1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
   We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
   We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.”
3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
   This “guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.”
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
   “The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.” See below for more about fasting & abstinence.
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
   “The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.”

A person should be a parish member in whatever parish they regularly attend. In order to become a parish member, you can visit your parish office or fill out this simple form.
Children are considered members with their parents until they turn 18 years old.
Once they are 18, it is their own responsibility to attend church and to register as a member independent of their parents.

There are certain minimum requirements for parish membership. At least one person in the family has to be Catholic (generally one of the parents) for a family to be parish members. It makes little sense to sign up for membership if no one in the family is Catholic. The members can expect pastoral care from their parish, including baptisms and funerals, weddings and anointing of the sick. The parish can also expect its members to maintain their faith. 

Membership Envelopes are the way that we can determine how many members we have. The amount of support we provide to the Diocese is dependent upon the number of members we have. If you no longer wish to be a member, please let us know so that we can remove you from the active member list.