The Finance Council of St. Joseph Parish carefully and regularly reviews all financial aspects of parish operations including the church, the weekly collections, and all fund raising activities, including the annual Ox Roast Fair.  The council works closely with the Pastor and the Pastoral Council in allocating funds for short and long term obligations and plans to help the parish carry out its overall mission.  Members discuss current and future budgets, diocesan assessments, capital improvements, parish investments, and strategic planning.

Click here for details on Investing in our Faith at St. Joseph Church, our December, 2012 - December, 2013
Debt Reduction Campaign.


The St. Joseph School Educational Trust Fund was established February 20, 1984, with the purpose to establish financial stability for our school now and in the future. The Trust Fund is controlled jointly by Pastoral Council, the Trust Fund Committee, and the Pastor of St. Joseph's (under Fr. Garvey's pastorate, the Finance Council members serve as the Trust Fund Committee). Upon the decision to close St. Joseph School in 2010 due to declining enrollment, the pastor, Fr. Michael Garvey, requested permission from the Parish Council and the Finance Council to use the principal as well as any interest to help pay school bills. In April of 2010 he then asked for official approval to close out the School Trust Fund (referring to Declaration and Agreement of Trust document's termination section). Trust Fund Intentions will be a part of weekend Masses once every two months. Click here to visit the Trust Fund page.

The Finance Council meets the first Thursday of the month (or as needed) at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. If your talents and interests would help the Finance Committee, please contact Parish Office. To view the the Finance Council By-Laws, click here.

Click here to learn about the Diocese of Youngstown's Annual Bishop's Appeal

MEMBERS
Fr. Michael Garvey (Pastor), Debra Bukas, Tom Caldwell, Stan Carlisle, Sue Emens, Marilyn Romanello

Goal ~ To Raise $35,000 or $190 per family
Beginning December, 2012 through December, 2013

The Diocese of Youngstown has implented a diocesan-wide Diocesan Forgiveness Program.
This program will save St. Joseph Church $8,570 and will reduce the debt to $35,000.

• Each household is asked to consider pledging $190
  choosing a payment plan that fits your family's needs.
• Please return pledge cards by Sunday, December 16, 2012.
  Those not responding will be contacted.
• Fulfill your pledge with a one time donation or payments through December, 2013
  using cash, check, or PayPal options (refer to link below). Monthly Debt Reduction envelopes will be provided in 2013 Contribution Envelope Packets.
• With your help St. Joseph Parish will be able to offer a larger variety of programs and ministries and will be a secure, strong, solid parish with a dynamic future!

Click on the links below to learn more about this huge challenge:
Investing in our Faith Debt Reduction Campaign Letter
Investing in our Faith Debt Reduction Flyer
Investing in our Faith Debt Reduction Pledge Card

By clicking on the donate button below, you will be directed to the website
where you may make contributions through your account
or the credit card options indicated by the icons below.

 

As of March 31, 2013 . . .
Total Pledges: $52,106.88
Total Contributions: $39,332.56

In the late fall of 2012 the diocese approved our parish debt reduction plan. After a forgiveness credit, we owed $36,122.40 for health care, property insurance and diocesan assessment. We were given permission to conduct a debt reduction campaign (no diocesan tax on these funds). You have responded marvelously! The plan also allowed us to collect moneys for a year before we began repayment. We must complete repayment by the second quarter of 2014. So, each month from December ’13 until April ’14 we will pay $7,000 to the diocese and eliminate our debt. The remainder of our funds will go into our restricted Capital Improvement Funds. Thanks so much to our committee and to each of you who have helped out!

 

FINANCE COUNCIL BY-LAWS
Adopted: 9/13/2004 (revised 10/7/2011)

Article 1: NAME
This organization shall be called St. Joseph Church Finance Council

Article 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Council is to serve the Pastor and the Parish in matters regarding the Parish in financial resources in a responsible and honorable manner that is directed by the laws of the universal Church and local bishop.

Article 3: OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the Council is enacted through the following objectives:

• By meeting regularly to review and oversee the financial resources of the parish
• To advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial resources of the parish in a fiscally responsible and honest manner
• To review the financial and employment policies of the parish
• To respond, review, and encourage the continued call to pastoral stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
• To ensure that permanent, accurate, and complete minutes are kept as a record of all finance committee meetings.

Article 4: COUNCIL MAKE-UP
The Council shall consist of no less than six members and no more than eight members at any given time. The chairperson is appointed by the Pastor and is an ex-officio member of the Parish Council.

Article 5: ELIGIBILITY
Membership to the Council shall be open to all registered active members of St. Joseph Parish. Members must be confirmed and 16 years of age and must be regular, active, participating members of the Parish.

Article 6: MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS
Terms shall be for two years and commence in September. Members may serve for two consecutive 3-year terms. Upon completion of the second 3-year term, the member must be absent from the Council for one year before reapplying for membership.
Appointment to the Council will be through self-nomination or through nomination by an existing Council member. Vacancies will be filled on a first-come basis. In the event nominations outnumber vacancies, the Pastor will decide.

Article 7: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
Members shall be responsible for attending all Council meetings. Three consecutive unexcused absences can be cause for removal from the Council.