Masses other than in a parish

[Limpy]

Hi,

I’m interested in the opinions of those who regularly attend Mass somewhere other than a “normal” parish church, such as an abbey church or Newman Center.

I converted to Catholicism in college and was heavily involved with my Newman Center, but since graduation, I have unfortunately not practiced much of anything. I am trying once again to at least establish regular Sunday Mass attendance, (in the same place each week!) but all the area parishes I have visited leave me cold. I am a single male with no real interest in marriage. The parishes, however, all seem to be geared toward families with children, and the social/spiritual activities that go along with that. Those that have young adult programs assume you are there to find a spouse. Even the Knights of Columbus seem to have little to offer a single layman such as myself, unless I were to enter seminary or a religious order.

A nearby abbey invites visitors to their Sunday conventual Mass, which I have attended a few times and like very much, for several reasons. The congregation seems more reverent, there is no need for an army of EEMs, no cringe-worthy music, and none of the other institutions of a parish that often seem to overshadow the Holy Mass. So if you attend Mass outside a parish, where do you look for the fellowship a parish would offer? Or do you do without? Given that the Church seems to assume most people will attend a parish, do you ever feel “incomplete” outside a parish?

 

[grandfather]

Maybe you can go to Mass at the Abbey and find some Catholic organization, like a third order, or charity, or study group, to join for socialization.

 

[Joe_5859]

As per grandfather’s advice, you might not find all you’re looking for in the same place. I loved my Newman Center when I was in college, too, and it was a struggle to find a parish that lived up to that experience (in many ways, I never did find one).

 

[muffinmojo]

Perhaps you could join a group like Opus Dei, and go to one of their Masses. They are quite reverent, and many of their members are unmarried.