Feedback.Q: I stay at my local parish because... Our pastor is dynamic and spiritually minded, and we have an involved laity. Allan Jirikovec Wausau, Wis I look at it as my family. These are my neighbors. Name withheld Leesburg, Flu The others in the area are so backwards, authoritarian, pre-Vatican II, or elitist e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism n. 1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources. . Barbara McGrattan, Weaverville, N.C. I feel it is my duty to help make my parish a vital community. Gale Renz Woodbine, Iowa Woodbine is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States, along the Boyer River. The population was 1,564 at the 2000 census. Geography Woodbine is located at (41.737553, -95.705688)GR1. We came as newlyweds, and the parish has continued to nourish our faith through liturgy, social justice opportunities, and as a supportive community. Betsy E. Ross San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. , Calif. It's closer and has a beautiful new church and school. Alvin L. Herber Overland Park Overland Park, city (1990 pop. 111,790), Johnson co., NE Kans., a residential suburb of Kansas City; inc. 1960. There is printing and publishing, and the manufacture of apparel, aircraft parts, cement, prepared foods, salt, chemicals, marine accessories, and signs. , Kan To change would be to go from the frying pan into the fire. My parish no longer meets my needs, but changing would not be an improvement unless I was willing to drive 45 minutes or more. Name withheld Brighton, Mich. My husband and I believe we are the parish and as such are bound to work for change if it is needed. Mary B. Rooney Evanston, Ill. God placed me there. Mary Lynch McCann Madison, Wis. We are original members of our church and feel it is our church more than any priest we may dislike. Be patient; priests do move. Richard Stroughal Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (1990 pop. 444,719), state capital, and seat of Oklahoma co., central Okla., on the North Canadian River; inc. 1890. The state's largest city, it is an important livestock market, a wholesale, distribution, industrial, and financial center, and a farm , Okla. Q: I attend a parish that is not my territorial one because... Community extends beyond neighborhood. We are active members of a community within commuting distance of our home. We met all of our friends there and would never dream of leaving. Diane Wakeham and Ken Ricci Redwood City Redwood City, city (1990 pop. 66,072), seat of San Mateo co., W Calif., on San Francisco Bay; inc. 1868. Manufactures include commmunications, electrical, electronic, and medical equipment. , Calif. It was wrenching to leave my parish after such a long time. But when you find that you are dragging yourself to Mass instead of looking forward to it, you must change! Stephanie Chodera Villa Park Villa Park, village (1990 pop. 22,253), Du Page co., NE Ill.; inc. 1914. It is a residential suburb W of Chicago. , IlL I have to find an accessible parish for my elderly mom. Name withheld Boston, Mas We feel it is our home. My father and uncle helped build it, literally. We are lifelong parishioners who grew up but never left, even though we have always lived outside the boundary by about a mile. D. Rennergrodek Chicago, III. I arrived at my territorial parish for daily morning Mass and found a vested female at the altar about to lead some kind of pseudoMass. Name withheld Norfolk, V, When the whole tone of the parish moved back 50 years to pre-Vatican II style, and when the Spirit showed me a place that could both comfort and challenge my soul, I left. Nancy Novak Fort Worth, Text Q: The worst reason I've ever heart for parish shopping is... Progressive pot bingo has a bigger payout. Name withheld Orange, Corn The decor color of the church matched the wedding party clothes. Name withheld St. Anne, III. Selecting a parish where the Mass schedule meets the convenience of individuals, depending on what time one awakens or how late was the party. Helen Bieda Ocean Springs, Miss. Not liking the pastor or priest. We meet lots of people we don't like, but we don't leave our jobs, our community, etc. Mary Schaaf Wheaton, Md. The homilies are too long. Roserita DuFresne Cheyenne, Wyo. The new parish has better tasting hosts and wine. Putt Goeltz Vista, Calif. Racism. J. Ernest Lanas Dallas, Texas “Dallas” redirects here. For other uses, see Dallas (disambiguation). The City of Dallas (pronounced [ˈdæl.əs] or [ˈdæl. "I don't like ... "This consumer attitude and the idolatry Idolatry Aaron responsible for the golden calf. [O.T.: Exodus 32] Ashtaroth Canaanite deities worshiped profanely by Israelites. [O.T. of choice is theologically, dangerous. Name withheld East Boston, Mass. As a director of religious education, I have found many people parish shop because they are searching for the most convenient or inexpensive religious education program. Linda Fitzsimmons Poughkeepsie, N. V. So children could attend our school without paying out-of-parish tuition. Helen Pfiffner Raymond, Iowa Raymond is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 537 at the 2000 census. Geography Raymond is located at (42.468381, -92.221178)GR1. General Comments Catholics should not be taken for granted Adj. 1. taken for granted - evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold these truths to be self-evident" axiomatic, self-evident obvious - easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind; "obvious errors" by the hierarchy or clergy. Pocketbooks and feet are still one of the key ways lay people can voice their opinions. Andrew G Andrew Jonas Günsberg (born 1974), popularly known as Andrew G, is an Australian television and radio presenter who is best known as the co-host of the reality series Australian Idol. He was also the compere of Network Ten's game show The Con Test. . Shannon St. Petersburg, Fla. As a pastor I have changed my thinking on this. I used to feel it was good to go where one felt "comfortable" worshiping. But generally the further you live from a parish, the less likely you are to become an active participant in the parish community life. Father Dennis Andrews Milwaukee, Wis. Parish shopping can be a sign of spiritual maturity and can help us recognize how good things are "at home." Claire Lane Tenafly, NJ. As our churches merge to deal with the shortage of priests, perhaps the question will be to drive 30 miles to the "local" Catholic church or attend a more local Protestant one. Kay Olson Waverly, Iowa Waverly is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,968 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bremer County.GR6 The sister city of Waverly is the German city of Eisenach, which is famous for the Wartburg castle. In my 20s I shopped for a parish. I was a dark-haired young adult in a white-haired church. After tasting other places, I found my niche in my own parish by becoming involved in ministry. It opened up possibilities to meet a variety of wonderful Catholics. Elena Sanchez East Meadow East Meadow, uninc. residential and commercial city (1990 pop. 36,609), Nassau co., SE N.Y., on W Long Island. , N. Y. Defaulting into a "Sunday obligation only" mentality or attending the closest church for convenience is far worse. L. Nielsen Rio Rancho, N.M. As a convert from Missouri Synod Lutheranism, church boundaries were not a part of my life--we attended the church of our choice. I truly don't understand what all the hubbub is all about. If we are truly one body, what difference does it make in what geographical area we attend Mass? Linda Campbell Ballwin, Mo. I have learned that priests come and go, and we can't just keep jumping around to different parishes. Bonnie bon·ny also bon·nie adj. bon·ni·er, bon·ni·est Scots 1. Physically attractive or appealing; pretty. 2. Excellent. Zulli Riverhead riv·er·head n. The source of a river. , N. Y. As a pastor, I encourage parishioners to attend elsewhere. I recognize that I cannot he all things to all people. If they are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a more traditional style of liturgy, I give them the name of a parish where they will feel more comfortable. Father Mark Stec Ridgway, IlL The only way to make some bad parishes better is to move away. Go shopping for a better one, and let them crumble. Mark Boyer Mark Boyer (born September 16 1962 in Huntington Beach, California) is a retired american football tight end. Professional career Boyer played for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets between 1985 and 1992. Springfield, Mo. This is a complete non issue for those of us in rural communities, where even the next parish over is part of an "area parish cluster." We can't shop; there's nowhere to go. Colleen col·leen n. An Irish girl. [Irish Gaelic cailín, diminutive of caile, girl, from Old Irish. Carpenter Cullinan Montevideo, Minn. I have mixed feelings on this one. I like the idea of being free to go to any parish. It's the American way The American way of life is an expression that refers to the "life style" of people living in the United States of America. It is an example of a behavioral modality, developed from the 17th century until today. . On the other hand, I believe in God's providence. I think he puts us in particular places for reasons only he knows. Ruth Ann Pilney Placerville, Ill. More dangerous than regularly participating in a nonlocal parish would be to go to three or four parishes and not belong anywhere. Name withheld New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , N. Y. We usually do not marry the girl next door. No one thinks it odd if the school we chose for out children is not the one that is physically closest. We don't have to see the doctor down the block. If we do choose relationships based on geographical proximity, we have probably done so for a shallow reason. David Donnelly Murrieta, Calif. AND THE SURVEY SAYS... 1. Have you ever regularly attended a parish outside your territorial one? 61% Yes. 39% No. 2. Catholics should feel free to attend any parish they wish. agree 80% disagree 9% other 11% Note: table made from bar graph 3. Parish shopping seems consumeristic to me. agree 37% disagree 53% other 10% Note: table made from bar graph 4. I would consider attending a parish other than my territorial one because:
57% I'm not spiritually
nourished.
29% I don't like the pastor
or priests.
28% I don't like the music
or liturgy.
27% For a more liberal,
progressive community
or liturgy.
27% I can't imagine any
reason to leave my
parish.
21% For a more diverse
parish community.
16% For a particular
ministry or program.
14% So child can
attend the school.
6% To worship with
people of a similar
age or background.
3% For a more conservative,
traditional
parish or liturgy.
19% Other.
5. Neighborhood parishes suffer when Catholics shop for a parish outside their boundaries. agree 55% disagree 32% other 13% Note: table made from bar graph 6. A parish is a better reflection of the Body of Christ
The Body of Christ is a term used by Christians to describe believers in Christ. Jesus Christ is seen as the "head" of the body, which is the church. to the extent that it gathers a cross-section of everyone in the area, rather than just likeminded people. agree 89% disagree 7% other 4% Note: table made from bar graph 7. People should stay In their parish and work to change it rather than leave. agree 57% disagree 18% other 25% Note: table made from bar graph These results are based on survey responses from 260 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and Web site visitors. Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscriber, all are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S monthly Sounding Board survey at www.uscatholic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they debate if Catholics should care about what they eat. |
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