The Parish in the Life of the Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of parishes as follows:
“A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular church; the pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop. (CIC 515) It is the place where all the faithful can be gathered together for the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. The parish initiates the Christian people into the ordinary expression of the liturgical life: it gathers them together in this celebration; it teaches Christ’s saving doctrine; it practices the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love.” (CCC 2179)
A Catholic parish does not exist simply for itself: it exists to glorify God and to share his message of salvation with the local area. The priests and lay faithful of a parish share in the work of the local Church by:
- Offering the Father fitting praise through the faithful celebration of the sacraments and lives of fervent prayer;
- Sharing the Good News of Christ with their neighbours;
- Educating their children in the faith;
- Serving those in spiritual or material need, especially the poor and the outcast;
- Supporting the material needs of the parish.
St Francis Xavier Parish includes all or part of the suburbs of Armadale, Ashendon, Atwell, Banjup, Bedfordale, Brookdale, Byford, Cardup, Darling Downs, Forrestdale, Haynes, Hilbert, Jandakot, Jarrahdale, Karrakup, Mardella, Mount Nasura, Mount Richon, Mundijong, Oakford, Oldbury, Piara Waters, Serpentine, Seville Grove, Treeby, Whitby, and Wungong.
