In an effort to assist pastors and parishes in meeting 21st century challenges, the Office of Temporal Administration and the Department of Pastoral Planning will sponsor “Best Practices for Finance and Pastoral Councils,” Nov. 9, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., in St. David the King Parish, West Windsor.

Keynote presenter, Dr Charles Zech, is professor of economics in Villanova University, and serves as director of The Center for the Study of Church Management at Villanova. He is the author of the 2010 Our Sunday Visitor book, “Best Practices of Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils.”

The workshop is an opportunity for members of parish finance and pastoral councils to gather together, receive training and formation for their role, and an opportunity for pastors or parishes without either council to learn more prior to establishing one.

There are important distinctions between pastoral and finance councils, explained Terry Ginther, diocesan director, Department of Pastoral Planning, and executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission. “A pastoral council is a consultative body recommended by canon law for every parish, and required by the Statutes of the Fourth Synod of the Diocese of Trenton,” she said.

Consultative, noted Ginther, means to inform the pastor’s thinking on something regarding the life of the parish, not to make decisions as a council.  When a pastor leaves a parish for any reason, the pastoral council ceases.

The expertise of those on a pastoral council, noted Ginther, is first and foremost, “their lived experience of parish community, as well as their practical wisdom and knowledge of the people, that community.”

A finance council, which also serves as an advisory council to the pastor, is mandated by canon law for each parish, and, unlike the pastoral council, “survives the pastor,” said Anthony J. Mingarino, diocesan chancellor and chief administrative officer of the Office of Temporal Administration.

Members of parish finance councils share their expertise in such areas as business, finance, facility and personnel management, among others. “We have many people with an enormous amount of business background being shared in support of parishes, and who play an important role in the Church,” Mingarino added.

Following the keynote presentation, participants have the opportunity to attend a morning and afternoon workshop from the menu of six choices specific to their role as pastor, finance or pastoral council member.

Ginther and Mingarino are among the slate of seven presenters for the sessions.

Registration fee is $10 and deadline is Oct. 31. To register visit www.dioceseoftenton.org/events;  click on “Nov 9 Councils Workshop” on the calendar to access registration materials.

 For more information, email [email protected] or call 609-403-7213.

St. David the King, Great Hall, is located at One New Village Rd., Princeton Junction, 08550