Parish

A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular church (diocese). The pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop (CCC 2179).

The Center of Liturgical Life

The parish is the place where all the faithful can be gathered together for the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. It initiates the Christian people into the ordinary expression of the liturgical life, gathers them in this celebration, teaches Christ's saving doctrine, and practices the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love. It is the ordinary environment where the Christian life is nurtured and lived (CCC 2179).