Collaboration between priests and people in parish administration is required in Canon Law. Involvement of the laity is increasing rapidly as the value of their wide range of personal and professional contribution is recognised. This is a valuable example of collaborative ministry, which the Diocese wishes to encourage. Parish administration provides the opportunity for the laity to contribute their particular gifts to the mission of the Church and enables priests to give more time to pastoral and liturgical duties.
Here are two Canons which define the administrative role of the parish priest and the finance committee. These are:
Canon 532: In all juridical matters, the parish priest acts in the person of the parish, in accordance with the law. He is to ensure that the parish goods are administered in accordance with Canons 1281–1288.
Canon 537: In each parish there is to be a finance committee to help the parish priest in the administration of the goods of the parish, without prejudice to c. 532. It is ruled by the universal law and by the norms laid down by the diocesan Bishop, and it is comprised of members of the faithful selected according to these norms.
It is mandatory that each parish should have a Finance Committee initially comprising the Parish Clergy together with at least three to five lay people relevant to the size of the parish, this should include, a Finance person or someone with book-keeping ability, a person with relevant property expertise and the Planned Giving Coordinator. This core may be expanded on a temporary or permanent basis as required to include, for example, people to take responsibility for fundraising. The Parish Finance Committee meets at least quarterly as well as for extraordinary meetings if and when needed.
The members of the Finance Committee for our Parish are:
- President: Fr Luigi Morrone, SDV
- Chairman: Mr Gabriel Fernandes
- Secretary: Ms Dilrukshi (Dee) Fernando
- Fr Rionelle Hinampas, SDV
- Ms Nicola McDermott
- Ms Diana Morain
- Mr Frank Darmoo
- Mr Edwin Viegas