From today, registration forms will be available at the back of Church for you to sign up to be part of the database of members of Sacred Heart Oratory. Many of you will have questions about that, and I hope to be able to give you some answers here. Please be encouraged to speak with me personally for any further clarifications you may need:

1. Not a Rival Parish…
Registration is something that is being asked of us by the Bishop and is not intended to set up a rival Parish. Sacred Heart Oratory is not a Parish at all – it exists peacefully within the territory of Sacred Heart-St. Patrick Parish. You may be a member of both communities: in no way does signing up for membership of the Sacred Heart Oratory signal a change of allegiance from your Parish, whether that is SHSP or elsewhere.

2. Why “Sacred Heart Oratory”?
This designation was chosen by the Bishop as the best way to describe the special status Sacred Heart has within the Parish and Diocese.

3. Why register?
Communication, Statistics, and Financial Transparency are the three main reasons to sign up:
• We need to keep in touch with you to let you know of any changes that might affect Masses (such as snow days or sickness) and to keep you informed of any changes that affect Sacred Heart.
• We also need to know who is coming to Mass at Sacred Heart on a regular basis, so we can make sure your pastoral needs are being met.
• Finally, we need to be clear about donor intent: signing up means you can choose to receive envelopes for your weekly Offertory that stays at Sacred Heart and will be used only for the upkeep of the Church and grounds and pay for utilities and consumables.

4. Does my Offertory support Sacred Heart?
Only Offertory given in the Sacred Heart Oratory envelopes or in cash will go to support the Church and grounds at Sacred Heart, or pay for utilities (heat, light, air conditioning etc.) and consumables (liturgical supplies, flowers etc.) The Jesus Guild is funded separately by the Bishop directly and through its own fundraising. Part of the arrangement with the Parish is that we pay for everything at the Sacred Heart campus. Therefore, if you wish to donate towards anything at the Sacred Heart campus, please register and use the Sacred Heart Oratory envelopes. If you do not wish to contribute in any way, your wishes will be respected.

5. Who should register?• If you attend Sacred Heart for Sunday Mass, you should register.
• If you attend Sacred Heart regularly for other Masses, you should register.
• If you wish to be kept informed concerning Sacred Heart, you should register.
• Registration at Sacred Heart Oratory is not membership in the Jesus Guild.
• Registration at Sacred Heart Oratory does not affect your Parish affiliation.

6. What sort of envelopes should I sign up for?
Sunday Contribution Envelopes are dated for each Sunday and Holy Day and numbered to keep track of your contributions for tax purposes. They will be sent out to you by mail. Undated Envelopes are general envelopes that go in the Collection, but will be personalized with your name and address for tax purposes. They should be used by people who attend Sacred Heart less frequently. They will also be sent out to you by mail.
• If you attend Sunday Mass, sign up for “Receive Sunday Contribution Envelopes”
• If you attend less frequently, but still make contributions to the Collection, sign up for “Receive Undated Envelopes Only”

7. What if I don’t want to register?
That is entirely your decision. If you choose not to register, your Offertory contributions will not go to support Sacred Heart Oratory, and we will not as easily be able to keep you informed of information regarding the life of the Church here, including Mass times for special events and holidays, so I encourage you most strongly to do so. This is not another change: it is a straightening out of what has already happened. Your Pastor remains the same, your Rector remains the same. Each of us is in agreement as to the pathway the Bishop has indicated, and we seek to implement his vision, playing our part enthusiastically with good grace and humility. God bless you all.