Topic:  Can I attend a different Catholic Church than my home parish?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 8, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Michael Chepul

Question:   I have been catholic all my life so i should know this question but I don't. I just moved away from home and attending college. I recently found out that there is a catholic church down the road from me. I want to make sure that I attend mass every Sunday but I am not sure since it is not the church that I belong to. My question is can I attend another catholic church on a regular basis even though is is not the one that i normally go to. What would i need to do to attend on a regular basis to the new church.

Answer: 

Stacey,

I am so glad that you want to go to church every weekend! It is perfectly acceptable for you to attend a different Catholic Church than your home parish. However, if you are planning on attending this church more often than on a short term (As in if you're going to college nearby) then you should register with that church. If you contact the Campus Minister, Parish Administrator, or Pastor (or any other big cheese at the church) they should be able to tell you what you do to register. At our parish all you do is fill out a sheet with your name, address and what programs we offer in which you might want to participate.

All Catholics have an obligation to attend Liturgy every Sunday throughout the year and we don't all sit at home all the time. When you are hundreds of miles away from home it is not reasonable to expect you to get home to attend church every weekend, you go where you can.

I hope you enjoy Liturgy at school! You might also want to see if there is a Catholic Campus Ministry on campus. Campus Ministry is a great way to learn and grow as well as meet other students who share your faith.

-Michael