MEMBERSHIP IN PARISH
To Be a Member of the Parish
A person becomes a member of
the Catholic Church through Baptism. This is completed by the sacrament of
Confirmation - the out pouring of God's spirit - and lived out in daily
Christian living nourished by the sacraments.
Active membership in a particular parish is a requirement for the celebration of marriage, for
eligibility for Confirmation, for baptism of one's child, for First Communion
for one's child, for special benefits such as tuition subsidy in parishes with
schools. It is the hope and prayer of the pastor and parish leadership that
every baptized Catholic - whether active or not active up to this point - can
he helped to develop a closer relationship with God and Jesus Christ and to
receive encouragement and spiritual support in their journey of faith.
To be considered an active member of St. Mary
Parish, one must:
- Be formally registered
as a member of the parish.
- Be a regular weekend
Mass-participant.
- Contribute financially
in a regular, identifiable and meaningful way.
- Assist/serve the parish
(programs/activities) in accordance with one's abilities/interests.
Occasionally, individuals formally register at the
parish, in order to gain immediate benefits, but do not follow through with the
above-mentioned level of participation. One year of active membership is
required in order to be eligible for benefits, unless documentary proof from
the parish from which an individual/family has moved shows a pattern of
commitment and participation in that parish. Some applications of this policy
are listed here.
- A Catholic who grew up
in the parish and who now lives in another city/state, who requests marriage at St. Mary, will be
required to present documentary evidence of being a registered and
participating parish member in the city/state where he/she resides now.
- Subsidized tuition rate at
- An individual/couple who
grew up in St. Mary parish and who lives elsewhere, who requests baptism for their child at St.
Mary, will be required to present documentary evidence of being a
registered and participating parish member in the city/state where they
reside.
- A Catholic from
out-of-town who is invited to be a sponsor
for baptism or confirmation at St. Mary will be required to present
similar documentation.
The spiritual wellbeing of church
members is of utmost importance to the pastor and parish leadership.
Individuals who have become inactive will be assisted according to their needs.
Guidance and assistance with annulments will offered
to those who need this. For all Catholics who have been inactive, it is
required that they receive the sacrament of reconciliation before taking
Communion, and it might be helpful to attend/participate in a study program
such as a Bible study, a segment of the RCIA, etc.