In defense of parish shopping.IN THE DECEMBER SOUNDING BOARD, PETER FEUERHERD makes a strong case for staying within ones parish geographic boundaries for parish membership. It occurs to me, however, that he is making several assumptions about the relationship among parish, community, and distance that are at best true in only some parishes. First, he suggests that one good reason to belong to your neighborhood parish is to be able to walk to Mass and let the world know that you are in an area with a committed Catholic community. This assumes that people live within walking distance of even the nearest church. Walking for most Catholics in the suburbs or the country is not an option. So does it make that big a difference if you drive 15 minutes to the nearest church or 20 to the next nearest? As parishes are consolidated and distances from the nearest church increase, the concept of "local" parish will grow more meaningless. A second assumption that seems to underlie Feuerherd's piece is that neighborhood parishes are idyllic i·dyl·lic adj. 1. Of or having the nature of an idyll. 2. Simple and carefree: an idyllic vacation in a seashore cottage. melting pots melting pot America as the home of many races and cultures. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : America of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic so·ci·o·ec·o·nom·ic adj. Of or involving both social and economic factors. socioeconomic Adjective of or involving economic and social factors Adj. 1. members coming together as 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. . He is overlooking the fact that not too long ago many urban neighborhood parishes stood next to each other separated only by ethnic disdain for one another: St. Kasimir's was the Polish parish, St. Patrick's St. Patrick's or Saint Patrick's may refer to:
The suggestion that people who change parishes are merely applying consumerism consumerism Movement or policies aimed at regulating the products, services, methods, and standards of manufacturers, sellers, and advertisers in the interests of the buyer. to their faith is unfair to those who change parishes exactly because they take parish membership seriously and need to worship meaningfully in a community in which they feel welcome. Andrew Manion Aurora, Ill. |
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