What do you think of mega Catholic Parishes?

[Krisdun]

I mean those churches which can seat over 2000 people at any one time. I have read about these parishes with over 10,000 members springing up particularly in rapidly growing cities of the US. Are these the parishes we are all going to have to get used to in the future? Or do you prefer smaller parishes with close-knit communities?

 

[po18guy]

Both! And praise God!

 

[HomeschoolDad]

I mean those churches which can seat over 2000 people at any one time. I have read about these parishes with over 10,000 members springing up particularly in rapidly growing cities of the US. Are these the parishes we are all going to have to get used to in the future? Or do you prefer smaller parishes with close-knit communities?

Both! And praise God!

I have always liked the fact that the Catholic Church is “big enough to get lost in”, and that people will generally leave you alone, unless you choose to get involved in things. Quite frankly, I would be uncomfortable in a small parish, such as you find in rural or mission areas. Different people like different things.

 

[Irishmom2]

@Krisdun, Where are there parishes of that size?

 

[Bithynian]

Where are there parishes of that size?

St Matthew’s in Charlotte NC has about 10,000 attending on Sunday Mass.

Megaparishes are interesting. There’s talk in Australia (where I am) about the future nature of parishes in light of dwindling congregations: the amalgamation of small, non-viable suburban churches into larger parish units.

 

[adamhovey1988]

My parish church is very large for the southern United States. So when I was there when the obligation for Mass was suspended but we go still could go to Mass, it was eerily empty. Hey, if the church needs to be big for the people to fit in it, I am all for it.

 

[CelticWarlord]

I like a small parish, being a private and reclusive person. I’ve been to larger ones but never went back. I don’t wish the large ones would go away, I’m just saying I’ll always seek out the church which is 75% empty.

 

[Welshrabbit]

My absolute favorite place in the world is my church when I’m the only human in it…

 

[CelticWarlord]

Sounds like a dream come true.

 

[Anicette]

. Are these the parishes we are all going to have to get used to in the future?

possibly because of practical reasons such as the demography of the faithfull and of the priests.

What do you think of?
Places where you may find some liked-minded people
But more anonymous

AND perfect places fore the spread of diseases. It is the news. Big religious gatherings have served to spread the pandemic…

 

[Anne1964]

As an introvert I prefer small parishes. The one I currently attend Mass at has around 140 families and maybe seats 150 people. Both the OF and EF Mass are offered there.

The largest parish in my diocese has 22,000 parishioners and they are in the process of splitting off into a second parish.

 

[StudentMI]

There’s a huge Catholic church not far from me. I don’t feel comfortable there. I’m not sure how to describe it but it feels like an office building.

 

[27lw]

I personally love the older smaller parishes. I was fortunate to to go through RCIA in a small parish and take instruction from the priest himself. I think it’s a very different experience to belong to a tiny parish vs a huge parish.
FWIW, the small parishes that I know have very high rates of participation in the annual Bishop’s appeal.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

Suburban Houston parishes are like this. It’s the only way to keep up with the sprawl.

 

[Krisdun]

In the US there are a few and probably will be more common in future. Not so common yet in the UK and Europe where there are more smaller (older) parishes dotted around towns and cities. Although with fewer priests it may also be the case that some parishes will need to be merged.