PASTORS NOTES:

Are you a member?

A topic that has come up in recent days is who is really a member of our parish? It seems that many people attend Mass regularly but have never bothered to register as official members of the parish community. This has all kinds of implications for your life. If you are asked to be a sponsor at a Baptism or Confirmation and asked to get a “sponsor certificate,” it says that this person is a member of this parish in good standing and therefore qualified to act as sponsor (quote from the form we are asked to sign).  If we can’t find your name in the census we can’t give it to you (remember that a practicing Catholic is one who goes to church regularly and is able receive the sacraments). The same is true if you get audited by the IRS. Sometimes we get requests for statements of donations. If we don’t have some record of what you give how can we give that statement? Some people throw in cash, they say they don’t want anyone to know what they give, it is between them and God. Unfortunately the government doesn’t accept that.

In the fall we will be voting on the future of our parish and its buildings. Only registered members of the parish will be allowed to vote. It is the same thing that happens in any election. Only registered voters are accepted.

So how can you tell if you are registered? One simple way is to ask yourself (1) Do you receive the mailings which we send out, raffle tickets at the time of the Bazaar, letters about  Partners in Charity, etc. (2)Did you move away and then return to the parish and not re- register? (3)Did you get married and not register under your new name and address? Think about these things. If you need to register you will find registration forms at the doors of the church or you can stop into the office and sign up. Belonging to the family brings with it privileges and obligations but most importantly it brings with it the support of a community of faith and love,

We want to have you be part of our Catholic Christian family. As the commercials on TV say “join up today”….