However, if you are young and starting out it makes sense to belong by formally joining… because of sacraments such as marriage, baptism of children and their education and family life in general.
Peace, CarlanI could not agree more. IMHO, that is one big area that the CC has a problem with and needs to be addressed at all parishes. Catholics need to befriend one another. How often does it occur that people go to Mass, sit int he same area for years and not know the names of the people sitting around them that have also been sitting in the same area for years. The Church used to be a center for peoples lives. People are too busy in their lives these days.
Because they keep calling my house and asking for money, which I don’t have. I’m a student!! The church phones my parents’ house at least once a week wanting money for this and that. Now I just screen the calls when the phone rings.
Why not just explain to them that you are a student, and have nothing to give? They will understand, and they will probably stop calling you. Maybe they will offer you some spiritual support, such as a Youth Group that you can join, or activities at the parish that are suitable for students, such as Adoration times that work around your class schedule, etc.
While it was a dumb way to phrase the question, under the circumstances (if you aren’t even Catholic yet, then you probably aren’t a parishioner), she does need to know if you fall under the authority of her parish priest, since it is the role of the parish priest to provide services for people who live in his own parish first, and direct others to their own parishes, unless there is a strong reason for someone to be looking outside their own parish for services (for example, if they have no RCIA at your home parish). But his responsibility is to his own people first, and others, second.
Try answering the phone and saying that you are not in a position to give and to please stop calling.
ConstantineTG,
SuscipeMeDomine,
The reason I quite going to parish churches were because I was tired of liturgical abuses and the talking before and after Mass, those sorts of things. I wanted the solemnity that one finds in a Contemplative religious Mass setting. I was quite relieved to know that my Sunday Mass and other Holy Days of Obligations were fufilled this way.
You can attend Mass where you choose. However, if you should want to get married, have your child baptized, or end up in the hospital and want a priest to come and anoint you, the religious house isn’t going to be the church that assists you. It might be worthwhile at least getting to know and becoming known by your local parish.
Hmmm that is some good advice. I do know people at the Cathedral and the priests there. I pretty much know a good many of the priests of the diocese. I will look into it later this week.
