Last week I began a series introducing the various leadership bodies that help guide the life and mission of Incarnation–St. James Parish. We started with the Board of Trustees, whose responsibilities are defined by both New Jersey law and the Diocese of Trenton. This week I would like to introduce you to the Parish Finance Council (PFC).

The Parish Finance Council exists because the Church recognizes that responsible stewardship of a parish’s financial resources is an essential part of its mission. When the Code of Canon Law was revised in 1983, the Church acknowledged that the financial administration of a parish requires the wisdom and experience of qualified lay women and men working in collaboration with the pastor. Their role is not to replace the pastor’s responsibility, but to assist him through sound advice, professional expertise, and prudent judgment.

Members of the Parish Finance Council are appointed by the pastor after consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council and the Senior Leadership Team. They are practicing Catholics in full communion with the Church who are known for their faith, integrity, and competence in financial matters. They serve three-year terms, with staggered appointments that provide both continuity and fresh perspectives.

The Council assists in preparing the parish budget and financial reports, long-range financial planning, oversight of parish property and facilities, and the responsible administration of the parish’s temporal goods. Canon law also requires the pastor to consult the Council regarding significant financial commitments and matters of extraordinary administration.

In short, the Parish Finance Council helps ensure that every dollar entrusted to the parish is managed with transparency, accountability, and good stewardship so that our parish can more effectively proclaim the Gospel and serve God’s people.

Over the past two years our newly constituted Finance Council has undertaken the difficult work of reforming our budgeting process, reviewing contracts and agreements with outside vendors, expanding online giving opportunities, and helping address the significant financial challenges created by the loss of rental income from former tenants. Their careful work has been an important part of building a more stable future for our parish.

Our current members are Bob Raywood (Chair), Nathalie Cassion, William Parr, June Mahon, Marita Sciarrotta, and Katlyn Dauphinee. They generously share their professional experience in banking, accounting, tax law, nonprofit administration, fundraising, and business management. I hope you will thank them for their dedicated service and keep them in your prayers.

On a personal note, during my nearly six years as your pastor, I have come to value the members of the Finance Council—past and present—as trusted advisors. They have always been honest in their assessments, thoughtful in their recommendations, and deeply committed to the well-being of our parish. Four of our current members have belonged to this parish their entire lives, and their love for our parish family is unmistakable. I am deeply grateful for their wisdom, generosity, and faithful stewardship. We are truly blessed to have them caring for the material resources that make our ministry possible. Next week I will introduce you to the Parish Pastoral Council and the important role it plays in guiding the pastoral life and mission of our parish.

God bless you for your continued generosity, prayers, and support.