Best City to Raise Catholic Family

[BlueEyedLady]

Eek! Lots of StL recommendations. It may have a strong Catholic community but you’ll sacrifice a lot for it. Its a very poor and extremely dangerous city. Its one of the most racially segregated in the world. Public transportation is next to useless. The economy is dying and the schools are terrible (except for maybe Clayton and Parkway). (And the Rams haven’t had a good season in a decade.)

Yes, there are some very nice areas. West County most notably, but you are never far from a slum.

However, there is lots of history there, lots of very good local restaurants, and by and large the people are friendly. And the few Catholic churches I’ve been in are gorgeous.

 

[yankeeredneck]

In my humble opinion, the best place to live for a Catholic is somewhere where you ARE challenged on your faith, such as the South. I was born in New York, but it was in the Atlanta area that I returned to the faith after 25 years adrift. I found the challenge and excitement of rediscovering my faith and finding I had to be one step ahead of my non-Catholic friends and acquaintances, who frequently include the question, “Where do you go to church?” in everyday chit chat. It is commonplace (and becomes comfortable) to invite someone to your church.

Without this wonderfully challenging environment, I doubt I would have kicked my cynical ways.

 

[irishpatrick]

It would seem with yesterday’s results, North Carolina just made the list.

 

[KarenElissa]

Eek! Lots of StL recommendations. … Public transportation is next to useless.

Would you care to elaborate on this bit? I’m planning on moving to St. Louis soon so have been looking at the public transit a lot (don’t have a car). It seems pretty decent from all I can tell, runs fairly often and for long hours. I’m curious to hear why it is so awful.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Would you care to elaborate on this bit? I’m planning on moving to St. Louis soon so have been looking at the public transit a lot (don’t have a car). It seems pretty decent from all I can tell, runs fairly often and for long hours. I’m curious to hear why it is so awful.

The metrolink doesn’t extend to the west suburbs. In fact, it only runs east and west. So you have to take busses everywhere else. And to be honest, there just aren’t enough busses to cover the city in a reasonable way. Going to south county or west county is hard, especially south. North isn’t bad because its extremely poor so there is a high demand for the bus services. A commute that would take 30-45 minutes in Chicago takes 2+ hours in StL. Just pick two points in the city and Google the public transit route. You’ll get the idea.

Its an awkward city because its big enough for good transportation, but because its so underused and the people who do use it are very poor there is no real incentive for it to be any good.

 

[SwizzleStick]

The metrolink doesn’t extend to the west suburbs. In fact, it only runs east and west. So you have to take busses everywhere else. And to be honest, there just aren’t enough busses to cover the city in a reasonable way. Going to south county or west county is hard, especially south. North isn’t bad because its extremely poor so there is a high demand for the bus services. A commute that would take 30-45 minutes in Chicago takes 2+ hours in StL. Just pick two points in the city and Google the public transit route. You’ll get the idea.

Its an awkward city because its big enough for good transportation, but because its so underused and the people who do use it are very poor there is no real incentive for it to be any good.

Have you lived in St. Louis? You seem to have a very negative opinion of the city? Did you form that opinion due to experiences living here? You do make several valid points about the actual city of St. Louis. My posts in support of St. Louis are regarding the suburbs and surrounding communities, not the city of St. Louis itself. In reading the posts of others who think the St. Louis area is a nice place to live and raise a Catholic family, it appears they too were thinking along the same lines.

I’ve used the Metrolink when we are doing recreational or touristy things downtown. It is nice for that and works fine for that, but it does need to be more extensive throughout the area, though it does run to more and more areas. Buses do run regularly downtown and elsewhere, but I am not a city dweller, nor do I take the bus, so I don’t really know much about schedules, reliability and such.

Here is infro to the Metrolink system:

metrostlouis.org/PlanYourTrip/SystemMap.aspx

As far as a commute taking 2+ hours in St. Louis, that is not the case, at least not in my experience. Sure, if there is a massive accident or a snowstorm, you might see a long commute, but that isn’t the daily norm. I used to drive about 50 miles to work from west St. Charles County to near Union Station before I got married and it normally took about 50-60 minutes or so to get to work or get home going that distance. I drove about 100 miles a day for years. The only time a daily commute took quite a bit longer for a significant amount of time was when the flood of '93 put Hwy. 40 under water and out of commission for several months and commuters had to take other routes and find other ways into the city. I did take the Metrolink back then a few times for a partial trip because of the heavy traffic on the highways that had to absorb Hwy. 40 commuter traffic due to the flood.

As far as crime in St. Louis, that is a reflection of the actual city of St. Louis. See info here:

St. Louis County Crime Map is Overdue
archcityhomes.com/2009/06/maryland-heights-hazelwood-crime-map/

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Yes. I lived and worked in StL for a number of years. I even graduated college there. I love the city, but it isn’t where I would want to raise a family.

My comment about commute times was regarding public transit only. Driving is actually very fast because of the interstate layout. All you really need is 70, 64, 170 and 270.

 

[AugustXVIII]

Not Atlanta, Georgia - that’s for sure. I go to Emory University here in the Druid Hills suburb of Atlanta, and a large amount of individuals are Jewish. We have so many Hillel Centers and synagogues in Atlanta. And the Catholics I have met here are not very devout and could care less about anything Catholic-affiliated.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Yes. I lived and worked in StL for a number of years. I even graduated college there. I love the city, but it isn’t where I would want to raise a family…

I love the community, but I wouldn’t want to raise a family in the actual city of St. Louis either. I grew up in a rural area, so the urban life is not for me, though my family views me as being a city girl now because I live in a suburb while most of them still live rurally.

…My comment about commute times was regarding public transit only. Driving is actually very fast because of the interstate layout. All you really need is 70, 64, 170 and 270.

Okay, I understand now. Thanks for the clarification.

Eek! Lots of StL recommendations. It may have a strong Catholic community but you’ll sacrifice a lot for it. Its a very poor and extremely dangerous city. Its one of the most racially segregated in the world. Public transportation is next to useless. The economy is dying and the schools are terrible (except for maybe Clayton and Parkway). (And the Rams haven’t had a good season in a decade.)

Yes, there are some very nice areas. West County most notably, but you are never far from a slum.

However, there is lots of history there, lots of very good local restaurants, and by and large the people are friendly. And the few Catholic churches I’ve been in are gorgeous.

I forgot to mention schools in St. Louis in my prior post (#65) in answer to your comment about terrible schools in St. Louis. Yes, the city public schools are terrible. But, that is not the case in the suburbs. You mentioned Clayton and Parkway schools as being good. Schools in the Rockwood and Lindbergh districts are excellent. Further west, Wentzville is a good district. Also, children can get a great education in many Catholic grade schools and high schools in St. Louis and there are a lot of them in the area from which to choose.

As far as the Rams, yes they haven’t been doing well for a number of years. In one of my prior posts when I referenced three major sports franchises in St. Louis, I almost posted that we had two major franchises and also the Rams, but decided against it.

 

[Megan7]

It would seem with yesterday’s results, North Carolina just made the list.

 

[KarenElissa]

The metrolink doesn’t extend to the west suburbs. In fact, it only runs east and west. So you have to take busses everywhere else. And to be honest, there just aren’t enough busses to cover the city in a reasonable way. Going to south county or west county is hard, especially south. North isn’t bad because its extremely poor so there is a high demand for the bus services. A commute that would take 30-45 minutes in Chicago takes 2+ hours in StL. Just pick two points in the city and Google the public transit route. You’ll get the idea.

Its an awkward city because its big enough for good transportation, but because its so underused and the people who do use it are very poor there is no real incentive for it to be any good.

Ok. I know I’ve been careful about where I’ve looked for apartments due to bus coverage. But I think most of it relates to what you are comparing it to. It seems to be much better than Tucson’s (much better hours/frequency and actually has a train), so I think I’ll be fine. So not as good as it could be, but I think better than I’m used to.

 

[MrsDDD]

Unfortunately, you are correct that dissident parishes and CINOs do exist in St. Louis. There was the fiasco with an old polish church. That situation has gone on for many years. There is ongoing scandal at another dissident church that supports women priests and homosexual lifestyles. We also had the situation with the hospital and the singer. And, we also had the basketball coach who publicly supported abortion and embryonic stem cell research. The local paper is liberal (of course) and articles are frequently written in such a way as to paint the Church as a villian, or at the very least as unattractively as possible. I could go on, I’m sure.

Your experience is very different from mine. I grew up in a very solidly conservative Catholic parish. I married into another very solidly conservative Catholic parish and there is where I am today. It is about 5 minutes away. So, I stand by my opinion that St. Louis is a great place to raise a Catholic family. We, like every other Catholic community in today’s world, do have problems. But, we also have a huge Catholic population and identity and many thriving and vibrant Catholic schools, parishes and communities here that are loyal to the authentic teachings of Holy Mother Church.

I actually came to St. Louis thinking that it was a great Catholic city. Unfortunately 85% of the Catholics I’ve met here, don’t attend Mass regularly, think contraception is OK, and don’t see anything wrong with female priests. I’ve been here 4 years (and have traveled/lived all over the country) and St. Louis by far is the most unwelcoming city I’ve ever been in. We live in the county and I would love to find a parish like the one you describe, would you mind telling me where you attend?

 

[MrsDDD]

Ok. I know I’ve been careful about where I’ve looked for apartments due to bus coverage. But I think most of it relates to what you are comparing it to. It seems to be much better than Tucson’s (much better hours/frequency and actually has a train), so I think I’ll be fine. So not as good as it could be, but I think better than I’m used to.

The public transit here is okay, it’s no NYC or DC but it works. I would look into express bus routes depending on where you are working. The more transfers you have to make the more likely you will have issues. We live in the county and my husband takes the bus to work most days (it picks up by our house and drops off in front of his work). It only takes about 15 minutes longer verses driving. But his work pays for the monthly pass and we save a ton of money on transportation costs. He actually likes the bus because he can take the time to de-stress before getting home.

 

[KarenElissa]

He actually likes the bus because he can take the time to de-stress before getting home.

Ya, people always look at me weird because I actually like the bus. I’m a big reader, so I’d much rather spend a bit longer on a bus and be able to read instead of a shorter drive in a car, but actually have to pay attention to the road. Add that to the MUCH lower cost of the bus, and I’m all for public transportation.

 

[SwizzleStick]

I actually came to St. Louis thinking that it was a great Catholic city. Unfortunately 85% of the Catholics I’ve met here, don’t attend Mass regularly, think contraception is OK, and don’t see anything wrong with female priests. I’ve been here 4 years (and have traveled/lived all over the country) and St. Louis by far is the most unwelcoming city I’ve ever been in. We live in the county and I would love to find a parish like the one you describe, would you mind telling me where you attend?

You mentioned a traditional Mass, so I don’t know if that is what you are looking for? If so, St. Francis de Sales Oratory is the place to go. Our parish does the Novus Ordo. If that is what you are looking for, I’ll PM you the name. I posted on another thread about the vibrancy of our parish and I’ll quote what it offers below.

Our parish offers many ways to be involved, to learn about and grow in our Faith and to become active in the Church and school community through participation in various devotions, activities and groups. I’ll list some of them in no particular order.

1 Vigil and 4 Sunday Masses weekly
1 Vigil and 4 Masses for Holy Days of Obligation
Weekday Mass twice daily (exception Saturday and some Tuesdays, then only one daily Mass offered)
Weekly Reconciliation
Twice yearly Reconciliation Service
Twice weekly devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Daily recitation of the Rosary
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration
Yearly Divine Mercy Sunday Service
Quarterly healing Mass with Communal Anointing of the Sick
Individual Anointing as needed upon request and in case of emergency
Stations of the Cross
Passion Play
Various Choirs for Sunday Masses
Funeral Choir
Funeral Luncheon Volunteer Group
Funeral Food Donation Group
Catholic Women of Faith
ACTS Group
ACTS Retreats for Men and for Women
Youth Group
Jr. High Youth Group
Liturgy of the Word for Children
Kids Celebrate Church
Liturgy Committee
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Lectors
Servers
Ushers
St. Ann Sodality
Art and Environment Committee
Widow/Widowers Group
Prayer Group
Prayer Chain (E-mail)
Focus on Faith
Respect Life Committee
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Wellness
Good Samaritan Program
St. Martha’s Team (Church cleaning)
Gardening Group (Grounds beatification)
Jonah Team (Prayer group approved by Pastor and trained by Archdiocese)
Various Bible Studies with the Pastor and Associate
Various Faith Sharing Groups
Knights of Columbus
Parish Library
RCIA
PSR
VBS
School Board
Girl Scouts (Questions being asked, but still active)
Boy Scouts
Homecoming
Parish Administration
Finance Committee
Stewardship Committee
Safe Environment Program
Scrip program
Technology Committee
Mother’s Club
PTO
Men’s Club
Baptism Class
Reconciliation Prep
First Eucharist Prep
Confirmation Prep
Marriage Prep
Athletics Association

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Ave Maria, Florida. The town was planned with a large church in the center, the facade of which displays sculptor Marton Varo’s 30-foot-tall sculpture of the Annunciation, depicting the Archangel Gabriel greeting the Virgin Mary with the words “Ave Maria”. It is a Catholic town built in conjunction with a Catholic University. The streets have names attributed to saints and other Catholic symbols. Can you possibly be more Catholic than Ave Maria?

 

[agapewolf]

About St. Louis, when people think of it, they are most likely talking about THE SUBURBS.

The “crime rate” for St. Louis includes East St Louis, but does not include the suburbs. The stats are way skewed and are not accurate at all.

I have 3 perpetual adoration chapels within 8 minutes of my house. The seminary is packed (they are expanding), there is an extremely vibrant youth ministry all over.

 

[ManOnFire]

I like your post!

Could you please specify on the board or via private message,
where that would be?

I like what you said, about innocence, the way it was meant to be

Thanks!

God Bless,

PAX

Look for catholic schools which have daily mass or mass several times per week for the kids. Weekday masses at school are usually only 35 minutes. Some parents think this much mass is too much, but when you start them early, the holiness grows on them, with them, and in them. Is there such a thing as too much peace and solemnity?

Like minded people want to keep their kids innocent longer. We all know what will happen eventually, but the later, the better.

Those enslaved into liberal lifestyles, i.e. the slums, are miles away and isolated. I wish I could help them, but they keep voting for more, then they wonder why these conditions are becoming more widespread, now sprawling into the white suburbs. We shouldn’t need to pay private school tuition in order to escape from the effects of the liberal machine, but that’s the cold hard reality.

 

[Hat4]

To answer your questions about the Lincoln and Omaha area I can give a brief run down. The Omaha diocese is a little more liberal but not bad. The Lincoln diocese is know to be more traditional. Bishop Bruskewitz of the Lincoln diocese is great but he is about to retire. Omaha has a lot more night life but the bad areas of Lincoln are safer than some of the nicer areas in many cities. Lincoln is a smaller city (maybe 250k) but feels even smaller.

 

[Hat4]

And if you like college football then Lincoln is for you. Even the head coach and some of his staff are Catholic.