What does this mean?

[robotneil]

I filled out form to join a parish in my new hometown...what does it mean to join a parish? I have been attending a Southern Baptist church for many years. The last time I was at mass was when I was in Catholic grade school in Maryland.

More questions to come...
Neil

 

[Filia Mariae]

I filled out form to join a parish in my new hometown...what does it mean to join a parish? I have been attending a Southern Baptist church for many years. The last time I was at mass was when I was in Catholic grade school in Maryland.

More questions to come...
Neil

Welcome to OBOB Neil

Joining a parish just means you are offficially a member of that community.

 

[OnEaglesWings]

It means you're part of that community.

 

[robotneil]

Ok thank you....
Neil

 

[Gerry Hunter]

It means you're part of that community.

Indeed it does, and more.

As the member of a parish, you are, through your parish priest who is the Bishop's representative in the parish, linked to the wider church. There are other links, but that is the most common one we Catholics have.

So yes, indeed, the membership links you to the local community, but more importantly, it is the recognition of your place in the wider church.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[Gwendolyn]

So, here's a related question. I'm on youth ministry in one parish in which I alone am registered, but I also attend my home parish parish in which my whole family is registered. I may resign from youth ministry, but still attend weekday Masses and the odd Sunday Mass at the first parish, but my associate pastor asked me the other day if I would be pulling out my membership in his parish.

Does it matter at all? He seemed to think that because I would no longer be attending regular Sunday Masses at his parish that it would be a good idea to withdraw my membership (despite the fact that I'll still be attending weekday Masses). Any reason, or do you think he's just being quirky?

 

[Gerry Hunter]

Any reason, or do you think he's just being quirky?

It's probably more than quirkiness. Sunday Mass is the main, focal gathering of the members of Christ's Mystical Body to worship him and be nourished by his body and blood. And it seems to me that in choosing where to do that, we choose our parish home within the Church. It is in that context that we receive the gift of Catholic community from the Lord (we do not manufacture this community simply by coming together, as some pop psychologists might have us believe), and so it makes sense to be formally a part of the parish where the gift is given and received.

Blessings,

Gerry