Rural Traditional Parishes?

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Embertide

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Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ! Although I’ve been using CAF for years, I just recently made an account; this is my first post!😃

My girlfriend and I have been dating for about six years, and unless the Lord throws us for a loop and calls one of both of us to Religious Life, we’re confident we’re called to marriage. We both go to college in St. Louis and are finishing up our undergraduate studies. We plan on marrying after we get our masters degrees after undergrad. We both try to be the best Catholics we can be and have formed a relationship with the Lord through “traditional” Catholic devotions (scapular, rosary, adoration, Latin Mass, etc.)

Although we live in the city right now, we are both country folk and would like to raise a family in a small farming community like we were. We plan on moving out of the city once we become financially stable.

My question is: are any of you aware of or have attending a traditional Catholic parish outside of a big city? By “traditional” I mean faithful to the magisterium, frequent confessions, reverent Novus Ordo and/or Latin Mass, and strong emphasis on other Catholic devotions. Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma comes to mind.

Thank you so much for reading this! May God bless you and Mary keep you.
 
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I know people who attend these types of parishes in rural Wisconsin, diocese of La Crosse.

Kansas and Nebraska have pockets of these types of parishes.

You could probably find them in most states–look at some areas where you would be interested in living, and look up the Catholic churches nearby.
 
Welcome to the forums.

I am in Australia and live outside one of our capital cities. Our rural Parishes here are great little Parishes. Very community minded, wonderful for kids.

Not that this helps you
 
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Diocese of La Crosse and Diocese of Madison in Wisconsin, for sure.
 
I live in the (Missouri) diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, which is something like the southern 1/4 of the state. Huge diocese geographically, but with few Catholics. I would say that most parishes in this diocese would fit your description, with some variation here and there. I have heard that the diocese of Jefferson City is similar, EXCEPT that some of the parishes in my diocese are extremely “countrified” in a way I don’t think most of them in the Jeff City diocese are.

The highest percentage of Catholics are in the eastern part (Cape Girardeau area). Most of the vocations come from there. But most of the money comes from the western part, particularly from Springfield.

Oh, perhaps I should mention this. Some of the parishes are very good to self-support. One of the ones I attend charges tuition for the Catholic school at $500/semester. The rest is raised through contributions and events, of which they have a great number. One of the Springfield parishes will pay a kid’s way through Springfield Catholic High School, which is a very good school.
 
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Thank you for your responses, everyone! I will look into all of the locations you mentioned😃
 
You don’t say what Masters degrees you are both planning on getting. That may have some bearing on where you want to live, at least in general terms of geography. Further, depending on what you intend to do with those Masters degrees may involve travel,which in turn may involve being reasonably near a larger city.

as far as finding parishes which follow the Magisterium, there is a greater likelihood overall that most rural areas are going to have populations that tend toward a more conservative view of life in general; it is the big cities, for example, which tend to vote blue. And liberalism in politics is not that distant a consideration as to people’s general approach to church.

The southeast tends to have fewer Catholics in general, so you may find a town you like, but no community of Catholics. And even states which are “blue” tend to have a more conservative outlook in rural areas (e.g. California, Oregon and Washington).

As far as devotions, I have not seen much in rural areas I am familiar with; that does not stop you and your future wife from a devotion; but for example, Mother of Perpetual Help was very popular in the 1950’s. and I ahve not heard of it for decades. That does not mean that you could not say the prayers together, but likely may not find other Catholics interested.

Since you still have a few years to go, you might consider taking some time each summer exploring a few areas, After you have sorted out some basics such as overall weather throughout the year (how well do you like snow for extended periods? humidity? topography? general recreational opportunities - which can be weather related) and where both of your families are located, you can start to explore.
 
otjm said:
You don’t say what Masters degrees you are both planning on getting. That may have some bearing on where you want to live, at least in general terms of geography. Further, depending on what you intend to do with those Masters degrees may involve travel,which in turn may involve being reasonably near a larger city.
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This!!

@Embertide It’s very easy to have dreams or aspirations, but logically you should move to a place where both of you are able to get your first post-Masters jobs and build a successful careers.

I recently went to a Dr Edward Sri talk (‘Love and Responsibility’) and found what he was saying to be really true (especially as a young married person myself). Love and marriage isn’t (or only) doing devotional things together—it is also living life and using God’s gifts to you to make a living, start and nourish (and feed) a family.

Just as an outsider, I would take a step back, pray and perhaps re-prioritise.
 
I would think the best bet for this would be a community that is near or contains a monastery or other religious community. That may not technically be a “parish” church, but sometimes those towns (Like Mt. Angel, OR where a friend of mine and his wife live), also have a very solid parish church in the town in addition to the opportunity to participate in daily prayer, masses and confessions offered at the Abbey.
 
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