Parish Boundary Rules

Baggy65 · #1 Jun 11, '12, 6:33 pm

We have chosen a parish that is technically outside of our boundaries. In fact we're attending a church outside of the prescribed diocese (right on the border). It took my family five years to finally find a parish that we connected with in terms of the pastor and the church family. We live in a somewhat remote community so we have at least a 15 minute drive whether we're in our assigned territory or not.

I was unaware until now that there was even such a thing as territories when it came to churches. Since no one in the parish said anything when we joined I'm guessing we haven't done anything too terribly wrong. Do a lot of you attend masses outside your designated territories? The Cannon has the following to say:

Canon 518: As a general rule, a parish is to be territorial, that is, it is to embrace all Christ's faithful of a given territory. Where it is useful, however, personal parishes are to be established, determined by reason of the rite, language or nationality of Christ's faithful of a certain territory, or on some other basis.

Aggies08 · #2 Jun 11, '12, 6:38 pm

I work at the one which is technically our parish, but we attend mass, are registered at, and the children receive sacraments at a different local church. My DH was baptized there and our oldest before we moved. They are very orthodox, and have a huge younger following- lots of 20/30yr olds and their families.

If one's parish causes one's spiritual life to suffer, then I'm for moving to one that supports it- especially for new converts and young families. It's great to be the one to try and make the changes needed, but not at the cost of the formation of children, or shaking a new-found faith.

Corki · #3 Jun 11, '12, 8:01 pm

If you want to attend a parish outside of the regular boundries, that's fine. However, a pastor has responsibility for the souls in his geographic territory. It's up to him is he wants to accept the additional responsibility of families who live in other territories. This isn't important when it comes to regular Mass but if you want to have your kids attend CCE, or receive Sacraments of initiation or if you need to get verification of your status to be a godparent or sponsor, this could be important.

You can go to Mass at any Catholic Church but if you want to be more official or more involved, just ask the pastor.

jilly4ski · #4 Jun 11, '12, 8:15 pm

It usually isn't a problem to attend or even to "register" in a parish outside one's territory. I live right on the boarder of 3 parishes, and we recently joined the parish that is actually closer and has more convenient mass times. In order to get out next child baptized (by new rules of the bishop) we just have to call the parish whose territory we are in and get a letter of delegation.

However, it might be more of a problem because you are outside the diocese, which would maybe require more permissions for things like weddings, baptisms, etc.

anp1215 · #5 Jun 11, '12, 8:48 pm

I moved a year ago into a neighboring town and after a period of attending Mass at my new territorial parish, I decided to start attending my old parish again. My husband (non-Catholic) does not want to go with me to Mass if I go to the territorial parish, but he will go with me to our old parish as he knows the people there, and they have a beautiful church and (mostly) beautiful music. So I just drive a little farther out to our "old" parish.

jeannetherese · #6 Jun 11, '12, 11:15 pm

I assist at a local parish, and a parish at large that is well beyond the geographical boundaries of my local parish. howerver, this parish was given a special designation by our Archbishop as it is an FSSP parish with a focua on the Latin (Tridentine) mass. In our area, we also have a vietnamese parish that draws Vietnames from a very broad geographical area. All of this is supportied by our Archbishop. May Our Lord bless him!

Kitkat1 · #7 Jun 22, '12, 12:42 pm

How do you know what the parish boundaries are? I realize I am nearly halfway between two parishes. I would like to know the parish boundaries for any/all the parishes in my vicinity. I emailed the diocese when I could not find a parish boundary map on their website. They have never responded to me. I live in San Diego County in California - Diocese of San Diego.

MarkThompson · #8 Jun 22, '12, 2:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitkat1

How do you know what the parish boundaries are? I realize I am nearly halfway between two parishes. I would like to know the parish boundaries for any/all the parishes in my vicinity. I emailed the diocese when I could not find a parish boundary map on their website. They have never responded to me. I live in San Diego County in California - Diocese of San Diego.

Contact one or both of the parishes in question -- I'd suggest calling and speaking to the secretary rather than sending an email -- and tell them your address and that you want to know whether you live in the parish for sacramental purposes.

Diana Catherine · #9 Jun 22, '12, 3:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baggy65

We have chosen a parish that is technically outside of our boundaries. In fact we're attending a church outside of the prescribed diocese (right on the border). It took my family five years to finally find a parish that we connected with in terms of the pastor and the church family. We live in a somewhat remote community so we have at least a 15 minute drive whether we're in our assigned territory or not.

I was unaware until now that there was even such a thing as territories when it came to churches. Since no one in the parish said anything when we joined I'm guessing we haven't done anything too terribly wrong. Do a lot of you attend masses outside your designated territories? The Cannon has the following to say:

Canon 518: As a general rule, a parish is to be territorial, that is, it is to embrace all Christ's faithful of a given territory. Where it is useful, however, personal parishes are to be established, determined by reason of the rite, language or nationality of Christ's faithful of a certain territory, or on some other basis.

I had a similar issue. I didn't realize until coming to CAF and someone else asking a similar question a while back that you were supposed to be in a territory. I think it was something I had vaquely heard before but didn't really think much about it. Growing up we rarely attended a parish in our territory. When my family and I returned to the church we began to attend a parish outside our territory. Not for any particular reason, it just happened. No one said anything, like you need to go to your priest for permission, even in regards to the sacraments. We have two churches near us, each about 5-10 minutes away. I'm not sure if it because of the close proximity that they didn't say anything (I wish they would have) or what (both parishes have similar names also) but if I had to do it again I would still attend the parish we are in but get permission for the sacraments as I understand you are supposed to. I think it shows respect for the priest and his responsibilities.

Kitkat1 · #10 Jun 22, '12, 3:10 pm

Thanks for your responses. I will call one of the parishes. I have been attending primarily parish "A" and use envelopes, but I am now wondering if my house is in their boundary. I never thought to even ask. I did not even realize there were territorial boundaries until reading about it on this site! I do like parish "B" alot and it is about the same distance from me. I want to financially support the correct one, and when it is time that we may need a sacrament, I don't want to be a stranger.

tabycat · #11 Jun 23, '12, 11:22 am

Puttine my

two cents in and maybe slightly off topic, there are also enthic parishes . They have boundaries as territorant parish but usally cross the boundaries of other parishs becarse they (enthic parishes) serve an enthic (ie Irish, Polish, Asian) group.

Mrs Sally · #12 Jun 23, '12, 1:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corki

If you want to attend a parish outside of the regular boundries, that's fine. However, a pastor has responsibility for the souls in his geographic territory. It's up to him is he wants to accept the additional responsibility of families who live in other territories. This isn't important when it comes to regular Mass but if you want to have your kids attend CCE, or receive Sacraments of initiation or if you need to get verification of your status to be a godparent or sponsor, this could be important.

You can go to Mass at any Catholic Church but if you want to be more official or more involved, just ask the pastor.

This is the issue -- the pastor is responsible for the souls in his parish boundries. Depending on how active the cvhurch is with weddings, funerals, first holy communion, etc. You may or may not be able to receive those sacraments at a parish other than your territorial parish.

Also, everyone needs to realize that priests - even pastors - are transferred. Choosing a parish because you like Father X means that when Father X leaves, you may find you aren't happy there after all.

I always encourage people to go to your local parish, because those people are your neighbors. You will see them at community events, the grocery store, their teens will be your babysitters, you are close by in case of an emergency, etc. Parish life goes beyond the Mass to the relationships we make with our fellow parishioners.

thistle · #13 Jun 23, '12, 5:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baggy65

We have chosen a parish that is technically outside of our boundaries. In fact we're attending a church outside of the prescribed diocese (right on the border). It took my family five years to finally find a parish that we connected with in terms of the pastor and the church family. We live in a somewhat remote community so we have at least a 15 minute drive whether we're in our assigned territory or not.

I was unaware until now that there was even such a thing as territories when it came to churches. Since no one in the parish said anything when we joined I'm guessing we haven't done anything too terribly wrong. Do a lot of you attend masses outside your designated territories? The Cannon has the following to say:

Canon 518: As a general rule, a parish is to be territorial, that is, it is to embrace all Christ's faithful of a given territory. Where it is useful, however, personal parishes are to be established, determined by reason of the rite, language or nationality of Christ's faithful of a certain territory, or on some other basis.

Nobody is obliged to attend Church in what is their geographical parish. We are free to attend Mass in any parish.
The only problems that might arise, for example, are things like baptism, marriage. A parish outside your geographical one can legitimately refuse to perform these Sacraments.