Pastor's Notes

Updated for September 2010

 

 

What is in the name?

I am often asked by expectant parents and grandparents about the Church’s rules regarding names for newborn babies. Many Catholics today are questioning why the church is allowing the so called “non-Christian” names to be used. In order for me to give you the Church’s stance on this matter, one must go to the Church’s “Canon Law” for a more definitive answer. In the Canon Law between 1917 to 1983, Canon 761 obliged pastors to require that a Christian name be given in Baptism. Christian names are those names taken from Saints or virtues. Today, however, church lay reads differently. Canon 855 of the church law which is currently in force states: “Parents, sponsors, and pastors are to see that a name foreign to a Christian mentality is not given.”

The emphasis has changed, as you can see. The current law of the church gives latitude to parents regarding the choice of baptismal names for their children. It also limits the discretion of the parish priest, except where a name is clearly opposed to the Christian faith. For example, if a name were satanic or one that the local culture would consider vulgar or obscene would not be allowed.

The Church has placed great trust in the parents’ religious sentiment and good judgement about bestowing names at baptism. So I encourage you to ask yourselves these questions:

• What will we be able to say to future generations about the names they were given?

• What does it say about our faith and values when the names of cities, liquors, soap opera personalities and rock stars become the names by which our children are known?

• What does it say about our faith when the names given to our children no longer speak of a heritage of holy men and women, but only echo the passing fancies of our secular culture?

• What does it say about our faith when how a name sounds is the most important reality?

Parents, the name you give to your child at baptism is an important responsibility given to you. You hand on your faith not only by what you say and do, but also by the way in which you name your children. You have the freedom to do so much good. The wealth of man and women who have lived over 4,000 years is open to you. I beg you, don’t sell your child short because of passing fads. Given them names they can look to for guidance and inspiration. When the choice is between Sarah and Sherry, Bridget and Brandy, Kilian or Kilroy, Tobias or Toby, please your children a name that can inspire them. There are many books in our Family Life Center library or you may visit the Daughters of St. Paul downtown to find books that contain treasures of good, prominent Christian names.


 

We received the following email from Bishop Guglielmone in reply to an email he received from a visitor to St. Joseph

This is the email from the visitor:

“Bishop Guglielmone,

Thank you for your service to Christ and His Church!

I am writing to share with you my wonderful experiences at St. Joseph Church in Charleston. We visit friends in Charleston occasionally, and when we do we attend Mass at St. Joseph. Its simple structure is home to a glowing church community. The friendliness and sense of community is unmatched by any other church we have attended. Father Gabe gives pointed homilies that “exhort” listeners, both comforting them and challenging them. This is truly a special church.

I look forward to my next trip down south.

Thank you for giving this parish the resources and the room to excel.

Greg

Lehigh Valley, PA”

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“Dear Greg,

I offer you many thanks for your email and your kind words for Father Gabe Smith and the St. Joseph parish family. Be assured that I will share your message of goodwill and appreciation with them.

Please keep the people, the clergy and the church in South Carolina in your prayers. We shall keep you in ours.

In the Lord’s Peace,

The Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone

Bishop of Charleston”

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To all my parish family, thank you for sharing the spirit of Christ with those who sit next to us in church every week and with those who come occasionally. You, the parish, are the church and you exemplify what Jesus has taught us - To love one another!

 

 

 

Think about it! If you have any questions, please send them to the church or you may e-mail me at my church address fathergabe@saintjosephchas.com

 

 

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