Parish Finance Council

In accordance with Canon Law 537, every parish is required to have a Parish Finance Council, a mandated body that serves in an advisory and consultative capacity to the pastor. The Canon states:
“Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of canon 532.”

The Parish Finance Council works in close collaboration with the pastor, who is ultimately accountable to the diocesan bishop for the proper administration and stewardship of the parish’s temporal goods. While the pastor bears responsibility for financial management, the council assists him by providing advice, insight, and support in matters of budgeting, resource allocation, and stewardship. Although the council itself does not exercise decision-making authority, its consultative role is vital — ensuring that parish decisions are made through dialogue, transparency, shared wisdom, and a spirit of consensus.

Specifically, the Parish Finance Council’s purpose are as follows:

  1. Advice on matters pertaining to administration, the management of parish funds and banking arrangements.
  2. Prepare and review the parish annual budget and parish annual report.
  3. Formulate and communicate the Annual Financial Report to the parish community, as required by Canon 1287.2. Communication keeps parishioners informed of the parish’s condition, its priorities, its needs, and progress on previously announced initiatives.
  4. Regularly review periodic (at least quarterly) financial reports – balance sheet, income statements, comparisons to budget as well as prior year results and cash flow analysis.
  5. Consult on the construction or renovation of parish facilities, and rental agreements. The Finance Council assists the pastor in planning for repair, replacement, or service of property and equipment to ensure that the parish buildings and property are adequately maintained. Review maintenance and utility costs seeking to minimize costs through preventative maintenance, energy conservation, and the implementation of risk management programs and recommendations.
  6. Assess effectiveness of existing fund-raising programs and recommend new programs or changes to existing programs if revenues are insufficient. Support parish and diocesan stewardship programs.

In order to be effective in their responsibilities as members of the Parish Finance Council, members should have a love for the Church and its mission and develop a thorough understanding of the parish’s mission, goals, people and other resources. The members should have knowledge of diocesan statutes and policies regarding temporal issues and other financial matters. It is the pastor’s responsibility to give the members appropriate background and enrichment so they are able to carry out their duties.

In the end, the work of the Parish Finance Council is more than the management of resources — it is a ministry of stewardship and communion. Through their faithful service, the members help ensure that the material blessings entrusted to the parish are used wisely and generously for the building up of the Church. In collaboration with the pastor and the parish community, they reflect the spirit of shared responsibility and transparency that strengthens trust and unity. In this way, the careful stewardship of temporal goods becomes a true expression of faith — transforming resources into instruments of God’s grace, service, and love.

Chairman: Msgr Mario Josefino Martinez
Head: Atty Ma Vilma Fabian
Properties Custodian: Clifford Calongin

Members: Rose Cadapan
Alex Cochon
Aurora Frias
Atty Manuel Jacela
Mona Lafradez
Ma. Elvira Ortega