St. Charles Borromeo Parish at 1818 Coal Pl SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 US - Parish Policies & Guidelines
| Parish Policies & Guidelines |
Saint Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church Administered by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe 1818 Coal Place South East Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 87106-4025 505.242.3462 Facsimile 505.247.1292 Electronic Mail: jtlanesss@blessedsacrament.com www.blessedsacrament.com Parish Policies & Guidelines Parish Registration Those who are interested in being a member of Saint Charles are asked to complete a parish membership form and submit it to the church office. The relationship between the parish and its parishioners should be mutually beneficial and respectful. Members of the pastoral staff are happy to meet with you and welcome you to the parish. Periodically, a reception and blessing during the Mass is held for new parishioners to welcome you and share information about Saint Charles. Stewardship Through our baptism, we are called to live as Christ's disciples, by contributing to our parish and our communities with generous acts of stewardship. The practice of stewardship is our response of gratitude to God for the blessings we receive. Acts of stewardship include your regular financial contribution and use of your offertory envelopes, contributions of time and talent through our parish organizations and ministries, worship and prayer. All registered parishioners are asked to contribute to the life of the parish through acts of stewardship. Each person must decide how he or she can best share his or her gifts and resources. Members of the pastoral staff are happy to meet with you to help you discern how your gifts can best be used at Saint Charles. Our parish loves to celebrate the special moments in your life with the entire community. As a registered member, the following polices are meant to assist in the preparation for the sacrament or sacramentals. Sacraments Baptism Seven Years Old to Adulthood All registered parishioners are eligible for the sacrament of baptism. In order for one to participate in the sacrament, adults or those ages 7 - 18 must be part of the catechumenate (RCIA or RCIC) from August through Pentecost. A donation of $25 is requested to cover parish costs for the sacramental preparation. Requests for baptismal certificates are given through the Front Office and regular office hours and are $10. Infant Baptism All parent(s) must have an initial interview with a member of the Parish Staff and attend an instruction class prior to the sacrament of Baptism. Classes are mandatory for parents and godparents. If you have received instruction within the last two years, and are from another parish, please present a recent certificate/affidavit of completion from the parish where you took the training or are a registered member. In the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, there is a special affidavit form to be obtained from other parishes to present for readiness for baptism. Godparent(s) (at least one): 1. Must be an active and registered parishioner and a practicing Roman Catholic. 2. Completely initiated in the Roman Catholic Church (baptized, confirmed and have made their First Communion) 3. 18 years or older 4. If married, married in the Roman Catholic Church A donation of $25 is requested to cover parish costs for the sacrament and is given during the initial interview and setting up of the celebration. A separate donation to the minister of baptism is given on the day of baptism. First Penance Registered Religious Education students receive this sacrament in the third grade. Students must be enrolled for two years of preparation, beginning in the second grade. The sacrament is celebrated at the end of the first semester of third grade. Both Penance and First Communion classes include a $50 donation for materials. Students, who are enrolled in the Catholic School of Saint Charles, have been given permission by the archbishop to receive the sacrament of Penance in the second grade. First Communion Registered Religious Education students receive this sacrament in the third grade. Students must be enrolled for two years of preparation, beginning in the second grade. The sacrament is celebrated at the end of the second semester of third grade. Both First Penance and First Communion classes include a $50 donation for materials. Students, who are enrolled in the Catholic School of Saint Charles, have been given permission by the archbishop to receive First Communion in the second grade. Confirmation High School Registered Religious Education students receive this sacrament in the tenth grade. Students must be enrolled for two years of preparation, beginning in the ninth grade. The sacrament is celebrated at the end of the second semester of the tenth (or eleventh or twelfth) grade (depending on when beginning student enrolled for the two-year program). A $50 donation to cover material costs is requested. A separate retreat experience is planned and the fee covers this event off campus. Adult Adults who were not able to receive the sacrament of Confirmation while they were in high school, and who regularly attend Mass, catechized and other religious education classes, participate in a six-week process each fall or spring. The sacrament is offered through the archdiocese in the fall and in the parish during the spring. A $35 donation is requested to cover material costs. Eucharist (Mass) Preparation: Parishioners/Sacristans are responsible for setting up for each Mass and have regular training to prepare the liturgies. In each sacristy, lists provide helpful hints to assist in the arrangements for the Mass. Every parish Mass has both the Body and Blood of Christ (Precious Blood) offered to those who come to Holy Communion. Sacristans and presiders are responsible for ensuring that the Shrine Chapel is locked and the Blessed Sacrament reposed during Masses in the church. Music: The Music Minister is responsible for the music at all Masses (even for Funerals and Weddings). No outside groups are permitted for various reasons. Mass Intentions: You may offer a Mass intention in honor or memory of a loved one by requesting that a regularly scheduled Mass be said in this person's honor. Each Mass intention includes a $10 stipend that is given to the priest. To request a Mass intention, please check with the parish secretaries. They will be happy to schedule this for you and provide you with an acknowledgment card. Age Requirements: Any one who has made their First Communion is eligible to be an Altar Server or Lector or Usher. Those who wish as a Communion Minister must be confirmed and in “good standing with the church” and discern with the Pastor. We ask that you discern your gifts to be a liturgical minister with a member of the Pastoral Staff or Liturgy Commission. Marriage Our parish has a separate booklet/ web site page for marriage preparation with detailed information. Because of the active schedule of our parish, we are not able to accept weddings from our parishes. The usual costs are listed below: 1. $100.00 for accompanist and $75 for the cantor (Checks are made out in their names ahead of time.) 2. $125.00 suggested donation for preparation with the priest or deacon 3. $250.00 donation for the use of the church (paid in two installments – one when the date is set – non-refundable and the other in the last meeting with the priest or deacon). 4. Non-parishioners are asked for a $500 donation for the use of the church. 5. $10.00 for each altar server (3 for a Mass; 1 for without a Mass) 6. No runners or items may be placed or thrown on church grounds. 7. Because this is a sacrament of the church, sacred music is part of the rite. 8. Two Catholics celebrate the Rite of Marriage Within Mass; a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic celebrates the Rite of Marriage Outside of Mass, usually with one of the deacons on staff. Holy Orders (Deacon & Presbyter) & Religious Life Our Parish Staff assists in the discernment process to become ordained or vowed in consecrated life. We are all encouraged to pray for vocations and also to encourage and affirm young people to a life of service in the church. Once a year, the weekend Masses at Saint Charles focus on religious life or the ordained ministry. Sacramentals Catholic Household Blessings Each parishioner is encouraged to purchase from the Catholic bookstore a copy of the Catholic Household Blessings to celebrate the special moments in family life. Over the course of the liturgical year, God blesses special times – and we bless God for these events and cycles of our life that God makes holy. Holy Water & Blessings of Homes In the vestibule of the church, there is holy water available for parishioners to use for their homes. One may schedule a house blessing with a priest or deacon by making an appointment with them. Quince Años & Other Anniversary Events Parishioners and their families may celebrate for the special 15th year of life or another year (75th, 80th, 100th, etc.) or wedding anniversary a blessing during the regular Sunday Mass. This blessing takes place after the homily. Preparation required for the Quince Años is a year in the youth group and religious education classes. If a special Mass is requested, a donation of $150 is requested for the church, plus $100 for the music group. Additionally, the priest receives a donation of $100. Funerals The parish has a separate booklet/web site page that outlines the guidelines for funerals. At the time of death, you are asked to contact the parish office and schedule an appointment with a priest and the music minister to make the funeral arrangements and plan the liturgy. We are also available if you would like to pre-plan your funeral. 1. There are no flags or banners placed in the church during a funeral. One your loved one is at church, it is a Christian celebration and event. The Order of Christian Funerals removes these items before entering a church and only allows Christian items to be placed on a casket or in the sanctuary. 2. The following financial requests are: • Church $100.00 (suggested minimum donation - tax deductible - made payable to Saint Charles) • Priest $100.00 (suggested minimum donation) • Accompanist $100.00 (given ahead of time) • Cantor $75.00 (if no choir) (given ahead of time) • 4 Servers $10.00 per server one server to hold the incense • One server to carry the cross and the book(s) for the priest • Two servers to carry the candles Other Areas Assistance to the Needy The Saint Vincent de Paul Society provides funds for those who are in need of financial support. Photo identification is required to assist. A copy is made of the identification, noted in the logbook and placed in the Saint Vincent de Paul file with the amount given and the date. If one needs rent or utility assistance, a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is called and an appointment is made with them. Bulletin Advertising & Information The inside of the bulletin contains information about the parish and Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Requests for any type of non-church related services are left to the back page of the bulletin through Trinity Publications. The Bulletin Editor reserves the right to place materials inside the bulletin that are appropriate. Items for the bulletin need to be considered by Monday at 9 a.m., the Sunday before publication. Fair Trade: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Saint Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Community support fair trade programs through which disadvantaged artisans, farmers and farmworkers receive fair compensation for the goods they produce. We encourage Catholic organizations with our parish to purchase fair trade products whenever possible. Photography All worship events are sacred. It is important to maintain respect and dignity throughout all liturgical celebrations. The parish makes arrangements for videotaping and photographing significant moments in the life of the parish. The use of cameras is not allowed during a liturgical service. The Vatican felt strongly about not having photography in church that it issued the following instruction, Eucharisticum mysterium, on worship of the eucharist, 25 May 1967: 23. Strict care should be taken to ensure that liturgical celebrations, especially of the Mass, are not disturbed by the practice of taking photographs. Where a reasonable cause for them exists, everything should be done with great restraint and according to the norms established by the local Ordinary. Principle of Subsidiarity Saint Charles adheres to the principle in Canon Law (church law) of subsidiarity. Each Pastoral Staff member is responsible for a particular administration of the parish (e.g. Music Minister overseas the music groups, Director of Religious Education catechetical ministries, Principal – the school, Secretaries – the management of the parish office, etc.). Parishioners with particular concerns about the parish (including the school) converse with the Pastoral Staff member who overseas this portion of parish ministry. If this is a concern or conflict, the department head, pastor and concerned party will meet together to resolve any issue that warrants further attention. When the pastor is away, the parochial vicar overseas the parish leadership. If both priests are away, the Operations Manager overseas the parish leadership. School Subsidy It is the policy of the archdiocese that all registered members of the parish who send their children to a Catholic school, qualify for a $300 subsidy to the school of their choice. Through tithing, a family is able to assist the parish with this expense to the school. In order to meet parish expenses, parishioners are asked to donate a minimum amount of $500 (per child) to the parish to qualify as an active and contributing parishioner. If a grandparent or guardian is supporting the child’s education, that person(s) is asked to donate the qualifying amount of $500. Solicitation The Pastor or Parochial Vicar approves all materials in the pamphlet rack of the church. No other materials may be distributed or sold on parish grounds (including the school). The Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Santa Fe & Saint Charles Roman Catholic Church does not endorse items from Political Action Committees (PACS) (e.g. Respect Life New Mexico, Priests for Life) that at times, without permission, target vehicles in our parking lots while services or meetings are in session. Use of Parish Facilities Because of liability and insurance reasons, the parish does not rent any of the facilities for outside use. Councils, committees and ministries annually schedule their meeting dates and request for space use in March for the following year. The Pastoral Staff reviews the requests for space use and the parish secretaries manage a calendar in the parish office. It is the responsibility of the chair of the group to reserve the space and inform the parish secretaries if there are any changes or needs. -Approved by the Pastoral Council & Pastoral Staff Monday, November 21, 2005 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1. Sales are limited to Parish Activities.