Definition:
The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of persons established to advise and aid the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish.

Canon 537 (CIC) states: "Each parish is to have a Finance Council which is regulated by universal law as well as by the 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 the parish good with due regard for the prescription of Canon 532, "

Relationships:
The relationship between the Pastor and the Council is one of support and collaboration. The authority of the Pastor, as defined in Canon 582, to act and decide on behalf of the parish, is not lessened by the establishment of the Parish Finance Council.

The Code of Canon Law requires the creation of the Parish Finance Council and clearly states that its primary task is to assist the Pastor in the administration of the temporalities of the parish. The Code also allows the establishment of Pastoral Councils to assist the Pastor in planning, coordinating, guiding, and directing most aspects of parish life (Canon 536). It has been the policy of the Diocese of Pittsburgh that a Pastoral Council be established in each of the parishes of the diocese. While the two councils are separate and each has a different and specific role in the life and operation of the parish, they must work together for the good of the parish.

Membership:
The Parish Finance Council shall be composed of the Pastor and not less than three or more than seven reputable and practicing members of the parish who are knowledgeable and skilled in financial matters and known for their prudent judgment. Membership shall be by appointment of the Pastor who shall consult with the Pastoral Council in making appointments to the Parish Finance Council.

The following members of our parish have graciously accepted my invitation to serve as members of the Parish Finance Council for terms of four years.

Finance Council Members are:

• Betty Butler (Contact person) 412-795-6819
• Connie Altomare
• Edwin Neff
• Paul Gelles
• Brian Marchitelli

Structure:
The pastoral council makes recommendations for pastoral policies as a consultative and consensus-driven body of concerned parishioners called forth from the parish body. A pastoral policy or plan provides general guidelines for implementing actions in areas that have broad impacts on parish life and serve to fulfill the mission of our parish. Pastoral council recommendations are focused on pastoral plans and policies, not on acts of administration.

Acts of administration involve the daily operation of the parish which include the implementation of pastoral plans and policies, parish programming, budgeting, and personnel responsibility. Decisions relating to acts of administration are the responsibility of the Pastor and the pastoral staff. These decisions include the development and application of administrative policies, plans, structures and procedures.

Ad Hoc committees shall be formed by the pastoral council to address specific issues or needs. The Ad Hoc committees shall be given clear directives, including scope of work and applicable time frames required by the pastoral council to achieve specific results. It is the responsibility of the pastoral council to use Ad Hoc committees as a tool to achieve the objectives set forth in the parish mission statement. Ad Hoc committee members shall be recruited and enlisted from the parish body. Pastoral council representation on the Ad Hoc committees shall be limited to only those pastoral council members needed to provide an interface between the Ad Hoc committee and pastoral council.

The Leadership Committee:
The leadership committee shall consist of the Pastor, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and a Recording Secretary, all of whom have discerned their desire to serve and do so with the full consent of the PPC.

Terms of Office:
The term of office for the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Recording Secretary shall be one year with the option of succeeding themselves. The process of determining Leadership Committee membership shall be a discerned consensus by the PPC.

Responsibilities:
Pastor:
Fr. Al McGinnis

The Pastor is expected to use his canonical authority to foster a collegial and participative approach to policy making and decision making. While the Pastor is not obliged to follow the recommendations of the PPC, it is understood that he would do so unless there is an extraordinary reason to do otherwise. When this is the case, he makes known the basis for his decision to those concerned unless there are confidentiality issues.

Chairperson:
Randy Duva: 724-337-1172

Using the mission statement of the parish, the chairperson keeps the PPC focused on its directives. The chairperson shall work closely with the Pastor and Leadership Committee to set the agenda for council meetings. The chairperson shall chair all council meetings, and motivate and encourage all members to participate actively. During council meetings, the chairperson shall be responsible for keeping discussion of agenda items to accepted protocol and within time constraints.

Vice-Chairperson:
Mr. Don Strong: 724-327-7205

In the chairperson's absence, the vice-chairperson shall assume all duties of the chairperson. During council meetings, the vice-chairperson shall be responsible for assisting the chairperson in keeping discussion of agenda items to accepted protocol and within time constraints.

Recording Secretary:
Mrs. Suzanne Teti: 412-798-2295

The recording secretary shall keep a record of minutes at regular and special meetings, distribute all minutes and agenda to the PPC and staff members, keep records of members in attendance, update council documents, distribute information when needed, keep all correspondence and coordinate the maintenance of files and records with the appropriate Parish staff.

Other Members:
Salvi Altomare, Liz Bachtel, Joe Dello Stritto, Lauel Diana, Marianne Geier, Bill Molyneaux, Ed Neff, Irene Pluto, Debbie Roe, Doug Wayner & Bruce Rice.