How to tell if a church is in obedience?

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Cari

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Hey y’all!

Just found out that my family is going to visit my parents over Easter. They live about six hours away from us, in a different state. Running a google search for churches in the area so we can attend Mass on Easter, I came up with only three options, none of which had websites that offered anything along the lines of information. grin

My parents aren’t Catholic, and so wouldn’t be able to “check out” the church for us beforehand, and so I ask you all, how can I tell if a church claiming to be Catholic is in obedience to the Holy See and not a splinter group claiming to be Catholic? There are phone numbers listed, so are there any quick questions I could ask when I call for a list of Easter Masses?

Thank you all in advance,
Cari
 
Cari said:
Hey y’all!

Just found out that my family is going to visit my parents over Easter. They live about six hours away from us, in a different state. Running a google search for churches in the area so we can attend Mass on Easter, I came up with only three options, none of which had websites that offered anything along the lines of information. grin

My parents aren’t Catholic, and so wouldn’t be able to “check out” the church for us beforehand, and so I ask you all, how can I tell if a church claiming to be Catholic is in obedience to the Holy See and not a splinter group claiming to be Catholic? There are phone numbers listed, so are there any quick questions I could ask when I call for a list of Easter Masses?

Thank you all in advance,
Cari
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Start by going to the diocese website and then link to their list of parishes.
 
Rather than Google, go to the USCCB site (the United States Catholic Bishops. (You can Google to get their site). You will find if you search a link to “dioceses”. You have the names of the three churches; look to see if they are listed in the diocese where your parents live. If they are, they’re part of the Catholic Church. (Now, they might still have abuses etc. etc. but at least they’re ‘nominally’ Catholic!)

God bless.
 
Look for a parish that has Adoration. Chances are very good that it is an orthodox parish.

Peace,
Linda
 
Try www.masstimes.org to search for a parish/mass times in many countries including the US. It carries an ad with a link from the US Conf. of Bishops on the site, so I doubt they are some rogue element. I have used it when going on a trip to find a parish and mass time.
 
Cari said:
Hey y’all!

Just found out that my family is going to visit my parents over Easter. They live about six hours away from us, in a different state. Running a google search for churches in the area so we can attend Mass on Easter, I came up with only three options, none of which had websites that offered anything along the lines of information. grin

My parents aren’t Catholic, and so wouldn’t be able to “check out” the church for us beforehand, and so I ask you all, how can I tell if a church claiming to be Catholic is in obedience to the Holy See and not a splinter group claiming to be Catholic? There are phone numbers listed, so are there any quick questions I could ask when I call for a list of Easter Masses?

Thank you all in advance,
Cari
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Cari, if you would name the state and area in it where you will be visiting perhaps Forum members in the locale can offer some advice.
 
LindaS said:
Look for a parish that has Adoration. Chances are very good that it is an orthodox parish.

Peace,
Linda
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I’d be careful with this criterion - it also could lead you to a conservative/traditional church not in communion with Rome.

The best answer really is to go to the diocesan website and check out their list of parishes. Then if you want to avoid the “Faith Community” dance and hoe-down Mass, you may want check out the parish website for adoration, or other indicia of solemnity in worship.
 
FCEGM said:
Cari, if you would name the state and area in it where you will be visiting perhaps Forum members in the locale can offer some advice.
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The parish is Holy Cross in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Anyone nearby?

Thanks!
 
Diocese of Knoxville
dioceseofknoxville.org/

Parishes by County (map):
dioceseofknoxville.org/?id=1436

Pigeon Forge is in Sevier County.

Parishes by County (listing):
dioceseofknoxville.org/?id=1439&level=2

Holy Cross Church
144 Wears Valley Road
Pigeon Forge TN 37863
Phone: 865-429-5587

Holy Family Church
307 Black Oak Ridge Road
P.O. Box 817
Seymour TN 37865
Phone: 865-573-1203

St. Mary Church Gatlinburg
304 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg TN 37738
Phone: 865-436-4907
 
Of course, “obedience” can be measured in many ways. Even with an obedient pastor and liturgy, things can go awry. Just remember to keep your focus on Jesus! :gopray:

And have a safe journey. 👍
 
Sometimes, too, the churches have their own websites and that can tell you a lot.
 
Thanks y’all! I found the church listed on the diocesian website, and all your posts/tips were very helpful. I will keep my focus on Jesus, and remember the ineffable joy of the day.

Peace,
Cari
 
I would check out St. Mary’s in Gatlinburg- it’s right next to Pigeon Forge. I’ve only been to Mass once at this church, but it was wonderful, and the church is absolutely beautiful- it has a very peaceful feeling to it. Enjoy your trip to the Smokies!
 
I was there for Christmas - we enjoyed it. We attended Mass on Sunday and Christmas Day - from what I observed I would say it is in obedience. The majority of people attending are visitors.
 
Evangel said:
Of course, “obedience” can be measured in many ways. Even with an obedient pastor and liturgy, things can go awry. Just remember to keep your focus on Jesus! :gopray:

And have a safe journey. 👍
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Bulls-eye.

“Obedience” can be interpreted in many ways. I find many churches “disobedient” to the Pope as the vernacular Masses do not conform with the different directives coming out of Rome. But that’s me. Others have no problem with dancing and other antics as long as the bishop approves.
 
Usually what I do is to look around at each parish website. Sometimes the parish will list a calender of activities. If you can find it, take a good look at it. Sometimes it can be pretty clear if a parish is loyal or unfortunately “progressive”. When some parishes might list “Divine Mercy 7 PM, OCT 12”, others might list “Reiki instruction 6PM, NOV 11”. Also, if you see a parish site that says on the front page “We are ___” “We are ___” “We are ___” and talk more about “community” then they do about Jesus, mark that one off your list too. Choose the church that is happy to be Catholic & that doesn’t seem to meander into all that new age stuff :).
 
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