Holy Cross Parish Needs Everyone to be a Participating Parishioner
A parish thrives or withers on the participation of its parishioners. Each Sunday Jesus fortifies us with His Body and Blood and the Holy Spirit strengthens our bonds with each other. We are sent forth from mass to live the Gospel and change the world – no small task these days, but needed so badly. Parishioners serve the poor, gather in prayer groups, study the bible, work with our youth, increase their knowledge of the faith by reading and discussion, help other parishioners in need, console the bereaved and help us pray beautiful liturgies. An integral part of our mission at Holy Cross is our grammar school which forms our children in the Catholic faith while at the same time equipping them with an excellent academic education. Parish-sponsored PTA events are a significant and needed subsidy. Subsidy to the school also comes from monies contributed by parishioners in the Sunday collections.
We have inherited what was formerly called a “parishioner” and “non-parishioner” tuition schedule. Since a non-parishioner family did not worship with us on the Sabbath, did not generally contribute to the financial support of the parish through the use of weekly envelopes and may or may not have participated in or organized fund raising events or have been a member of a church group, they were asked to pay an increased tuition fee. This arrangement seems fair, especially when coupled with a robust financial aid program for those who are unable to afford full tuition. (We are familiar with in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for state universities.)
Determining parishioners from non-parishioners used to be a simple matter defined by place of residence. In modern times, the Catholic Church recognized the right of each family and individual to register in a parish of their choice. For this reason, current tuition rates may more properly be called “participating” or “qualifying.” Families who reside outside the geographical boundaries of Holy Cross may meet qualifying conditions, while some who reside within our boundaries may not.
So what are the qualifying conditions? Diocesan guidelines give parishes the option to grant reduced tuition fees to those families who do ALL of the following: attend mass weekly, contribute to the support of the parish through the regular use of Sunday envelopes and who are active in the life of the parish through volunteerism or membership in parish group(s). Each family is asked to assume regular, sacrificial giving of time, talent and treasure to the parish. In this way, all our parish missions will thrive.
