SAN BERNARDINO—Jorge Montenegro offers a cheerful disposition, smiling often and making conversation easily.
But he’s serious about finance.
He’ll have to be as he begins his ministry as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major financial impact on the diocese, parishes and Catholic schools and Montenegro knows his ministry will be pivotal in the months and years ahead.
“I feel stressed,” he admits. “But I am confident divine providence will guide me through these difficult times. I believe the Lord has blessed me with some gifts that allow me to understand the path to follow.”
Montenegro, a native of Costa Rica, comes to the Diocese after a 10-year stint in the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked first as an internal auditor and then as Controller. During his ministry in Fort Worth Montenegro developed the first internal audit program for the Diocese and led the implementation of on-line software for budget tracking, credit card expense reporting, endowment accounting and a general accounting program for the Diocese and its parishes and schools.
Good financial planning and staying within set budgets will be keys to navigating the pandemic-fueled fiscal crisis, Montenegro says.
“Finances are about discipline,” he says. “We can set our financial goals and if we keep that direction by complying with our budgetary expenses, we should have some level of maneuverability. I always use the phrase “God’s willing” because he always has the last word.”
The Diocese of San Bernardino isn’t completely unfamiliar to Montenegro. He lived in Riverside for a period time. He says the Diocese of San Bernardino is similar in physical size and number of parishes and schools, but there is one important difference. “The number of Catholics in San Bernardino almost doubles the Fort Worth population of Catholics.”
Montenegro is supported in his new ministry by his wife, Patricia, and son, Santiago. He says he is a huge soccer fan and looks forward to sampling the different cuisines that are available from the many ethnic communities present here.
Years ago, Montenegro said he prayed for a job that would make him feel whole. He has found it in the ministry of finance for the Church.
“What greater purpose could exist?” he says.