As the Church’s ministry grows in scope, reach, and complexity, each parish faces the challenge of administering its resources effectively and fairly, while at the same time achieving compliance with both civil and canon law. Increasingly, parishes look to lay professionals trained in administration to ensure that pastoral ministry can take place in such a way that both enhances and safeguards the mission of the church. The Parish Business Administration Certificate Program offers specialized training for those engaged or aspiring to engage in this pastoral service.
The program has been offered for 23 years through a partnership between the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and LMU. This partnership was recently renewed when a joint archdiocesan-university commission was set up to update the curriculum and make other improvements to the course, with an aim to strengthening the training of future parish managers in the areas of ecclesiology, ethics, finance, human resources, pastoral planning, construction, facilities, risk management, office management, and canon law. Most particularly, a greater role will be given to department heads and senior staff from the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Catholic Center in the teaching of the various subjects.
The Joint Commission was set up at the time of the retirement of Bill and Nancy Vondrasek, who had taught the PBA since 1999. Under their leadership, more than two hundred students had completed the year-long program; many of the graduates are at work in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and beyond. The Vondraseks, who between them had more than 30 years experience as parish business managers themselves, had developed a program that encouraged students to understand and observe civil law, canon law and diocesan norms while at the same time respecting a culture of ministry that makes working in the Church different from working in a business.
The membership of the Joint Commission reflected a wide variety of areas of expertise which were brought to bear on the future of this program. Bishop Alex Salazar, Msgr. Royale Vadakin, and Mr. Randy Steiner brought the perspective of Archdiocesan offices that assist parishes in their pastoral mission through the formulation of policy and by making available expert consultation. Ms. Kathy Russell Enright, Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Parish Life, and Prof. Mark Fischer of St. John’s Seminary, along with Michael McNaught and Dr. Robert Hurteau (both from LMU’s Center for Religion and Spirituality) all work in the area of formation for pastoral ministry and so brought a sense of pedagogy and formation to the deliberations. Deacon Bob Seidler, himself a parish business manager, and Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, Pastor of Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua in San Marino, rounded out the group and kept the attention focused on how management actually works in parishes.
Additionally, a survey on the effectiveness of the program in the past was carried out among past graduates of the PBA; the data gathered has been turned over to the new Coordinators for purposes of furthering the development of the new course.
About the New Coordinators
Greg Chambers is a retired business executive with over 30 years’ experience in both large publicly-held corporations and privately-held operations. He held the position of V.P. & Controller in two very large public corporations in the transportation and healthcare industries, and Chief Financial Officer in a privately-held diversified company. He has extensive experience in accounting, budgeting, finance, human resources, legal matters, and general management. In addition, Greg has performed the role of Business Manager at St. Anastasia parish, where he has been a member of the Finance Council for five years.
Pat Joyce has over 20 years experience as a National Account Manager in sales and marketing for an international tool and hardware manufacturer. Pat has also been actively engaged at Sacred Heart Church and School in Covina and has served in many leadership and volunteer positions. He completed the LMU Certificate Program for Business Managers in 2003. Since 2007 he has been the Business Manager at Holy Angels Parish in Arcadia and serves on the Steering Committee for the Los Angeles Business Managers Group.
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