Parish Search--S.F

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Le_Cracquere

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In a year or two, my wife & I may be relocating to San Francisco. Anyone know of a reasonably good parish within the city whose clergy make the occasional gesture in favour of orthodox doctrine and obedience, and whose masses aren’t monuments to liturgical abuse?

(And why am I suddenly picturing a torrent of replies that consist only of that confounded laughing rolly-head icon?)

I suppose no one has any good news about the archbishop or hierarchical leadership?
(Drat–there goes that rolly-head premonition again.)
 
Le_Cracquere said:
In a year or two, my wife & I may be relocating to San Francisco. Anyone know of a reasonably good parish within the city whose clergy make the occasional gesture in favour of orthodox doctrine and obedience, and whose masses aren’t monuments to liturgical abuse?

(And why am I suddenly picturing a torrent of replies that consist only of that confounded laughing rolly-head icon?)

I suppose no one has any good news about the archbishop or hierarchical leadership?
(Drat–there goes that rolly-head premonition again.)
Click to expand...
😃 I’ve posed your question to a friend (orthodox Catholic) who for many years has been involved with the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Until I hear back from her with recommendations, there is always the Carmelite monastery of Cristo Rey, across the street from the University of San Francisco.

jnelson.com/Church%20Installs/carmelite_monastery.htm

I believe the liturgies at St. Mary’s Cathedral are very reverent, if you can get past the extreme architecture (which does have some beautiful elements).

sfarchdiocese.org/cathedral.html

Here is the site for the official archdiocesan newspaper:

catholic-sf.org/

And this lay-run newspaper should be of interest: 😉

sffaith.com/
 
I was in San Francisco on business and snuck away at noon tome for Mass at St. Boniface. Franciscans run it. As I walked there the neighborhood deteriorated. I was very proud to be a Franciscan myself as I approached. There was a soup kitchen (St. Anthony’s) on the corner and I felt that is where Franciscans should be, in the middle of the poorest of the poor.

When I went in there were homeless people sleeping in half the pews. The church was one of the most beautiful churches I ever saw. Sadly as I tried to pray there were outbursts and one person had to be removed. I was then approached by a young person who I assumed was homeless by his appearance and he asked why I was going to Mass there, because Mass there sucked and he yelled it out. The whole time people walked in and out with no regard for where they were. I also felt that my briefcase was in danger of being stolen.

Although the church was beautiful I was discouraged from returning. I agree with providing shelter for the needy but my feeling was that the church itself was sacred.
 
I’m not sure about the city proper, although I think there is an Opus Dei center in the city, but you can find hidden gems of orthodoxy in the Bay Area in general. Ignatius Press is based in SF too…

My sense though since relocating here almost 3 years ago is that the liberalism and secularism SF is known for does filter throughout the Church here in the area.

However, the Oakland diocese seems pretty well orthodox. EWTN hosted their 25th Anniv. Celebration there, and they always make an impressive showing at the Walk for Life, which is an awesome thing to behold in the city.
oakdiocese.org/

I really like to go to Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara when I get the chance. It is a wonderful, orthodox parish with so many activities and groups for all ages. There’s 24 hour adoration and a 30 foot shrine to Our Lady that can be seen from the freeway.
rc.net/sanjose/shrnolp/aboutsa.htm

My two cents is that if you are intent on bringing a family with you or plan to have a family, you may want to think about necessarily living in the city proper. SF is a wonderful place to visit, but not such a great place for kids. 😉 SF is an adult kind of town, and I’m not speaking of the obvious challenges to spirituality. The place just isn’t set up to get around easily with strollers, etc. and the general attitude isn’t all that welcoming to families. Now, some may disagree, but that’s been my experience.

I’m curious to see what the poster with the orthodox friend has for advice!! 🙂
 
You might look at Oakland, too. Bp, Allen Vigneron is as solid as a rock, and you’ll probably find something to suit you there.

Whatever you do, stay away from Most Holy Redeemer in the Castro district. I’m surprised that parish hasn’t burst into flames.

mhr.org/
 
I’ve also heard great things about St. Dominic’s.

I’m not sure where you will be living in the City but if you’re near the downtown, you might want to take the 15 minute drive over the Bay Bridge to Oakland and join us at St. Margaret Mary’s in Oakland. You won’t be disappointed there. We either have a vigil Mass in English, a 10:30 Latin Novus Ordo or a 12:30 Tridentine. We get many people from SF.
 
Detroit_Sue said:
You might look at Oakland, too. Bp, Allen Vigneron is as solid as a rock, and you’ll probably find something to suit you there.

Whatever you do, stay away from Most Holy Redeemer in the Castro district. I’m surprised that parish hasn’t burst into flames.

mhr.org/
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Hopefully it’ll be seeing some changes since they just got busted for holding the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Bear Chested Bingo night. Amazingly, the new Archbishop stopped it as soon as he got several letters in protest.
 
Third the recommendation for St. Dominic’s. Sometimes they do surprising things – for example, I went to an evening mass where the priest interrupted the homily and asked everyone to share for a few minutes with the person next to him. But the church and their liturgies are unquestionably beautiful.

I also often went to St. Patrick’s on Mission St. and everything always seemed to be by the book.
 
bear06 said:
I’ve also heard great things about St. Dominic’s.

I’m not sure where you will be living in the City but if you’re near the downtown, you might want to take the 15 minute drive over the Bay Bridge to Oakland and join us at St. Margaret Mary’s in Oakland. You won’t be disappointed there. We either have a vigil Mass in English, a 10:30 Latin Novus Ordo or a 12:30 Tridentine. We get many people from SF.
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Many thanks to one & all! Sounds as if all isn’t as hopeless as I feared.

In response to your question, we’re poking around the Noe Valley area. Pace Jennifer123’s excellent advice, we’re childless, so needn’t–as yet–face the prospect of propelling a stroller up a 35-degree slope. Make 'em walk, is what I say anyway: character-building, you know.
 
bear06 said:
Hopefully it’ll be seeing some changes since they just got busted for holding the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Bear Chested Bingo night. Amazingly, the new Archbishop stopped it as soon as he got several letters in protest.
Click to expand...
BWAH HAH HAH! I suppose it’s sinful to admit that a small, unforgivable part of me’s half-sorry I missed that. That such letters of protest even get written probably counts as good news where S.F.'s concerned.
 
bear06 said:
Hopefully it’ll be seeing some changes since they just got busted for holding the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Bear Chested Bingo night. Amazingly, the new Archbishop stopped it as soon as he got several letters in protest.
Click to expand...
I saw one of the “sisters” at the Walk for Life. Very eerie looking, I couldn’t really take my eyes off the sight, it was surreal almost. If I knew how to post pictures, I’d post the picture I took of the “nun”.

In any case - good luck to you Le Cracquere and maybe you should start those lunges now. 😉 😛
 
I can’t help much if you’re going to live IN San Francisco, but you might find living cheaper and more orthodox in Oakland.

Might I recommend the soon-to-be-rebuilt Pittsburg (no h, and in the process of being literally bulldozed), or Antioch? Short drive to the city, housing cheaper, better parishes.

If you’re in Pittsburg, try St. Peter Martyr. Don’t be deceived by the decrepit building. If you’re in Antioch, try Holy Rosary.
 
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