Dear Parishioners,

A few weeks back several parishioners suggested I should write something about the handling of parish finances in the face of all the news reports about misuse of funds by two pastors in the San Francisco Archdiocese. One of the criticisms raised is at the general lack of accountability for where your contribution goes once it is put in the collection basket; another is about how the Diocese handles its finances. (1) Here at Christ the King all moneys received in the weekend collection are counted by one of several rotating teams of parishioners; there are always several counters working at the same time, and they make the bank deposit of all that is received. We owe a special thank you to our counters who do this job so faithfully and so well: Jim and Gladys Hannon, Norm Horne, Ed and Rose Lackington, Yolan Fairgrief, Jim Foerch, Don Peirce, Pat Cannon and Ken and Jeannie Henry. (2) Our parish Finance Committee reviews our income and expenditures and prepares our annual budget. One member, John Hyde, monitors our finances on a regular basis and serves along with Sue Collins, Greg Thornbury, Ken Henry, Don Peirce, Andy Dressel, Bernard Perez and myself on that committee. In addition, the Diocese requires that our books be audited every third year by an accounting firm. Our Parish Council sets the overall goals and long range planning for parish life. This affects our expenditures in a major way; the master plan and expansion of parish hall, school and ministry center is an obvious example. (3) Our Diocesan finances are administered by an office staffed by Mr. Michael Cannizzaro and Fr. Pat Goodwin, an accounting department director and four bookkeepers. There is a Diocesan Finance Committee that reviews their work and advises the Bishop. It is made up of eight members, six of whom are lay persons (including one of our parishioners, Greg Thornbury) and two parish priests. There is also an Investment Committee that reviews Diocesan investments and portfolios; it consists of four lay persons and a consultant. The finances of the Diocese are audited fully every three years, with a review each year. The full audit is published in The Catholic Voice.

Our parish reports are always a tribute to your continuing generousity; it is a challenge to sustain your contributions in the face of a major building program and very large expenditures. If you have any questions, they are very welcome. Just check with myself or any member of the Parish Finance Committee. If you have questions about Diocesan Finance, Greg Thornbury will be able to answer your questions.

Your Pastor,

Brian T. Joyce