Family Finance Council

PURPOSE:

The Family Finance Council serves as a consultative body responsible for providing counsel to the Pastor on the finances of the Catholic Family of Parishes. Comprised of expert representatives selected from each parish within the Family, the Finance Council ensures prudent and disciplined management of all Family finances, overseeing shared costs, expenses, and income to support common ministries, outreach, and education initiatives.

ROLE CLARIFICATION: Many of these correlate between Parish and Family Finance Councils.

  1. Financial Oversight & Budget Management: Monitor and evaluate the financial results of each parish within the Family, ensuring adherence to prudent financial practices and accountability.
  • Review financial reports and statements to assess the financial health and performance of the Family of Parishes as a whole, as well as report to departments on a quarterly basis as to their financial status.
  • Strategic Financial Planning: Collaborate with the Pastor and parish leaders to develop strategic financial plans and budgets aligned with the mission and priorities of the Family of Parishes.
  • Identify opportunities for resource optimization and cost-saving measures to support the sustainability and growth of common ministries and initiatives.
  • Yearly Re-evaluation of Shared Services: Ensure equitable sharing of resources and costs among parishes within the Family, promoting fairness and transparency in financial arrangements.
    • Facilitate communication and collaboration among parishes to coordinate financial efforts and maximize efficiency in resource utilization.
    • Recalculate percentages as needed for shared services. 
  • Financial Reporting and Transparency: Establish internal transparency and standardized methods for financial reporting among parishes within the Family, promoting openness and accountability in financial matters.
    • Provide quarterly updates and reports to the Pastor and parish leadership on the financial status and performance of the Family of Parishes.
  • Stewardship Education: Offer guidance and support to all individual parishes in financial stewardship practices, promoting responsible management of financial resources and adherence to canonical and corporate requirements.
    • Provide educational resources and workshops to parish leaders and staff members on financial management principles and best practices.

OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES:

  1. Composition: The Finance Council shall consist of at least one representative from each parish finance council within the Family of Parishes.
  2. Meeting Frequency: The Family Finance Council shall meet regularly to fulfill its responsibilities, with a frequency determined by the needs and priorities of the Family of Parishes, no less than quarterly.
  • Decision-Making Process: Recommendations to the Pastor from the Finance Council shall be reached through consensus-based discussions, with input from all members considered in the decision-making process.
  • Collaboration with All Parish Leadership: The Family Finance Council shall collaborate closely with parish leaders, finance committees, and parish leaders to align financial decisions with the mission and goals of the Family of Parishes.
  • Confidentiality: Members of the Family Finance Council shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive financial information discussed during meetings and in reports.
  • Communication: The Family Finance Council shall communicate regularly with the Pastor, Family Leadership Team, all Parish leadership, and members of the Family of Parishes to provide updates on financial matters and promote transparency in financial management.

CONCLUSION:

The Family Finance Council plays a crucial role in ensuring the prudent and disciplined management of finances within the Catholic Family of Parishes. By providing counsel to the Pastor, overseeing shared costs and expenses, and promoting transparency and stewardship, the Family Finance Council contributes to the sustainability and growth of common ministries and initiatives, fostering the spiritual and material well-being of the entire Family of Parishes.

Family Pastoral Council

Key Considerations

As stated in the Renewal Playbook, the Family Pastoral Council serves as the consultative governing body to guide the work of the Catholic Family of Parishes. 

Comprised of representatives from each parish within the Family, perhaps Pillar Heads or members of Parish Councils, the Council collaborates to offer insight and recommendations to assist the Pastor in decision-making processes for the collective spiritual well-being and growth of the entire Family of Parishes community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. This body is the steward of the Family Action Plan:
    1. Evaluation of yearly goals and strategies, accomplishments and reporting of progress and new goals to the Family of Parishes.
  2. Collaborative Decision-Making:
    1. Actively participate in discussions and deliberations to provide input and recommendations on matters affecting the spiritual, pastoral, and current administrative aspects of the Family of Parishes.
  • Pastoral Planning: Implements the goals of the Family Action Plan and the work of the pillars.  
  • Pastoral Care: Provide support and guidance to the Pastor in addressing pastoral concerns and challenges within the Family of Parishes, with a focus on promoting unity, inclusivity, and pastoral sensitivity. 
  • For example: assisting the Pastor with how and where to provide clear and accurate communication within each individual Parish regarding changes that need to be made for the sake of the entire Family of Parishes to increase acceptance and avoid rumors. 
  • Communication: Serve as a liaison between the Family of Parishes and individual parish communities within the FoP, ensuring effective communication of decisions, initiatives, and pastoral priorities.
  • Collaboration with Parish Councils: Foster collaboration and cooperation between the Family Pastoral Council and individual parish councils, encouraging mutual support and alignment of goals and objectives.

MEETINGS:

It’s highly recommended that the Family Pastoral Council should convene regularly to address the ever-evolving agenda of pertinent matters affecting the Family of Parishes. The optimum meeting cadence shall be determined based on the needs and priorities of the community, but it is recommended that meetings occur minimally once every quarter. Additional meetings may be scheduled as deemed necessary by the Pastor or Council members.

TOPICS FOR MEETING DISCUSSIONS: The family action plan will guide the agenda for the Family Pastoral Council meetings.

MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Active member of one of the parishes within the Family of Parishes – perhaps involved with a Pillar Group.
  • Committed to the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to discern and articulate pastoral priorities and concerns of the FoP.
  • Willingness to work collaboratively with diverse perspectives and backgrounds within the Council and broader community.

Notes:

  • While it is recommended that representatives be from individual parish councils, this is not a requirement. Individuals with a demonstrated commitment to the mission and well-being of the Family of Parishes may also serve as representatives on the Family Pastoral Council.
  • The pillar groups become the committee through which the specific area goals are implemented and accomplished. 
  • *Please note pillar groups are not dissolved!

Family Leadership Team

Key Considerations

PURPOSE:
The Family Leadership Team embodies the collaborative model spirit within the Catholic Family of Parishes, working alongside the Pastor to advance the overarching mission, operation, and growth of the Family of Parishes (FoPs). 

Comprised of the trustees of each parish in the family, these individuals with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, the Leadership Team serves as an executive committee, tasked with making strategic decisions, implementing initiatives, and evaluating outcomes to enhance the vitality and effectiveness of the FoPs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Family Leadership Team are the eyes and ears of the parishes they represent and bring the local parish perspective to the family model with the pastoral leadership. 
  2. Visionary Leadership: Engage in strategic visioning processes to discern and articulate the long-term vision and goals for the Family of Parishes, with a focus on fostering growth, innovation, and evangelization.
  • Future Planning: Collaborate with Family Pillar Head Group to develop comprehensive plans and strategies for the future development and growth of the FoPs, with an emphasis on attracting new followers, especially younger generations and young families.
  • Innovative Evangelization: In collaboration with the pillars, explore and implement innovative approaches to evangelization, InReach and OutReach opportunities, using digital media, social platforms, and Family community engagement initiatives to reach individuals both within and beyond the Family of Parish walls.
  • Obstacle Identification: Constantly and preventatively identify and assess major obstacles and challenges facing individual parishes within the Family, and developing proactive strategies to address them, fostering resilience and adaptability.
  • Resource Optimization: Strategize ways to optimize all resources, including personnel, facilities, and financial assets, through collaboration, sharing, and consolidation efforts across the Family of Parishes in every way possible, using the goals and strategies identified by the Family Action Plan.
  • Efficiency Improvement: Evaluate all existing processes and procedures within the FoPs to identify opportunities for streamlining operations, reducing redundancies, and maximizing efficiency in all aspects of ministry and administration.

MEETING CADENCE:

The Family Leadership Team shall convene regularly to address strategic matters and oversee the implementation of initiatives aimed at advancing the mission and growth of the Family of Parishes. 

It is recommended that the Leadership Team meets at least once a month, with additional meetings scheduled as necessary to address urgent matters or strategic planning sessions.

PLAN FOR ACTION:

  1. Yearly State of the Parish Address: Each year the Leadership Team in collaboration with the pastor will present data and trends addressing sacramental and financial information and strategy concerning the Family Action Plan and next steps moving forward. This is a great opportunity to present the annual financial report.
  2. Visionary Retreats: Regularly organize periodic retreats or workshops, that include the Family Leadership Team, Pastoral Team and pillar chairs, focused on visionary leadership and strategic planning, allowing members of the Leadership Team to discern and articulate the long-term vision and goals for the FoPs.
  • Strategic Planning Sessions: Facilitate specific strategic planning sessions to develop comprehensive plans and initiatives for the future growth and development of the FoPs, with a particular emphasis on innovative evangelization strategies and attracting new followers, especially younger generations.
  • Pillar Groups: Use Pillar groups to help establish smaller specific task forces or working groups within each Pillar to address specific challenges or opportunities identified by the Family Leadership Team, delegating responsibilities and fostering collaboration among members with relevant expertise or interest.
  • Resource Inventory and Sharing: Regularly conduct an inventory of resources, including personnel, facilities, and financial assets, across the Family of Parishes, and explore opportunities for sharing and collaboration to optimize resource allocation and effectiveness.
  • Communication and Transparency: Maintain open and transparent communication channels with all consultative groups, clergy, pillar groups, and parishioners, providing regular updates on the work and decisions of the Family Leadership Team, and inviting input and feedback from the broader community.

MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Active trustee and member of one of the parishes within the Family of Parishes.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.
  • Strategic thinking and visionary leadership skills.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and consensus-building abilities.
  • Ability to analyze complex issues and make informed decisions in the best interest of the Family of Parishes.

Note:  At the discretion of the Pastor, others may be appointed to this specific Leadership Team.