From the Pastor's Desk (9/28/25)

From the Pastor's Desk

9/28/25

Parish Finance Councils in the Diocese of Pittsburgh
What is a Parish Finance Council? A Parish Finance Council is an advisory body to the Pastor and they assist in the administration of the temporal affairs of the parish. The skills and expertise of its members are utilized to strengthen and monitor the financial activity of the parish. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Finance Council must be directed by the values of the Gospel as well as good business practice. The Finance Council is composed of the between three and nine members. They are appointed by the Pastor, who is the Presider of the Council. The length of service is four years, but members may be re-appointed for an additional four-year term by the Pastor. The maximum length of service is eight years. The recommendation is that the Council is to meet monthly, with the requirement to at least meet quarterly. Additionally, the Finance Council is to meet twice a year with the Parish Pastoral Council. 

What does Canon Law say about Parish Finance Councils? Canon Law states that each parish is required to have a Finance Council (Can. 537) to assist the Pastor in the administration of the parish goods. The work of the Finance Council is to aid and advise the Pastor in the areas of financial planning and budgeting, accounting and transparency of reporting, oversight of proper controls and education on stewardship and fundraising/development activities.

What parish relationships are integral to the work of the Parish Finance Council? The Parish Finance Council is to collaborate on an Annual Planning Cycle with the Parish Pastoral Council, to ensure that the pastoral priorities of each parish are met with a realistic budget. It is also important for the Council to have a working relationship with the Parish Business Manager. The Parish Business Manager may serve as a staff resource to the Council but not as a member.

What are the key responsibilities of the Parish Finance Council? The key responsibilities are to aid and advise the Pastor regarding: Application of Diocesan Financial Policies, Long-range financial planning to support the stability and viability of the parish, Efficiency of Operations/Internal Controls, Review of Monthly Statements and Annual Financial Reports, Publication of Quarterly Statements, Parish Operating and Capital Budgets, Assessment of short and longterm building needs for maintenance and repairs and Capital Campaign Case Statement Revisions.

Next week: I will discuss the process for the selection of new members to the Parish Finance Council, as well as the criteria and key skills of potential candidates.


Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
I would like to invite parishioners to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We are in need of additional members for this ministry, and it is my goal to have an adequate number of EMHCs at all of our Daily and Sunday Masses by November 30, the First Sunday of Advent. This is an important ministry not only in our parish, but throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The ministry and service of the EMHC enriches the spiritual life of the parish by ensuring access to the Eucharist, reaching the sick at home, in hospitals and nursing facilities and by fostering active participation at Mass among the laity. Potential EMHC candidates should be sincere Catholics, persons known for their goodness, who seriously follow and live our faith. They should be at ease with other people. They must be at least 21-years-old; fully initiated into the Catholic Church having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist; of sufficient Christian maturity; be a registered member of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish; and with a character and way of life that reflects a serious and well-informed faith and moral commitment.

They must have all of the necessary Safe Environment Clearances required by the Diocese of Pittsburgh. They should be persons who foster their own devotion to the Eucharist by participating fully at Mass and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their reverent and prayerful manner. If you feel called to this ministry. please contact Judi Dalton in the Parish Office at 724-775-6363, EXT. 101. A meeting for interested candidates will be scheduled in the coming weeks and training will be provided.

Convocation of Diocesan Priests 2025
From Monday, October 6, through Thursday, October 9, I will join Bishop Mark Eckman and my fellow diocesan priests for our triennial convocation at the Oglebay Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, where we will focus on spiritual renewal, pastoral and professional development and priestly fellowship in the service of the Lord. The theme the convocation is Priests of Hope. Please keep us in your prayers.