Most ‘open’ Catholic Church in the DMV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do any of these have parish schools?

Holy Trinity does.

but hard to get into, right? looking for a school for my boy with high functioning autism. We feel like he needs more structure now, but the more exclusive the school the more likely they are to judge him. (he doesn’t need academic supports and has good behavior - he’s just different. so we need a tolerant place that is still structured!)

Call St. Francis. I don’t know where you are located but as a since retired Marine family living near Quantico our daughters attended there and it is a loving environment that truly embraces Franciscan values. I cannot recall if there were any special needs children in my daughters’ grades but teachers and staff are incredibly supportive to all, and very tolerant. Again, I don’t know where you are located, so it might not fit because of logistics, but it cannot hurt to give them a call or drop by. I hope your child finds a school that fits!

[Anonymous]

Trinity does not have a valid mass. Avoid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Augustine's

This is the answer. Extremely diverse is so many ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you can attend any you want, but you can't pick or choose for sacraments. We learned this the hard way when we weren't allowed to be godparents because we weren't tithing to the correct church. We also couldn't get our own babies baptized because we attended the wrong church

I will always feel Catholic in my heart, but they clearly didn't want us so we became Episcopalian

This is completely not true. Talk about leaving out details!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you can attend any you want, but you can't pick or choose for sacraments. We learned this the hard way when we weren't allowed to be godparents because we weren't tithing to the correct church. We also couldn't get our own babies baptized because we attended the wrong church

I will always feel Catholic in my heart, but they clearly didn't want us so we became Episcopalian

I've never heard of such a thing. What is the "wrong" Catholic church? Or do you mean you didn't attend a Catholic church and so were not a practicing Catholic?

+100
typical poster who wanted the church for ceremonies and pretty pictures
use of "tithing" was the clue, that is not required
probably not attending or contributing anywhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you can attend any you want, but you can't pick or choose for sacraments. We learned this the hard way when we weren't allowed to be godparents because we weren't tithing to the correct church. We also couldn't get our own babies baptized because we attended the wrong church

I will always feel Catholic in my heart, but they clearly didn't want us so we became Episcopalian

I've never heard of such a thing. What is the "wrong" Catholic church? Or do you mean you didn't attend a Catholic church and so were not a practicing Catholic?

So, the old rule is that people are supposed to attend the church they are "assigned" to. Meaning geographically in the catchment for.

If you attended mass at a Shrine or somewhere outside of the district it wasn't following the rules or didn't count. It meant you couldn't choose your own Parish. I didn't grow up in a diocese that "enforced" this, but apparently some did.

Never, ever encountered this in the many places I have lived in CT and in this area. Since childhood, I have rarely attended the parish to which we were "assigned." Everyone is up to date on their sacraments and no issues.
My three kids were all baptized in three different parishes and only once was it our "home " parish.
If this is some weird Arlington diocese thing, the posters from there should realize that it is atypical and stop generalizing.
Actually, my niece received her first communion in a church that was different from their assigned parish in Arlington Diocese. So even there it is not a hard fast rule.
These posters always omit the fact that they are not regularly attending parishioners anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in G'town

If you're the rich limousine liberal type

So not true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

And Georgetown is the closest acceptable alternative parish? Give me a break. You’re a social climber.

[Anonymous]

Not St. John’s in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do any of these have parish schools?

Holy Trinity does.

but hard to get into, right? looking for a school for my boy with high functioning autism. We feel like he needs more structure now, but the more exclusive the school the more likely they are to judge him. (he doesn’t need academic supports and has good behavior - he’s just different. so we need a tolerant place that is still structured!)

I suggest that you spend this off as a topic in the Special Needs forum. It's a very knowledgeable and helpful group there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

And Georgetown is the closest acceptable alternative parish? Give me a break. You’re a social climber.

Actually, the only time I’ve been to that church in Georgetown is when I lived in DuPont Circle (and then usually went to St. Matt’s). But I am desperate to find a church where the homily has some meaning and resonance for me...so I don’t blame the people I know that drive to Georgetown or other places outside our neighborhood. As noted in my post, I’ve been going to our uninspiiring and stuffy local church for 15 years but the dumb parade they organized to march past the office of the lone abortion provider in our town may be my last straw. I actually really like most of the parishioners so I’ve stuck it out but it seems like the pastor let’s a small number drive the tone. It definitely is driving away the younger families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

And Georgetown is the closest acceptable alternative parish? Give me a break. You’re a social climber.

Actually, the only time I’ve been to that church in Georgetown is when I lived in DuPont Circle (and then usually went to St. Matt’s). But I am desperate to find a church where the homily has some meaning and resonance for me...so I don’t blame the people I know that drive to Georgetown or other places outside our neighborhood. As noted in my post, I’ve been going to our uninspiiring and stuffy local church for 15 years but the dumb parade they organized to march past the office of the lone abortion provider in our town may be my last straw. I actually really like most of the parishioners so I’ve stuck it out but it seems like the pastor let’s a small number drive the tone. It definitely is driving away the younger families.

Why is that dumb? You sound like you don’t accept the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of unborn life? You know I often drive past respectful protestors outside the abortion provider in my area. They hold signs, usually just with words but sometimes with pictures. They stand at the legally-approved distance away from the provider. They don’t heckle women entering the building. The time space and manner restrictions on this type of protest have been thoroughly addressed by the Supreme Court. They protestors follow the rules and they are expressing a core tenant of our Catholic faith. I respect them greatly even though I personally don’t think abortion (though immoral) should be illegal. (Adultery is also immoral, but not illegal, for example.). I guess I’m just wondering why you’re giving this example of a “dumb parade” as the “final straw” for you. You don’t seem to understand or respect your own faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

And Georgetown is the closest acceptable alternative parish? Give me a break. You’re a social climber.

Actually, the only time I’ve been to that church in Georgetown is when I lived in DuPont Circle (and then usually went to St. Matt’s). But I am desperate to find a church where the homily has some meaning and resonance for me...so I don’t blame the people I know that drive to Georgetown or other places outside our neighborhood. As noted in my post, I’ve been going to our uninspiiring and stuffy local church for 15 years but the dumb parade they organized to march past the office of the lone abortion provider in our town may be my last straw. I actually really like most of the parishioners so I’ve stuck it out but it seems like the pastor let’s a small number drive the tone. It definitely is driving away the younger families.

Why is that dumb? You sound like you don’t accept the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of unborn life? You know I often drive past respectful protestors outside the abortion provider in my area. They hold signs, usually just with words but sometimes with pictures. They stand at the legally-approved distance away from the provider. They don’t heckle women entering the building. The time space and manner restrictions on this type of protest have been thoroughly addressed by the Supreme Court. They protestors follow the rules and they are expressing a core tenant of our Catholic faith. I respect them greatly even though I personally don’t think abortion (though immoral) should be illegal. (Adultery is also immoral, but not illegal, for example.). I guess I’m just wondering why you’re giving this example of a “dumb parade” as the “final straw” for you. You don’t seem to understand or respect your own faith.

there was a sharp turn in the Catholic church in the 90s to team up with evangelicals and make abortion protests (which often harass vulnerable women) a much bigger centerpiece than any other Catholic social justice issue, like war, poverty, and education. The church is pro life but there are many ways it can express that. parades to harass vulnerable women aren’t it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity in Georgetown.

The Jesuits and sermons are great but attending mass here feels like attending mass with a bunch of people at their country club.

Agreed. They are all too good to interact with the normal folks who in their actual parish so they drive to Georgetown.

Sorry we aren’t interested in the anti-gay and anti-abortion rhetoric that we were subjected to at mass at our Nova Church.

Also, RE at HT is head and shoulders better run than the 3 other churches we tried (and St Matthews had no RE).

Uh huh. Well better to ensconce yourself in your bubble than try to actually understand your neighbors.

Oh please. I interact plenty with my neighbors but almost none of them will attend the church that is literally a mile from my house because the pastor is still, unfriendly, and gives a variation on the same homily every week. The people driving the anti-abortion rhetoric are him and a half dozen old ladies (not clear where they live but I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood). The seats are mostly empty at mass and families just use it as a convenient place for CCD. It’s parishes like this that are killing the Church, in Europe and South America as well as the US. I’ve been going pretty faithfull for 15 years and I just need someplace that is actually going to make me feel closer to God, not farther from Him.

And Georgetown is the closest acceptable alternative parish? Give me a break. You’re a social climber.

Actually, the only time I’ve been to that church in Georgetown is when I lived in DuPont Circle (and then usually went to St. Matt’s). But I am desperate to find a church where the homily has some meaning and resonance for me...so I don’t blame the people I know that drive to Georgetown or other places outside our neighborhood. As noted in my post, I’ve been going to our uninspiiring and stuffy local church for 15 years but the dumb parade they organized to march past the office of the lone abortion provider in our town may be my last straw. I actually really like most of the parishioners so I’ve stuck it out but it seems like the pastor let’s a small number drive the tone. It definitely is driving away the younger families.

Why is that dumb? You sound like you don’t accept the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of unborn life? You know I often drive past respectful protestors outside the abortion provider in my area. They hold signs, usually just with words but sometimes with pictures. They stand at the legally-approved distance away from the provider. They don’t heckle women entering the building. The time space and manner restrictions on this type of protest have been thoroughly addressed by the Supreme Court. They protestors follow the rules and they are expressing a core tenant of our Catholic faith. I respect them greatly even though I personally don’t think abortion (though immoral) should be illegal. (Adultery is also immoral, but not illegal, for example.). I guess I’m just wondering why you’re giving this example of a “dumb parade” as the “final straw” for you. You don’t seem to understand or respect your own faith.

there was a sharp turn in the Catholic church in the 90s to team up with evangelicals and make abortion protests (which often harass vulnerable women) a much bigger centerpiece than any otherCatholic social justice issue, like war, poverty, and education. The church is pro life but there are many ways it can express that. parades to harass vulnerable women aren’t it.

When you derisively say parade, what you’re actually talking about is a protest walking back and forth? You don’t say they were heckling people and I seriously doubt they were because the rules are well established. The church believes abortion HURTS vulnerable women. Do you? Do you not like protest and parades in general? Or just on this topic? Can I march for racial justice? Or is that not the right way to do it? The church also runs crisis pregnancy centers and does tons of anti-poverty and immigration work.