About

“Many Catholics experience the family and the parish as most important parts of the Church.  Within the family, the Church of the home, the seed of faith is first planted and nourished and sustained.  Within the parish, families and individuals continue the mission of Christ and publicly express their faith.  The parish is defined in the Code of Canon Law as a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a diocese.

The parish does not exist for itself, but to carry forward the work of the Church which is the mission of Jesus.  The parish has two basic purposes:

to support the spiritual growth of its members through proclaiming the Word, building up the community, celebrating the liturgy, and serving all God’s people;  

and to enable the members to participate actively in the priestly, prophetic and royal mission of Jesus to the world.

All Christians are called through Baptism and Confirmation to share responsibility for this mission and contribute according to their time, talent and treasure.  But not everyone is called to full this responsibility in the same manner or with the same role.”

-Christ Calls Us Together
Diocese of Cleveland 1990