Member of the Parish

[AHapka]

I have been asked by my Parish to assist with defining a member of the Parish. We currently define a member based solely on financial considerations. I don’t think this is right. Someone said there is a statement of who a member is in the Cannon, I can’t find it so if someone can tell me where, that would be great. Anyway, I have been asked for my opinion, and since I was asked, I gave it. Be it good or bad, it’s just my opinion. I may be totally off base here, and we need assistance. Members of the Parish get a discount on school tuition.

All I want to know is what people think and how their Parish defines a member (or if it even attempts to do so).

Thanks,

Andy​

Defining a person as a member of the parish is difficult. The ideal definition would be a person who is a member of the Body of Christ and who partakes in the sacraments of the Catholic Church at Saint Edwards. However, how do we quantify that? We cannot define a person as a member of the parish based solely on their financial contributions. Not all people have the gift of financial well being. Though those who can are obligated to help support the church.

For the purposes of tuition, we currently define an “A” member as a person who is a registered member of Saint Edwards with contributions of at least $624 per year ($12 a week) and considers themselves a member. A “B” member is a person who is a registered member of Saint Edwards who is not contributing $624 per year and considers themselves a member. A “C” person is a non-member of Saint Edwards Parish.

We need to stop defining a member of the church based on financial considerations. There are people who are very devout in their faith and partake of the sacraments who are not able to support the church financially. Jesus tells us in Luke 14:13 to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. We have an obligation to invite these people into our faith community and treat them the same as any financially contributing member of the church. As God shows no partiality, so neither must we.

As members of the Body of Christ we do have an obligation to support our church and stand up for what we believe in. A significant part of the definition should revolve around our membership in the Body. This includes partaking in the Body and/or Blood of Christ on a regular basis. I am not suggesting that we begin taking attendance at mass. There will always be situations which require some judgment, and I believe that that should fall to the Priest to make a decision in unusual situations. But I do believe that one must have a relationship with Jesus Christ to be a member of the parish.

Therefore, I will attempt to define a member as much as I think possible.

The basic unit of membership is the Family (except for singles, who are individual members). Spouses share a common membership with each other, and any children are members inasmuch as their parent(s) are members. In a family, at least one of the spouse(s) must meet the criteria listed below.

A member of Saint Edwards Parish is a person who:

1. Is validly baptized. A person undergoing RICA may be a conditional member based on their completion of RICA.
2. Receives the Body and/or Blood of Christ on a regular basis at Saint Edwards.
3. Believes in Jesus Christ as God made flesh and our savior and strives to have a relationship with Him, especially in regard to the Sacraments.
4. Believes as a matter of faith the Nicene Creed and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
5. Is not currently excommunicated by the authority of the church.
6. Contributes to the support of the church as much as their personal circumstances allow. We value contributions of both money and time, and see both as necessary to the church.
7. Father may make exceptions on the above in unusual cases and admit a person as a member of the Parish.

When a new family or person wishes to join the parish, there should be an initial consult with Father who will go over what it means to be a member of Saint Edwards. Those who agree and are willing to support the church should be admitted as members. Those who do not agree are welcome to continue to attend our church, but are not to be considered members.

 

[puzzleannie]

the particular law of my diocese defines a parishioner as a Catholic who resides within the geographic boundaries of a particular parish, or who formally registers at another parish than their territorial parish. No financial support amount or commitment is listed as a condition, and the particular law (application of canon law to the particular needs and situation of this diocese) specifically prohibits any parishfrom requiring Catholics who reside within its borders to register or comply with some support test in order to baptise their children, enroll in CCD, prepare for the other sacraments, marry etc.

Please call the chancery and ask for, in writing, the definition of a parishioner, and start from there.

 

[Kielbasi]

The “membership” requirements that both exist now, and that are being proposed by the priest, seem fine for the purpose of determining membership for the purpose of enrollment in school and the assessment of tuition. Certainly even now, I’m sure that the school can reduce or forgive tuition for students from poor families, if they aren’t contributing enough for “A” status.

But, as far as actual membership in the parish, the parish priest still has a responsibility , IMO, to all of the Catholics who live within the parish boundaries. And that’s regardless of how devout they might be, which the priest might not even know as they may be attending somewhere else, housebound, or whatever.

I would hope that these membership requirements wouldn’t be a roadblock into admitting the children of crappy Catholics into baptism or CCD classes, or to the priest agreeing to say their funeral masses for them or visit them on their deathbeds or presiding over their weddings.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

See CHAPTER I. - -THE CANONICAL CONDITION OF PHYSICAL PERSONS

 

[AHapka]

But, as far as actual membership in the parish, the parish priest still has a responsibility , IMO, to all of the Catholics who live within the parish boundaries. And that’s regardless of how devout they might be, which the priest might not even know as they may be attending somewhere else, housebound, or whatever.

I would hope that these membership requirements wouldn’t be a roadblock into admitting the children of crappy Catholics into baptism or CCD classes, or to the priest agreeing to say their funeral masses for them or visit them on their deathbeds or presiding over their weddings.

Nothing of the sort. Only in regards to tuition and discounts. We are not talking about any limits in regard to the sacraments (or any of the other possibilities in the quote above). I’ve received much useful feedback and will be in contact with the Archdiocese and get their opinion.