Letter of Good Standing

Pastor’s Explanation of the Purpose of
Letter of Good Standing
Letter of Permission

I often receive requests for a Letter of Permission allowing a parishioner to receive the Sacraments at other parishes at the request of their pastor. I also receive requests to sign a statement that a certain individual is a practicing Catholic and eligible to serve as a godparent, Confirmation sponsor, or RCIA sponsor. This is sometimes referred to as a Letter of Good Standing. A Catholic in “Good Standing” means that person attends Holy Mass regularly and, if married, were married in the Catholic Church. Sometimes we encounter that the person requesting my signature:

Has not registered in the parish,

Or has no record of any involvement in the parish,

Or has no record of attending Mass,

Or has moved to another area or has just arrived from another area and has no record of being involved either here or there.

This makes it very difficult for me to sign my name to something that I am not sure is true. I also don’t have canonical authority to provide the Letter of Permission if you are not registered or not living in the parish boundary. The reason the pastor of another parish requests a Letter of Permission to give the sacraments to non-parishioners is because he doesn’t have authority to do so.

The purpose of a Letter of Good Standing is to show that we value the example and commitment of godparents and sponsors, and it is hypocritical to stand up for someone when you either do not believe or practice what you profess. The letter assures the requesting parish that the person recommended is serious about his or her Catholic faith and will share that faith with the one to be baptized or confirmed. Therefore, please take note of the following guidelines for requests that you may make in this regard. If you want to be a parishioner of our parish and have not registered, please:


  • Register as a parishioner. If you like to register click here.
  • Become involved in some parish activity or ministry, if you are not already involved.
  • Fulfill your obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and contribute to one of our parishes in a way we can track (this is not to see how much you give, but that you are active and attend regularly). Click here for online giving information.
  • If you are an adult child of parents in our parishes, register yourself here or at the parish where you attend Mass regularly.
  • If you come from another parish and just moved here and would like us to offer a Letter of Good Standing for you, please bring some statement from your previous parish that you are a practicing parishioner there.
  • Finally, if you move or have moved out of our parishes, notify us that you have moved and register in the parish of the new location.


Finally, please note our parish registrations are to be used only by our parish and our diocese. In no way do we share the information you give us with the government or any outside organization.

Please understand that I welcome everyone and anyone. Catholic as well as non-Catholic can attend Holy Mass at St. Augustine and Sacred Heart parishes. The guideline above is helpful for me to exercise the duty of granting those requested letters from my conscience and my limited authority within the parishes.


Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Adam Ahern

LETTER OF GOOD STANDING FORM


Please complete the Letter of Good Standing Form below. Allow one week for processing and then greet Fr. Adam in person after Mass to discuss finalizing your request for the letter.