Best Catholic Area in the US?

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Morwenna said:
Hi Kelly, It’s possible that you may have a local EWTN radio affiliate (“regular” radio on the FM/AM bands, not XM/Sirius).

Since you don’t have your location listed, I’ll just post the link to the station list and you can check to see if any are within range for you. They’re in alphabetical order by state:

ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp

Hope this helps 🙂
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Thank you for sharing. I got excited as I scrolled through the list but then found that there is only one in my entire state and it is more than 3 hrs away so it’s not in range.
 
jbenade said:
I’ll tell you where NOT to go - Denver, Colorado.

A beautiful basilica downtown. But many of the parishes might as well be evangelical churches. I mean, guitar masses, priests that act like rock stars or game show hosts. One of the parishes (nearest to me) doesn’t even have pews. They have garden mats - no, I’m not kidding - garden mats that you pick up on your way in (probably from The Home Depot or something) that they use for kneelers in front of metal folding chairs.

It’s Roman Catholic and all. So I always cross myself when I pass by it, which is often. But I also cringe just a tad.

Needless to say, I travel several miles out to a more traditional parish.
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The Catholic Church by my house does not have pews either. They have folding chairs that they don’t keep permanently set up. They call themselves “progressive” and warn newcomers as such. We travel 20 minutes to the next Catholic Church. They have pews but no kneelers. I would be so lost at the TLM. I travelled 30 minutes to the next parish for MCCW meetings. This is where I first saw bowing to the alter. They don’t do that at my church or any other church I’ve been a member of in my 35 years (lived here my whole life other than 2 years in elementary school when we moved and then moved back). Any who, I was so lost. It made me realize that I am missing so much. I thought about switching but they don’t offer many Mass options b/c they are a military chapel that has to share with Protestant services. My husbands schedule is so crazy that we can’t stick with one time. He works most Saturdays and Sundays but his shift rotates.
 
So sorry for you, Kelly, on the Church situation where you are.

While I’m just a 2 year convert (actually revert since I was baptized in the Church), I’m still in the learning curve here. But what I do know is that Vat II changed things a lot, I think in an effort to keep the youth, or bring them in. At any rate, they “bended” a lot for the, yes, “progressive types.” And I do find that sad.
 
KellyPalmer said:
The Catholic Church by my house does not have pews either. They have folding chairs that they don’t keep permanently set up. They call themselves “progressive” and warn newcomers as such. We travel 20 minutes to the next Catholic Church. They have pews but no kneelers. I would be so lost at the TLM. I travelled 30 minutes to the next parish for MCCW meetings. This is where I first saw bowing to the alter. They don’t do that at my church or any other church I’ve been a member of in my 35 years (lived here my whole life other than 2 years in elementary school when we moved and then moved back). Any who, I was so lost. It made me realize that I am missing so much. I thought about switching but they don’t offer many Mass options b/c they are a military chapel that has to share with Protestant services. My husbands schedule is so crazy that we can’t stick with one time. He works most Saturdays and Sundays but his shift rotates.
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Well, that certainly explains why you want to find a different area. Our church, while it was still being built, would meet in a school gym and a “Holy Fire Hall” and would have a grab-your-own-kneeler deal as well, but it was a temporary solution and our parish is not what you would call progressive or liberal or anything other than orthodox.

But yeah…that’s crazy what some churches consider acceptable practice. Blargh.
 
KellyPalmer said:
Thank you for sharing. I got excited as I scrolled through the list but then found that there is only one in my entire state and it is more than 3 hrs away so it’s not in range.
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Can you listen online? Try this: avemariaradio.net It’s not completely EWTN, but it’s still really good Catholic radio.
 
KellyPalmer, I read the first few pages of the thread, and haven’t read the middle section. So forgive me if I repeat what someone else has recommended.

I recommend the Diocese of Rockford, up in Northern Illinois, as “best Catholic area in the U.S.”

It’s a pretty big diocese geographically, and encompasses wealthy Chicago suburbs (West suburbs), small cities like Rockford, many small towns like Belvidere, Marengo, Oregon, Byron, Winnebago, and lots of farming areas.

Our bishops have worked very hard to maintain correct liturgies in the parishes. From what I understand from older Catholics, we are fortunate that we don’t have to worry about how our Masses are done. I agree–I travel quite a bit, and although I haven’t seen any “clown” Masses, I have seen irregularities and abuses in Masses in other states. It’s always good to come home.

We have several parishes in the diocese with the TLM, and the Latin Mass has been offered in our city for almost 20 years now. I don’t think there is a lot of interest in Latin Mass here, perhaps (?) because we are in “Willowcreek Country,” and many of the Christians, Catholic and Protestant, have been influenced by this and are more interested in “contemporary Christianity” rather than “ancient Christianity.”

Good Catholic schools, a big homeschool movement among the Catholics. Watch out for the public schools in Rockford–a deseg lawsuit drained them of resources, and for the most part, the public schools are not fit for children or teens. But there are great public schools in a lot of the small towns, and of course, the Chicago suburbs are top-notch in the public schools.

We have a surplus of vocations in the Rockford diocese, which tells me that the Church is thriving here and doing a lot of things right!

It’s a fairly cheap place to live. Jobs are hard to come by in our city, but they are there if you have the right skills. Right now, our city is experiencing a critical shortage of workers who have trades–welding, especially and other industrial skills.

Check it out. 🙂
 
jbenade said:
I’ll tell you where NOT to go - Denver, Colorado.

A beautiful basilica downtown. But many of the parishes might as well be evangelical churches. I mean, guitar masses, priests that act like rock stars or game show hosts. One of the parishes (nearest to me) doesn’t even have pews. They have garden mats - no, I’m not kidding - garden mats that you pick up on your way in (probably from The Home Depot or something) that they use for kneelers in front of metal folding chairs.

It’s Roman Catholic and all. So I always cross myself when I pass by it, which is often. But I also cringe just a tad.

Needless to say, I travel several miles out to a more traditional parish.
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Wow, way different than how I view Denver. Sure, LOTW (Light of the world) has those kneelers, but they are improving with a central tabernacle, and plans to remodel. I think Arch Bishop Chaput did a lot to bring traditional back to most local parishes. Although, I am faithful to my parish (OLF); where I was Baptised, confirmed, and had my Nuputial Masss … It is a blessing to have a good parish. My view is that the parish is only as good as what the people (layety & religious) put into it.
 
Kelly, St. Louis is my recommendation. We are home to Kenrick Seminary which has a fine reputation for the formation of priests, and a surprising number of convents and monasteries within the Archdiocese-Carmelite nuns, Poor Clare nuns, Passionist nuns, Holy Spirit Adoration nuns, and Redemptoristine nuns, Benedictine monks, Franciscans and Dominicans, and more that escape me right now. The cost of living is very reasonable, and there are so many other cultural and recreational opportunities in the area that are afffordable and convenient. Catholic health care facilities surround the St. Louis suburbs. Multiple interstate highways connect through St. Louis for relatively easy cross country road trips.đź‘Ť
 
I would second Lincoln or Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha is a very Catholic area with several Catholic High Schools and education opportunities. In addition, it is a great place to live and raise a family.

Also, with respect to St. Louis, I don’t know much about the city itself, but the new Cathedral there is absolutely amazing!
 
Kidd_Deuce said:
I would second Lincoln or Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha is a very Catholic area with several Catholic High Schools and education opportunities. In addition, it is a great place to live and raise a family.

Also, with respect to St. Louis, I don’t know much about the city itself, but the new Cathedral there is absolutely amazing!
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Are there a lot of homeschoolers there?

My brother is thinking of moving there, but he wants an easy state to homeschool, with homeschooling co-ops, etc. Thanks 🙂
 
I think you’ve first of all really got to evaluate whether and whither God is calling you go and be.

Denver is probably the most vibrant large archdiocese in the country. In terms of smaller dioceses, Lincoln, NE and Knoxville, TN are probably best. Those three cities are, obviously, very different from each other. Knoxville has the whole Bible-belt thing working for it, if the ambient culture matters a lot to you.

In terms of Denver, I wouldn’t put too much stock into the anti-Denver post above. I have no clue what they’re talking about, and virtually everybody who pays attention to this sort of stuff acknowledges Denver to be a true model for evangelical Catholic life. The seminaries (yes, we have two of them), are both quite full. George Weigel called it the most evangelical diocese in the country, or something to that effect. I actually go to Mass during the week with Jason Evert. The Church here is a gem, even if the area is rather secular.

Also, homeschooling in Colorado is quite a big deal. My wife and I will likely homeschool.
 
Colorad007 said:
I think you’ve first of all really got to evaluate whether and whither God is calling you go and be.

Denver is probably the most vibrant large archdiocese in the country. In terms of smaller dioceses, Lincoln, NE and Knoxville, TN are probably best. Those three cities are, obviously, very different from each other. Knoxville has the whole Bible-belt thing working for it, if the ambient culture matters a lot to you.

In terms of Denver, I wouldn’t put too much stock into the anti-Denver post above. I have no clue what they’re talking about, and virtually everybody who pays attention to this sort of stuff acknowledges Denver to be a true model for evangelical Catholic life. The seminaries (yes, we have two of them), are both quite full. George Weigel called it the most evangelical diocese in the country, or something to that effect. I actually go to Mass during the week with Jason Evert. The Church here is a gem, even if the area is rather secular.

Also, homeschooling in Colorado is quite a big deal. My wife and I will likely homeschool.
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Thanks, is it easy to homeschool there?
Do you think Colorado will approve of gay marriage in the future? Thank you.

I would love to know which states have a law on the books against gay marriage?
I think that when thinking of good Catholic cities, states, that is important.
God bless:)
 
Cat said:
KellyPalmer, I read the first few pages of the thread, and haven’t read the middle section. So forgive me if I repeat what someone else has recommended.

I recommend the Diocese of Rockford, up in Northern Illinois, as “best Catholic area in the U.S.”

It’s a pretty big diocese geographically, and encompasses wealthy Chicago suburbs (West suburbs), small cities like Rockford, many small towns like Belvidere, Marengo, Oregon, Byron, Winnebago, and lots of farming areas.

Our bishops have worked very hard to maintain correct liturgies in the parishes. From what I understand from older Catholics, we are fortunate that we don’t have to worry about how our Masses are done. I agree–I travel quite a bit, and although I haven’t seen any “clown” Masses, I have seen irregularities and abuses in Masses in other states. It’s always good to come home.

We have several parishes in the diocese with the TLM, and the Latin Mass has been offered in our city for almost 20 years now. I don’t think there is a lot of interest in Latin Mass here, perhaps (?) because we are in “Willowcreek Country,” and many of the Christians, Catholic and Protestant, have been influenced by this and are more interested in “contemporary Christianity” rather than “ancient Christianity.”

Good Catholic schools, a big homeschool movement among the Catholics. Watch out for the public schools in Rockford–a deseg lawsuit drained them of resources, and for the most part, the public schools are not fit for children or teens. But there are great public schools in a lot of the small towns, and of course, the Chicago suburbs are top-notch in the public schools.

We have a surplus of vocations in the Rockford diocese, which tells me that the Church is thriving here and doing a lot of things right!

It’s a fairly cheap place to live. Jobs are hard to come by in our city, but they are there if you have the right skills. Right now, our city is experiencing a critical shortage of workers who have trades–welding, especially and other industrial skills.

Check it out. 🙂
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Thought you would like to know I’ve lived in that area, I’ve lived in Polo, Amboy, Dixon,Dekalb, and I converted to catholicism in Dekalb at the NIU Newman student center
and went to the TLM at the catholic church across from the Rockford rescue mission.
Beautiful service.
 
I’ve read all of the responses and am checking out each of the areas mentioned. Thank you for taking the time to share information. This has been very helpful!
 
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