Pondering

I was thinking, how do we define our parishioners as part of OLPS?




1. Someone who goes to OLPS regularly? (eg. Mass every sunday.)

2. Someone who is actively involved in OLPS regularly? (eg. Serving in a ministry.)

3. Someone who is seen around in OLPS regularly by higher authorities?

4. Someone who is 'socially accepted' by members of the OLPS; viewed as active member of OLPS?

5. Someone who did not serve in OLPS or is serving other external ministries for an extended period of time but have served before in OLPS previously?

6. Someone who has not been to OLPS or any other catholic church for an extended period of time but was with OLPS/ the church previously?



So if we define parishioners of OLPS as someone who goes to OLPS regularly, then for theory sake, 90% of OLPS population are considered parishioners.
( We give 10% buffer as those who cannot make it regularly due to external commitments etc.)



If we define using number 1 and 2., then perhaps about 50%.
(a conservative theoretical estimate, given a parish population of 10,000++, 5000 is really a big estimate.)


If we define using number 1,2 and 3., then maybe about 40%.
( We assume that the person involved does not actively seek the presence of higher authorities.)


If we define using number 1,2,3 and 4., then maybe about ??%.
( This is definitely subjective. Results may vary.)


Now, look at point number 5. Point 5 states that perhaps someone like me, who has served OLPS before but currently am not, is to be considered 'secondary-OLPS parishioner' and not 'primary-parishioner' even if I go for mass in OLPS regularly, or consider in my opinion OLPS to be my home parish!

Simply because I did not fulfill criteria 2,3 and 4!

Alright, then without considering point 4 and bearing in mind conservative estimates, I am said to be outside of the 40% to be considered OLPS! Meaning 60% of the parishioners of OLPS also cannot be considered to be OLPS parishioners! Goodness!




I am aghast at the answers I get, reasons why I am not being recognised as a 'primary-OLPS parishioner' but a 'secondary-OLPS parishioner'. Always having to constantly endure the pain and suffering of being viewed through tinted lenses; one that seeks to label me with my ministerial affliations rather than my roots in my church.

No longer am I called OLPS first, but OLPS second.

Nevermind if Sylvester thinks he is OLPS first. As long as he is affliated to his ministerial works outside OLPS, we'll consider him that first and OLPS second. Nevermind if he once played a part in OLPS, the past is not of much significance to us. If he is not for us in OLPS, serving and putting his efforts here in OLPS, he is against us. That betrayer! Choosing to serve other ministries rather than those ministries in his own parish!

Oh, how radical. But sadly how true.