Parish Hopping - is it OK?

[willofgods]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently registered at a parish near my home (biking distance=10 minutes tops). I try to go to my parish for Mass as often as possible, and take weekly classes there regarding the Faith, and submitted a form to join a ministry (still waiting…they may have forgotten during the Christmas rush! ).

A lot of the time though, I find myself in a position where Mass at another parish is just more convenient.

I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

N.B. I just got a job and my first paycheck came in a few days ago so whichever parish I was going to was only getting pocket change at best. On the other hand, now that I’m going to be having money, should I favor my parish with donations? Or just where ever I am at the time?

 

[puzzleannie]

that is not parish hopping, that is just choosing the best parish for you to attend and that is always possible.

Parish hopping is moving everytime the priest says something you don’t like, they redecorate in colors you hate, you get in an arguement with the CCD director, you don’t like the food at the parish social or the brand of coffee they serve after Mass.

 

[willofgods]

I didn’t even know “Parish hopping” was a real term!

Thank you for the info, puzzleannie! (I think I might be too late to change the name of my thread though )

 

[Phemie]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently registered at a parish near my home (biking distance=10 minutes tops). I try to go to my parish for Mass as often as possible, and take weekly classes there regarding the Faith, and submitted a form to join a ministry (still waiting…they may have forgotten during the Christmas rush! ).

A lot of the time though, I find myself in a position where Mass at another parish is just more convenient.

I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

N.B. I just got a job and my first paycheck came in a few days ago so whichever parish I was going to was only getting pocket change at best. On the other hand, now that I’m going to be having money, should I favor my parish with donations? Or just where ever I am at the time?

I belong to one parish that I support all the time. They get a donation for every Sunday, whether I’m there or not. If I have to be at Mass in another parish on a Sunday I will put a few dollars in the collection plate, but nowhere near as much as I give my own parish.

That said, I know a pharmacist who used to relieve other pharmacists when they went on holidays or maternity leave or whatever… Judging by what he did in our parish, he must have got envelopes from every parish where he knew he’d be for a while and he gave to each parish as though it were his own.

 

[odile53]

I “church gypsy” all the time, but support my own parish with an online contribution monthly (you can mail in your contribution if they don’t have an online donation feature.) Here are the reasons:

1. My own parish does not offer a daily Mass at a time when I can attend. However, a different parish, approximately thirty miles from where I live, but half a mile from where I work, does. I go there frequently, and since I’ve become “a regular,” know all the priests and a lot of the weekday gang.
2. There are two Marian shrines in my vicinity (within a fifty mile radius.) Once in awhile I go to Mass at one of them just as a bit of “ecclesiastic tourism.” At one of them, the founder has recently been beatified, and it’s always interesting to go to see if there has been any progress on his cause. The other Marian shrine has an extensive bookstore, and a cafeteria that makes really excellent, and reasonably priced, fish fries. Year round.
3. Yet another church offers a Tridentine Mass, which I like attending once in awhile. My own parish does not. It’s a shame, too, because our pastor has a good singing voice and would really do well with chant! I haven’t belonged to this parish for long (about two years,) and would feel presumptuous about approaching him about getting a Tridentine Mass started in our parish.

At my “destination” churches I always put something in the collection to their support. It isn’t a lot, and I don’t decrease the support of my own parish by doing so.

I don’t think Our Lord minds my “church gypsying” one little bit!

But there is one disadvantage that I can see–if I’m elsewhere, it means I’m not with my own faith community, and am losing opportunities to meet more people and get more active in the various ministries that they have available.

 

[secer96]

In the Philippines with having so many places to go to Mass even inside the mall its normal for people to change parish every week. We did it especially out of convenience. And we normally went for an english mass since we could not really respond in a Filipino mass

 

[FrDavid96]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently registered at a parish near my home (biking distance=10 minutes tops). I try to go to my parish for Mass as often as possible, and take weekly classes there regarding the Faith, and submitted a form to join a ministry (still waiting…they may have forgotten during the Christmas rush! ).

A lot of the time though, I find myself in a position where Mass at another parish is just more convenient.

I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

N.B. I just got a job and my first paycheck came in a few days ago so whichever parish I was going to was only getting pocket change at best. On the other hand, now that I’m going to be having money, should I favor my parish with donations? Or just where ever I am at the time?

What you need to know, first of all, is that a parish is a territory. It’s a geographical location. It is not a church building.

All of the Catholics living in a certain, defined area comprise that parish.

All Catholics are members of the parish where they live.*

Think of it this way: your profile says that you live in California. Why do you say that? Do you say it because
(A) there are imaginary lines drawn on the ground that say to us “this side of the line is California and that side is Nevada and I live on the California side”
or do you say it because
(B) you just happen to like California better than Nevada even though you live on the Nevada side of the state line?

I’m guessing the answer is A. Catholic parishes work the same way. Catholics are members of a parish because they live in that parish. Contrary to what’s often posted on CAF, parish registration has absolutely nothing to do with parish membership. If someone registers at a parish other than his own, that simply makes him a “registered non-parishioner.” Registration is nothing more than a mailing list in an office, and has nothing to do with membership.

You can visit any parish you choose, anywhere in the world. You can go to Mass and Confession and Holy Hour anywhere.
If it’s more convenient for you to go to Mass at another parish from time to time, that’s perfectly fine.

I would like to repeat the heart of your question, that you also emphasized:
I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

I would rather emphasize the advantages of parish membership. For disadvantages, just make the sentences negative.

Catholics have a right to receive the Sacraments in their own parish churches. You have a right to be buried, married and have your children baptized in your own parish (all other requirements being met, of course). Outside of your parish, these are not rights, even though they might happen as a matter of courtesy.

If you need Anointing of the Sick, you have a right to receive it from the priest of the parish where you live. Likewise, the priest of the parish where you do not live has every right to say “that’s not my parish, contact the proper parish.”

Marriage is the big one. I won’t get into all the canonical details, but suffice to say that properly following parish boundaries is required for a valid marriage (not just licit, but valid).

As far as donations go (since you asked), you can donate anywhere. That’s entirely your choice.

• The exception to territorial parishes are “personal parishes.” This doesn’t mean “John Doe’s parish” (as the name might imply) but it means that the parish is defined by persons rather than territory. The most common example of these are ethnic parishes. They are comprised of all the people of a certain nationality within a geographical area. Other examples are personal parishes for the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass) or the Anglican Use. Remember, these are exceptions. Territorial parishes are the norm.

 

[EasterJoy]

What you need to know, first of all, is that a parish is a territory. It’s a geographical location. It is not a church building.

All of the Catholics living in a certain, defined area comprise that parish.

All Catholics are members of the parish where they live.*

Think of it this way: your profile says that you live in California. Why do you say that? Do you say it because
(A) there are imaginary lines drawn on the ground that say to us “this side of the line is California and that side is Nevada and I live on the California side”
or do you say it because
(B) you just happen to like California better than Nevada even though you live on the Nevada side of the state line?

I’m guessing the answer is A. Catholic parishes work the same way. Catholics are members of a parish because they live in that parish. Contrary to what’s often posted on CAF, parish registration has absolutely nothing to do with parish membership. If someone registers at a parish other than his own, that simply makes him a “registered non-parishioner.” Registration is nothing more than a mailing list in an office, and has nothing to do with membership.

You can visit any parish you choose, anywhere in the world. You can go to Mass and Confession and Holy Hour anywhere.
If it’s more convenient for you to go to Mass at another parish from time to time, that’s perfectly fine.

I would like to repeat the heart of your question, that you also emphasized:
I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

I would rather emphasize the advantages of parish membership. For disadvantages, just make the sentences negative.

Catholics have a right to receive the Sacraments in their own parish churches. You have a right to be buried, married and have your children baptized in your own parish (all other requirements being met, of course). Outside of your parish, these are not rights, even though they might happen as a matter of courtesy.

If you need Anointing of the Sick, you have a right to receive it from the priest of the parish where you live. Likewise, the priest of the parish where you do not live has every right to say “that’s not my parish, contact the proper parish.”

Marriage is the big one. I won’t get into all the canonical details, but suffice to say that properly following parish boundaries is required for a valid marriage (not just licit, but valid).

As far as donations go (since you asked), you can donate anywhere. That’s entirely your choice.

• The exception to territorial parishes are “personal parishes.” This doesn’t mean “John Doe’s parish” (as the name might imply) but it means that the parish is defined by persons rather than territory. The most common example of these are ethnic parishes. They are comprised of all the people of a certain nationality within a geographical area. Other examples are personal parishes for the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass) or the Anglican Use. Remember, these are exceptions. Territorial parishes are the norm.

Father, please let me know if my understanding of this is correct:

To paraphrase what you wrote, a parish is made up of those persons entrusted to the authority and duties of care of a certain presiding pastor, just as a diocese is made up of those persons entrusted to the authority and duties of care given to a certain bishop. These persons are usually, but not always, allocated to a certain pastor according to domicile (the geography of their home). The faithful who are properly disposed have the right to receive the sacraments from the church of the pastor to whom they have been entrusted by the Church. Every Catholic everywhere has been so entrusted to at least a bishop.

There are bishops who allow persons in their diocese to give themselves to the care of a pastor other than the one designated by a certain geographical boundary. For instance, in the Archdiocese of Portland, the marriage policy states: “People who live within the physical boundaries of a parish have a right to marry in that church—even if they do not regularly attend that church or are not registered in that parish…For the purpose of celebrating marriage, couples who regularly attend Mass at a parish should be treated has having “domicile” in that parish even if they live outside the physical boundaries of that parish.” I take that to mean that the bishop has expanded those of his priests who are responsible for the care of providing the sacrament of marriage to include Catholics who do not have physical domicile in a priest’s parish but who regularly celebrate Mass on the Lord’s Day with his parishioners at their parish church.

Is that right? Are there ambiguities I didn’t address?

 

[Incomplete]

Father, I need to check on what you said about valid marriages.

My understanding is that your parish can give permission to marry in another parish.

I ask about this because when I was married, almost 25 years ago, I had no idea about local parishes. I wasn’t registered anywhere, and went to Mass where I pleased. I got married in the parish I grew up in, which is in a different city entirely.

I would have presumed the priest would have said something if this was a problem. Since then I have been told that this is fine, if the local priest gives permission. (I would also presume that he would know where my parish boundaries were, since I certainly didn’t. I still don’t. The diocesan website doesn’t have anything about it on their site.)

Can I safely assume I have not been living in an invalid marriage for almost 25 years?

 

[FrDavid96]

Father, please let me know if my understanding of this is correct:

To paraphrase what you wrote, a parish is made up of those persons entrusted to the authority and duties of care of a certain presiding pastor, just as a diocese is made up of those persons entrusted to the authority and duties of care given to a certain bishop. These persons are usually, but not always, allocated to a certain pastor according to domicile (the geography of their home). The faithful who are properly disposed have the right to receive the sacraments from the church of the pastor to whom they have been entrusted by the Church. Every Catholic everywhere has been so entrusted to at least a bishop.

Correct.

There are bishops who allow persons in their diocese to give themselves to the care of a pastor other than the one designated by a certain geographical boundary. For instance, in the Archdiocese of Portland, the marriage policy states: “People who live within the physical boundaries of a parish have a right to marry in that church—even if they do not regularly attend that church or are not registered in that parish…For the purpose of celebrating marriage, couples who regularly attend Mass at a parish should be treated has having “domicile” in that parish even if they live outside the physical boundaries of that parish.” I take that to mean that the bishop has expanded those of his priests who are responsible for the care of providing the sacrament of marriage to include Catholics who do not have physical domicile in a priest’s parish but who regularly celebrate Mass on the Lord’s Day with his parishioners at their parish church.

Is that right? Are there ambiguities I didn’t address?

The bishop is the pastor of his entire diocese. If he chooses to delegate the faculty of witnessing marriages to priests outside of their parish boundaries (but within the diocese) he has the authority to do that. The point though is that the bishop delegates these faculties. A future bishop might not do that, and the current bishop is free to end his practice.

This last point is what many Catholics do not realize. In certain places in the US, places that have historically been heavily Catholic, and that have many church buildings, the bishops of those diocese are being much more stringent in enforcing canon law with regard to parish boundaries. This is a consequence of so many parishes closing and merging. Many Catholics do not like this and say “I’m going to my church, no matter what.” In those places the policies are much more strict. What people don’t always realize here on CAF is that readers and posters come from a variety of places and encouraging someone else to disregard parish boundaries based on the argument of “this is how we do it in my parish and no one says anything” can cause great harm to those who live in places where the bishop is requiring enforcement of territories.

What posters don’t realize is that when they encourage others to disregard parish boundaries and the readers do that, based on what they read on a message forum, there can be serious consequences. When those people want to have a funeral for a deceased relative and the pastor says “we cannot accommodate you because the deceased did not live in this parish” no appeal to “but Father, I read it on CAF!” is going to help.

 

[FrDavid96]

Father, I need to check on what you said about valid marriages.

My understanding is that your parish can give permission to marry in another parish.

Basically, yes. I think getting into the subtleties of canon law and precisely how this works is beyond the scope of this thread, so I won’t distract us. The short answer is “yes,” that can be done.

I ask about this because when I was married, almost 25 years ago, I had no idea about local parishes. I wasn’t registered anywhere, and went to Mass where I pleased. I got married in the parish I grew up in, which is in a different city entirely.

Parish registration means nothing. You might not have been registered anywhere, but you were automatically a parishioner of whatever parish you had a residence at the time.

Suffice to say that whatever faculties were needed the priest who officiated at the marriage had them. You might not have been aware of it, but whatever the priest needed, he had it.

I would have presumed the priest would have said something if this was a problem.

Please understand that I never said it’s a problem for a priest to get the needed permission and/or delegations. It is a problem when people are under the false impression that they can simply choose a parish without regard to boundaries.

Since then I have been told that this is fine, if the local priest gives permission. (I would also presume that he would know where my parish boundaries were, since I certainly didn’t. I still don’t. The diocesan website doesn’t have anything about it on their site.)

Again, you might not know, but the relevant pastors did know.
Trust that if the priest needed anything, he obtained it.

Can I safely assume I have not been living in an invalid marriage for almost 25 years?

YES!!!
Not only “can” you safely assume it, you must. Marriage enjoys the favor of the law.

This is not about trying to declare marriages null on an internet forum. Heaven forbid!
The point is to explain so that people understand that the only way to choose a parish is to live within the territory of that parish; and to give fair warning that disregarding parish boundaries can have unforeseen consequences in the future—which is why posters on CAF should be encouraging adherence to canon law rather than disregard for it.

 

[EasterJoy]

Correct.

The bishop is the pastor of his entire diocese. If he chooses to delegate the faculty of witnessing marriages to priests outside of their parish boundaries (but within the diocese) he has the authority to do that. The point though is that the bishop delegates these faculties. A future bishop might not do that, and the current bishop is free to end his practice.

This last point is what many Catholics do not realize. In certain places in the US, places that have historically been heavily Catholic, and that have many church buildings, the bishops of those diocese are being much more stringent in enforcing canon law with regard to parish boundaries. This is a consequence of so many parishes closing and merging. Many Catholics do not like this and say “I’m going to my church, no matter what.” In those places the policies are much more strict. What people don’t always realize here on CAF is that readers and posters come from a variety of places and encouraging someone else to disregard parish boundaries based on the argument of “this is how we do it in my parish and no one says anything” can cause great harm to those who live in places where the bishop is requiring enforcement of territories.

What posters don’t realize is that when they encourage others to disregard parish boundaries and the readers do that, based on what they read on a message forum, there can be serious consequences. When those people want to have a funeral for a deceased relative and the pastor says “we cannot accommodate you because the deceased did not live in this parish” no appeal to “but Father, I read it on CAF!” is going to help.

Thank you!

Would it be fair to say that persons the Church has entrusted to a particular parish (and properly disposed, of course) have the right according to canon law to receive the sacraments in their own parish, rights that cannot be denied for arbitrary reasons, while a Catholic not entrusted to the pastor of that the parish must have permission, which can be denied by the bishop without giving any reason at all? Are you also saying that such permission is given so easily in some places that it is incorrectly assumed by the faithful to be a right?

 

[Jeanne_S]

that is not parish hopping, that is just choosing the best parish for you to attend and that is always possible.

Parish hopping is moving everytime the priest says something you don’t like, they redecorate in colors you hate, you get in an arguement with the CCD director, you don’t like the food at the parish social or the brand of coffee they serve after Mass.

Or…when the parish is asking for monetary support for a new addition,church,etc.A lot of parishioners leave the parish only to return after the additions or new structure is completed

 

[FrDavid96]

Thank you!

Would it be fair to say that persons the Church has entrusted to a particular parish (and properly disposed, of course) have the right according to canon law to receive the sacraments in their own parish, rights that cannot be denied for arbitrary reasons,

It’s not me saying it. The Church is saying it. Yes, I absolutely agree. Catholics have a right to the sacraments from their proper pastors.

While a Catholic not entrusted to the pastor of that the parish must have permission, which can be denied by the bishop without giving any reason at all?

That’s a qualified yes. I mean, if someone has a heart attack on the sidewalk in front of my parish church, I cannot deny him the Last Rites because he isn’t a parishioner.
What I would rather do here is explain it by sort of reversing the question.
When people want an exception to canon law (I want to get married in a place other than my proper parish, or I want my child baptised in another place, or I want confirmation in a neighboring diocese) pastors can give that permission but they’re not obligated to do it; and the one asking must have a good reason. The burden is not on the pastor to provide a reason for saying no, but on the one asking to provide a justification.

Let’s say that a married couple lives 100 miles away, in a place where there is a local Catholic parish. They want their newborn baptised at my parish. I am entirely within my rights to say “no” and the only reason I need give is “you don’t live in this parish.” I don’t have to say anything more than that. I am not obligated to give any further reason.
Now, when I get requests like this, I always ask “why?” and if there’s a good reason, I’m happy to accommodate (so don’t get me wrong). But sometimes the reason is not good.

Are you also saying that such permission is given so easily in some places that it is incorrectly assumed by the faithful to be a right?

I suppose yes, I must admit that I’m implying that. That’s not what I actually said, but it’s the logical followup to what I did say. I would rather put that into different words.

What I’m saying is that people should not be encouraging others to disregard parish boundaries based on the standard of “that’s how we do things where I’m from.” That’s not helpful advice; and yet, I read it all the time here on CAF.

When people in one place incorrectly assume it to be a right (I’ll use the same words you did) and then encourage others in a different place to do the same, it doesn’t help anyone. Instead it causes further confusion.

What I am really concerned about here is a situation where someone reads comments posted on CAF—comments like “we don’t bother with parish boundaries here” and that leads someone else to do the same. That someone else then follows the advice. Later, there are negative consequences to following that advice.

Let me give a concrete example:
Mary and John are a married Catholic couple. They read on CAF that they can disregard parish boundaries and just consider their personal choice of parish as “their” parish. John dies. Mary is making funeral arrangements. The pastor at the parish tells Mary “I’d like to accommodate you, but you don’t live in this parish. You will have to go to your own proper parish. Our schedule is too full here, and we cannot provide funerals for non-parishioners; and even if we could, the bishop has a strict policy on following parish territories ever since he had to close and combine so many parishes, and he’s made it clear to all the pastors that we must adhere to the boundaries.”

Now, think about this. Mary was given some bad advice on CAF and she followed it, instead of considering herself a member of her proper parish. Where will those CAF posters be now that Mary is suffering the consequences of following their advice? Do you really think she can say to the pastor “I don’t care what the bishop says and I don’t care what canon law says. The CAF posters told me we could do it and we did it.”

Understand that this is not my imagination going wild. Such things do indeed happen in some places. In places that have historically had large Catholic populations and large numbers of parish churches, parish closings and mergers have caused parish boundaries to be enforced very strictly. Certain bishops have realized that unless they are firm in enforcing territory, their plans for re-structuring the diocese will become chaotic. While some parts of the country can afford to be a little loose in enforcing territory, the exact opposite is true in other places.

Advising people to disregard canon law and disregard parish territories has consequences that people do not always foresee–and that’s why the all-too-often comments that go like this “we don’t bother with parish boundaries here” are just not helpful.

 

[EasterJoy]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently registered at a parish near my home (biking distance=10 minutes tops). I try to go to my parish for Mass as often as possible, and take weekly classes there regarding the Faith, and submitted a form to join a ministry (still waiting…they may have forgotten during the Christmas rush! ).

A lot of the time though, I find myself in a position where Mass at another parish is just more convenient.

I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

N.B. I just got a job and my first paycheck came in a few days ago so whichever parish I was going to was only getting pocket change at best. On the other hand, now that I’m going to be having money, should I favor my parish with donations? Or just where ever I am at the time?

The disadvantage is that you don’t get or give the advantages, which include knowing the people and place well where you actually have the right to the sacraments, and especially coming to know and be known by your pastor.

According to canon law, to the pastor of your parish belongs:
***Can. 530 *The following functions are especially entrusted to a pastor:
1/ the administration of baptism;
2/ the administration of the sacrament of confirmation to those who are in danger of death, according to the norm of ⇒ can. 883, n. 3;
3/ the administration of Viaticum and of the anointing of the sick, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 1003, §§2 and 3, and the imparting of the apostolic blessing;
4/ the assistance at marriages and the nuptial blessing;
5/ the performance of funeral rites;
6/ the blessing of the baptismal font at Easter time, the leading of processions outside the church, and solemn blessings outside the church;
7/ the more solemn eucharistic celebration on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

Do you want to be a stranger to your pastor and a stranger to your fellow parishioners? Do you not want to take your place as someone in the parish on whom your brothers and sisters can depend?

When you were growing up, however, it was OK for you to spend the weekend somewhere else once in awhile. Your relationship with your family required your presence some of the time, but not on every single instance it was possible. It is like that with your home parish. Make an effort to be there often enough to know and be known, but be sure that essentially everyone there will be somewhere else on some of the Sundays or Holy Days of the year. (Even pastors have been known to go on vacation!!)

 

[Russ_of_Tokyo]

Fascinating topic! I’m registered and am active at a parish which is not my neighborhood parish. I’m wondering if I should eventually change my parish registration to match my “actual” parish membership and get active there?

 

[Incomplete]

What I’m saying is that people should not be encouraging others to disregard parish boundaries based on the standard of “that’s how we do things where I’m from.” That’s not helpful advice; and yet, I read it all the time here on CAF.

When people in one place incorrectly assume it to be a right (I’ll use the same words you did) and then encourage others in a different place to do the same, it doesn’t help anyone. Instead it causes further confusion.

What I am really concerned about here is a situation where someone reads comments posted on CAF—comments like “we don’t bother with parish boundaries here” and that leads someone else to do the same. That someone else then follows the advice. Later, there are negative consequences to following that advice.

Let me give a concrete example:
Mary and John are a married Catholic couple. They read on CAF that they can disregard parish boundaries and just consider their personal choice of parish as “their” parish. John dies. Mary is making funeral arrangements. The pastor at the parish tells Mary “I’d like to accommodate you, but you don’t live in this parish. You will have to go to your own proper parish. Our schedule is too full here, and we cannot provide funerals for non-parishioners; and even if we could, the bishop has a strict policy on following parish territories ever since he had to close and combine so many parishes, and he’s made it clear to all the pastors that we must adhere to the boundaries.”

Now, think about this. Mary was given some bad advice on CAF and she followed it, instead of considering herself a member of her proper parish. Where will those CAF posters be now that Mary is suffering the consequences of following their advice? Do you really think she can say to the pastor “I don’t care what the bishop says and I don’t care what canon law says. The CAF posters told me we could do it and we did it.”

Understand that this is not my imagination going wild. Such things do indeed happen in some places. In places that have historically had large Catholic populations and large numbers of parish churches, parish closings and mergers have caused parish boundaries to be enforced very strictly. Certain bishops have realized that unless they are firm in enforcing territory, their plans for re-structuring the diocese will become chaotic. While some parts of the country can afford to be a little loose in enforcing territory, the exact opposite is true in other places.

Advising people to disregard canon law and disregard parish territories has consequences that people do not always foresee–and that’s why the all-too-often comments that go like this “we don’t bother with parish boundaries here” are just not helpful.

This is very helpful. It would also be helpful if, when a person registered at a parish, something like this would be pointed out…or at least, if the whole “parish boundaries” things was mentioned, because even if a priest is willing to accommodate all who are registered at his parish, who knows if conditions will change, he will leave, or a new bishop will come in who will follow the boundaries rule more strictly.

I say this because until I came to CAF, I didn’t even know there was such a thing as parish boundaries. I remember moving to the city I live in and then "looking for " a parish. Nothing was ever said. For various reasons, I eventually stopped attending and found a different parish to attend many years later. Nobody said anything to me either time, and as this was before the day and age of the internet (yes, I’m THAT old!) I had no clue.

Even then, when people talked about it on CAF, I didn’t realize that some priests can’t or won’t administer sacraments if you are not in their parish boundaries. (It might have been said…I don’t always follow boundaries threads closely.)

It would be good if people were made aware of all of this when they register at a parish. They could at least be making a more informed choice.

I did check our diocesan website when I first learned of parish boundaries (and again as this thread started, since it’s been awhile AND since Bishops have changed in that time frame) and there is nothing said at all about this…or if it is, it isn’t easy to find.

Anyway…thanks for this information. I find it very helpful.

 

[catholictiger]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently registered at a parish near my home (biking distance=10 minutes tops). I try to go to my parish for Mass as often as possible, and take weekly classes there regarding the Faith, and submitted a form to join a ministry (still waiting…they may have forgotten during the Christmas rush! ).

A lot of the time though, I find myself in a position where Mass at another parish is just more convenient.

I want to hear of any disadvantages of going to Mass at a parish that is not “your own”.

N.B. I just got a job and my first paycheck came in a few days ago so whichever parish I was going to was only getting pocket change at best. On the other hand, now that I’m going to be having money, should I favor my parish with donations? Or just where ever I am at the time?

there is nothing wrong with going to a parish outside the geographical parish bounds, there are a multitude of reasons to go to another parish, but I don’t think it is good to hop around parish to parish. A parish is a community, a group of people who come together to worship God. The parish isn’t just there for us to go to Mass and Confession and that is it, rather the parish is where people come together bound together as friends and community. I would strongly suggest that you should pick one parish and stick to it, support that parish in what it does, donate to the parish in what ever ways you can afford, etc. To many people leave parishes and go to other places because of a priest or they don’t like the music, people will even follow certain priests. This is not what the Church desires. Again the parish is there so that people can come together and build a community. It’s not just the place where you go to receive the sacraments.

 

[Casilda]

I didn’t realize that some priests can’t or won’t administer sacraments if you are not in their parish boundaries.

I didnt realize that they can’t or won’t administer sacraments if you ARE in their parish boundaries.

My whole wandering from parish to parish began at my HOME parish, because the priest there was transferred and no permanent priest has been available, still. I learned that the parishes here are extremely large and extremely under represented by priests and deacons. They have no time for anyone, even if you reside IN their boundaries. Very sad.

 

[FrDavid96]

I didnt realize that they can’t or won’t administer sacraments if you ARE in their parish boundaries.

…

It all depends.

When it comes to marriages, jurisdiction goes to the very validity of the marriage (I won’t get into the details because these things can and do get complicated).

There is also a difference between those who reside in the parish (ie official members of that parish) and those who are present in the parish territory although they live elsewhere.