When someone enters the priesthood or religious life, or they devote themselves to work in medicine or social services, they often describe discernment of their vocation as a “faith call.”
It’s not often one hears such a phrase when discussing the world of finance. However, it’s fitting for Deacon Franz Fruehwald, who is assigned to Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley. He’s also the chief financial officer of Catholic Human Services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until his upcoming retirement Dec. 31.
“The ministry of the diaconate melds perfectly, beautifully with what I do as the chief financial officer,” Deacon Fruehwald said. “The two come together. The synergy and symmetry are just magnificent.”
It’s not unprecedented. The deacon points to a parallel with the early Christian Church.
“The first deacons were in the Acts of the Apostles, right? (They) were called to take care of the poor, the widows and the orphans of the churches, the new churches that were established. And in order to do that, they had to manage the finances of the church as well,” Deacon Fruehwald explained.
“They were called to manage the finances and take care of the poor, and that’s what I do as the chief financial officer. I manage the finances and we serve those in need.”
Deacon Fruehwald has served as CFO for Catholic Human Services since 2017 and is retiring on Dec. 31st following a career of more than three decades in service to those in need throughout the Philadelphia region. (Photo: Sarah Webb)
The CFO is responsible for day-to-day operations regarding the overall finances of Catholic Human Services, preparation of the annual budget and its administration, according to Deacon Fruehwald, who has been succeeded in the role by Daniel Dougherty.
The position sometimes involves issues of human resources and capital projects, he added.
“There’s never enough (in the budget) to do everything you want to do,” he said, but he recognizes the divine providence that gives Catholic Human Services what it needs for its $165 million budget.
“We’re very fortunate. We have some very good donors, benefactors. Sometimes you just leave it to the Holy Spirit, and things come through, and you don’t even realize that they’re happening,” said Deacon Fruehwald.
He serves as a staff member on the Investment Committee of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, which discerns the best way to invest those dollars responsibly for the highest return in support of the Church’s mission.
“Let’s face it, there’s some years that the market doesn’t do well for anybody including us,” he said, “but we always invest with Catholic values in mind, so that there are Catholic values within those funds, that they must be adhered to responsibly.”
Often leaders in decision-making positions don’t get the chance to see the fruits of their labor. But Deacon Fruehwald takes the time to see for himself how God uses his work to help serve some 650,000 people throughout the five-county Archdiocese each year.
“I try to go out of my way to get to that ground level as often as possible, because just sitting in an office in Center City, I don’t think that’s going to do it for you,” he said.
“So, I’ll go over to St. John’s Hospice and help serve lunch, or help serve dinner with the guys that are waiting in line. We have the Boot Up Philly event. We have Philly’s Biggest Baby Shower for moms and expectant mothers. So whenever possible, I try to get out there.” witnessing such ministries in action allows Deacon Fruehwald to see the difference Catholic Human Services makes in people’s lives. He believes it proves the agency’s motto:
“Providing help, creating hope.” He points to the Church’s help for hard-working people as particularly gratifying.
“It’s the folks that go out there every day and work, sometimes two jobs and three jobs, and they’re just really having a tough time making ends meet doing it. It’s their lives and the lives of their children and families that we’re impacting, and that gives me just tremendous satisfaction knowing that we’re able to do that.” Even after his retirement this month, Deacon Fruehwald’s schedule will be busy with service as a husband, father and grandfather, and ministry at his parish.
“This really gives me the opportunity to do more for the parish during the week, which I can’t do now,” he said.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m at church more than I’m at home in the evenings, but it’s good work,” he said. “It really is good work, whether I’m doing a baptism of babies on a Sunday afternoon or benediction in the evening, or the men’s group at the parish, or leading a Gospel reflection group, it’s all good. It’s all very satisfying.”
Share this story