannot be members.

Most Blessed Sacrament Finance Council

The parish finance council holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm in the St. Peter Site conference room.

Current members of the council are:

David Miller, Chairman                 John Schatz

Tracey Domiter                             William Weber (Trustee)

Michael Kowalske                         Richard Conners (Trustee)

Charles Schuster