Per Archdiocesan Council Norms:
The Finance Council provides advice and guidance to the Pastor or Parish Director in the administration of parish assets. The council prepares the parish budget, any budgets for extraordinary expenditures, and reviews financial statements. The council monitors the financial condition of the parish, including regular financial reviews/audits as well as the internal financial controls by following the recommendations in the audit/review. The council provides assistance in the formulation and communication of an annual financial report to the parish community as required by canon 1287.2.
The council is the consultative body in all parish financial matters.
The council is comprised 5-7 members, all of whom must be baptized, practicing Catholics, registered members of the parish, participants in the parish worship life, especially Mass and the sacraments, and at least 25 years of age. Members are selected because of their familiarity with financial matters and financial expertise.
Per the OLOL Finance Council members, we summarize our responsibilities as:
- To monitor & maintain the financial status of the parish through prudent use of its monetary resources
- To understand & respect all groups’ & committees’ financial needs and help them meet their objectives
- To communicate regularly and transparently to keep parishioners informed and to invite them to play their vital role as stewards funding the parish’s ministries & mission.
The council meets 10 times each year on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings last one and a half hours.
Finance Council Members
Jerry Beine – Chairperson
Mass I usually attend: Usually Sunday at 10:30 am, sometimes Saturday at 4:00 pm.
Why I joined the Finance Council: I’m interested in stewardship, and good with numbers & frugal common-sense budget management. I joined the Finance Council to share & apply these talents, to help ensure our parishioners precious donations are prudently utilized, and to help inform & inspire parishioners to share their treasures to fund OLOL’s mission.
Ministries I am passionate about: Serving as a Eucharistic minister, taking joy in observing the diversity of all coming forward to receive. Serving with my wife as a premarital mentor couple, meeting and sharing experience and advice with young couples.
Fun Fact: Cindy & I were married here at OLOL in 1990. We joined a year or so prior, partially because it was Cindy’s grandmother’s parish, and we became her transportation, but more importantly, because we loved the spirit alive in this parish’s members & ministers.
Mass I usually attend: I split between Sunday at 10:30 am, and Saturday at 4:00 pm. It depends on whether I have A/V duties or if the choir is singing. Why I joined the Finance Council: As Trustee-Secretary, I am privileged to attend both Pastoral Council and Finance Council meetings. It certainly helps me get a big picture overview of parish goals and activities and informs my response to concerns. Ministries I am passionate about: 1 Corinthians 14:15 “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” I have to go with choir on this one! Fun Fact: At one point in my career with the Milwaukee Public Library, I was in charge of Ready Reference. And, yes, it was fun!Cathy Markwiese – Trustee Secretary
Rob Petri – Secretary
Mass I usually attend: My family most often attends the Sunday 10:30 am Mass.
Why I joined the Finance Council: In early 2019, our family decided to change the church we attended and joined OLOL. We have not regretted the decision and I wanted to take a more active role in the parish. Having been a CPA for 25+ years, the Finance Council seemed like the natural place to share my skills. I have enjoyed the open communication given to the parish from the Finance Council and I am glad to be able to be part of this group.
Ministries I am passionate about: The Finance Council is the first ministry at OLOL I have joined. Time to volunteer is slightly limited as I have two daughters in high school and also actively volunteer with Pathfinders and Whitnall Park Rotary, but I plan to add other ministries at OLOL where it feels natural.
Fun Fact: I met Nancie and Father Bill six years ago while working with them on projects for Churches Caring Together. The experience was so favorable that when our family decided to change the Catholic Church we attended, OLOL was the natural pick!
Rebecca Porter – Trustee
Mass I usually attend: 8:00 am and occasionally 4:00 pm
Why I joined the Finance Council: In addition to loving OLOL and wanting to contribute to help us continue to survive and thrive well into the future, I have the opportunity on the Finance Council to bring my experience as a CPA to help guide the financial decisions of the Parish. I feel privileged to be a part of this great group of people who are working to do the same.
Ministries I am passionate about: In addition to loving OLOL and wanting to contribute to help us continue to survive and thrive well into the future, I have the opportunity on the Finance Council to bring my experience as a CPA to help guide the financial decisions of the Parish. I feel privileged to be a part of this great group of people who are working to do the same.
Fun Fact: I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.