Topic: How can I make a difference in my local Parish?

Date originally posted: November 25, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:   I am no longer a student & hope that does not preclude me from asking a question.... My husband and I both grew up catholic (just plain, ordinary, roman catholic) and are now living in a different area of the country than where we are from (the Northeast US). The local catholic church here is overflowing, has several policies I don't agree with (people who make the most donations at mass get their kid's name to the top of the list for the school associated with the church and the unchristian-like road-rage-filled race to get out of the parking lot after mass are two issues that come to mind) and is very very different than the catholic faith we grew up with in a variety of ways. (A North/South difference possibly, I'm really not sure) In any case, we continue to attend this parish even though we find it to be quite challenging to continue to support the ideals taught there and are currently looking for an alternative. Recently, there has been construction in the area & signs have gone up saying there will be a new parish, a 'catholic maronite' parish which appears to be smaller than the lousy alternative we are currently attending. Since my spouse and I both grew up in 'roman catholic' parishes in a fairly rural state, neither one of us has heard of a catholic maronite parish. Is this truly a catholic church, sanctioned by the vatican or is it some other branch like the American catholic church which is similar to the roman catholic church but differs in some major teachings? In other words, is this a viable alternative for us, given that we wish to attend a parish sanctioned by the Vatican? There is also another parish here, supposedly catholic but called 'Mary, Queen of the Universe' which somehow does not at all sound catholic to me, no matter what they claim! :) It's quite possible that my spouse and I got a heavy dose of pre-Vatican II catholic education, and neither of us has progressed far enough to get to the 'queen of the universe' chapter of the Baltimore catechism, hence the disbelief, but is it also possible that this parish is also roman catholic? Thanks for any assistance you can give me on this, Have an interesting day, Susanna

Answer: 

Thank you, Susanna, for your questions. www.CatholicQandQ.org is here ESPECIALLY for college and university students, but not exclusively for students, so of course, I'll be delighted to try to answer your questions.

First, I want to say that the fact that you and your husband are attending the Sacred Liturgy is wonderful...and even more wonderful is that you are working to find a parish community in which you know the Lord's Presence in a life-affirming way. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Second, I'm glad to know that the parish which you're currently attending is "overflowing." It's good to hear that Catholics are in church!

With regard to the specific "policies" you mention from the parish you are now attending, I can't really comment directly since I don't know the parish community or its pastor. Obliquely, though, I would make the following remarks.

I doubt very seriously if this parish actually has a "policy" encouraging "the unchristian-like road-rage-filled race to get out of the parking lot after mass". I would encourage you to do two things about this unfortunate reality -- if you decide that the Lord is calling you to stay in this parish. First, pray daily for those who are filled with this "road rage", asking God to give them the gift of divine peace. Prayer is powerful! Second, find our what committee or council or group in the parish is responsible for overseeing the parking lot, policies about its regulation and usage, as well as any proposed additions to it, then offer to be a member of that committee or group. They could probably use your help.

And about the other "policy" by which, allegedly, "people who make the most donations at mass get their kid's name to the top of the list for the school associated with the church...", I would say just a couple of things. First, operating a school requires A LOT of money. Simply charging tuition to cover the cost of the education is not really feasible because it would, more than likely, make the cost of a Catholic education prohibitive to all but the richest among the community. That is certainly not acceptable. So, in order to have a parochial school, the parish has to be willing to shoulder a significant amount of the financial reponsibility. Hence, the need to make sure that those families who are using the school and who are members of the parish make identifiable financial contributions. Second, I would urge you to make an appointment with the Pastor and ask him directly if the size of the financial contribution is related to whether and where a child's name goes on the "list" governing admission to the school. You might be surprised at what you find out from him. Third, if you think God is calling you to continue to be part of this parish community, you might volunteer to run for the parish Pastoral Council and/or the Catholic School Board or its equivalent. In those ways you could have some influence, though not decision-making authority, on the policies that you find problematic.

On, now, to your other questions. You ask about a sign which is advertising "a catholic maronite parish." Of course, the usual caveat goes with this answer -- I don't know the specifics of the parish you mention, but generally I can tell you the following.

The Roman Catholic Church is made up many "rites" -- 22, I believe. The largest by far is the "Latin Rite" which is probably what you mean by saying that you and your husband grew up as "just plain, ordinary, roman catholic." I am a member of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church as well.

The other rites, however, are also Roman Catholic. In its wisdom the Roman Catholic Church has long recognized that one of God's many gifts to "the people of God" is the rich diversity of language, culture, and history which form the 'backdrop' for people who have been called into intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and into ecclesial connection with the Roman Catholic Church. So, the Roman Catholic Church has for many, many years allowed "local Churches" to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while maintaining their unique linguistic, cultural, and historical heritages. These other rites usually have their own patriarch who is often a cardinal; they frequently have their own Liturgy, approved by Rome, in their own language. Members of these other rites are, in fact, Roman Catholics which is the broad term referring to all of us who follow Jesus, share the same 7 Sacraments, and acknowledge the authority of the Pope.

These 'other' rites include the Marionite Antiochene Rite. The Marionites, as they are often called, trace their heritage to Lebanon. Their Liturgy is complex, and I don't claim to know much about it. Having attended and concelebrated the Sacred Liturgy in Marionite Catholic Churches from time to time, I can tell you that their Liturgy often includes much in Aramaic, the ancient Semitic language spoken by Jesus. Beyond that, I am out of my league and can't tell you a great deal more. But, Marionite Antiochene Catholic Churches are definitely Roman Catholic.

Among these other rites are the Ukranian, the Ruthenian, the Melkite, and many others. They are usually ancient in their origins, and their worship is often extremely different from a Latin Rite Mass with which you are probably most familiar. (Their "Roman Catholicism" usually predates the Baltimore Catechism by centuries!)

Sometimes these other rites are referred to as "uniate Churches" because they are "united" to Rome, and they sometimes called "the Eastern Rites" because their origins are "east of the city of Rome." But these 'general' designations do not apply equally to all of the non-Latin Roman Catholic rites.

One other caution about the non-Latin Rites: These rites can be confused with Orthodox Churches with which they have much in common -- especially language, culture, and structure of the Sacred Liturgy. However, the non-Latin Roman Catholic Rites acknowledge the authority and pre-eminence of the Pope while the various Orthodox Churches do not. Just make sure that the rite in which you might be interested acknowledges the role of the Pope in the universal Church -- you can do that simply by asking the priest in charge.

Since I don't know the policy of the diocese in which you live, I can't say for certain whether you are "free" to attend a Catholic parish in which you do not live geographically. My informal experience is that most Bishops and priests are just happy that you want to "attend a parish sanctioned by the vatican." In that case, you would probably be "free" to register in any Roman Catholic parish and be actively parcitipating members of that community of faith.

My response to your last question about the parish which is called, 'Mary, Queen of the Universe', being "supposedly catholic" is the following -- with my now-familiar disclaimer about not knowing the specific situation: Our Lady IS the Queen of the Universe! We Catholics knew that Mary was the Queen of the Universe long before anything like "new age" was around. So, don't let these "johnny/johanna-come-latelies", that is, the new-agers, spook you about a title that we have long used to offer "hyperdulia" to the Mother of Jesus!

Of course, I would encourage you to call the parish office and simply ask, "Is Mary, Queen of the Universe a Roman Catholic parish?" Or you could go to a parish library and look in the Catholic Directory under your diocese and see if the parish in question is listed. Alternatively, you could call the diocesan office and ask them if Mary, Queen of the Universe at such-and-such address is a parish of your diocese.

Finally, this comment: You and your husband seem like really good, faithful Catholics. Bless you! But you need to continue learning about your faith.

While the Baltimore Catechism may have been great for you when you were in grade school and maybe in high school, you need to move beyond the venerable "basics" which the Baltimore Catechism offers. You are adults now, and you are facing adult issues.

One of the many wonderful things about the Catholic Church is that the community of faith offers such a breadth and depth of theological knowledge that none of us is ever "finished" with our learning. So, don't rest on your laurels! Read theology and Scripture. Attend Adult Religious Education opporunties in your parish. Go on retreats. Find a Spiritual Director who can guide your reading and praying.

In no other area of your life are you, I suspect, relying on elementary school knowledge to meet the challenges of living as an adult. You mustn't let your faith-life lag behind -- which is what will happen if you continue to rely on what was great in elementary CCD but may not be adequate for the grown-up demands of life beyond high school and college.

Grow, learn, rejoice in the grandeur of the Church, and deepen your relationship with our magnificent God!

God bless you and your husband!
Father Phillip