S
SalesianSDB
Guest
I don’t really know why I’m asking this question, in 10 months I’m going to go to college and find a Salesian parish to be a member of (every city that I want to go to school in has one!). But I’ve been wondering about this especially when I talk to people about my church.
I was raised in one parish my entire life and am a lector of that church. Ever since 2001 (when I was 8) when the new pastor came in the parish has gone down hill…fast. I really don’t like our pastor (he once spent an entire homily on parking rules in the church and for a student award ceremony talked about how the kids are his kids and how he is celebrating). He just comes off as a bit self centered. This is sad considering how hard our former pastor (he is now our auxiliary bishop) worked to build up that parish. We were once a well known and important parish, but now not so much.
Then about 2 years ago we moved to a different house about 20 minutes away (but still in the same city). We started attending another parish near by that is pretty well known. All I could say was “WOW!” People actually go to this Mass! My old parish was always empty when I went. And what? They’re singing? This parish is active, lively, and reverent? Where am I?
I really love this second church a lot. In fact, we only go to the first church when I lector and when my sister alter serves. The thing is that my family is still listed as parishioners of the first church, though they consider us inactive Catholics because we don’t donate to them. We are listed there because my sister goes to their middle school and tuition is cheaper if you are their parishioner.
The problem comes whenever I want to talk to people I don’t know how to refer to the second church, which is becoming more like a home to me (though I still have a place in my heart for the first one). I have a desire to call the second one my parish because I go their most often and love it but I’m not registered there.
So since that is the closest church to me can I call it my parish? or is the one I’m registered at my only parish? or do I technically have two parishes?
Sorry if it’s a silly question.
I was raised in one parish my entire life and am a lector of that church. Ever since 2001 (when I was 8) when the new pastor came in the parish has gone down hill…fast. I really don’t like our pastor (he once spent an entire homily on parking rules in the church and for a student award ceremony talked about how the kids are his kids and how he is celebrating). He just comes off as a bit self centered. This is sad considering how hard our former pastor (he is now our auxiliary bishop) worked to build up that parish. We were once a well known and important parish, but now not so much.
Then about 2 years ago we moved to a different house about 20 minutes away (but still in the same city). We started attending another parish near by that is pretty well known. All I could say was “WOW!” People actually go to this Mass! My old parish was always empty when I went. And what? They’re singing? This parish is active, lively, and reverent? Where am I?
I really love this second church a lot. In fact, we only go to the first church when I lector and when my sister alter serves. The thing is that my family is still listed as parishioners of the first church, though they consider us inactive Catholics because we don’t donate to them. We are listed there because my sister goes to their middle school and tuition is cheaper if you are their parishioner.
The problem comes whenever I want to talk to people I don’t know how to refer to the second church, which is becoming more like a home to me (though I still have a place in my heart for the first one). I have a desire to call the second one my parish because I go their most often and love it but I’m not registered there.
So since that is the closest church to me can I call it my parish? or is the one I’m registered at my only parish? or do I technically have two parishes?
Sorry if it’s a silly question.