10/15/2017
The following was written by our pastor, Father ST, and was published in our parish bulletin on October 15, 2017:
CLEARING UP THE CONFUSION
There has been some confusion about our Faith Formation Program here at Saint Joseph Church and I would like to once again address this very important issue. Let me be very clear it is not acceptable to join another parish (e.g. Saint Jude Church in Blairstown) in order to avail your children to an easier schedule, “summer program” or “at home school” faith formation. It is the policy of the Diocese of Paterson, the ongoing practice of Saint Joseph Church as well as the vision of the Universal Law of the Catholic Church that Faith Formation be ongoing and continuous in your parish church. According to the Code of Canon Law canon 518 states: “A parish is territorial” which means that it embraces all the Catholics of a given region on a map. Unless you live in two places, you belong to one parish or the other, not both! Of course, you may attend any Catholic parish and are not limited to attending your own parish church. However, belonging to a parish brings with it certain rights and obligations. This is why when a Catholic parishioner who wishes to marry in a parish that is not their own (by territory), must first obtain the permission of the pastor of that parish in order for the marriage to be licit. Furthermore, if you are a parishioner of Saint Joseph Church, you are obligated not only by the “Commitment Covenant” which you freely signed at registration, but more importantly, the promises that you and your spouse (if applicable) made with the Godparents of your children “To raise your child in a Catholic home and according to the Catholic faith.”
Therefore, to be very clear, it is not acceptable to be part of Saint Jude Church in Blairstown (or any other parish where you do not live) in order to satisfy the requirement of your children for ongoing and continuous formation in their Catholic faith. My main concern is that you are not under the jurisdiction of that pastor and certainly not of that bishop (since Saint Jude Church is in another diocese).
I have often used the example of the child who comes home and wants to eat at their friend’s home for dinner. The first night, you agree. The second night comes and they ask to eat at another friend’s home and this continues for several nights. At some point, as the good and loving parent, you must teach your children that they are part of your family and that eating together is something very important that you do as a family. It not only strengthens your body with nourishment, but as importantly, strengthens the bonds of love between husband and wife, child and parent and brothers and sisters. So it is with our parish family of Saint Joseph. We need you and you need us. Just think if everyone decided to join another parish because it is easier for our children, how would we continue as a parish? We are enhanced by your presence and diminished by your absence.
I know that this is a “difficult saying” to hear, unfortunately as the “Father” of this family, I have to be honest, just, kind and merciful by telling you the truth. As you have heard me say many times “It is not about being easy, but about being better!”
