How would you select a Mass in a strange place

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We here at CAF find ourselves debating the varisou forms of liturgy as well as the schismatic and semi-schismatic groups. So I am wondering:

If you found yourself taveling, in an unfamiliar place and had to find a Mass what would be your decending order of preference. Mine are listed below.

If I were in a strange place and had to find a mass, my preference would be:
  1. Attend an EF if possible
  2. Attend an OF
  3. Attend an SSPX - only if no other is available
  4. Watch mass on TV - if that option available
  5. Read the mass - If no other alternative is available (I would use my TLM missal for that.)
Peace
James
 
1.) Check the web and see what the web site looks like before I leave. I would look for a parish with adoration and maybe the rosary offered at least once a week. A school is a good indicator, too.
2.) Realize I am only going to have to go there probably once, and not sweat it too much if there are a couple informalities, meet my obligation, and offer it up. If it is too bad, I will certainly document what it was I saw and contact the local bishop.
3.) Only if there were absolutely no Catholic parishes of any sort whatsoever would I consider watching Mass on TV, as it does not fulfill the Sunday obligation (but it’s nice to have when there is no Mass in the area).
 
Isn’t SSPX rare? I doubt if you would encounter a situation where that is available, but the standard ordinary Mass is not. Maybe if you were stranded in the mountains in a mountaineering hut with a SSPX mountaineering priest then yes, that might be the only Mass available.😉
 
Check out masstimes.org. Put in the zip code of where I will be staying. Check the mass times and websites of those churches closest to where I will be staying. Pick the one with the time that best meets my schedule.

On the road without the availability of a computer. Check the local phone book. Try to find a local map. Pick the church that has mass times listed in the phone book.

Ask.

I have come across beautiful Masses and Masses that made me go “hmmmm” and Masses where I had to keep asking myself if we were in a Catholic church. It usually makes me appreciate home.
 
I have tried to check web-sites first. You can usually get a feel for the parish.

I have also been so bold as to call the rectory and/or church office and ask if they are an orthodox parish, faithful to the Magisterium and the GIRM. You would be amazed at the parishes who will admit up front “well, we have our own feel to the Mass” or, "hmmm, well, we do things a bit differently than the more conservative parishes/diocese". Those who are faithful will also readiliy admit **“yes, we definitely are”.
**
 
Maybe my title wasn’t clear.
I’m thinking more in terms of how you would rate your possible Choices.
Check out the first post to see what I’m getting at.

Peace
James
 
1st choice, regular mass in english

2nd choice. latin mass

3rd choice, go to confession when I got home.

thanks, Richie
 
Last time I was in that position I was in Toronto, ON. I remembered that there was a boys’ school with a fabulous choir in that city. I found where the school was located and the Church it is attached to: the Cathedral it turns out. I headed there for Mass early one Sunday.

I hadn’t paid close enough attention to exactly where the Cathedral was so I ended up getting off the subway 3 stops too soon and spent close to an hour wandering around in high heels until I found it.

In any other city I would look for a parish with a French Mass since I don’t often get to hear a Mass in my mother tongue.
 
JRKH said:
Maybe my title wasn’t clear.
I’m thinking more in terms of how you would rate your possible Choices.
Check out the first post to see what I’m getting at.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
I don’t rate my choices. What I posted is how I do it.
 
JRKH said:
We here at CAF find ourselves debating the varisou forms of liturgy as well as the schismatic and semi-schismatic groups. So I am wondering:

If you found yourself taveling, in an unfamiliar place and had to find a Mass what would be your decending order of preference. Mine are listed below.

If I were in a strange place and had to find a mass, my preference would be:
  1. Attend an EF if possible
  2. Attend an OF
  3. Attend an SSPX - only if no other is available
  4. Watch mass on TV - if that option available
  5. Read the mass - If no other alternative is available (I would use my TLM missal for that.)
Peace
James
Click to expand...
I won’t travel anymore without planning where I will be attending Mass first. And I’ll usually have 1 or 2 other parishes in mind as a backup plan.

Every single time I have traveled anywhere and did not have a parish in mind but rather decided to just find one when I got there I have been burned.

Each time I have somehow randomly chosen a parish where the priest ad-libs the entire Mass (except the Consecration), where glass vessels are used, where a homily was preached that had nothing to do with Catholicism, and where not a single person (except me and those who came with me) knelt at any point during the Mass (including the consecration).

Strangely enough each of these occasions has been at a different parish within the diocese of Cleveland - maybe 4 parishes. Thankfully I don’t travel much. And it is been a few years. Maybe these parishes have changed since then.

I don’t even ask for a Mass with any sense of reverence anymore. I can tune out the Marty Haugen tribute that occurs weekly in what seems to be a majority of parishes. 13 “Eucharistic Ministers” for the 300-400 people there can be overlooked. I just demand a Mass where the priest follows the rubrics (as is the right of every Catholic). And that is a rare thing in some places.

But if at all possible I will be at a reverent OF or at an EF (where, in general, reverence seems to be the norm).

James
 
JRKH said:
Maybe my title wasn’t clear.
I’m thinking more in terms of how you would rate your possible Choices.
Check out the first post to see what I’m getting at.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
I don’t travel until I have the Mass situation sorted out. Period.

I am not a big fan of EF. I find improperly celebrated OF distasteful. That said, if there is nothing else in the area- which is doubtful, as there are probably also Byzantine and other Churches/ Rites that are Catholic- I will meet my obligation by going to an EF or the improperly celebrated OF, because I will only be there once, more likely. I will offer it up.

I will not go to anything the SSPX has to offer at this time, or any sedevcanist group. We are not obligated to do so.

This is simply a rehash of what I already said, excepting comments on the SSPX and sedevacanists, so I don’t see why you have a problem with my first post. I found it clear enough.
 
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