Registration is a sensitive topic in Catholic parish life, particularly in the circumstances of a merger, because people want to know where they belong. It is part of their identity – and that should be respected. In the United States, registration is frequently a way to access the Sacraments for kids through CCD programs – and it is also a way to keep in contact with your Pastor. However, there is a lot of misinformation about what registration means – and even what a ‘parishioner’ is. So I thought I would write to explain a little more.

In the Catholic Church, all dioceses are divided up into parishes – and usually a ‘parish’ is a designated portion of territory – but not always. There are also ‘personal’ parishes, where being a parishioner is based upon eligibility criteria. In the old days, these were almost always ‘ethnic’ parishes: for Catholics of a given culture or background, and they were a kind of overlay on top of the territorial system. So, for example, you could be a member of a Slovak parish if you were of Slovak origin, or were married to someone of Slovak origin.

Personal (or ethnic) parishes were an exception to the normal rule, which was – and still is – that you are a parishioner of the parish in which you reside unless you have taken steps to register in a personal parish. Can you be a parishioner of a territorial parish in which you do not live? Not in the strict legal sense. Does registration make a difference? Again, no – not in a legal sense. Registration means you are connected to that Community, you receive their communications and, helpfully, you receive personalized envelopes that assist in your weekly offering. But it does not make you a parishioner, and never could.

The up side to this is that you are not obliged to attend Mass, or participate in your territorial Parish. You can choose to assist at Mass and take part in the life of any Catholic Community, either in addition to, or even instead of, the Parish in which you technically reside.

Bishop Caggiano has given permission for the Community that worships on Sundays here to be registered by us in addition to wherever else they may be parishioners. Registration will help us enormously in keeping track of your needs – and it will give you a say in how things are done here. Let me be crystal clear: registration at the Oratory does not affect which Parish you belong to. It changes nothing in that regard. But it will help us to communicate better with you – and for you to enjoy a sense of belonging. Anyone who worships at Sacred Heart is welcome to register with us – and if you would like to support this Church, specifically, please also sign up for personalized envelopes that will help you to manage your tax affairs more conveniently.

I said in July that the establishment of the Oratory permits a kind of ‘dual citizenship’ – and I echo what Fr. Walsh said in his letter of July 7th – it would be helpful for you to make your intent clear when you give. The Guild receives no subsidy from the Parish to run this Church – indeed, it pays a monthly contribution to the Parish, but we are responsible for all the bills of this Campus, including the music and additional priests, so your generosity is much appreciated. We can do more with your help, so please, do prayerfully consider getting involved in the many opportunities for volunteering – and let us see what the Lord is doing for us in our vibrant, and growing, Community of Faith. God bless you all.