The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-01-29
New Parishes

The announcement today of the establishment
of four new parishes by the Most Reverend Bishop
is an important event in the Diocese of Columbus.
This move is indicative of the constantly growing
Catholic population in central Ohio and of need
which has been felt for long time. That these
and other parishes have not been established be
fore this time has been due chiefly to the lack Of
priests to do the work, to undertake the spiritual
direction and mnistration necessary in such units
Of the Church.
What is parish? 1t is. after the family, one OF
the fundamental organizational units Of the Church
True it depends upon the diocese of which II Is
part: but it is. nevertheless. the smallest area
designated by proper ecclesiastical authority and
governed by precise law Of the Church. lis princl
pal purpose is that the work Of Christ NAV be the
more effectively advanced amongst the souls Of the
parishioners who make up its membership. II IS
through this separate unit Of the Church that the
graces of God become more readily available TO the
people of the parish The greatest privilege OF the
parish is that Christ comes TO dwell in IFS midst
in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar Once the
parish is established in some kind Of church-no
matter how humble-provded then the altar. the
Tabernacle the Holy Sacrifice OF the Mass come
And that Altar. becomes the focal point Of the
parish Holy Mass is the important fun cton dav
after day for the pastor and bis people. Through
the Mass Our Lords presence in the Blessed Sac
rament is possible with the result that he dwells
in the Tabernacle more readily available to the
people Of this new i1ttte area Of the Church At
large He is there so that they might visit Him,
adore Him thank Him. and beg His help.
Added to this is the fact that when par
ish Is set up its pastor has the responsibility of Of
fering the Holy Sacrifice Of the Mass manv times
during the year for his people And it makes
difference what kind OF church building he and
his flock may have. II is the Mass that matters.
The building may he great and beautiful basiliea;
il may be small frame structure made at
tractve as the love and ability Of pastor and peo-
pie can make il for the Divine Guest Who will
dwell there. But great small. ornate or plain,
the parish church is the place where Mass is Of
fered for the people Of that area When they leave
It n attend Mass elsewhere on Sundays they go
where another pastor is offering Mass for his
people, while back "home" Mass is being offered
for the people gone away
II is privilege TO be part Of a parish.
Christs Church among men; it is taking a real
part in new missionary work. and will bring its
corresponding great BLESSINGS upon those who have
a part in it. Whatever sacrifices. Of nraver, labor,
finances made. will brine than ordinary
reward in this work just for the reason that il is
further advancement OF the Church and under
taken TO provide effectively for the salvation
Of souls Members Of the new Columbus parishes
are, therefore, in real truth TO be envied. No mat
ter how murh thev nav miss their former beauti-
full parish churches, for which thev have areadv
made many sacrifices they viii enter upon
this new and important work with even greater
love realizing what il means for themselves and
the closer union of souls with Christ in their
parish