Parish Boundaries

The word, “parish” can be traced etymologically to the Latin parochia and the Greek paroikia, which can be taken literally to mean a cluster or group of neighbouring living places to dwell in (Boudinhon & Fanning, 1911).

A parish thus consists of a community of homes, which do not exist independently of each other, but in solidarity with each other.

Accordingly, a parish is a province or portion of a land’s Catholic diocese, that is placed under the jurisdiction and authority of a legitimately appointed priest, whose task is to obtain, and secure the rights and virtues for the faithful living in this portion or province, through the helps of the Catholic religion.

The priest, also known as the parochus, curate, parish priest, and pastor, cares for and ministers to the faith lives of a group of faithful defined as the parishioners of the parish.

For a parish to come into being, pastoral authority is exercised over a certain body of the faithful. This is usually determined by the assignment of a territory that is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the parish priest. It is imperative that parish boundaries, as  mapped out in the Council of Trent (Sess XXIV, c. xii, de ref; Kirsch, 1912) are clearly defined and marked out, as blurry boundaries and uncertainty of parish boundaries may lead to harm.

Parishioners become parishioners by acquiring a domicile, which means a right of habitation, or residence, within the parish’s territories. Parishioners also become parishioners by simply living within the parish’s territory for at the very least, a month in duration (Sacred Congregation of the Council, 1907). For travellers, temporary dwellers, and sojourners in a land,  these may present themselves to the parish priest and procure for themselves the rights of parishioners within a parish territory, without compromising their own status as parishioners in their homelands.

It is possible for more than one parish to co-exist within the same territorial boundaries.

The function of a parish, is the care of souls (Boudinhon & Fanning, 1911). Traditionally, because the Church was so invested in every aspect of a person’s life, from cradle to grave, parishes often developed distinct identities, and served to strengthen the community of faithful in their communion with each other.

In Singapore, the history of the parish is exciting and we can clearly see how the Hand of God was at work in growing organically the Church in Singapore from mission territory to become a dwelling place of permanence. There are a few key figures who were instrumental in cooperating with God’s plan to establish the parishes in Singapore. For example, during the time of the early Church in Singapore, when 100 Chinese refugees arrived from Swatow, Fr. Stephen Lee wrote to the government for land to be granted to them so that these settlers could live, set up homes, and cultivate farm and arable land. To this end, 100 acres of hilly terrain was granted and eventually, this village became known as the Catholic Village. Subsequently, a chapel was built there to minister to the spiritual needs of the Catholic dwellers, and this eventually became the Church of St. Anthony (History of the Catholic Church in Singapore, n.d.) Thus, the parishes in Singapore grew and flourished as instrumental priests saw the needs of the people and were administrators and executors of a period of intense Church Building.

In recent years, however, the identities of parishes have become eroded – perhaps in part to variables such as a diminishing population, the ebb and flow of people moving out of parish boundaries, church-hopping, or even a lack of ministering to the people within the parish boundaries. Many previous parishioners have also lapsed as practising Catholics, to the point of having a large number leaving the Church in droves. There is a danger that the Church in Singapore, may also, one day become like the Churches in Europe, with beautiful architectural facades outside, but presenting with empty, hallowed halls within.

CSM Lenten Walk 2022

To address the state of the parish and to reclaim the parish’s boundaries by consecrating the boundaries to our patron Saint, St. Michael, and in prayer, the Church of St. Michael organised a Lenten walk comprising of distances of 2km, 5km, 10km, and 20km on the Saturday before Passion Sunday on the 9th of April 2022.

As the participants walked from one check-point to another, they prayed the Chaplet of St. Michael, and the Rosary, to intercede for the needs of the Parish, and to pray for every person living within the parish boundaries.

While the sign-ups were initially projected around 80 participants, close to 160 parishioners participated in the walk on the actual day.

A majority of the participants surpassed their own targets to complete exceedingly more distance than what they had set out to do, while some went on to complete the full 20km, or a distance very close to the target.

The following present heartwarming testimonies of the participants’ experiences during the Lenten Walk:

Testimonies

“This is our first Lenten Walk. As we reflect on what the walk meant to us, we realise that like regular walks we take for our health, the Lenten Walk is one for spiritual health with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The prayers, meditations and intentions bond us as a community in Christ. Thank you to everyone for the sharing and bonding.” – Johnny & Gerardine

“Seeing so many parishioners coming together for the Lenten walk after so long was really encouraging. There were many times during the walk when I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the 20km but with the encouragement and company of the brothers and sisters, it was possible. It was also a great opportunity to get to know our brothers and sisters whom I would not have gotten to know during normal circumstances. Very much like our own faith journey, there are times when we feel like the ‘journey’ is too long or too much for us. These are exactly why  we need the community, we need our brothers and sisters to encourage us and sometimes even to ‘carry’ us through the difficult times. I thank God for this experience and hope that through such activities, more parishioners will be come back to the Father.” – Thaddeus

“For me the Lenten walk is something I will remember always, and after the event, will continue to talk about it with my friends for a long time. I do believe firmly that God chooses us for certain situations and this was one like that…I wouldn’t have even thought about going for this – but someone personally reached out to me and asked and I thought that maybe I would try 5 km and be back home in good time. But then, what I experienced through the course of walk was nothing short of an Emmaus fellowship. We need  reminders, some “push”, some cheering up to keep going. For me, the Lenten walk was that: To witness how wonderful our community is, to experience the faith, and to remind myself through others, to trust in lord every step of the way. Knowing me, I think 14 km was a “What” moment for my friends and family. But I did that only because of the wonderful group. I am so glad that I could be a part of Lenten walk.” – Anu Manu

Conclusions

The Lenten walk that was organised by the Church of St. Michael was a way to restore the faded boundaries of the parish, and to allow the community to encounter the Lord as a companion in mysterious ways during the walk.

Parishes and parishioners cannot exist in silo and devoid of any relationship with each other.

What are some strategies that your parish has adopted to strengthen and to grow the parish?

By the Grace of God,

Brian Bartholomew Tan

(Photographs contributed by participants in the Lenten Walk)

 

References

Boudinhon, A. & Fanning, W. (1911). Parish. The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 30, 2022 from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11499b.htm

History of the Catholic Church in Singapore. (n.d.). From Mission to Church (1880-1945). The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. Retrieved April 30, 2022 from https://history.catholic.sg/historical-overview/from-mission-to-church-1880-1945/#anthony

Sacred Congregation of the Council. (1907). Ne Temere (On Marriage). Decree on Betrothal and Marriage. Retrieved April 30, 2022 from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/decree-on-betrothal-and-marriage-2299

Kirsch, J. P. (1912). Council of Trent. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 30, 2022 from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15030c.htm