I went to a Mass at a smaller parish today

[George_C]

It’s called St. Mary’s. It’s nice to see a full Church and one which actually looks traditionally “Catholic” if you know what I mean.

But if there’s ever a building which is in dire need of expansion, it’s this one. There were people lined up against the wall in back because the place was packed and there were very few open spaces in the pews. And I’m a little uncomfortable in those situations.

Don’t get me wrong here; I love my home parish, but now that I can receive our Lord, I’m checking out other local parishes.

I’m on vacation the third week of May and I want to go to a Latin Mass up in Dayton.

 

[whatevergirl]

*We belonged to a large parish for a year here in Florida…and just felt lost. We now have joined a small parish (very like maybe a total of 100 people?) and we love it. I think even when it grows, it will still have a small parish feel. The priest knows so many by name…and shakes our hands as a family, and we feel he is paying attention. No offense to larger parishes, but I just felt like a number in a sea of people or something.

I hope you enjoy visiting other parishes…how great to hear about your visit to this one!

(If you love your home parish, why are you exploring others though, may I ask?)*

 

[George_C]

*We belonged to a large parish for a year here in Florida…and just felt lost. We now have joined a small parish (very like maybe a total of 100 people?) and we love it. I think even when it grows, it will still have a small parish feel. The priest knows so many by name…and shakes our hands as a family, and we feel he is paying attention. No offense to larger parishes, but I just felt like a number in a sea of people or something.

I hope you enjoy visiting other parishes…how great to hear about your visit to this one!

(If you love your home parish, why are you exploring others though, may I ask?)*

To see what the other ones are like. Steak is good, but sometimes you want seafood or maybe Chinese or even Italian once in a while. It *doesn’t *mean you like steak any less.

 

[whatevergirl]

*True, I was just curious. I have been unhappy with a few parishes…doesn’t that sound bad? That a parish would cause unhappiness? I don’t mean to sound that we found no joy and community there…but I personally long for tradition, and have found it within the confines of this smaller parish, which perhaps is no coincidence that we belonged to a small parish back in PA. *

 

[George_C]

*True, I was just curious. I have been unhappy with a few parishes…doesn’t that sound bad? That a parish would cause unhappiness? I don’t mean to sound that we found no joy and community there…but I personally long for tradition, and have found it within the confines of this smaller parish, which perhaps is no coincidence that we belonged to a small parish back in PA. *

I’ve enjoyed the few I’ve been to.

Our Lady of Sorrows is large (200-250 people) but the layout of the parish makes it seem smaller. It’s not the most “Catholic”-looking parish because they had to rearrange where people sit in the chapel to accommodate all the people. It dates back to 1883 and there’s been several renovations.

If you get a seat near the front (we don’t have pews) it’s a lot better. The bad thing about the very front seats is that there are no kneelers and the floor is hard wood. Not good when you’ve got knee problems.

And while I’m on the subject of kneelers: is there one parish in this declining nation with decent kneelers? I’m about fed up to the point that I’m considering digging out my old kneeguards from my baseball days at EHS.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’ve enjoyed the few I’ve been to.

Our Lady of Sorrows is large (200-250 people) but the layout of the parish makes it seem smaller. It’s not the most “Catholic”-looking parish because they had to rearrange where people sit in the chapel to accommodate all the people. It dates back to 1883 and there’s been several renovations.

If you get a seat near the front (we don’t have pews) it’s a lot better. The bad thing about the very front seats is that there are no kneelers and the floor is hard wood. Not good when you’ve got knee problems.

And while I’m on the subject of kneelers: is there one parish in this declining nation with decent kneelers? I’m about fed up to the point that I’m considering digging out my old kneeguards from my baseball days at EHS.

*hey be thankful you have kneelers! In Florida, it’s not the norm in many Catholic parishes.

I hear ya though. That as one of the reasons we left the larger parish…it not only lacked kneelers, but has the look and feel of a conference center, and frankly, mass was more of a performance and conference, than a mass…it is sad that mass is being watered down, and is morphing into something else…why, I don’t know. To keep people from leaving? The Catholic Church needs to stand strong, during the changing times. I just see too much bending here and there, in Florida…for my tastes…BUT…thankful to have found this gem of a parish. With kneelers, although, they are like kneeling on hard wood. *