St. Dominic Catholic Church

For example, a Catholic has the right to a funeral Mass in his parish church, regardless of whether he has regularly been attending that church (c. 1177.1). Canon 857.2, states that as a rule, a person is supposed to be baptized in his own parish, unless a just reason suggests otherwise. If a person is baptized elsewhere, it will not affect the validity of the baptism, but the same cannot be said for the celebration of a marriage. Catholics who wish to marry are required to marry in the parish church of one of the spouses—or in the Catholic spouse’s parish, if it is a mixed marriage (c. 1108.1). If they do not, and do not obtain permission in advance to marry elsewhere, the marriage is actually illicit! These canons that refer to a person’s parish always refer to the territorial parish of the Catholic person, not “where we always go to Mass” or “used to go to Mass.”  This holds for parishioners’  adult children, too.  An adult child living outside their parents’ home and in a different parish, belongs to that different parish.  To be married here requires permission of the proper pastor and is normally readily granted.

Even though registration is not a part of Canon law, it is helpful for a few reasons! With so many parishioners, I do not recognize everyone, and if you call and ask for baptism, marriage, confirmation, or a funeral and don’t live in our parish boundaries, we are more likely to fulfill another pastor’s obligation if we know you are registered and have been supporting the parish.  If you need a letter to be a sponsor or godparent, registering helps me know you consider St. Dominic’s your parish – and if you don’t live in our parish boundaries, registering may be the only way I can vouch that you are a parishioner.  Our database can include helpful information, like your job skills.  If we need an attorney, a caregiver, a data entry specialist, or a custodian, I would much prefer hiring (and paying) a parishioner.  The same is true for making recommendations to parishioners who are looking for these and other service providers.  If you use envelopes or support the parish through checks or credit card, at the end of the year we can provide statements indicating charitable donations you can deduct for your tax purposes.

You can register in person in the office, or online HERE or download a registration form at www.saintdominics.org/I-am-new.  We will have another survey soon, and I hope you participate as we lay the foundation for a parish pastoral plan.