Bursars Meeting Organized in the Vice-Province of India
[FR]
ADARSH BHAVAN, India - The first bursars meeting of the academic year 2024-25 for the Montfort Fathers Society was held on September 18th at Adarsh Bhavan. This significant gathering, animated by Fr. Nashwin ARUL, SMM, the Provincial Bursar, brought together 13 confreres, including all the local administrators from various communities. The focus was on enhancing financial administration within the Society while adhering to Montfortian values and government regulations.
The meeting began with an inaugural address by Rev. Fr. Sebastian RAJ, SMM our Provincial. He emphasized the importance of accountability in consecrated life, drawing on the principles outlined in "The Montfortian Today." Fr. Sebastian encouraged the bursars to see their role not just as financial administrators but as agents of renewal within the community. He described the bursar as a crucial bridge between the province and the local communities, entrusted with the stewardship of resources. Additionally, Fr. Sebastian shared some general observations for the confreres to implement, highlighting best practices for financial management.
A key highlight of the day was the session led by Mr. Purushotham, an experienced Chartered Accountant, who served as the resource person. He provided valuable insights into the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules and the current government's protocols, addressing some of the pressing financial issues facing religious institutions today. Mr. Purushotham conducted an interactive session, responding to individual questions from the confreres and offering practical solutions and alternatives to ensure transparent and sincere financial management.
Further guidance was provided by Fr. Jerome GONSALVES, SMM who spoke about daily accounting systems that Montfortians should practice. His insights stressed the importance of meticulous record-keeping and the need for consistent financial practices in line with our Montfortian way of life. Fr. Shibi Jose also contributed his knowledge and experience, sharing practical steps for maintaining accurate records and compliance.
The afternoon session, led by Fr. Nashwin, centred on the core values of financial management within the Montfort Fathers Society. He reiterated the importance of managing finances with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Fr. Nashwin urged the bursars to view their role as a form of service to the Church, aligning their practices with Montfortian values such as collective responsibility and reliance on God's providence. He also emphasized the importance of ethical financial practices, adhering to government protocols, and the timely submission of bills and records.
The meeting was not only informative but also served as a valuable opportunity for fraternity and collective learning. It was well-organized and successfully fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose among the confreres. As the meeting concluded, there was a renewed commitment among the bursars to uphold the principles of sound financial management, ensuring the well-being of their communities and the faithful stewardship of the resources entrusted to them.
Fr. Nashwin ARUL, SMM
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