Great Church in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

Hi! Do you have a chuch you can recommend in Arlington? We really want an active church that has lots of families with young children (and hopeully a Sunday school/care program for the little ones).

I am Episcopalian; he is Catholic. We are more progressive and want to be with people who are open-minded. I have heard the Arlington Catholic Diocese is very conservative, so not sure that will work out. Probably more interested in Episcopalian.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown has many families from Virginia. It fits what you are looking for - except location.

[Anonymous]

St. Charles Borromeo in Arlington. It is FABULOUS. Great priests - real thinking feeling people - not just mouthpieces - and a great community. Check it out. I think the 6:00 pm service has the best music and is the most casual. They have Atrium (Montessori-based) and regular Sunday/religious classes. I am a returned Catholic and still find it hard to go elsewhere b/c of the lack of dynamism and real truth that speaks TO you not AT you in the sermons.

[Anonymous]

I also highly recommend Holy Trinity. If you are "progressive" you probably will not like many Catholic Churches in the Arlington Diocese.

My husband grew up in the Episcopal Church and he is totally comfortable with Holy Trinity and the Jesuit teachings. It is the only place he will go. And since I was going to church when we met and married and he was not...we go to the Catholic Church.

HTC is a wonderful welcoming place. They were very supportive and enthusiastic when my husband and I taught marriage prep. They loved the idea of young people wanting to do this and also know that it is helpful to have non-Catholics participate as well.

[Anonymous]

I second St. Charles Borromeo. They have a children's room upstairs with speakers if you feel you need to separate your kids from the mass if they might go ballistic, but there are also plenty of people with kids in the pews in the main hall.

They have a "children's eucharist" at the 9am Sunday mass, aimed at about 4-8 years old, where the kids go off to one side room and listen to their own version of the readings and the homily. They sing songs and they go around in a circle and tell what they are thankful for. I just accompanied my 3 year old to it this past weekend, but older kids can go solo.

There are also donuts and coffee after every 9am mass, and all kinds of volunteer activities in the bulletins. They also have a great website.

FWIW, I'm not really a strong Catholic but my husband is. I find St. Charles to be very welcoming. I also really like Fr. Creeden, who does most of the 9am masses.

Good luck in your search.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that lives in Virgina, are members of Holy Trinity, and frequently attend St. Charles in Arlington do to proximety

I think these 2 Catholic Churches are the ones closest to what you are looking for.

Good luck!