Looking ahead to when our Family of Parishes becomes one canonical parish with 5 churches, we will need a name other than NW-2. The Beacons of Light recommendation is that Families discern a name now so as to help with forming one community of faith and establishing a common identity. Naming a new canonical parish does not change the individual church names.
Looking to the future, many have asked questions about the requirements for naming parishes with the idea that the name selected for a Family of Parishes at this time would one day be the name of a new canonical parish.
- In the document De Patronis constituendis (Sacra Congregatio Pro Culto Divino, 19 March 1973, n. 3) parishes are identified as places for which a heavenly patron can be chosen. The following are identified as possible patrons: the Blessed Virgin Mary, under some title already accepted into the sacred liturgy, the Angels, and the Saints. A “Blessed” may only be chosen as a patron with an indult granted by the Apostolic See. The three Divine Persons are always excluded from possible patrons, because the patron is to be the principal intercessor for the people of the place before the Divine Persons themselves (cf. ibid., n.4).
- There should be only one principal patron. However, when two or more saints are inscribed in the Roman Calendar together, they may together be chosen as the principal patrons (e.g. Saints Basil and Gregory or Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany) (cf. ibid., n. 5).
- The diocesan bishop must approve the selection of a heavenly patron for a parish (cf. ibid., n. 7).
- Parishes traditionally are named according to their patron or patroness or according to the title of the parochial church, and this is the practice which will be followed when a new canonical parish is formed. (e.g. Saint Mary Magdalene Parish).
- As a reminder, the titles of churches do not change once they are dedicated, except with an indult from the Apostolic See (canon 1218, CIC 1983). The process of merging parishes or creating a new parish does not change the title of already existing churches.
For more information visit
https://pathway.catholicaoc.org/pathway-tools/family-of-parish-names
A valid vote requires a parishioner’s signature and to be filled out at Mass and placed in the collection box. The collection boxes will be out the weekend of Palm Sunday, April 1st and 2nd.
St Gaspar del Bufalo founded the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in Rome in 1815. In 1844, the first group of Precious Blood priests set out for the Diocese of Cincinnati. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood eventually founded many of the churches in Auglaize and Mercer counties, including all five of the churches in our parish family. Precious Blood themes include missions, building up community and devotion to the Eucharist. St Gaspar ministered to the working class citizens in Rome, and the Missionaries of the Precious Blood still bring God’s love to people throughout the world. The naming committee discerned St Gaspar del Bufalo as a possible family name due to the Precious Blood influence in founding our hard working parishes and the need for our parishes to come together to build one community while recognizing the centrality of the Eucharist.
St. Isidore is the patron saint of farmers and rural communities. St. Isidore had a strong commitment to family, a love of the land, and a deep spirituality centered in the Eucharist.. He was known for his devotion to his faith, praying often and attending Mass daily before going out to work in the fields. St. Isidore shared what he had by giving meals to the poor. His wife, Maria, always kept a pot of stew over the fire because of Isidore’s habit of bringing home beggars to dinner. The naming committee discerned St. Isidore as a possible family name in correlation with all of our parishes residing in rural farming communities, our commitment to family, and recognizing the importance of helping those in need.
Blessed Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991 and died on October 12, 2006. He lived in Milan. From a young age, Carlo seemed to have a special love for God, even though his parents weren’t especially devout. His mom said she had been to Mass only 3 times in her life before Carlo was born. Carlo’s unique and unexplained devotion led to her deep conversion. Carlo would drag his parents and family to daily Mass! He had a gift for empathy and was known for defending kids at school who got picked on, especially disabled kids. He loved soccer and video games, but only allowed himself 1 hour per week playing video games. He had a great devotion to Mary and loved to pray the rosary. He loved the Eucharist and was fascinated by Eucharistic miracles. Using his research, he began creating what would eventually become a website to catalog and share the information about the miracles with others. When Carlo went to the hospital before he was diagnosed with leukemia he told his parents that he would not make it out alive, and he dedicated his life and suffering to Pope Benedict XVI and the Catholic Church. It is thought that he will be canonized a Saint in the not too distant future. The naming committee discerned Blessed Carlo Acutis as a possible family name because of his devotion to the Eucharist, his impact on families, and his being a role model for the youth of our parishes.
