| Posted By |
Message |
carlowlou
loving my babies!
Member since 4/08 4594 total posts
Name:
Jen
|
catholic girls - parish question?
We moved several months ago back to my hometown where there are 3 Catholic Churchs within about 3-4 miles of each other. Technically, we are in a parish that I grew up going to but was never thrilled with the priests, programs, community etc. let's call it Parish A.
When we moved here, we started going to one of the other churches in the area. Parish B let's say. We love it. It is very family oriented, has lots of programs for children and really for all ages, the priests are young and easy to relate to etc etc..it goes on and on. We attend regularly but never officially joined.
I called the other day to see about joining and received a voicemail back saying that since we do not technically live in Parish B, we can't join and should join Parish A.
Now we live about a half mile outside of Parish B. The former owner of our house attended Parish B (received donation envelopes etc) and several other neighbors attend Parish B. Why would they tell us we can't join???
I am really really upset by this. Are the parish lines always so rigid? I really had no idea. I assumed this would be no problem but I guess I was wrong.
|
Posted 3/20/09 11:12 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate |
pnm1654
Mommy to 2 boys!
Member since 5/05 4565 total posts
Name:
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Wow I don't understand that either. That makes no sense. I would call back and ask why and voice your concerns.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 11:38 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
I have never heard of this.
My family transferred to a new Parish years ago because they were not happy with the old one, and were never denied or questioned.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 11:44 AM |
| |
|
Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
I would just go down to the rectory and speak to someone in person- say you've been attending but haven't joined and really love the church, priests, etc. and feel a connection.
I'm sure they'd be understanding.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 12:29 PM |
| |
|
carlowlou
loving my babies!
Member since 4/08 4594 total posts
Name:
Jen
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
thanks for the responses. I did call back and left a voicemail but have not yet heard back.
I'm glad to hear I am not crazy for thinking this would be no problem!
|
| Posted 3/20/09 12:40 PM |
| |
|
isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
That's absurd. My parish will let anyone join who wants to. Regardless of where you live. It really shouldn't be about your address. 
|
| Posted 3/20/09 1:09 PM |
| |
|
Kotka
Mom to two boys :)
Member since 5/05 3384 total posts
Name:
Jola
(pronounced Yola)
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Posted by Sassyz75
I would just go down to the rectory and speak to someone in person- say you've been attending but haven't joined and really love the church, priests, etc. and feel a connection.
I'm sure they'd be understanding.
We did exactly this.
We have two churches in our area and we didn't even know that (I'll do the same as you  ) that Parish A exsisted. So we would go to Parish B and when we called, she asked for our address and told us we don't belong to Parish B, that we belong to Parish A. We had no idea about Parish A and didn't feel like we should start going over there since we have been attending masses at Parish B.
We just had our first son and wanted to join the parish and christen him. So we met with the priest and told him and he let us join Parish B. 
____
Hope it works out for you
|
| Posted 3/20/09 2:42 PM |
| |
|
MrsSteflily
I love chocolate
Member since 4/06 2047 total posts
Name:
Stef
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
I can't believe that. Wow. I've never heard of a church not allowing you to join.
The parish that we bought our home in Holbrook didn't feel right to us. We went to the next one over and it was perfect, we joined with no problems. And we still belong to our old parish in Hauppauge. So we belong to two churches and don't live in either one of their parishes.
I am curious to hear what they say. Speak to a priest if you have to. Sometimes the people answering the phones don't know the whole answer.
If you still get the same answer, it might be His way of telling you that it's not the right one for you.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 2:42 PM |
| |
|
carlowlou
loving my babies!
Member since 4/08 4594 total posts
Name:
Jen
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
I am really upset now. The "director of adult faith formation" (or some title of that nature) called me back and left a lenghty voicemail. Basically she said that if I don't live within the parish boundaries unfortunately, they cant accomodate us, it's their policy,etc etc...they have too many people wanting to join the parish and are turning children away from religious ed even! (I don't have children yet).
I feel like crying! I have never experienced something like this in the Catholic Church before so I am kind of shocked, maybe I am naive to not have expected this type of treatment. I am literally tearing up right now writing this.
I guess I can try to talk to a priest but I kind of too upset right now to even comtemplate that
I guess like another poster said, it's not a place we were meant to be.
Message edited 3/20/2009 3:16:14 PM.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 3:15 PM |
| |
|
Kim7706
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1233 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Posted by isabelle2137
That's absurd. My parish will let anyone join who wants to. Regardless of where you live. It really shouldn't be about your address.
Thats right....
|
| Posted 3/20/09 3:36 PM |
| |
|
Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Posted by carlowlou
I am really upset now. The "director of adult faith formation" (or some title of that nature) called me back and left a lenghty voicemail. Basically she said that if I don't live within the parish boundaries unfortunately, they cant accomodate us, it's their policy,etc etc...they have too many people wanting to join the parish and are turning children away from religious ed even! (I don't have children yet).
I feel like crying! I have never experienced something like this in the Catholic Church before so I am kind of shocked, maybe I am naive to not have expected this type of treatment. I am literally tearing up right now writing this.
I guess I can try to talk to a priest but I kind of too upset right now to even comtemplate that
I guess like another poster said, it's not a place we were meant to be.
again, I'd go down to the rectory and speak to someone in person...
Tell them that your neighbors are members and not within parish boundaries, etc.
I understand how you feel- I went outside the parish when I lived in NJ and we were easily accomodated.
However, if their parish is rather big and overstretched, I can sortof understand their policy. But i bet if you sweet-talk them in person, they'd accomodate you.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 3:46 PM |
| |
|
carlowlou
loving my babies!
Member since 4/08 4594 total posts
Name:
Jen
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Posted by Sassyz75
Posted by carlowlou
I am really upset now. The "director of adult faith formation" (or some title of that nature) called me back and left a lenghty voicemail. Basically she said that if I don't live within the parish boundaries unfortunately, they cant accomodate us, it's their policy,etc etc...they have too many people wanting to join the parish and are turning children away from religious ed even! (I don't have children yet).
I feel like crying! I have never experienced something like this in the Catholic Church before so I am kind of shocked, maybe I am naive to not have expected this type of treatment. I am literally tearing up right now writing this.
I guess I can try to talk to a priest but I kind of too upset right now to even comtemplate that
I guess like another poster said, it's not a place we were meant to be.
again, I'd go down to the rectory and speak to someone in person...
Tell them that your neighbors are members and not within parish boundaries, etc.
I understand how you feel- I went outside the parish when I lived in NJ and we were easily accomodated.
However, if their parish is rather big and overstretched, I can sortof understand their policy. But i bet if you sweet-talk them in person, they'd accomodate you.
the rectory is only open m-f 9-5 when I am at work so unfortunately I can't speak to anyone in person there. I will see what else I can do but at this point, I kind of don't want to, you know?
Message edited 3/20/2009 3:57:48 PM.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 3:55 PM |
| |
|
Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
They don't have Saturday hours? Ususally they do- how strange.
I understand how you feel.. maybe, then, you can find something positive with the parish that you are "supposed" to join...
Try them, they might surprise you!
|
| Posted 3/20/09 4:15 PM |
| |
|
carlowlou
loving my babies!
Member since 4/08 4594 total posts
Name:
Jen
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Posted by Sassyz75
They don't have Saturday hours? Ususally they do- how strange.
I understand how you feel.. maybe, then, you can find something positive with the parish that you are "supposed" to join...
Try them, they might surprise you!
I know! the 9-5 thing is bugging me. what rectory doesn't have saturday or after-mass sunday hours? i mean, come on!
Thanks for the suggestions..I am going to go to my old parish this weekend with an open mind.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 5:08 PM |
| |
|
MrsO
Big Brothers to Be
Member since 1/07 4521 total posts
Name:
Maureen
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
I would go to the church and personally register. Explain your concerns and they should undestand. I know in my home parish people decide between the 2 different parishes all the time
Talk to the priest after Sunday mass he should listen and help you out.
Message edited 3/20/2009 10:24:39 PM.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 10:23 PM |
| |
|
puppylove
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/05 561 total posts
Name:
Summer
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
Never heard of that. I would ask for for info, if you enjoy that church then you should be able to attend there.
|
| Posted 3/20/09 10:26 PM |
| |
|
Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
|
Re: catholic girls - parish question?
same thing happened to me when I first moved to Charlotte. I did not know my way around, found a church and joined.
Got a phone call following week that I can't join since I live outside their boundries. They gave me the # to a different church, which I had no idea existed.
|
| Posted 3/21/09 7:48 AM |
| |
|
