HICKORY — The Diocese of Charlotte Finance Office, in partnership with ParishSOFT, offered the first ever two-day diocesan finance conference March 19-20 at the Catholic Conference Center.
Sixty-nine participants attended the conference where general sessions and focused workshops helped them gain valuable knowledge of the ParishSOFT standard accounting platform used by all diocesan parishes and parish-based schools in order to achieve diocesan objectives of accurate, complete, timely and transparent financial reporting.
Bill Weldon, chief financial officer for the diocese, provided an “Update from the diocesan Finance Office” which covered tax issues, state laws regarding fundraising activities, a proposed change in Department of Labor overtime rules, and costs associated with the diocesan employee health plan and other parish charges.
Norma McAlonan, bookkeeper of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and St. Bernadette Mission in Linville, considered the conference a success. She found that the explanation of endowments and how to account for them was very helpful.
“The ParishSOFT instructor’s class on imports and exports was interesting,” McAlonan added. “I may use this feature in my accounting to make some reporting faster and more efficient. The other classes were very informational.”
The highlight of her experience at the conference was the Lenten Reflection given by Father Richard Sutter, coupled with the peace and serenity of the surrounding of the conference center, she added. “He spoke to us about how important it is to love and to reach out to those who are in need of love. We all certainly know how much our country is in need of love.”
“He shared with us the inspirational words of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen from his book ‘The Cross and The Beatitudes.’ He also reminded us not to be overwhelmed by our ego – ‘Edging God Out’ – but to ‘lift up our eyes unto the hills from whence comes our help. Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth’ (Psalm 121:1-2),” she said.
Father David McCanless, parochial vicar at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, attended with a member of the parish staff and also found the conference to be helpful.
“It was useful to hear not only from the presenters, but also from the staff at other parishes about their approaches to budgeting and financial planning,” Father McCanless said. “We took away several ideas that should help us more effectively use parish resources.”
“There were a handful of time-saving tips that could save a great deal of time in the future,” noted Claudia Goppold, who has served as the business manager at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte since 2005.
“I also learned about an advanced report writer that would would be very helpful,” she added.
Goppold found that the comraderie with other parishes’ financial staff was extremely beneficial.
“Brainstorming and idea sharing during the meals and break times was enlightening. The spiritual element gave me a lift and renewed sense of purpose in my position,” she said.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter