The Parish Finance Council of Christ Our Redeemer Parish

The Parish Finance Council is to be a separate entity from the Parish Pastoral Council, but is to work in collaboration with it. The Parish Finance Council is advisory and consultative to the pastor and is to be directly responsible to him.

Every member of the Parish Finance Council shall be appointed by the Pastor, who should take into consideration the talents and skills of the people in his parish. The members of the Parish Finance Council should be animated by a Christian spirit and be deeply conscious of the mission of the parish to promote the works of the apostolate and of charity, especially towards the needy. All members are bound to observe discretion in the confidential matters they treat as members of the Parish Finance Council. The total membership of the Parish Finance Council shall consist of a minimum of 3 parishioners. Members shall serve for fixed and renewable terms of no less than one year and no more than three years. A member may be removed from the council prior to the expiration of his/her term of office only with the approval of the Pastor.

The Pastor will be the President of the Council, and according to c. 532, represents the parish in all financial matters. Council members should elect a Chairman and Secretary. These officers shall direct the meeting and maintain and file accurate minutes of the proceedings; however the Pastor must take part in all proceedings. The Parish Finance Council never acts independently from the Pastor.

It is the function of the Parish Finance Council to assist the Pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish. The meeting should be held on a specified, regular basis, with no fewer than 6 meetings per year. The leadership of the Parish Finance Council will meet on a bi-annual basis with diocesan officials at a workshop for continuing education and formation.
 

General Functions:

1. To establish, review, and coordinate the parish annual budget in consultation with other groups and in accordance with the goals set by the Parish Pastoral Council;

2. To review the financial reports to the Diocese and to formulate the annual report made to the parish community;

3. To review periodically the income and expenditures in light of the annual budget;

4. To review contracts and agreements;

5. To encourage support of diocesan fund-raising projects as well as parish campaigns;

6. To inventory parish assets at least annually and verify that appropriate insurance coverage has been maintained for said assets;

7. To present an annual budget report to the parish.

Special Functions:

The Pastor is to consult with the Parish Finance Council in order to perform the following acts of financial administration:

1. To institute parish financial campaigns, drives, or systems of special collections.

Membership:

The names of the members are to communicated to the parishioner (e.g., listed in the bulletin) at least annually.
If a member resigns, dies, or is removed, the pastor may appoint another person to complete the balance of the term. However, if the membership falls below three, the pastor must appoint a member to complete the unexpired term.
The council terms should be staggered so as to build continuity into its membership.
Members should be limited to no more than two consecutive terms of three years.
No person on the parish staff, or any close relative of the Pastor should be a voting council member. However, certain members of the parish staff are responsible for supplying information needed by the council to perform its tasks. Pastors should consider including the parish business manager/bookkeeper as a non-voting Ex-Officio Council members.
Persons selected to serve as Council members should have demonstrated financial/business management background/skills. Examples of professions with such background/skills include, but are not limited to: accountants, bankers, business owners, computers/systems manager, construction project managers, engineers, financial managers, fundraisers, lawyers, marketing personnel and property managers. A parish Time, Talent & Treasure survey may be helpful in identifying potential members that have indicated a desire to serve the parish.
 

Christ Our Redeemer Finance Council Members: