Episcopalian adrift looking at joining Catholic church

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Hi guys If this is the incorrect section of the forum for my question please forgive me.

I am married with 3 amazing children. Our children are home schooled. Most of our activities are church related. We are a conservative family, and are really struggling in our church. Often at church and society we feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes.

My wife and I have discussed at great length about joining the Catholic church. I guess my main question is about finding a parish. It is our hope to not only find a church we enjoy, but one that we hopefully will fit in.

Does anyone know of any conservative parishes in South Dallas or South of Dallas. We really enjoy what we would call Hi-Mass. Ie. sung service often gospel is chanted, incense used on regular basis. Women are typically veiled and men dress conservatively.

More important then worship practices is a parish with strong youth programs. Possible a homeschool group.

I am familiar with Mater Dei. It is a fssp parish, and seems in many ways a good fit, but It is about 20 miles from our house. I know in the past it was (might still be) frowned upon to not go to the parish in your local area. We do have one about 10miles from our house.

We also thought about checking out a church in the Anglican Ordinariate. The closest is roughly 30 miles away.

Thanks everyone for their help

Pax
 
kbpipes said:
Hi guys If this is the incorrect section of the forum for my question please forgive me.

I am married with 3 amazing children. Our children are home schooled. Most of our activities are church related. We are a conservative family, and are really struggling in our church. Often at church and society we feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes.

My wife and I have discussed at great length about joining the Catholic church. I guess my main question is about finding a parish. It is our hope to not only find a church we enjoy, but one that we hopefully will fit in.

Does anyone know of any conservative parishes in South Dallas or South of Dallas. We really enjoy what we would call Hi-Mass. Ie. sung service often gospel is chanted, incense used on regular basis. Women are typically veiled and men dress conservatively.

More important then worship practices is a parish with strong youth programs. Possible a homeschool group.

I am familiar with Mater Dei. It is a fssp parish, and seems in many ways a good fit, but It is about 20 miles from our house. I know in the past it was (might still be) frowned upon to not go to the parish in your local area. We do have one about 10miles from our house.

We also thought about checking out a church in the Anglican Ordinariate. The closest is roughly 30 miles away.

Thanks everyone for their help

Pax
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I cannot strongly enough recommend Mater Dei. You will be blown away by Fr. Wolfe.

It’s a bit of a hike, yes, but I don’t see why anyone would frown on it!
 
I’m not in that area but I’m so excited that you’re considering Catholicism! Welcome welcome welcome!
 
I don’t know about Mater Dei specifically but if you are drawn to the Solemn High Mass then an FSSP parish or Anglican Ordinate parish would be the way to go. Its also possible that the local parishes might be conservative and have masses that have all the “bells and smells” (i.e. chant, incense, etc.), but often requires you to do some shopping around since there are a much greater variation in the liturgical practices in Ordinary Form parishes.

We drive about 30 miles once a month to attend an FSSP parish (basically driving through 4 separate territorial parishes). My wife also goes to daily mass there on occasion as well as belonging to the homeschooling group. While some will say you should primarily (possibly only) attend your territorial parish you generally won’t get a ton of grief if you don’t.

My hope and prayers that you find the answers you are seeking
 
I was where you are in 1992. I came into full communion with the Church 20 years ago this October. I just wanted to post to encourage you.

I joined my local parish (OF Mass) and just moved right into life in that parish even though there is an Anglican Use parish very close to where I lived (Houston, TX). I guess at the time I wanted some distance so that I would not still “feel” or “think” of myself as Episcopal.

Now it is a moot point because I live in a rural community and there is basically one church and one mass.
 
An Ordinariate church would be worth considering. It most likely won’t have a large youth group and with the KJV Bible and Prayers probably won’t be growing one. Beautiful worship for adults though!
 
SteveLy said:
An Ordinariate church would be worth considering. It most likely won’t have a large youth group and with the KJV Bible and Prayers probably won’t be growing one. Beautiful worship for adults though!
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Does the Anglican Ordinariate really use KJV? What about the deuterocanon?
 
Hello kbpipes,

We have an Episcopalian lady in our weekly Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. She is one of the regulars, and she claims not to be an Anglian or Catholic. I’m lost for words when talking to her. Seems like she should join the Roman Cathic Church if she is there with us every week? The nearest Catholic Church that has the Latin Mass every day is 30 miles one way through heavy traffic.
 
@kbpipes: it looks like there are at least four Anglican Use masses in TX. The principal church is in Houston, one is in Fort Worth, one is in Arlington, and one in Cleburne/Granbury

usordinariate.org/communities.html

I am sure the Anglican use does not use KJV.

Also, as regards as youth group, the Anglican Use community which we attend has two families with seven kids, one with six, several with five, four, etc. Not sure why anyone would think there would not be a strong youth group presence just on facts presented. Next, I think kids appreciate a reverent liturgy, whether NO, TLM, or Anglican Use.
 
Going to a parish outside your geographic area isn’t frowned upon so much anymore- in fact, I don’t know anyone who bats and eye at it, actually…
 
Just left the Episcopal Church myself – between Katherine Ragsdale and Bishop Sprong – :eek:

Don’t know about your area, but here the most conservative, Latin mass (with the incense, women with prayer veils on their heads, etc) seem to be the Anglican Catholic hybrid.

Best to you!
 
Well last Sunday we attended Mater Dei. It was enjoyable… Obviously different, but not foreign… Overall a good experience. We ended up going to low Mass…My children liked it. It was very different from their experiences with church. They enjoyed the homily. Overall were excited with seeing so many children.

We will be going back to visit.

thanks everyone for their responses.
 
I believe, but am not 100% sure, that Mater Dei is now a extra-territorial parish in the Dallas diocese. That means it is open to all, regardless of your residence location, as your home parish if you so choose.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. We have been visiting a few parishes. Talking with a few priests. I have resigned my position in the Episcopal Church, and have been released from my religious obligations.

After some private council we are going to be received into the Church soon. Actually we could have on the Feast of the Assumption but chose to slow down a bit. It is good to not rush something so important.

I guess my question is, and maybe this in not to correct place. If not please forgive me. While filling out a Catechism Registration form for my children the question comes up my religion. Would it be a correct line in thinking I should put Catholic down? Honestly I doubt it matters much, but being someone who puts great intention in what I do. I find importance in correct representation.

Thanks again everyone
 
My children and I are also leaving the Episcopal Church. In fact, we visited our old parish today–that more than demonstrated our journey to Catholicism is the right choice!

I just started RCIA and the kids start next Sunday.

All the best to you and to your family!!! :grouphug:
 
Dear kbpipes,

I realize I am coming into this thread late, but am curious as to which church you found best for your family. We are in a similar situation. I am a convert from Episcopalianism, and we have 2 boys, ages 11 and 15 and will be homeschooling soon. Searching in the Dallas area for the right church for our family.

Thanks,

Rachel
 
Hi Rachel.

I would love to point out some pottentialy good parishes. And some homeschool catholic groups. For sake of things getting personal regarding family needs and your location. I think sending you a pm would be best.

I hope for the best for you and your family.
 
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