Follow-Up on My Question Re Dress (and Selecting a Church)

[terilamb]

I see someone closed the thread I started yesterday, but I just wanted to say I appreciate all the kind responses to my late night question. As I had mentioned, I didn’t know what to do when I Googled “should women wear slacks in a Catholic church” and saw the negative articles that came up. I did go ahead with my plan to attend a 9:30 mass at a church I had not yet attended (the location of which is not the most convenient, but I had read very positive feedback about the services and pastor). Of course, there were some similarities to the Lutheran services I am used to, but a lot of differences. I sat next to a lady who was very pleasant and helpful, and encouraged me to go forward for a blessing at communion, which I did. Also, she wore slacks as did several other ladies I noticed, and no one seemed to think anything of it.

So now I’ve visited all three Catholic churches within a reasonable distance of where I live (7 to 17 miles). I still don’t have a clear indicatiion of where God would have me attend long-term. The church I attended today is much larger than what I am used to, though I guess that is the case with many Catholic churches since there are less of them. And I know one visit is not enough to really know. Hopefully this will become more clear to me in the coming weeks. Thanks again. Teresa

 

[runningdude]

Hi Terri,

Hope you find a home parish soon. You may, of course, attend any parish you wish in general, although I suppose you are looking into which parish to attend RCIA at. You may also wear any modest outfit of your choice. There is no dress code code for mass.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I see someone closed the thread I started yesterday, but I just wanted to say I appreciate all the kind responses to my late night question. As I had mentioned, I didn’t know what to do when I Googled “should women wear slacks in a Catholic church” and saw the negative articles that came up. I did go ahead with my plan to attend a 9:30 mass at a church I had not yet attended (the location of which is not the most convenient, but I had read very positive feedback about the services and pastor). Of course, there were some similarities to the Lutheran services I am used to, but a lot of differences. I sat next to a lady who was very pleasant and helpful, and encouraged me to go forward for a blessing at communion, which I did. Also, she wore slacks as did several other ladies I noticed, and no one seemed to think anything of it.

So now I’ve visited all three Catholic churches within a reasonable distance of where I live (7 to 17 miles). I still don’t have a clear indicatiion of where God would have me attend long-term. The church I attended today is much larger than what I am used to, though I guess that is the case with many Catholic churches since there are less of them. And I know one visit is not enough to really know. Hopefully this will become more clear to me in the coming weeks. Thanks again. Teresa

I am delighted to read this note. Thank you for telling us what happened. I am glad your experience was so positive. As I said in my note before, it is perfectly normal for women to wear slacks and pantsuits to our parishes in this day and age – we are not in the 1940s, after all.

I shall pray for you as you decide where you feel most at home among the parishes you are visiting.

If you have the opportunity, I might suggest visiting each parish for a weekday Mass. The group attending Mass on a weekday is much smaller and it allows you to encounter the priest and the congregation on a smaller and more human scale than the typical Sunday Mass.

God bless you.

 

[HelenRose]

I see someone closed the thread I started yesterday, but I just wanted to say I appreciate all the kind responses to my late night question. As I had mentioned, I didn’t know what to do when I Googled “should women wear slacks in a Catholic church” and saw the negative articles that came up. I did go ahead with my plan to attend a 9:30 mass at a church I had not yet attended (the location of which is not the most convenient, but I had read very positive feedback about the services and pastor). Of course, there were some similarities to the Lutheran services I am used to, but a lot of differences. I sat next to a lady who was very pleasant and helpful, and encouraged me to go forward for a blessing at communion, which I did. Also, she wore slacks as did several other ladies I noticed, and no one seemed to think anything of it.

So now I’ve visited all three Catholic churches within a reasonable distance of where I live (7 to 17 miles). I still don’t have a clear indicatiion of where God would have me attend long-term. The church I attended today is much larger than what I am used to, though I guess that is the case with many Catholic churches since there are less of them. And I know one visit is not enough to really know. Hopefully this will become more clear to me in the coming weeks. Thanks again. Teresa

I expect that any kind of dress code would be determined by where you live. Here in Western Colorado slacks are okay. Even on Easter, ladies were nice slacks with pretty blouses.

 

[otjm]

I see someone closed the thread I started yesterday, but I just wanted to say I appreciate all the kind responses to my late night question. As I had mentioned, I didn’t know what to do when I Googled “should women wear slacks in a Catholic church” and saw the negative articles that came up. I did go ahead with my plan to attend a 9:30 mass at a church I had not yet attended (the location of which is not the most convenient, but I had read very positive feedback about the services and pastor). Of course, there were some similarities to the Lutheran services I am used to, but a lot of differences. I sat next to a lady who was very pleasant and helpful, and encouraged me to go forward for a blessing at communion, which I did. Also, she wore slacks as did several other ladies I noticed, and no one seemed to think anything of it.

So now I’ve visited all three Catholic churches within a reasonable distance of where I live (7 to 17 miles). I still don’t have a clear indicatiion of where God would have me attend long-term. The church I attended today is much larger than what I am used to, though I guess that is the case with many Catholic churches since there are less of them. And I know one visit is not enough to really know. Hopefully this will become more clear to me in the coming weeks. Thanks again. Teresa

May God bless you on your journey.

The Internet is not always a good place to look for information, if for no other reason than that anyone can post on it their own opinion. Some people have one opinion, others have a different one, and some even have two or three opinions on a matter. However, unless you know the source, you have no idea whether or not the poster has any official information, and if they do, whether or not it is accurate and up to date.

Some wag once said “Catholics! Here comes everybody!” and there is truth in that statement.

At least for most parishes in the US, there is no dress code, other than modesty (which in some circumstances does not seem to resonate with some people). Other than that, local customs may be at play; for example, the east coast tends to be more formal than the west coast; and a parish which is in a more affluent area may have a certain tone or tenor to it than one in a less affluent area.

Generally, but not always, people go to Mass at the parish which is geographically “theirs”, and if you have a question about that, you could call the diocese’ office (called a Chancery) and they could tell you which parish you would geographically go to; however, people often tend to go to a parish which fits them spiritually, and you will not be in trouble for doing so, even though it might not be your geographical parish.

And someone probably has an opinion about that, too, but the final decision would be between you and the pastor, not someone else.

 

[runningdude]

May God bless you on your journey.

The Internet is not always a good place to look for information, if for no other reason than that anyone can post on it their own opinion. Some people have one opinion, others have a different one, and some even have two or three opinions on a matter. However, unless you know the source, you have no idea whether or not the poster has any official information, and if they do, whether or not it is accurate and up to date.

Some wag once said “Catholics! Here comes everybody!” and there is truth in that statement.

At least for most parishes in the US, there is no dress code, other than modesty (which in some circumstances does not seem to resonate with some people). Other than that, local customs may be at play; for example, the east coast tends to be more formal than the west coast; and a parish which is in a more affluent area may have a certain tone or tenor to it than one in a less affluent area.

Generally, but not always, people go to Mass at the parish which is geographically “theirs”, and if you have a question about that, you could call the diocese’ office (called a Chancery) and they could tell you which parish you would geographically go to; however, people often tend to go to a parish which fits them spiritually, and you will not be in trouble for doing so, even though it might not be your geographical parish.

And someone probably has an opinion about that, too, but the final decision would be between you and the pastor, not someone else.