The revised Code of Canon Law states that every parish must have a finance council, and, if the bishop “judges it opportune, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish…”
Before this new Code was promulgated in 1983, there was just one “parish council” and, among other things, that council advised the pastor in regard to the finances of the parish.
The role of the finance council is, obviously, to advise the pastor in matters financial. However, the two councils do not work in isolation from each other nor should they be in competition with each other. The finance council, too, has for its mission the spreading of God’s Word. Both councils, then, must work together for the common good of the parish.No one and no group may use their positions of ministry for self-serving purposes.
Even though the Finance Council is working with the materialities of the parish, it, too, must take care not to lose its evangelization thrust. Time spent in reflection and prayer at the beginning of each meeting makes good sense in terms of good stewardship, responsible decisions, and keeping its focus on the Lord.
For purposes of good communication, it is desirable to have one of the members of the Finance Council as an ex-officio member of the Pastoral Council. The Finance Council then keeps well informed in regard to the direction of the parish as set by the Pastoral Council and is knowledgeable of the reasoning for the priorities set for the parish.
Fr. Hatch--Rector/President
Chris Garcia
Ken Granzin
Max Parker