On the Parish

 Patrick Neve's post called The Parish You Hate Might Need You became ground zero for one of those Catholic internet-genre discussions -- the kind where everyone can weigh in because everyone has some experience.    I've read a fair amount of commentary about it, most recently Amy Welborn's take:  Shop N Save.    

This isn't really a lead-in for my own take on the topic.   Maybe some other time.  

From what I gather on  Neve's substack, his apostolate is directed towards young Catholics who don't have a lot of time but are serious about their faith.    He has recently written a book called Save Your Parish.     So his post obviously reflects that imperative.

Those who disagree with him in varying degrees make the point that it is difficult to swim against the tide especially if the pastor or the parish board does not support you.     

I've also seen the point made that geographical location, these days, is rather arbitrary.   

Here is a brief history of the Parish in general.   

Here's a document that outlines the history and usage of the word in more detail:  The Parish in History.  

Here's the 1919 Catholic Encyclopedia's entry on the Parish.... both legal status and history.   

Here's the Canon Law on Parishes.  (that one has lots of hyperlinks, but this one is easier to read).   Amy Welborn, referencing this OSV explainer, makes the point that canon law is written from the point of view of the obligations of the Church institution, which must organize in such a way that every Catholic is incorporated into the geographical structure in some way.     There is no corresponding obligation to attend the individual church closest to one's geographical location.   It isn't addressed at all.

Basically, in this context, Pat Neve's post can only be read as an appeal, not any kind of prescription.     It may well be that one ought to participate as fully as one is able in the parish of which one is a member.   At least, I have never heard anyone argue the opposite.   But it doesn't seem like that parish has to be the one nearest to your current housing situation.    

I would guess that before Vatican II, and before long distance commutes and such things, you would tend to live and die in your neighborhood parish.   Why wouldn't you?  It was probably geared towards your ethnic culture and your demographic status.   You probably worshipped along with your extended family and the friends and neighbors you grew up with.    There would probably be multiple masses with times convenient to you, many associate priests to help the pastor, and less reason to venture outside of your local area.   A whole culture would be built up around your local church.   The culture would be relatively stable -- a new pastor wouldn't mean a wholesale change in how everything was done -- and it would be fairly similar to the faith traditions of your parents and grandparents.   Most of this no longer applies to most Catholics.     

The overall goal of Canon Law, and indeed ecclesial regulation in general, is the care of souls.   This is pre-eminent. 

If you are a young Catholic, or any Catholic, go to Sunday mass (which includes the Saturday vigil).   That's the precept.   And sometimes even that can be fairly heroic.