Parish Bylaws

Introduction

Every true christian should be an active Christian, taking an active part in the life of the Church, participating in its services of worship, listening to the preaching of the Word of God, sharing its good news with others in the community, partaking in the Sacraments of the Church, heeding the precepts of the Church, and laboring for the establishment of God's Church on earth.

The motto of the National Catholic Church is "By Truth, Work and Struggle, We Shall Be Victorious". The aim of the National Catholic Church is not to dominate the people but to serve, to help, to lead onward and upward toward the ultimate realization of God's Church on earth.

Spiritual Obligations To The Parish

  1. Each member of the Church (Parish) is required to receive Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Penance at least twice a year, but especially during the Advent and Lenten seasons.
  2. It is the duty of a Parish family member who knows of any Parish family member who is ill, or who desires to receive Holy Communion, to bring it to the attention of the pastor or a member of the Parish Council.
  3. It is the duty of all members parents to raise their children in the light of the christian principles. A main way of fulfilling this duty is to urge the child or adolescent to attend the School of Christian Living (Sunday School) and all religious services and programs offered by the church. This also will maintain a closer relationship between the child and parent.

Material Obligations To The Parish

  1. Membership fees are set by the Parish Council and congregation during the yearly congregational meeting held in January. A family unit (husband and wife) and a single unit (widow, widower, and single) must pay these membership fees to be parish family members in good standing. A single person must become a member when financially independent.
  2. Every adult member is required to have offering envelopes (or an assigned number) and use them. This helps to meet current expenses of the parish. It is suggested that every member donate at least $3.00 per week, if possible, for the upkeep of the church, rectory, and parish hall.
  3. Other contributions and donations for various projects and needs may be given of the member's own free will.
  4. If a member fails to meet the parish financial obligations without a reason acceptable to the Parish Council, membership in the parish will be cancelled. If, however, the delinquent obligations are satisfied, membership, with its rights and privileges, will be restored.
  5. Every member fulfilling the required obligations shares in the rights and privileges guaranteed by these Bylaws.
  6. Burial in the parish cemetery is reserved for members in good financial standing with this PARISH or any NATIONAL CATHOLIC PARISH. A person who leaves the Church, neglecting the material obligations to the parish, will not be considered a member in good standing. The parish has the right to withdraw the cemetery deed, burial lot, and rights. If the deceased person's family is willing to satisfy the delinquent financial obligations, the right of burial in the cemetery will be reinstated, with the concurrence of the Parish Council. To satisfy the financial obligations (as voted on and approved by the Parish Council on March 29, 1978), "delinquent parish dues must be paid at the current rate up to a maximum of five years and $3.00* a week per envelope for 52 weeks for each year. This situation can occur only once; if it occurs a second time, fees must be paid as far back as they are delinquent. If the individual cannot pay, arrangements can be made through the Parish Council for payment". * The amount will be reviewed by the Parish Council annually and amended, if necessary, to adjust to the rate of inflation.

 

Parish Membership

Anyone who intends to join our Parish Family must first meet with the pastor for information, etc.. Membership fees are set by the Parish Council and congregation during the annual congregational meeting held in January. A family unit (husband and wife) and a single unit (widow, widower, and single) must pay these membership fees to be parish family members in good standing. A young single person must become a member when financially independent.

The parish membership fees for 2007 are:

Membership for a married unit is $100.00 ($85.00 for married seniors) and membership for single unit is $70.00 ($60.00 for a senior.)

 

Cemetery

The All Saints Parish Cemetery is located on East Maine Road, Johnson City. The parish owns four acres of property, which are traditionally maintained by designated parish members.

Only deceased Church members in good standing at the time of their passing are allowed to be buried in the parish cemetery. A cemetery plot must be purchased. See Parish Bylaws, "Material Obligations To The Parish", Item 6.

Families and friends are allowed to erect head stones of their choice, plant flowers, and place decorations on the site, keeping in mind that there must be access for the lawn mower. Any artificial flowers and decorations must be removed for the winter.