Several of my neighbors go to St. Agnes in north Arlington and like it.

Hello OP. I live in Crystal City and I've worshipped in many parishes in arlington, alexandria, dc, and md.. Of course, some parishes may be stronger in certain areas, just as a particular priest may be a phenomenal teacher or speaker... or not and instead contributes something else to the Church. IMHO each gift or work a particular parish, clergy, or layperson does builds up the Church, the body, and so it's OK if one parish has ho-hum homilies or you aren't into the music or you think they focus too much on X and not y, etc... but I would hesitate to get political in the Church and here's why...

It potentially can divide people and then we lose sight of the gospel and the truth. A Catholic should be able to go into any parish in the world, regardless of language or culture or politics and experience the unity of faith. I know I've been to countries were I can't understand barely anything but I experience the same mass. I've been to parishes that have tons of resources and programs and others that don't have much. Some have professional level music and others are more humble. Some clergy have passion and can teach with such power that you gain insight into spiritual matters and others may be weaker teachers and even boring. I love them all! They are all a part of us and us in them. We all have differe t spiritual gifts. We are a family and attending mass is not entertainment or a chance to surround ourselves with people who hold similar politics. I'm not saying you do this but felt compelled to share. I understand you aren't Catholic yet but wanted to give you a Catholic perspective, at least mine. I highly recommend you attend a RCIA class. Also, the Catholic institute of culture is a great resource and I would attend mass at various parishes, as it seems you plan to do anyway. I personally benefit from attending mass in different locations but see the value in finding a single home parish. The arlington diocese has a mass finder and you can type in any day and time and find a mass here in arlington or if that doesn't work- the district.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Charles in Clarendon

+1

Another +1. We did our pre-cana counseling at Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria and it was awful.

We love St. Ann's. Very family friendly, and we have been very pleased with the new pastoral team in the last two years. Yes, occasionally when the Bishop calls for it you get a politically-impacted homily but for the most part it is very welcoming and focused on God and Jesus's teachings rather than the religious battles being played out across the nation. More conservative than OLQP or St Charles, but a consideration. It's off Washington blvd near George Mason Drive and Lacey Woods Park.

The Arlington Diocese is generally conservative, but it is also huge, reaching way out into Prince William and Fauquier counties so I wouldn't presume that you won't find what you're looking for. However, if you do decide to cross the river, I have heard good things about Holy Trinity and St Matthew's. Best of luck in finding a good church home.

The Arlington diocese is one of the strictest in the country. You will have to leave the diocese to find what you want. I suggest looking at some churches in DC. We go to Holy Trinity. They are a very welcoming and young energetic parish. We drive there from Arlington.

Anonymous wrote:Nativity in Burke might work for you.

Yes, Nativity is exactly the kind if parish you are describing. Very welcoming to all, no matter their background. People drive from distances to attend this church.

Another vote for St. Charles Borromeo:

http://www.stcharleschurch.org/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a pretty liberal family but Our Lady Queen of Peace in South Arl (where we live) is too liberal and non-doctrinal for DH, who appreciates a more structured, traditional church. From what I've read, Arlington Catholic churches are conservative and I've heard St. Mary's in Alexandria is very conservative. But are there any that might be slightly more modern or liberal than the others? For additional context, I'm not catholic so we are looking for a welcoming community even though we weren't married in the church and our children, so far, haven't been baptized. I would like us to go to church regularly but DH won't go to a Protestant church and I'm personally not committed to converting (though I would be fine with our children being brought up catholic), so we need something in the middle.

Catholic churches must be getting pretty desperate if they "welcome" families with unbaptized children of non-Catholic mothers. Do you ever plan to baptize them? Be ready to be pressured to do so in any church that is not liberal or non-doctrinal.

Baptism is necessary for your children's souls to be saved, according to Catholic teachings. Any church that takes you without expecting baptism along the way is just taking your money and is not concerned about your eternal souls. Maybe your husband doesn't care either and is just going to church for a nostalgic feel-good experience. That's fine for this world, but not for the next.

Well, they don't have to welcome us. My family used to be Catholic a couple generations ago, but I was not raised in a church and haven't been baptized myself. I think it would be nice to raise my children in a church so am trying to find one. DH was raised Catholic and therefore will only go to a Catholic church. He was a weekly church-goer through childhood and does believe, but he's gotten well out of the habit so I will need to be the driving force, including with baptizing our kids. I don't have a problem with doing it though, so pressure on that would be fine.

Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations. We're going to do a rotation and try some of these out.

Anonymous wrote:We are a pretty liberal family but Our Lady Queen of Peace in South Arl (where we live) is too liberal and non-doctrinal for DH, who appreciates a more structured, traditional church. From what I've read, Arlington Catholic churches are conservative and I've heard St. Mary's in Alexandria is very conservative. But are there any that might be slightly more modern or liberal than the others? For additional context, I'm not catholic so we are looking for a welcoming community even though we weren't married in the church and our children, so far, haven't been baptized. I would like us to go to church regularly but DH won't go to a Protestant church and I'm personally not committed to converting (though I would be fine with our children being brought up catholic), so we need something in the middle.

Catholic churches must be getting pretty desperate if they "welcome" families with unbaptized children of non-Catholic mothers. Do you ever plan to baptize them? Be ready to be pressured to do so in any church that is not liberal or non-doctrinal.

Baptism is necessary for your children's souls to be saved, according to Catholic teachings. Any church that takes you without expecting baptism along the way is just taking your money and is not concerned about your eternal souls. Maybe your husband doesn't care either and is just going to church for a nostalgic feel-good experience. That's fine for this world, but not for the next.

Nativity in Burke might work for you.

Anonymous wrote:St Charles in Clarendon

+1

St Charles in Clarendon

Good Shepherd in the Mount Vernon area might be worth a visit.

For what it is worth both St. Mary's and Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria have new Pastors as of this Summer, which will cause a difference in homilies. They might not be as conservative as previously thought as the new Pastor's find their groove.

Short answer for Arlington: no. You're not going to find a Catholic church anywhere near as welcoming to your family as you've described it. I've heard Blessed Sacrament in Alex is more liberal, but my info is dated.

IMHO, your husband should be grateful that you're willing to attend Catholic services despite not being Catholic and should appreciate the compromise that Queen of Peace offers. It's a fantastic place.

We are a pretty liberal family but Our Lady Queen of Peace in South Arl (where we live) is too liberal and non-doctrinal for DH, who appreciates a more structured, traditional church. From what I've read, Arlington Catholic churches are conservative and I've heard St. Mary's in Alexandria is very conservative. But are there any that might be slightly more modern or liberal than the others? For additional context, I'm not catholic so we are looking for a welcoming community even though we weren't married in the church and our children, so far, haven't been baptized. I would like us to go to church regularly but DH won't go to a Protestant church and I'm personally not committed to converting (though I would be fine with our children being brought up catholic), so we need something in the middle.