Ann Arbor, Mich. - May 7, 2012 - The Diocese of Grand Rapids is implementing ParishSOFT's ConnectNow Church Accounting as the standard accounting system for 100 parishes and schools, representatives of both organizations announced today.

The decision to make ConnectNow the system of choice for all parishes and schools is just one component of the Diocese's larger initiative to implement consistent financial controls and operate in a highly transparent, collaborative environment. And it came only after a seven-month evaluation and due diligence process conducted by an 8-member committee of pastors, business managers, and diocesan staff. Their mission, from Bishop Walter A. Hurley and the Presbyteral and Diocesan Finance Councils, was to determine how the diocese could best achieve the following: 

• Implement consistent accounting and business practices
• Collaborate on training in those practices 
• Increase internal accounting controls and safeguarding of assets 
• Reduce overall software costs 
• Maintain up-to-date software for all parishes and schools 
• Get software support from a single source 
• Increase the ability of all parishes and schools to be good stewards of their financial resources and time   

ConnectNow Church Accounting will fully support those initiatives by providing greater transparency and automating data roll-up from each organization to the Diocese using the Financial Consolidation Manager. The move to ConnectNow will give the Diocese the technology infrastructure it needs to support its churches and schools with standard operating procedures, support, and training, as well as data security, automated backups and software updates. 

Under the leadership of comptroller John Czachorski, the implementation team, comprising staff from the Diocese of Grand Rapids and ParishSOFT, has already begun executing a phased implementation to train staff and transition to ConnectNow effective July 1, 2012. And they have the full support of Bishop Walter A. Hurley, who said, "ParishSOFT's ConnectNow software will provide for increased transparency, collaboration, and service to pastors, pastoral staff, finance councils, parish administrators, and members of the faithful of the Diocese." 

Ed Carey, chancellor and CFO said, "The leadership and support of Bishop Hurley has been a great help in this effort. His openness and participation in our introductory meeting with clergy and business managers was essential in creating a positive energy at the very outset of our implementation." 

Mike Johnson, business manager at St. Patrick Parish in Portland, Mich., served on the committee charged with improving the Diocese's financial controls and systems. Johnson is enthusiastic about both the implementation work ahead and the benefits ConnectNow will bring the parishes and schools, as well as the Diocese. 

"Reporting will be so much easier for everyone with ConnectNow Church Accounting," said Johnson. "Right now, the parishes all have different software packages, and each sends in Excel files through the diocesan website. To be able to do that electronically and automatically will simplify the whole reporting process." 

As a member of the "pilot" group of parishes, Johnson was among the first to receive training, and he put St. Patrick Parish on the ConnectNow system on May 1, 2012, a full two months ahead of the larger group of parishes and schools. He welcomed the move from ACS Technologies to ParishSOFT's ConnectNow technology, which integrates with the other ParishSOFT programs the parish uses to track contributions, offering and pledges, census, and ministry scheduling. "ParishSOFT is more of a centralized system, and I like that you don't have to go all over the place for different things," said Johnson. "I'm looking forward to tying everything together and being able to post the offertory right to the ConnectNow Accounting system." 

Johnson likes that ConnectNow's easy interface makes it a powerful solution for large parishes, as well as the smaller churches that may be moving to a computerized accounting system for the first time. "They're going to gain so much: a modern system, easier reporting, diocesan backup, and access to their system from anywhere," said Johnson. "Plus, when they have questions, they'll be able to call me or at least 100 other users right here in the diocese, as well as ParishSOFT support." 

Mike Cusick, ParishSOFT Vice President of Marketing and Sales, said, "Grand Rapids is the 18th Catholic diocese to choose ConnectNow Church Accounting. Their decision to standardize on ConnectNow, along with the accomplishments we've already seen from the efficient and highly competent staff serving on the project team, demonstrate that the Diocese of Grand Rapids is fully committed to sound financial governance and proper oversight of the funds God's people entrust to their churches and schools. We're honored to help them achieve their goals." 

About the Diocese of Grand Rapids 

Established in May 1882, the Diocese of Grand Rapids presently serves more than 178,000 Catholics in 11 Western Michigan counties. Within its 6,795 square mile territory are 98 parishes and missions and 31 schools, including 27 elementary and 4 high schools. Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley has served as bishop since August 2005. 

For more information about the Diocese of Grand Rapids, please visit www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org. 

About ParishSOFT  

Founded in 1998, ParishSOFT offers a complete suite of church and diocesan management software to connect people and the church and to reduce administrative work.   

The company's Web-based ConnectNow Church Accounting system, launched in 2008, is the next generation of the CMS Fund Accounting software, first introduced in the mid 1980s by ParishSOFT's sister company Church Management Solutions. The ConnectNow Church Accounting suite includes the modules Ledger and Payables and Payroll. From its earliest beginnings, the ParishSOFT and CMS accounting products have been designed to meet the unique accounting and stewardship needs of churches and schools, while offering the same ease of use and affordability found in secular programs, like QuickBooks�. 

ParishSOFT continually invests in improving its software and web solutions, as well as adding new features and products. ParishSOFT presently serves more than 7,800 parishes, and the company's products have been implemented in 70 arch/diocesan offices. 

Please visit www.parishsoft.com for more information about ParishSOFT's products, services, and its annual Users' Conference for parish and diocesan staff.