The Finance Council is one of the two advisory councils that every parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh is expected to have. The Finance Council follows the Diocesan Guidelines as contained in the booklet Means for Mission which states:

The Finance Council assists the pastor in providing good stewardship of parish financial resources, ensuring that sufficient means are available and allocated appropriately to carry out the pastoral mission of the parish. Thus, in fulfilling its responsibilities, the parish finance council must be directed by the values of the Gospel as well as by good business practice. Efficient and effective use and management of parish resources must be measured as much by their contribution to the mission and ministry of the parish as by commonly accepted business standards.

Finance Council members normally serve a four year term, with a possible reappointment, and are appointed by the pastor based on their parish involvement and understanding of business standards. 

The Council's role is to promote the Church's mission to live and communicate the love and values of Christ in the world. It shares in the responsibility of the ongoing life and development of the faith community, working together with parishioners to provide support for their efforts to live as followers of Christ. According to Vatican II and Church directives, pastoral councils are primarily visioning and planning bodies, whose ministry calls for gifts of study and prayer, listening and assessment, discernment and articulation, motivation and encouragement. 

Parish Council members length of service is determined by the pastor, but a length of two years service is the minimum.