After a short summer break (July) our parish Finance Board will gather this week for its monthly meeting.  By Diocesan mandate each parish must have a Finance Board from five to eight members—with exceptions—meeting no less than four times a year.  From my experience each parish Finance Board operates with its own unique procedures with one exception: all church boards have access to their respective parish Profit & Loss, and balance sheet.  All expenditures and income are transparent, with board members able to ask questions and seek further information concerning the financial status of a given parish/church.  Finance Board members do not have access to parishioners’ individual tithing records; nor do they micro manage the bookkeeping aspects of the parish.  They may advise on additional personnel/staff positions, but do not supervise or evaluate those who are employed by the parish.  Finance Board members advise the pastor on proposed projects that the parish may undertake, whether capital improvements or additions, stewardship or capital campaigns.  Likewise, the parish investments and estate donations are monitored with consideration for present or future use.  
In the last year and half or so with the diocesan mandated formation of one parish (Ascension) with three church sites, the Finance Board is to ensure the appropriate use and or investment particular to each parish.  If donations or endowments or gifts are specified for a certain church or purpose, the board sees that such is honored.  Recent improvements to St. Malachy’s  have been financed through specific investments/savings particular to that church.  In the same manner, the repair to Sacred Heart steeple taking place is financed through investments particular to that church.  Sacred Heart School is supported in like manner through finances specific to the school and at the same time, the yearly assessment from Sacred Heart church.  Repairs and improvements to St. John church and grounds have been financed through savings particular to that church.  (St. John cemetery and Sacred Heart cemetery have their own self sustaining funds at this point through the generosity of parishioners, and certain volunteers who oversee the upkeep and dignity of those grounds.)
Presently the makeup of Ascension Parish Finance Board consists of two individuals representing St. John church, two individuals representing St. Malachy church, two individuals representing Sacred Heart church.  They serve staggered three year terms.  Also on the board are the two parish directors, ex-officio, Sacred Heart grade school principal, a representative of the Sacred Heart School board, bookkeeper and the pastor.  And just to reiterate, though each parish board has its own unique character, we must adhere to the diocesan guidelines, including the formation of a yearly budget that is sent to the diocese.
 
 
Presently our Finance Board consists of our director, Tom Venner and Emily Schieltz; members, Vince Ewald, Keith Kudej, Nick Lentz going off and replaced with Jess Christensen, Rita Phillips, Eric Seeman, and Pete Thomsen; school principal, Sue Eldridge and board representative, Mary Lamar; Alayna Longhorn, bookkeeper, and the pastor.  To facilitate the busy schedules and family obligations of the members we meet at 7:00am, fourth Thursday of the month. 
 Each individual sacrifices their time, directed by their Catholic faith and strong desire to maintain the wellbeing of our Parish community in Boone County.  We are grateful for their guidance.  
Last year I had hoped to begin a Parish Council Board for our Ascension Parish.  Again this fall my desire is to go forward with the formation of this board, independent of the Finance Board, (though the directors are ex-officio members).  Generally speaking the Parish Council provides guidance and inspiration in the following areas: concerns or suggestions pertaining to liturgies, prayer gatherings; activities that build community and fellowship; possibilities of outreach with the blessings we have to share; promote a spirit of hospitality and opportunities to grow in our Catholic-Christian faith. Council gatherings do not follow parliamentary procedure for the most part.  Their emphasis is on ‘consensus’ with discussion and sharing, though not unreasonably prolonged—one hour. Parish Council would meet four (and possibly five) times a year, according to the Liturgical calendar(Advent, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter season).    If you have any questions or concerns, or are interested please contact the parish office and I will get back to you.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”  
Pope John Paul II provides a thoughtful reflection on Jesus' emphasis of his life giving Body and Blood.  “Farmers everywhere provide bread for all humanity, but it is Christ alone who is the bread of life...Even if all the physical hunger of the world were satisfied, even if everyone who is hungry were fed by his or her own labor or by the generosity of others, the deepest hunger of man would still exist...Therefore, I say, Come, all of you, to Christ. He is the bread of life. Come to Christ and you will never be hungry again.“
It isn’t enough to just come forward and receive the Eucharist, the living bread, the Body and Blood of Christ, for our personal wellbeing.  Mother Teresa exacts on us the continued calling from this reception of Communion.  "In each of our lives Jesus comes as the Bread of Life - to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us. Then Jesus comes in our human life as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed with the Bread of our life, our hearts by loving, and our hands by serving. In loving and serving, we prove that we have been created in the likeness of God, for God is Love and when we love we are like God.”
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: 35. “Don’t try so hard to fit in, and certainly don’t try so hard to be different…just try hard to be you.” (Zendaya)