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Most parish will be visiting the Diocesan Pastoral Center this week for their first board of directors meetings.

The Phoenix Diocese undertook a comprehensive restructuring process so that its civil organization matches the one already in place canonically.

The diocese was a corporate sole — a legal entity consisting of a single incorporated office occupied by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. On July 1, parishes filed paperwork to become separate, non-profit corporations.

Little will change in day-to-day parish operations, according to diocesan officials.

During these initial organizational meetings in September, the parish corporate board signed by-laws, corporate resolutions and service agreements. The pastor serves as president, the head of the parish pastoral council as secretary, the head of the finance council as treasurer, and the vicar general as vice president on each parish board. The bishop also serves on each board.  

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted chats with Fr. John Greb, pastoral administrator of St. Joseph Parish, after a Sept. 18 board of directors meeting.

“I’m a proponent of what we’re doing here, it’s important,” said Andy Yahraus, chair of the finance council at St. Theresa Parish and a local businessman. “It’s the right thing from a purely corporate and legalistic standpoint, but not only that, but apart from that it’s good for not just now, but for decades and perhaps centuries to come.”

John Kelly, the diocesan attorney who’s been intricately involved in the incorporation process, said the meetings were the culmination of years of work. It’s a requirement under state law that the parish corporations meet once a year.

“In general, it’s been a celebration of who we are and what we’re doing,” he said. “The meetings have been incredibly efficient. So kudos to the pastors and the chairs of the finance and pastoral councils.”

Meetings at the pastoral center will run through tomorrow. There will also be meetings in northern Arizona Sept. 26-27, as well as a day of makeup meetings on Oct. 31.

Look for a video from the meetings here in the next few days as well as coverage in the Oct. 2 issue of The Catholic Sun.

Related links:

• Restructuring process moves forward for diocese, parishes
• Theological teachings guide parish incorporation
• Parishes to become separately incorporated entities
• Diocese, parishes come together in restructuring meetings
• Parish boards represent interests of churchgoers
• Frequently asked questions
• More resources