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 they attend Holy Mass regularly and, if married, were married in the Catholic Church.  Sometimes we encounter that the person requesting my signature:

1. Has not registered in the parish, 
2. Or has no record of any involvement in the parish, 
3. Or has no record of attending Mass, 
4. Or has moved to another area or has just arrived from another area and has no record of being involved either here or there. 

1. Register as a parishioner. If you like to register click here. 
2. Become involved in some parish activity or ministry, if you are not already involved. 
3. Fulfill your obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and either use your envelope or a check that allows us to track your attendance (this is not to see how much you give, but that you attend regularly as good standing). 
4. If you are an adult child of parents in the parish, register yourself here or wherever you attend Mass.
5. 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. 
6. Finally, if you move, 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 here at St. Martin de Porres. 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 parish.

Sincerely in Christ
Rev. Fr. Justin Nguyen

Please complete the letter of good standing form. Scan and email to [email protected]. Allow one week after receipt of request in the parish office for processing.