I'm really surprised by how few parish pastoral and financial reports were taken over the last three weekends.  We printed around 200 and perhaps 40 were gone when I checked today.

As you may know, all the priests of the diocese were invited to come together with the bishop for a topical presentation and discussion.  Over a hundred of our 135 active and retired diocesan and religious priests came to Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center off Corridor G in Charleston.  The topic this year was administration issues for priests.  The presenter was a lay Catholic who served as the chancellor and personnel officer for two dioceses over the last 25 years.  He predicted the next harmful issue to hit the Catholic Church would be financial mismanagement--some outright theft, some from benign neglect, and much from pastors' incompetence in financial and employment procedures. 

In the seminary men who study for diocesan priesthood rarely have practical courses in bookkeeping, law, privacy issues, hiring and firing and staff retention or development.  In my case (studying at the American Seminary in Rome) the higher-ups said it succinctly:  "You'll get that when you're a priest."  For the most part, I have learned much about administration from my pastors (when I was an assistant) and from my parishioners, especially those who have served on Finance and Pastoral councils.  Our diocese has provided some continuing education and made available wonderful resources and people in the chancery.  

What I have learned best:  COMPLETE transparency in parish finances is the best policy, provided no other rights (eg, to privacy) are violated.  We follow diocesan policy and procedures to the letter in this parish.  The report to the parish includes absolutely everything  that comes in and goes out.  This year there was a miscellaneous category (on the parish and diocesan reports, line 137).  The note on the financial summary made available to the parish indicates exactly what the miscellany was.  Next year, I won't even allow that category.  Additionally, for responsible stewardship, our parish contracted for an independent audit by a Wheeling firm.  The auditors were thorough:  even my differences in handwriting on check photo stats were seen and question.  The conclusion was that our parish is in compliance with accepted business practices and diocesan guidelines and that are books are well-maintained and accurate.  No irregularities of any sort were reported. 

I'm proud of Ellen--office manager, bookkeeper and secretary extraordinaire--for the great job she does.  The members of our finance council have given me such great advise and guided expenditures and savings with great wisdom.  Lastly only through the generosity of parishioners who contribute both their finances and talents can we sustain our parish family and hope to grow in the future.  THANK YOU!