What are some telltales that give insight to the quality of a Catholic parish?

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When attending Mass for the first time at a Catholic church, what are some telltales that give insight to the quality of the parish before Mass even begins?
  • I know I look for the location of the tabernacle. If it’s located in the rear center of the sanctuary or perhaps it’s own adjacent chapel, that’s very positive in my book. If it’s stuck off to the side, it says something extremely negative to me.
  • I note if the sanctuary space is treated with respect, or is it used as a meeting place for people who wish to put themselves on display?
  • I look for the existence of sanctus bells. Their presence is very positive in my view.
  • I note if I can detect incense used at prior Masses. Incense = good.
  • Does the church have real votive candles burning in it, or do they use those silly lights?
  • I also listen. Quiet before Mass is a good thing. A loud din is a red flag.
  • I note how people interact with one another before Mass.
  • A preponderance of flannel banners is not a good thing. It suggests to me that the parish is stuck in a particularly septic period of the Church’s history.
There are several more things I consider before the Mass begins. Remarkably how accurate these indicators can be.
 
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Perpetual adoration. Time in our Lord’s presence. What else matters?
 
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Does the Priest read the prayers of the Mass or does he sorta memorize them and then make up his own as he goes along?
 
I don’t consciously look for everything you’ve listed when attending Mass in an unfamiliar church, but the first things that I’d notice was the quiet/noise in the sanctuary before Mass begins, and the location of the tabernacle. Sanctus bells, incense & votive candles (maybe it’s an insurance thing?) = all very good. The flannel banner comment is funny – yes, I’m not a fan of flannel banners and they do have a 1970’s - 1980’s feel about them and put me in mind of Lutheran churches for some reason. The ecumenical center at the university has a preponderance of flannel banners, but it’s a space shared by Lutherans, Catholics, and others.
 
The parish newsletter is often a good indicator …if I’m visiting I’ll pick one up beforehand .Things like confession being readily available,week day mass and involvement with local catholic schools,visiting statues of Our Lady going from home to home,perhaps the Holy Hour and Rosary at homes or at the church.There are lots of little things that reflect the quality of a Catholic parish
in a parish newsletter in my experience.
 
I look for Christ. If I feel his presence, all the other concerns expressed by others, in my mind, are unimportant.
 
Duesenberg said:
When attending Mass for the first time at a Catholic church, what are some telltales that give insight to the quality of the parish before Mass even begins?
  • I know I look for the location of the tabernacle. If it’s located in the rear center of the sanctuary or perhaps it’s own adjacent chapel, that’s very positive in my book. If it’s stuck off to the side, it says something extremely negative to me.
  • I note if the sanctuary space is treated with respect, or is it used as a meeting place for people who wish to put themselves on display?
  • I look for the existence of sanctus bells. Their presence is very positive in my view.
  • I note if I can detect incense used at prior Masses. Incense = good.
  • Does the church have real votive candles burning in it, or do they use those silly lights?
  • I also listen. Quiet before Mass is a good thing. A loud din is a red flag.
  • I note how people interact with one another before Mass.
  • A preponderance of flannel banners is not a good thing. It suggests to me that the parish is stuck in a particularly septic period of the Church’s history.
There are several more things I consider before the Mass begins. Remarkably how accurate these indicators can be.
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Unless the church is new, placement of the tabernacle says more about how tHe parish and its pastor was 30 or 40 years ago, not necessarily now, when declining attendance might limit funds available for architectural changes. Use of the bells is a pastoral prerogative and use or non-use is allowed by the rubrics. Honestly, if attending a parish for the first time, such as because of travel, I would question my standing to even pass such judgment on the parish not my own. I would hope that if traveling I would enter a church in a spirit of gratitude for being able to attend Mass at all, and not with a mental checklist that smacks of judgmentalism.
 
How about Mass attendance

Praying the Rosary before or following Mass

The homily: does it teach DOCTRINE as well as explaining the readings

To what degree does the parish have CATHOLIC catechesis programs and options for all ages

BUT YOU SURE HIT THE RIGHT NOTES MY FRIEND,

Thank you!
 
I agree with the travel/visiting, going to a parish as a one time thing. Can’t be too picky when fulfilling the obligation.

However I left one parish that, in my opinion, practiced Catholic lite. I found a parish in the next community that had everything a Catholic would expect in a Catholic parish. We have a very experienced priest who is able to manage a larger parish and selects talented staff as well as draws in well qualified volunteers & catechists.
 
Onestepahead said:
votive candles (maybe it’s an insurance thing?)
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That was the comment I was going to make. I know of parishes that use lights instead of candles, where their insurance companies have forbidden the use of unattended live flame.
 
Unfortunately many churches in Europe have electric votive lights as the insurance premiums would not cover potential damage from fire.

If I’m looking for something to give me an idea of a parish there are two things I look for:
  1. Celebration of Mass (frequent and at times which allow people to participate - I still find it baffling that some parishes offer mass each day but only at 10:00am, even on Holy Days of Obligation)
  2. Regular publicised opportunities for confession
 
How long the confession lines are outside of the times of Lent and Advent. Relates to the humility of the parish.
 
I’m not sure it’s right to vet a parish. The gathering of fellow Christians is not something to be sized up. For me, though, it’s hard to stay in a parish when the shepherd of the flock is not quite orthodox in the way he leads the parish. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly.

But the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is always the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass wherever you go. Jesus comes down to us in the breaking of the bread every time, and that happens in all parishes.
 
JamalChristophr said:
I’m not sure it’s right to vet a parish. The gathering of fellow Christians is not something to be sized up. For me, though, it’s hard to stay in a parish when the shepherd of the flock is not quite orthodox in the way he leads the parish. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly.

But the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is always the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass wherever you go. Jesus comes down to us in the breaking of the bread every time, and that happens in all parishes.
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I do. I wouldn’t get overly technical about it, but observing Mass (obviously celebrated by someone else) in one’s own parish would give a pastor great insight into what areas most need attention.
 
if there is a crucifix, not a cross. Statues of saints and Mary. I tend to like older churches better because the architecture all had meaning (tall ceilings to bring your eyes up to God, one way pews so your focus is on what the priest is doing and not what the person across from you is doing, etc.) A parish I went to awhile ago that I refused to go to anymore had the risen Christ and not a crucifix. There was no crucifix in sight.

Those are all dealings with the building, but I find that it somewhat reflects what the people are like.
 
Well, all parishes have that. Sometimes we need to re-align our own priorities, since we do not know the tremendous burden upon the priest. You know those sins we confess? Father has to take them into his soul, offer them up to the Lord for destruction and then do penance - and I’ll bet it’s a far more serious penance than most of us do.

We beg beg beg and give so little back.
“When a newspaper posed the question, ‘What’s Wrong with the World?’
the Catholic thinker G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response:
‘Dear Sirs:
I am.
Sincerely Yours,
G. K. Chesterton.’
That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.”
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Substitute “Church” for “world” A very healthy attitude for each of us to adopt.
 
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If I’m visiting a parish for the first time I want to see a priest there. Everything else is just gravy and may or may not be what I prefer. Maybe I walk out wishing that I lived closer and could visit more often and maybe I walk out being thankful that it’s not my regular parish. Either way, it doesn’t matter in the great scheme of things.
 
I guess it would depend on what a person likes. I just got back home to Michigan (Detroit suburbs) from Los Angeles for the birth of my first grandbaby. The first Sunday I was there I went to the Church 3 blocks from my son’s house…not so good. Altar girls and Eucharistic ministers…yuk. Then the next Sunday I searched to see how close an FSSP parish was…to my delight it was only 8 miles away. Of course 8 miles in LA is like 45 minutes, but it was so worth it. Latin Mass, Communion rails…beautiful. The only complaint is that both Churches were ugly. Modern, no stained glass. I’m spoiled living near Detroit…we have beautiful Churches. If you’re ever in the area, check out St. Joseph’s Oratory. Beautiful. Institute of the Christ the King Sovereign Priest parish. High Mass 11 am Sunday’s.

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po18guy said:
Well, all parishes have that. Sometimes we need to re-align our own priorities, since we do not know the tremendous burden upon the priest.
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While I appreciate that, in the end it’s just another excuse. I don’t care about trivial matters. There’s something very specific that drives me.

Having lived most of my life in the same small city, I’m sure I know at least 200-300 good, very decent people – good Catholics who no longer attend the Mass. Patiently listen to their stories and there are some common threads as to why they have drifted away. Solvable problems! I do my share of (re)evangelization of such people. It’s my own personal apostolate. I minister to them. The pastor of my parish however could do a great deal more. So could a great many priests in other parishes in other cities.

If there is one sin that really terrifies me, it’s that of driving others out of a parish or the Catholic faith entirely. I think those that do that are more than likely facing a very long and grim judgement day.
 
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