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Council members are:
Sheila Burckhard
Maye Jones
Joyce Kuntz
Dean Rubbelke
Bob Schempp
Jerry Stai
Gregg Magnuson
Finance Council Constitution
Constitution of the Finance Council of St. John the Apostle Church
Minot, North Dakota
Canon 515.3 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states: A Lawfully established parish has juridical personality by virtue of the law itself.
Canon 1280 states: Every juridical person is to have it's own finance council, or at least two counselors, who are to assist in the performance of the administrator's (pastor) duties, in accordance with the statutes.
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 states: 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 Canon 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 Christ's faithful selected according to these norms.
The structure of the Finance Committee of this parish will consist of the pastor and six appointed members and one ex officio member of the parish council, according to the norms laid down by Diocesan guidelines established by the bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck.
Members serve a three year term beginning July 1st in accordance with the new fiscal year. Terms conclude on June 30th. Two members will be replaced each year on a rotation basis. Appointments are made from those who identify themselves as willing to serve on this committee from the "renewal" that takes place each year.
The Finance Council will meet with the pastor on a quarterly basis and as need arises.
Two of the appointed members will be designated as trustees required for each parish.
The Finance Council facilitates the work of the entire parish. With the pastor, they will be responsible for all the financial transactions of the parish, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Bishop and the Diocesan Finance Committee. Members are to be informed of the Diocesan Policies in place regarding fiscal management of the parish.
Their function is in an advisory capacity to the pastor, providing valuable insight and advice, so that the pastor may act more effectively regarding the interests of the parish.
In matters reserved to the approval of the head of the Corporate Board of the Diocese (Bishop), the council is to be consulted and a recommendation is made to the pastor, who petitions the Corporate Board (the Bishop, the Vicar General of the Diocese) for approval.
The Specific Parish Responsibilities of the Finance Committee are:
• Have an awareness of all parish indebtedness with an approved repayment schedule for such loans.
• Investment of surplus funds according to the directives of the Diocese.
• Approve the annual financial report to the Diocese and the parish.
• Review annually the amount of insurance coverage on parish buildings and properties in accord with the recommended Diocesan Insurance program.
• Periodically, review the investment policy of the parish with regard to socially responsible investing in line with the directives and initiatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Discuss and approve the annual budget for the parish, and to negotiate and approve salaries for all employees of the parish.
The parish priest is to remember that he must consult his committee when the law so requires (canon 127.2,2); otherwise he may leave himself liable to an action for damages in canon law, even if his actions are valid in civil law (canon 1296).
Amended: April 12, 2006
Reverend David L. Zimmer, J.C.L.
Pastor-St. John the Apostle Church
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