Question about home parish

  • Thread starter Thread starter NotYetASaint
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

NotYetASaint

Guest
I am coming back to Catholicism after leaving 4 years ago due to ego issues (I had come into the Church through RCIA. I haven’t moved and am curious about whether I would have to be on he rolls of the same parish or be able to transfer . There are 3 within 10 minutes but my former(still?) parish is the closer of the 3 to my house.
Although I think even if I could change to another parish, I’d probably rather face the awkwardness of returning as kind of a responsibility to face my just dropping out of site on them as well as an opportunity for growth as a Christian man. at the end of the day I know whatever advice I get here, I have to talk with a priest here about whats what as well as get myself to confession!
 
Last edited:
Welcome back and God Bless. Find out which parish is your boundary parish, and attend that parish as long as the Church has sound doctrine. Dont worry about what people will think, Im sure most will be glad to have you back regarless of the parish.
 
thanks, I was thinking about the boundaries and hoping I could find a map or something on the Diocese website but so far nothing. if all else fails I’ll be going to reconciliation this weekend and I’ll just have to pose my questions in person prior or after. thanks for the encouragement!
 
No problem, Im so happy you are coming back! Call the Parishes that are closest to you and give them your address. They should be able to tell you if you are in their boundary. One Church will be your home boundary parish.
 
Last edited:
LittleFlower378 said:
No problem, Im so happy you are coming back! Call the Parishes that are closest to you and give them your address. They should be able to tell you if you are in their boundary. One Church will be your home boundary parish.
Click to expand...
While the above is true, you can join any parish that you wish to. We don’t belong to our boundary parish, we belong to the one where we attend mass most often. It was a choice we made.
 
is that how it works? I thought there was the boundary system? I know at the end of the day you can attend wherever but I’m talking as far as being “on the rolls” of a particular parish.
 
I belong to a parish outside of my boundary, archdiocese, and physical State. I registered there and was accepted.

*I should clarify this by stating that I am on the border of two other states. Walking distance.
 
Last edited:
interesting, I’ll have to see how it shakes out here. Thanks for the response.
 
NotYetASaint said:
is that how it works? I thought there was the boundary system? I know at the end of the day you can attend wherever but I’m talking as far as being “on the rolls” of a particular parish.
Click to expand...
There is a boundary system. However, not every diocese and/or parish enforces it.

However, there ARE some things that most parishes will enforce parish boundaries on.

One perfect example of a situation where parishes will enforce parish boundaries 99% of the time is:
  • homebound communion for the sick. The VAST majority of parishes are not going to bring communion to the homebound who live outside the parish boundaries.
NOTE: you don’t need to follow parish boundaries for mass and confession, but often, this come into play for Baptism, Funerals, Homebound Communion, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, First Confession, Marriage, Catholic school discounts, etc.
 
Last edited:
that might come into play with me i’m on a border and my original parish is on my side while the next closest is technically a few blocks out of state.
 
hoping I won’t have to worry about being homebound anytime soon!
 
BTW - I would like to add this: the parish boundaries are more for the priests than for the laity.

For example: let’s say a non-Catholic is on his/her deathbed and decides he/she wants to become Catholic before death and would like a priest to come to the house.

The person calls a Catholic Church and speaks to someone there. The priest or staff realizes the address is outside their parish, so they contact the other parish and have their priest go visit that person.

Example 2: a pastor decides he wants to have a door to door or sidewalk evangelization effort. Knowing his boundaries allows him to focus on the people living in his parish, and not spilling over to another parish while some of his potential parishioners are ignored.

We have to remember, a Catholic pastor is responsible for the spiritual well being of every single person (not just Catholic) living inside the boundary of his parish. Just like a bishop is responsible for every single person living in his diocese.

God Bless
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the replies everyone! just getting some (name removed by moderator)ut outside of my own head has helped a lot. Now I have to just go ahead and get to the conversations with the Church! I feel I wasted years being away.
 
My devout parents have been going to a church outside their normal boundary About all they have now is a connection via the KoC my dad beings to for personal reasons, this was the church I attended growing up.

From what I’ve seen the local church has become a lot dowdier, tends to be a little more “Catholic fire and brimstone”, and much less alive.

The Parish they are going to right now is amazing. It’s got age ratios right where they should be, it’s not uncommon to a good number of kids baptized at the same time. I my opinion it does an excellent job of providing both an experience for people interested in a more traditional and solemn
experience and those looking for a more lively service with kids actively participating in ways better tailored to them. If Christianity, specifically more Catholic and mainline protestant churches were like this we would not be talking about any decline; or so is my opinion.

I think this who boundary idea lets mediocre or poorly run churches not be encouraged to improve their culture and frankly turn off members from coming.
 
Last edited:
As someone who has worked for more than one parish, we are THRILLED when folks come back!!!
 
NotYetASaint said:
thanks, I was thinking about the boundaries and hoping I could find a map or something on the Diocese website but so far nothing.
Click to expand...
Not all dioceses enforce parish boundaries. My diocese does not. I’m sure I could ask someone about it, but you won’t find information on the website, and no one will stop you registering where you please.
 
By the same token, it is best to seek out the rules for this specific Diocese.
 
@mrsdizzyd @TheLittleLady I’ll definitely be asking the question at the parish. I know thats where the final answer lies. thanks for the help!
 
I have another question but it relates to the first so I didn’t think I needed to open a new topic. The question is in the case like mine where one just stopped coming to Mass and it’s been some years, say at least 4yrs, how long does a parish keep someone listed as a parishioner or are you left on there indefinitely if there has been no action initiated to change that?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top