CAPTION: BISHOP LORI unveils the six "key
elements" at a meeting (right) of all priests of
the Diocese on October 30, 2006.
BRIDGEPORT - updated
March 3, 2008 - The Diocese of Bridgeport's
ongoing commitment to improving and enhancing financial
controls at the parish and diocesan levels is apparent
as "Six Key Elements" (listed
below) of a new program are being implemented.
Details of the plan were unveiled in
November 2006 to representatives of all 87 parishes
at five regional meetings throughout Fairfield County.
Attendees included Pastors and members of Parish Finance
Councils and Parish Councils.
The plan is spearheaded by the Diocesan
Finance Office, which includes Parish Finance
Services.
Proposals for the program were recommended by a task
force appointed by Bishop William E. Lori. The
task force consisted of three priests from the College
of Consultors and three lay members of the Diocesan Finance
Council, in collaboration with Chief Financial Officer,
Norm Walker, and the Finance Director of Parish
Finance Services, Deacon William Koniers.
A Collaborative Effort
"This is a collaborative effort," says Bishop
Lori. "With this plan we are building upon a solid
foundation of transparency and accountability.
"We are offering to our Pastors, Parochial Vicars,
and parish lay leadership six key elements to assist in
meeting the financial responsibilities incumbent upon
each parish of the diocese," Bishop Lori continues.
"We are grateful to them for their expertise and
time in helping the Diocese to more fully develop these
elements. With their continued dedication of time and
talent, we will continue to refine these key elements
to assist Pastors in the financial management of the parish
and to provide assurance to parishioners that their treasure
is being effectively used to reflect the mission Christ
has given to us."
CAPTION: "Many people are not aware of the enhanced reporting
features available within the QuickBooks accounting software
that can make parish financial reporting easier and more
efficient," CPA Mary Miller (right, at left) tells
Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, director of diocesan human resources,
and Sonia Rodrigues, secretary of Saint Mary Parish in
Bridgeport, as Deacon William Koniers, director of parish
finance services, looks on. This exchange occurred at
a work session organized by Deacon Koniers at the Catholic
Center which brought together parish bookkeepers, accountants,
and professional advisors to explore ways the diocese
can enhance its assistance to parishes. "We assembled
many talented people from our parishes, and we're starting
to work together as a team," says Deacon Koniers. "This
advisory group will be instrumental in joining our pastors
to support our mission this year to implement enhanced
financial procedures and controls in all 87 parishes of
our diocese." (PHOTO BY PAT HENNESSY)
Great Progress
"We are making great progress, with the support
and advice of our Pastors and their staff," reports
Deacon Koniers. "It's been a busy first quarter,
and we have much good news to report." This includes:
• Audit firms
were engaged to perform parish reviews throughout
2007. Financial procedure reviews have now been completed
in all 87 parishes, or 100
percent of all parishes. "These reviews
have been uniformly positive, because we are learning
how we can improve," says Deacon Koniers.
• After each
review, a meeting of the Parish Corporation takes
place. "We try to schedule these meetings as soon
as possible," Deacon Koniers notes. "These
meetings are an opportunity to share the results of
the review with the Pastor, Lay Members of the Parish
Corporation, and the Parish Finance Council Members
in order to understand the findings, learn new methods,
and plan for the future."
• The Parish
Accounting and Procedures Manual (newly-rechristened
the Parish Administration & Finance Manual)
has now been updated and published. Training is under
way for all Clergy, Parish Business Managers, Accountants,
and Bookkeepers, and members of all 87 Parish Finance
Councils. To download the Manual, click
here.
• On May 8,
the Diocese launched its new, Internet-based Parish
Accounting System. All 87 parishes, or 100
percent of all parishes, have received training
and undergone conversion.
Click here for more details.
• In all 87
parishes on May 12-13, 2007, the Diocese announced a
new Parish
Finance Program
showing how clergy, religious, employees, volunteers,
and parishioners can communicate any concerns they may
have about parish finances.
• In conjunction
with the new Parish Accounting System, a new, comprehensive
Parish Chart of Accounts was formulated in order
to improve parish management reporting. This enhancement
will assist Pastors and their staffs to analyze better
their operating results on an ongoing basis.
• Training
for pastors and designated laity is under way.