Pastoral plans, development discussed at diocesan finance conference

Close to 90 clergy, parish staff and parish finance council members met in Helena last month to hear the state of finances in the Diocese of Helena and prospects for the future.
Bishop George Leo Thomas reviewed highlights from the Diocesan Pastoral Council’s Come to the Light vision, mission statement, priorities and goals for the diocese for the years 2007-2012, and thanked Sister Rita McGinnis for her work on it. One area of focus is on stewardship and finances.
Last year, the diocese received a $450,000 grant from the Foundation for the Diocese of Helena for development, including a director of development position. A former Helena resident, Bernie Hewitt, was chosen. He started June 25, and is working to identify potential donors and begin to develop relationships using a theology of stewardship. He will identify ways to give, such as through wills and other estate-planning options.
The diocese is considering a capital campaign, and three companies were recently interviewed to conduct a feasibility study for a campaign. Questions for a consulting firm may include the impact of a lack of a capital campaign history in the diocese; a new campaign’s impact on existing parish campaigns and others, such as Carroll College’s 100th anniversary; and the best way to share a portion of a campaign with parishes.
Patrick Haggarty reported on the Protecting God’s Children program and a training completion audit this fall to assure that all parishes and the diocese are complying with the charter. Auditors will make sure all people have been trained and policies are being followed.
A study of diocesan structures is assessing how to protect the assets of parishes and institutions, Father John Robertson reported. A parish charitable trust has been recommended, similar to the priest retirement trust. Legendary Lodge is a high priority, and Carroll College is a complex operation to protect properly, he said.
Material from the diocese’s property insurance company show that the property value has increased 60 percent from the July 1, 2006, value. But premiums will not increase by that much, said Pete McNamee, financial services director.
The general session was followed by workshops to discuss policies and procedures.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 23, No. 7, July 20, 2007.