The Parish Finance Council is the principal consultative body for the business affairs of the parish. Required by the Church’s law, it assists and supports the pastor in the stewardship of the parish’s resources — helping with the annual budget, long-range financial planning, and accountability, so that the temporal goods of St. Patrick’s serve its mission. Its members are practicing, registered parishioners appointed by the pastor, and it meets at least quarterly.
What the Church Requires
Unlike the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council is not optional: the Code of Canon Law requires one in every parish. “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 same norms, are to assist the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish” (canon 537). The pastor remains the administrator of the parish and represents it in all its affairs (canon 532), carrying out that duty — in the law’s lovely phrase — “with the diligence of a good householder” (canon 1284). The council is his required counsel in that work, serving under the norms of the Archdiocese of Portland.
What It Does
The council reviews the parish’s finances and helps the pastor prepare the annual budget; monitors income, expenses, and internal controls; advises on the care of the parish’s buildings and property — including the stewardship of our newly restored historic church — and on major expenditures and campaigns; and helps ensure clear, honest reporting to the parish and the Archdiocese. Members bring professional experience in finance, accounting, law, and business to the service of the Gospel: the goods of the parish exist for worship, for the poor, and for the mission.
Parishioners with questions about parish finances — or who wish to support the parish’s mission — are always welcome to contact the parish office.
Council Members
Fr. Timothy Furlow — Pastor (ex-officio)
Dennis Johnson — Chair
Ted Grigsby — Vice-Chair
Jim Dodson — Advisor & Secretary
Michel Thorsteinson — Parish Support Accountant