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Parish Policy Q & As
Do I have to be registered to attend St. Ambrose Parish?
No. All Catholics are welcome to worship with us without registration.
However, there are good reasons to become a registered parishioner in
the parish.
First, you need to be registered to enroll children in any of our sacramental programs. Also, an adult who is requesting a sacrament, especially marriage, needs to be registered.
Second, being a registered parishioner allows greater access to parish resources such as Rate I Tuition in our school, and the use of the Parish Hall for private events.
Does being registered automatically mean that I am
a parishioner in good standing?
Not necessarily. Those who are formally registered, attend Mass
weekly, and accept a financial obligation to the parish appropriate to
their means are considered active members in good standing.
Do I need to live in the territorial boundaries of
the parish to be a registered parishioner?
No. If you reside outside of the parish boundaries, you may register
as a parishioner.
How do I become a registered
parishioner?
You may use the form here [LINK]
to register. Or you may pick one up at the rectory or in the vestibule
of the Church.
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What do I need to do to have my child baptized?
You need to be either a registered parishioner in good standing or the child of an active parishioner in good standing. In the case of the latter, you will need a letter from your own pastor granting permission for you to have your child baptized at St. Ambrose.Do I need to attend baptismal preparation class?
If this is your first child, there is a baptismal preparation program you will need to attend. This is offered in both English and Spanish. If you are from outside the parish, you may attend your own parish preparation program, or that offered at St. Ambrose. If this is not your first child, you will still need to meet with one of our priests prior to the baptism.Are Godparents necessary?
Yes. For children, two sponsors are needed. They may be one man or one woman or two of the same sex. Also, at least one of the sponsors must be a practicing Catholic above the age of 16. If one of the sponsors is not a Catholic, they must be a baptized person in good standing with their own Christian denomination.May visiting clergy do the baptism?
Yes. A relative or friend of the family who is either a Catholic priest or deacon may administer the sacrament with the permission of the pastor.
Who can request a wedding at St. Ambose?
First, you must be a practicing Catholic. Next, if you are a registered member of the parish in good standing, or if your parents are currently registered parishioners in good standing, you may request a wedding by first contacting one of our clergy. This contact must be at least 6 months prior to your planned wedding.Are there any restrictions on when the wedding can be celebrated at St. Ambrose?
Saturdays are normally reserved for weddings either in the morning or early afternoon. There are no weddings allowed after 2:30 p.m. Also, weddings are discouraged during the seasons of Advent and Lent and the weeks following both Christmas and Easter.What is required to prepare for the wedding?
Couples must meet with the parish priest as he deems needed, participate in a marriage preparation program, complete the prenuptial questionnaire and comply with the civil license requirement.Can a Catholic married in a civil ceremony be remarried in the church?
Yes. A Catholic can have their civil marriage validated by the Church. This is done in consultation with the parish priest. However, a Church wedding in such circumstances should be kept simple.Can a priest or deacon from outside St. Ambrose officiate at the wedding?
Yes. However the parish priests at St. Ambrose, as representative of the parish community, should be given priority. Also, before any visiting clergy is invited to officiate, the permission of the pastor must be given because any visiting clergy must have delegation from the pastor to officiate at the wedding.Can a minister of another Christian denomination or rabbi officiate at the celebration?
No. The minister who officiates must be a Catholic priest or deacon. However, clergy from other traditions may participate.Can musicians other than those at St. Ambrose provide music for the ceremony?
Yes, but we ask that priority be given to our parish musicians. Also, no secular music is allowed during the liturgy.
Can anyone request a funeral at St. Ambrose?
Normally, only parishioners may have a funeral at St. Ambrose. However, requests from others, especially former parishioners, will be given due consideration after consultation with the pastor.Is cremation allowed?
Yes. Though not the norm for Catholics, it is allowed, and the cremated remains are permitted in the Church. After the funeral the remains must be interred in a cemetery plot, in the same way that a body would be. If you are considering cremation, we do ask that you consult with the parish clergy prior to making this decision. The consultation is often helpful during this difficult time.Can musicians other than those at St. Ambrose provide music for the funeral liturgy?
Yes, but we ask that priority be given to our parish musicians. Also, no secular music is allowed during the funeral liturgy.
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