Maybe it's us

[Mrs_Sally]

Thank you everyone for your advice. The church in the neighborhood I live doesn’t meet three of my criteria. It’s in a modern building (with really creepy new-age statues that might scare my kids), the priest could double for Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and the community is almost nonexistent. As far as I could tell they do stick closely to Catholic teachings but we only attended once and I just couldn’t see us attending again.

I went to Daily Mass this morning at a church that’s a 30-minute drive north of where we live. I was told by a friend that it was a conservative church with a diverse community. I loved the look of it, the priest was easy to understand, the congregation there today looked diverse (I was also shown pictures of First Communion classes and they seem consistently diverse), I spoke to the office manager and she said they were a conservative parish (there was a large picture of the Pope in her office!), and they even have a PreK-8th Grade school attached. She told me that the priest there started a 7500 sq ft community garden and gives most of the veggies he grows to the food bank. She handed me a book of all the ministries the church is involved with, and when I told her about our experiences at the more “progressive” churches she was just as horrified as we were. AND right after mass the priest asked everyone to open to a hymn that was in English and Latin and everyone sung it in Latin! I could get both English and Latin there!

Ladies and gentlemen, we may have found our church. I’m still holding off on registering our family until we attend a few Sunday masses but so far they have everything we wanted. I have a very, very good feeling about this and am really looking forward to Sunday.

I replied to an earlier post before seeing this. I hope you can indeed settle down - church shopping is never good for one’s peace of mind.

30 minutes is farther than I’d like to drive, especially with young children, because it can be hard to feel part of a community when you live so far away. I’ll be praying for you.

 

[clem456]

I have a protestant buddy who use to go to the Alliance Church, until he heard two elders arguing vigorously about a church related problem. Now he drives 15 minutes to the next community to the Church of Christ, cause he likes the pastor and his homilies.

 

[Phemie]

My husband and I have been to 9 Catholic churches here in Portland. We just can’t seem to find a spiritual home. We enjoy traditional Catholicism but enjoy going to English Mass because we like to understand what the priest is saying. When we started looking for a church we made a short list of criteria the church had to meet. We said our new church:

1. Had to look like a church (no modern, space-age buildings)
2. Had to have a friendly, diverse, active community (groups, classes, community outreach)
3. Had to be a conservative church that did not stray from the Catechism
4. Had to have a priest we could understand (no super heavy accents)

We’ve come really close to finding churches that meet all of our criteria but they fall short in one or two categories. Some churches didn’t meet any of the categories!

At this point, I’m starting to wonder if maybe it’s us. Do we have too high of expectations?

The church we went to this past Sunday was a “progressive” church. Apparently last year a group of women from the church boycotted the Eucharist and stood outside the church protesting because they wanted women priests. Also, this church marches in the Gay Pride parade every year. My husband and I were horrified to hear this and needless to say, we won’t be returning.

Any advice?

With those 4 critiria I’d rarely attend Mass in my town where there is only one parish. Given the times, we are lucky when we have a priest even if we sometimes can’t understand everything he says.

Thinking about it carefully, those 4 would exclude every single parish I’ve lived in in the past 37 years and they’ve been many as we were a military family. Most failed with #2, many with #1, the last couple with #3 and in the extremely rare time that they met the first three, they failed with #4.

So yes, I think you are too picky. I’d be happy if they met #3 and any one of the other 3 would be a bonus.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Which parishes have you attended?
What area of Portland do you live in?
Lived in this region all my life and I’ve never seen or heard of a scene like you describe with boycotting the Eucharist. If what you say regarding marching in the gay pride parade is true–please notify our bishop. I have not heard of this but I’ll admit that I don’t really follow who participates in the parade and I mostly stick to my parish.

I think you might be looking for the perfect parish–and I am not sure one exists. For example–you list “diverse” as one of your criteria–have you looked at the Portland Metro area? It’s not that diverse. Are you looking for orthodox or conservative–you said “conservative church that did not stray from the catechism” and I am not clear what you mean. I don’t necessarily equate conservative with orthodox–there can be a fine distinction there in my mind–not straying from the catechism says to me orthodox but conservative says perhaps you are looking for something more than simply orthodox–if that makes any sense.

Knowing what parishes you have attended might help any members here recomend a parish.

Your expectations should be high but it may be that you will need to work within a parish to help transform it. There was a time when our parish did not have a Bible study but thanks to some dedicated parishioners we have had one for over 20 years now. I wish you luck in your search.

The peace of Christ,
Mark

I have not heard of anything like that either…hmmm…

So what happens when you have a priest reassignment?

I think somewhat that the OP is a little picky…what are we Protestants?

My parish has all of those EXCEPT the architecture

Right now with all the assaults on religious freedoms I will take it:shrug:

 

[Moore11]

The University of Portland is a Catholic University run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross
(CSC). You may want to contact their campus ministry.

UP is hardly Catholic. Diocese of Portland, Seattle, Boise. They are all the same. Occasionally you can find a parish like the one the OP is looking for but rarely near any sort of population center. Welcome to the great northleft.

 

[Moore11]

Check out this little gem from Sammamish Wahington (outside of Seattle)

mqp.org/images/design_components/mqpbuilding.gif

 

[corsair]

Try this little parish, just across the river east of Hwy 205 at Camas, WA.
seattlearchdiocese.org/Directory/ParishDetail.aspx?ID=160

 

[Aggies08]

I wouldn’t worry too much about architecture- a holy and orthodox priest may inherit a more… modern… church. They won’t get rid of a church just because it’s in bad taste. You might look a little more into some of those, at least at their bulletin if it’s online, and get a feel for them!

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

UP is hardly Catholic. Diocese of Portland, Seattle, Boise. They are all the same. Occasionally you can find a parish like the one the OP is looking for but rarely near any sort of population center. Welcome to the great northleft.

Whatever…I have no problems with are parish…the problem is when you are looking for the “perfect” parish. It might be but then ceases to be when you walk through the door

 

[MikeDunphy]

Ladies and gentlemen, we may have found our church. I’m still holding off on registering our family until we attend a few Sunday masses but so far they have everything we wanted. I have a very, very good feeling about this and am really looking forward to Sunday.

That is good news. If you do stay there, please let us know the name.

Did you try any of the following?
St. Birgitta
St. Irene [Byzantine]
Holy Cross
Holy Rosary

Looking online for a Portland parish, I thought they looked promising, but I haven’t visited any of them.

 

[corsair]

Now I’m back with a “clip” from the Dominicans at Holy Rosary.
vimeo.com/27570950

The priest Fr. Anthony Patalano is now in Alaska and Fr. Kelber is now the pastor. One of the Altar boys is our head Altar boy.

The choir you hear in the background is Cantores in Ecclesia, a world class choir.

 

[YADA]

UP is hardly Catholic. Diocese of Portland, Seattle, Boise. They are all the same. Occasionally you can find a parish like the one the OP is looking for but rarely near any sort of population center. Welcome to the great northleft.

And you are the expert on what makes a college ‘Catholic’ … Do you provide andy proof- and your credentials are ?!

Mt Angel Abbey has been turning out some very wonderful priests and the seminary is expanding - in fact we just had 11 men ordained for the Archdiosese of Portland earlier this month

I am sure that the Portland area has liberal parishes … they exist - but the majority are comprised of faithful catholics, lead by priests that serve the people of God, who offer various ministries.

In the PDX area these including out reach to the poor, food pantries, transitional housing, food banks, pro-life ministries, assistance for crisis pregnancy centers, catholic education - pre-school through college, shut-ins, and the elderly. There are Catholic hospitals, retirement centers, etc … you want to be involved - pick your interest its there …

JOIN an organization that moves homeless to permanent housing [and very successfully] was started by a parish youth minister who was inspired while leading youth to combat homelessness …

Blanchet House and farm feeds homeless persons and works with addicted persons was started by a group of UP graduates many years ago…

St Francis feed people every day … The Brother Andre Center formerly the Down Town Chapel ministers to homeless and addicted persons …

Even Our Lady of the Lake is upscale Lake Oswego operates a Food Bank, has a St Vincent de Paul Conference that supports other conferences and works with 6 other churches to support the Lake Oswego Transitional Shelter and the clients served - along with many other parish out reach efforts …

My parish has great liturgies - and each Sunday the various Masses are celebrated - each one has its own character - all are focused on our Lord Jesus …all are essentially the same timeless celebration whether it is the Sunday night Life Teen or the early Sunday - Cantor only or mid day with choir

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

And you are the expert on what makes a college ‘Catholic’ … Do you provide andy proof- and your credentials are ?!

Mt Angel Abbey has been turning out some very wonderful priests and the seminary is expanding - in fact we just had 11 men ordained for the Archdiosese of Portland earlier this month

I am sure that the Portland area has liberal parishes … they exist - but the majority are comprised of faithful catholics, lead by priests that serve the people of God, who offer various ministries.

In the PDX area these including out reach to the poor, food pantries, transitional housing, food banks, pro-life ministries, assistance for crisis pregnancy centers, catholic education - pre-school through college, shut-ins, and the elderly. There are Catholic hospitals, retirement centers, etc … you want to be involved - pick your interest its there …

JOIN an organization that moves homeless to permanent housing [and very successfully] was started by a parish youth minister who was inspired while leading youth to combat homelessness …

Blanchet House and farm feeds homeless persons and works with addicted persons was started by a group of UP graduates many years ago…

St Francis feed people every day … The Brother Andre Center formerly the Down Town Chapel ministers to homeless and addicted persons …

Even Our Lady of the Lake is upscale Lake Oswego operates a Food Bank, has a St Vincent de Paul Conference that supports other conferences and works with 6 other churches to support the Lake Oswego Transitional Shelter and the clients served - along with many other parish out reach efforts …

My parish has great liturgies - and each Sunday the various Masses are celebrated - each one has its own character - all are focused on our Lord Jesus …all are essentially the same timeless celebration whether it is the Sunday night Life Teen or the early Sunday - Cantor only or mid day with choir

 

[Moore11]

And you are the expert on what makes a college ‘Catholic’ … Do you provide andy proof- and your credentials are ?!

Mt Angel Abbey has been turning out some very wonderful priests and the seminary is expanding - in fact we just had 11 men ordained for the Archdiosese of Portland earlier this month

I am sure that the Portland area has liberal parishes … they exist - but the majority are comprised of faithful catholics, lead by priests that serve the people of God, who offer various ministries.

In the PDX area these including out reach to the poor, food pantries, transitional housing, food banks, pro-life ministries, assistance for crisis pregnancy centers, catholic education - pre-school through college, shut-ins, and the elderly. There are Catholic hospitals, retirement centers, etc … you want to be involved - pick your interest its there …

JOIN an organization that moves homeless to permanent housing [and very successfully] was started by a parish youth minister who was inspired while leading youth to combat homelessness …

Blanchet House and farm feeds homeless persons and works with addicted persons was started by a group of UP graduates many years ago…

St Francis feed people every day … The Brother Andre Center formerly the Down Town Chapel ministers to homeless and addicted persons …

Even Our Lady of the Lake is upscale Lake Oswego operates a Food Bank, has a St Vincent de Paul Conference that supports other conferences and works with 6 other churches to support the Lake Oswego Transitional Shelter and the clients served - along with many other parish out reach efforts …

My parish has great liturgies - and each Sunday the various Masses are celebrated - each one has its own character - all are focused on our Lord Jesus …all are essentially the same timeless celebration whether it is the Sunday night Life Teen or the early Sunday - Cantor only or mid day with choir

I’m not sure what kind of “expert” one has to be to offer an opinion based on experience but I graduated from Carroll College in MT. (Catholic) I met my wife and we moved to Seattle for her and I to also attend SU (“catholic” ) and my sister went to UP (“catholic”) My sister is not catholic but I was disappointed with the “theology” instruction she received at UP. SU is unbelievably liberal to the point that the theology classes I was in were lead by a man who now heads up his own cult. called “patmos in the woods” and Carroll was pretty good. I think it is getting harder to find orthodox Catholic schools these days. Even a kid from our youth group who is now attending Gonzaga is reporting some very troubling things. I know much about these areas and have lived in all of them.

Mt Angel, well you cant say much bad about somethign that churns out piests! But we have a good friend who is a seminarian there now and even he reports some troubling things.

And there are some bright spots in the “PDX” area. I attend an Opus Dei retreat there once a year.

 

[odile53]

I’m just reminded of an old quote from Groucho Mark that went to the effect that he wouldn’t join a club that would have him as a member

Seriously, though: My criteria for a Catholic parish is celebration of the Mass and a priest who preaches in conformity with the magisterium.

That being said, I have my home parish, which I support and where I usually attend Mass on Sunday. It is a very active parish with lots of ministries and a lot of fellowship (I’m playing in the “Catholic Cup,” their annual golf outing, in a couple of weeks.) The priest is enthusiastic about Catholic spirituality and has brought in a lot of adult catechetical programs. However, his homilies are brief, and I personally don’t care for the music, as the cantor, who is a classically trained singer, seems to fancy herself an operatic diva and the music director selects modern songs. That doesn’t bother me that much, because I can’t sing to save my life. Plus, we have a very enthusiastic and very other-centered permanent deacon. He is really “dynamite!”

Because of my work schedule and the length of my commute, I also go to weekday Mass at a downtown Jesuit parish. They’re pretty conservative, especially for Jesuits, and the preaching is extremely instructional. I find myself going home after Mass and consulting my Bible for the entire passage, not just the reading, to really get the point of what Father meant. They have anonymous confession available daily for a couple of hours, Eucharistic Adoration for six hours a day, a Bible study program, and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It’s a quiet parish, made up primarily of urban dwellers, mostly scientists and workers at a nearby university medical branch, and as a Catholic woman in a mixed marriage (my husband is Lutheran, and doesn’t attend Mass,) I don’t feel lonely like I occasionally do in a parish with lots of big families. They don’t currently have an organist, so *no * music, which doesn’t bother me in the least, but occasionally, one of the priests, who thinks we should be singing at Mass, makes us sing one or another of the more traditional hymns a cappelo. He glares at you if he doesn’t think you’re singing. Only gripe I have about that parish. I feel cheated when I don’t get there a couple of times a week.

Occasionally, I’ll drive downtown or to another suburb to attend an EF Mass. I’m occasionally in the spiritual mood for it. The downtown one has an incredible schola, and since I don’t have to sing, I just sit there or kneel there, as the case may be, and take in the experience.

And occasionally, I’ll take a Sunday jaunt to a local Marian shrine, attend Mass there, and spend a couple of hours in prayer outside on their grounds.

So I have a home base parish, and do some “church gypsying” depending on my mood of the day. I don’t think God begrudges my ecclesiastic tourism. And I think I’m very, very fortunate to have so many choices.

 

[faithtrekker]

Have you tried St. Stephens off Hawthorne & … SE 40th? They have an OF Latin Mass Saturday evenings with rotating priests each week. I currently attend a slightly progressive parish (because I didn’t really know any better when I started RCIA). While I’ve grown to love the people there, I’m also looking for a place that’s more faithful to church teaching/catechism. I’m realizing that may be like finding a needle in a haystack. That would be #1 on my list, if I had one… sound teaching. For now, I stay where I am for Sunday Mass & “hop” for vigil Mass on Saturdays.

 

[catholicanne]

That is good news. If you do stay there, please let us know the name.

Did you try any of the following?
St. Birgitta
St. Irene [Byzantine]
Holy Cross
Holy Rosary

Looking online for a Portland parish, I thought they looked promising, but I haven’t visited any of them.

I tried Holy Rosary. It’s a beautiful church with such a spiritual feel. I love the pink walls. lol

 

[catholicanne]

Have you tried St. Stephens off Hawthorne & … SE 40th? They have an OF Latin Mass Saturday evenings with rotating priests each week. I currently attend a slightly progressive parish (because I didn’t really know any better when I started RCIA). While I’ve grown to love the people there, I’m also looking for a place that’s more faithful to church teaching/catechism. I’m realizing that may be like finding a needle in a haystack. That would be #1 on my list, if I had one… sound teaching. For now, I stay where I am for Sunday Mass & “hop” for vigil Mass on Saturdays.

I actually emailed St Stephens and asked about the Latin Mass and they said they didn’t do it anymore. They told me the only Latin Mass in Portland is now at the church in the NW section of Portland (name escapes me right now).

 

[corsair]

cantoresinecclesia.org/

The above link will show that whoever you talked to, via e-mail, didn’t know what they were talking about.

The only TLM that is offered in the Diocese is at St. Birgitta’s in NW Portland.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

cantoresinecclesia.org/

The above link will show that whoever you talked to, via e-mail, didn’t know what they were talking about.

The only TLM that is offered in the Diocese is at St. Birgitta’s in NW Portland.

Not EXACTLY true…St. Mary’s in Eugene also now regularly offers the TLM…just saying…that is technically in the Diocese…