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Parish Finance Council Working to Ensure Proper Stewardship of Our Treasure
For some, the idea of working on finances elicits a sense of dread. It could be balancing the checkbook, making a budget, or even just paying bills — it’s a stressful activity. But for others, something is rewarding about working with numbers and discerning how to best allocate available funds. And for those who have this gift, serving on the Parish Finance Council is a great way to serve our community.
Parishioner Cade Crawford, who has been a banker for 23 years, began serving as Chair of our Finance Council several years ago, upon the opening of the new church. As required by Canon Law, the role of the Finance Council is to provide advice and counsel to the pastor, in matters regarding the management of the parish’s financial resources.
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“Our primary role is to offer advice, consultation, and assistance in the administration of the assets of the parish,” Cade says. “I have served on numerous non-profit boards, so I’ve got a little bit of experience dealing with financials and helping non-profits navigate through challenging situations, as well as the good years, too. It’s been a blessing for me to be able to help and provide whatever expertise or advice I can give.”
People from a variety of different backgrounds are appointed by the pastor to serve on the Finance Council, offering their expertise in different areas. For Cade, who also serves as a lector, being on the Parish Finance Council is a unique opportunity to share his particular gifts and experience in the world of finance.
“I know my talents, my gifts are from God and I can’t think of a better way that I could serve,” Cade says. “For me, it’s very rewarding to be a part of the Finance Council, to be able to give back in some small way, using the talents God has provided me to be able to make a living and support my family.”
In addition to ensuring that the parish finances can sustain the day-to-day operations, the Finance Council also serves to help plan for the future of the parish. Uniquely, this year, the Finance Council has worked with Fr. O’Brien to help navigate the unexpected challenges of COVID-19.
“We’re still a very new parish,” Cade says. “As with any new start-up, whether it be a business or church, or even family units, those first few years are often the hardest to navigate financially. We’ve tried to put some foundation in place to serve as stability to help determine what is normal, while also trying to manage our resources so we can actually grow.”
Transparency is a core value of the Finance Council, and Cade hopes that parishioners will be assured that their stewardship of treasure is part of building up our community.
“I think that was important to Fr. O’Brien and all of us on the Finance Council, to be very transparent,” Cade says. “Every year we give a financial report, and we have the financials available in the bulletin. Transparency has been a big deal for us.”
Cade has found that serving on the Finance Council has helped him to grow in his faith and feel a sense of responsibility for helping our community to embrace the stewardship way of life. “I think it’s drawn me closer to the Lord and closer to the parish,” he says. “There’s pride there in knowing, not only are we monitoring and helping to provide consultation and advice, but I’m out in front trying to lead by example with time, talent and treasure, from a stewardship standpoint.”
At the end of the day, the heart of the Finance Council’s work is to ensure our parish’s ability to serve our mission — now, and for years to come.
“Everybody on the council, parishioners, and staff are all passionate about helping our parish succeed in its overall mission to evangelize Payne County,” Cade says. “It’s an exciting time for our church, and I think we’re excited to be a part of it and have some small part in helping our parish and church continue to grow.”
