What is a Parish?

The present Code of Canon Law states:

"A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular Church; the pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop" (No. 515).

Even if a bishop determines that the pastoral care of a parish or parishes is entrusted to a team of several priests, one priest should direct the activity and be responsible to the bishop.

Likewise, in the case of the death of a pastor or when no resident pastor can be appointed, the bishop must still appoint a priest with the powers and faculties of a pastor to ensure the pastoral care of the faithful (No. 517).

The pastor has grave responsibilities to his flock.

• He must preach the Word of God;
• instruct the people in the faith; promote apostolic works;
• see to the Catholic education of children;
• reach out to those either who have stopped practicing the faith or who do not believe;
• ensure the devout celebration of the sacraments,
• particularly the most holy Eucharist and penance; and foster family prayer.

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However, parish life does not depend solely on the priests.

The Second Vatican Council's "Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People" asserted that the laity should be filled with an apostolic spirit and work closely with their priests.

"Nourished by their active participation in the liturgical life of their community,

• they engage zealously in its apostolic works;
• they draw men toward the Church who had been perhaps very far away from it;
• they ardently cooperate in the spread of the word of God, particularly by catechetical instruction;
• by their expert assistance they increase the efficacy of the care of souls as well as of the administration of the goods of the Church (No. 10).

RELATED PAGE: Ministries and Roles within the Liturgical Assembly

Therefore, the pastor, his assistants and the faithful work together.

They build a sense of community within the parish, particularly through the celebration of the Mass.

For this reason, under normal circumstances,

• adults are to be baptized in their parish church and infants in the parish church of their parents;
• couples are to be married in the parish where either the bride or groom lives.

Through the spirit and practice of the laity and clergy working together to foster this community, the relationship of the parish to the bishop is strengthened ("Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," No. 42).

SOURCE: Adapted from a Question/Answer reflection by Fr. William Saunders.