How to find a vacation parish?

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naprous

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I’m going to New York City for a wedding, and am looking for a parish for Sunday mass. If I were moving someplace new, I know I’d ask around to see if I could find a parish that would suit me. But that’s not possible for a weekend (none of my friends in NYC are Catholic). And I really don’t want to get stuck at a very conservative church where I’ll feel uncomfortable.

So how does one track down a liberal progressive parish in New York City?

Louisa
 
Does it matter that much what “type” the parish is if you’re only there for a weekend?

You can check out Masstimes.org and look up parishes by city. If there are listed websites maybe you could check those out for more details. I’m assuming the Archdiocese of New York has a website, that might also be helpful.
 
During the week, I usually go to St. Agnes on 43rd Street, just east of Grand Central Station.

It is, thankfully, NOT liberal. They even have a Tridentine Mass on Sundays (for you neo-progressive liberals, it’s the Old Mass before the one we have in the vernacular now). I’ve never been to a Tridentine Mass, but that is only because the nearest one is 50 miles away from my home.

It is a beautiful Church and they still use the Communion Rail.

If you want bland, non-Catholic looking stuff, there’s a church near the UN. I don’t remember it’s name though.
 
I suppose it doesn’t really matter, but since I live in a spiritual wasteland, I was kind of hoping for a “fix” of something more enjoyable!

There are bazillions of Catholics in New York, and I’m sure some of them are of my ilk. But it’s surprisingly difficult to figure out which ones…

Naprous
 
Thanks, Redkim! I’ll probably knock St. Agnes’ off my list, then – unless some of the medievalists at the wedding want to do a Latin mass just for the heck of it.

It’s always difficult for me. I like the theology of the liberal churches, but I hate their music. And vice versa. Ah well.

Naprous
 
I’m not sure what the “theology” is of a liberal Church. Perhaps you can explain what you mean by “liberal”? Are you talking socially liberal, as in Social Justice? Or theologically heterodox?
 
Good question, redkim. And I guess the best answer to that is the fact that I used to belong to Call to Action (and the only reason I’m not a member now is because I’m lazy, and let my membership slide). So strictly speaking, most of the issues (like the ordination of women, to name only one example) that interest and concern me are not REALLY theological – though I do my share of reading of feminist theology as well (Elisabeth Schussler-Fiorenza, Rosemary Radford-Ruether…).

So I’m looking for a parish that is more oriented towards that end of the spectrum, rather than one that’s going to try to push more “traditional” doctrinal issues on me.

Does that make sense?

Naprous
 
You didn’t say what part of NYC you would be in. A beautiful, small church is St. Malachy’s (The Actor’s Chapel). It’s located at 239 W. 49th St., between 8th and Broadway. Have no idea how “liberal” they are. You will get good music there as the choir is made up of professionals. Their number is 212-489-1340.
 
Right in Rockefeller Center, approx. 50 St.and 5th Ave.

Combine a little sightseeing with your mass attendance, maybe see the cardinal if he’s in town, and be astonished by the fact that St. Patrick’s was built in the country.

One of the first buildings in that part of town, amazing how built up it is today.
 
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naprous:
I’m going to New York City for a wedding, and am looking for a parish for Sunday mass. If I were moving someplace new, I know I’d ask around to see if I could find a parish that would suit me. But that’s not possible for a weekend (none of my friends in NYC are Catholic). And I really don’t want to get stuck at a very conservative church where I’ll feel uncomfortable.

So how does one track down a liberal progressive parish in New York City?

Louisa
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Gee, I’m at a loss here. What is a conservative church? I have only been to churches that are faithful to Rome, and those that are not. Is there another category that fits into a political distinction of “conservative”?

Would being in a church that is faithful to Rome make you uncomfortable?

There’s probably a reason for that.
 
Thanks to those who have made helpful suggestions – Mary1973 and Fullsizesedan, most recently. I’ll have a look at the Actors’ Church – I’ll be staying down at Gramercy Park, but it’s not too far. I’m not really wild about St. Patrick’s, however, though I do appreciate the suggesion, I did once live in Manhattan, and St. Patrick’s was very close to me, but I find pseudo-Gothic cathedrals a bit off-putting (I’m a medievalist, and have seen too many of the real thing!). I guess I’m looking for a more intimate liturgical experience rather than a awe-inspiring one. And I don’t think the cardinal and I really see eye to eye.

And as for The Barrister, well, you and I obviously don’t see eye to eye, either. There’s no reason to be disingenuous on this subject. You think I’m a heretic for dabbling in feminist theology and thinking women’s ordination is a good idea, and I don’t. I call conservative what you call orthodox, and I call liberal what you call heretical, no doubt. I’m interested in finding a church where ideas like mine are welcomed, and not stifled. If that, to you, is a church that is “not faithful to Rome,” well then, fine. Have any suggestions for any nice heretical Catholic churches in midtown Manhattan that are “not faithful to Rome”?

Thanks everyone!

Naprous
 
My WPA guide to NYC shows St. Paul the Apostle at 60 & Columbus (if its still there, the book was written in 1939).

Its run by the Paulist Fathers, and the Paulist Center (run by the same order?) is where Mr. Kerry attends in Boston. Its sounds liberal by association , couldn’t say if it is or not.
 
The Barrister:
Gee, I’m at a loss here. What is a conservative church? I have only been to churches that are faithful to Rome, and those that are not. Is there another category that fits into a political distinction of “conservative”?

Would being in a church that is faithful to Rome make you uncomfortable?

There’s probably a reason for that.
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Thanks for putting succinctly what I was trying to say. I don’t know of any parish that favors the ordination of women. I know of priests who do, but they have only said so in private conversations, never from the pulpit, and only when asked. People can be in favor of women’s ordination all they want (I am not one), but they must follow Rome.

Personally, I think that people who DO favor women’s ordination don’t quite understand WHY the Church teaches what it does. (contrary to current popular thinking, it is NOT about male domination and power, sorry naprous).
 
Fullsizesedan, thanks very much. I’ll definitely check out the Paulists! I appreciate your help.

Redkim, I suspect you’re right that many people don’t know much about why the Church holds the position that it does. However, I respectfully submit that I am not one of them. I have a PhD in medieval religious history, and have been interested and reading on the subject (and related subjects) for many, many years. I also agree with you that not many priests (even those who agree with me in private) would talk about it from the pulpit, and I’m not really expecting them to! But there is a HUGE difference in my experience between a church that preaches “toe the Vatican line or risk eternal damnation!” from the pulpit, and one that encourages tolerance for different opinions and persons. And the ordination of women is just simply one of those bellwether issues. When I have the chance to escape my rural parish for the weekend, I’m looking for a parish that reminds me of why I became a Catholic in the first place – not one that makes me second guess that decision!

Anyway, I’m beginning to realize that this site is really not a good one for me. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut and your suggestions, however. Despite the fact that we disagree, you’ve been very respectful and polite, and I thank you for that.

Best,

Naprous
 
I’m just discovered the “reputation” part of my profile, and I’m laughing out loud. Somebody wrote that I “admit I hold heretical ideas,” as if I was trying to hide it! What a gas.

Yup, go ahead and burn me at the stake, my friend. I’m sure you and your ilk think that would probably be a good idea. Pity that autos-da-fe are frowned on in a civil society, innit?

Naprous
 
Ok, someone has decided to post his or her comments on me on the reputation forum instead of publicly. Ah well. I really don’t care what anyone thinks of my orthodoxy. I really find it hilarious (though just a tad scary) that people here take heresy so seriously. I really do study heretics for a living, you know (medieval ones, that is), and so jokes about burning at the stake come a little easier to me than to some.

Perhaps referring to “you and your ilk” was unwise, but hey, you started it with the anonymous comments! At least I’m doing it publicly.

Naprous
 
Naprous if you are interested about feminist theology the try Saint Edith Stein (Theresa Benedicta of the Cross) who by her own account was a feminist and some think she may be the fourth female doctor of church. Although, some sixty years after her death I think she would be disgusted at what people call feminism today.
 
Naprous:

don’t leave. The little bit of gruff you’ve gotten is nothing compared to what is dished out over on the site we’ve all defected from.

Most people think the Church won’t ordain women for political or power issues. I have no idea why you think they won’t, cuz, well, you never stated it, so I won’t get into trying to guess. That would be unfair.

That being said, why DO you think the Church won’t do it and are you aware of the reasons put forth by Paul VI and JP II?

I give their reasons a lot of weight, and they make sense to me. So, they are not political or “power-hungry” reasons, but, rather, theological ones, which are always far more important.
 
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naprous:
I really find it hilarious (though just a tad scary) that people here take heresy so seriously.

Perhaps referring to “you and your ilk” was unwise, but hey, you started it with the anonymous comments! At least I’m doing it publicly.
People here take heresy very seriously, because it can be an impediment to one’s eternal salvation. There is so much more to existence than this temporal world, and to place oneself in jeopardy because of pride is a very serious matter. Your cavalier attitude is what I find “scary.”
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Now, if I were you, I would much rather have had the previous comments made to me privately, but since you prefer to be out in the open, here they are. I’ll be praying for you and invite everyone else to do the same. Right now - a Memorare for naprous.
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Betsy
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naprous:
I really find it hilarious (though just a tad scary) that people here take heresy so seriously.

Perhaps referring to “you and your ilk” was unwise, but hey, you started it with the anonymous comments! At least I’m doing it publicly.
Click to expand...
People here take heresy very seriously, because it can be an impediment to one’s eternal salvation. There is so much more to existence than this temporal world, and to place oneself in jeopardy because of pride is a very serious matter. Your cavalier attitude is what I find “scary.”

Now, if I were you, I would much rather have had the previous comments made to me privately, but since you prefer to be out in the open, here they are. I’ll be praying for you and invite everyone else to do the same. Right now - a Memorare for naprous.

Betsy
 
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