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• Institutional Accountability
• Personal Accountability: Precepts of the Church
• Accountability to God: Grace and the Sacraments
• Accountability to God: Guide to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
• Conflict Resolution
• How the Local Church is Organized
• Parish Advisory Council
• Parish Finance Committee
• Guidelines for the Parish Finance Council

Institutional Accountability

How do our Church leaders strive to promote wise stewardship of goods both spiritual and material by lives and leadership rooted in holiness and the integrity called for by the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Church Hierarchy

Bishops, the Successors of the Apostles. The word “Bishop” derives from the Greek word episkopos – meaning “overseer.” The Bishop has overall responsibility for the life of the Church in a territory known as a “diocese” – a geographical region and the souls who reside there. The Bishop is to the local Catholic community as Christ is to the whole Church… a man who guides the Church in self-sacrificing love… as Christ loves the Church, His Bride. The Bishop is charged to TEACH, SANCTIFY, and SHEPHERD the People of God.

Christ entrusted organizational leadership of His Church to the Apostles and their successors – the BISHOPS… they would ensure that the “Deposit of Faith” was passed on in its integrity and fullness. The Bishop is first of all accountable as a TEACHER of FAITH… He teaches as the Church herself teaches, upholding the fullness of Catholic doctrine and belief. In his responsibility to SANCTIFY, as the minister and dispenser of the spiritual goods of the Church – the sacraments and the Sacred Liturgy – the Bishop is responsible for proper celebration of the Rites of the Church as prescribed by the Canon Law of the universal Church – that body of laws that governs internal order in the life of the Church. As Chief SHEPHERD in the life of the local Church (diocese), the Bishop has overall responsibility for the ordering of temporal (i.e. worldly) matters – finances and properties, etc.

Ultimately, the local Bishop is accountable to the Bishop of Rome (i.e. the Pope), whose unique ministry among the Bishops is to preserve the bond of communion in the life of the Church. As St. Peter was to the fledgling band of Apostles – leader and spokesman – so the Pope is to the Church throughout history into our times. As such, the Bishop is himself accountable to Canon Law, but is also charged to cultivate a number of consultative groups in his ministry of service.

The Presbyteral Council. This is a sort of “senate” of priests with whom the Bishop collaborates in pastoral administration of the diocese. The Bishop is obliged by Canon Law to consult with this body on matters of great importance in the life of the diocese. Some members are elected by the priests of the diocese, some are appointed, some are ex officio.

The College of Consultors. This is a panel of priests with whom the Bishop is legally bound to consult on matters involving dissolution of properties and other important temporal matters. This body, too, is regulated by the Canon Law of the Church. Upon the death or transfer of the Bishop, this group meets to elect a “diocesan administrator,” someone to manage affairs of the diocese until a new Bishop is appointed.

The Diocesan Curia. This terms refers to the Bishop’s staff at the Chancery offices – the Diocesan Pastoral Center, “downtown.” These priests and religious, lay men and women head up various agencies or offices of pastoral and administrative importance in the life of the diocese.

The Diocesan Finance Council. This group is comprised of mainly lay men and women who review diocesan financial records and policies and advise the Bishop in sound temporal administration of the goods entrusted to his care by the generosity of the faithful.

The Diocesan School Board. A board composed of representatives throughout the diocese who meet to consider matters involving our Catholic schools and assist the diocesan Superintendent of schools and the Bishop in their administration and leadership.

Although the Bishop has overall and supreme responsibility, the extent of consultation, listening, prayer and reflection is rather exhaustive!

Parish Life

Parishes are extensions of the local Church and are headed up by a priest designated by the Bishop himself. This priest is known as the “pastor,” or as the Bishop is himself the proper “pastor” of his Cathedral parish… the Cathedral parish priest is known as the “Rector.” Priests who head up parishes are accountable directly to the Bishop. The parish priest may be assisted by other priests, deacons, religious or lay ministers in his service to the Church.

Parish Staff

The Rector relies on the talents of a number of individuals who exercise responsibility in the name of the Church.

Parochial Vicars. Assist the Rector in teaching and sacramental aspects of parish life, and in some administrative matters. Fr. Raul Lopez, Fr. Serafín Jacinto, Fr. Frank Peacock.

Pastoral Associate. Assists the Rector in pastoral and administrative matters in the life of the parish, overseeing elements of adult catechesis, serving as a liaison to parish groups and outreach ministries. Sr. Dympna Doran, x121

Cathedral Administration. Has overall supervision of parish finances and properties, facilitates cooperation among general staff and with consultative groups. Mrs. Barbara Hennessey, x114

Director of Catechetical Formation. Overall responsibility for catechesis to our young people, religious instruction, formation of catechists, sacramental preparation. Sr. Loreto Downing, x137

Ss. Simon & Jude Catholic School Principal. Administration of the parish school and school staff, forms and facilitates the Parish School Board as an advisory panel. Sr. Raphael Quinn, 602-242-1299

Youth Ministry. Fosters participation of teens and young adults in the life of the parish community, heading up catechetical, formation and outreach endeavors. Ms. Jen Pitera, x119

Assistant for the Spanish-speaking Apostolate. Evaluates and provides for the needs of the exclusively Spanish-speaking segment of the parish: catechesis, sacrament preparation, referrals for legal services, etc. Serves as a liaison to parish groups and looks for ways to integrate the immigrant into the larger life of the Church in our parish. Ms. Delia Medina, x135

Cathedral Music Ministry. The Director and Associate Director are responsible for all liturgical music in the life of the Cathedral parish: Sunday and holy day Mass, daily as needed, diocesan and pontifical events, funerals, weddings, prayer services. Development of choirs and cantors, maintenance of musical instruments and sound equipment. Mr. James Wahl, Director, x153; Mr. Richard Guerra, Associate Director, x154; Mr. Gerold Whistler, Principal Cathedral Organist, x153; Mr. Jay Groft, Cathedral Cantor, x153.

Prefect of the Sacristy, Master of Ceremonies. Overall responsibility for the Sacred Liturgy and Rites of the Church, training of liturgical ministries, ordering of ceremonials and implementation of particular Church liturgical directives, maintenance of sanctuary and sacristy effects. Mr. Chris Mincolla, x146.

Maintenance Staff. Upkeep of parish properties and operations of equipment, buildings and grounds. Sr. Florencio Covarrubias, x110

Consultative Groups

Parish Advisory Council. Men and women who advise and assist the Rector in matters of pastoral importance in the life of the parish. Ms. Mary Liska, President.

Parish Finance Committee. Men and women with particular expertise and background in finance, law, accounting who review parish financial records monthly and advise and assist the Rector in matters of temporal administration of Cathedral goods and properties. This is group mandated by Canon Law in the life of every parish. Mr. Wally Estfan, Chairman

Stewardship Committee. Men and women who are committed to wise stewardship as a way of life and look for ways to build this up in the life of the parish community. Overall direction of the annual stewardship renewal emphasis. Mr. Allen Dodt, Chairman

Safe Environment

Safe Environment training is a response rooted in pastoral concern for our young people and those most vulnerable. It is intended to build up an understanding of respect for appropriate boundaries and good sense in ministerial situations on the part of all. Derived from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decree of June, 2002, known as the “Dallas Charter,” anyone involved in a ministerial position or volunteer undertaking in the life of the Church must complete Safe Environment Training.