PARISHIONER STATUS
Active parishioners of OLHC look to their parish for many services, including:
•Parishioner tuition rates in our Catholic schools.
•Use of our Church facilities for liturgical services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals.
•Certification as eligible sponsors at sacramental celebrations.
ACTIVE PARISHIONERS:
•Are registered in the parish (fill out our Census Form 2021).
•Attend Sunday Mass regularly, as well as Holy Days of Obligation (see below).
•Support the life of the parish.
•Use the envelope system.
INACTIVE PARISHIONERS:
Those who fail to meet the requirements of Active parishioner status are classified as Inactive.
Please remember that to be considered a registered, active and contributing parishioner, one has to not only register but financially contribute to the parish by means of electronic funds transfer or by dropping your donation in specially provided envelopes. The envelope system tracks both Mass attendance and giving. We have parishioners who sometimes find themselves unable to give at times, but they still drop their envelope in the basket, to show that they were here. Every year, we look at those who are registered in the parish, and if there is no discernible activity via Eoffering, Venmo or envelopes, they are reduced to Inactive status. This is also important so that the Diocese does not assess OLHC for Inactive parishioners. Each week we receive about $100-$130 in loose cash. If you would like to be a member, please use the offering envelope provided and write your name and address on it. We will send you a Census Form and get you officially registered.
The envelope system is an imperfect way to ensuring Mass attendance and giving, but it is a universal one in churches of all faiths. In the Catholic Church, there are numerous reasons why we highly encourage using the envelope system to mark Mass attendance and giving. First, in order to serve as a godparent or sponsor for baptism or confirmation, you have to retain a Certificate of Eligibility from your parish that you are a registered, active and contributing member (yes, we have had people call us and ask for a certificate because they attended the school at one time). Please do not think, “Well, Monsignor sees me and knows who I am,” because the certificate is not based on his memory, but what is in the database. Also, to be married in the Catholic Church, parishes require that Catholics be active, registered and contributing parishioners to even start the marriage preparation process. Another benefit is parishioner tuition rates in our Catholic schools.
If you consider OLHC your spiritual home, we encourage you to register, use the envelope system regularly, and prayerfully discern your weekly and second contributions. Elaine Mitchell, the parish secretary, located in the Rectory, is always willing to answer any questions you may have in this regard. This is the most tangible way to receive all that you need. While it’s true that some people do not really like this system, it is near universal in American Catholicism and a lot of other churches.
Thank you to our faithful and generous weekly (and monthly) contributors. OLHC could not do it without you!
Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
•The Third Commandment is “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
•Baptized Christians are consecrated to worship Christ. The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church.
•Catholics are duty-bound to participate in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
•Extraordinary circumstances (including the ongoing pandemic), age, or infirmity may excuse the faithful from the obligation to attend Mass.
•Parents have a duty to educate their children in the faith. It’s important for parents to attend Mass regularly with their children; children aged 7+ are indeed obligated to attend Mass.
Sponsorship Certificates
Active parishioners: see Monsignor Baver after the 11AM Mass if you wish to receive a certificate to be a Godparent for Baptism or Sponsor for Confirmation. If you are not an active parishioner, email ourladyhlp@aol.com with your request.