Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think there is a very observant Catholic community near Hyattsville, MD.
Yeah -- I read about a very observant Catholic community (i think in the Post) several years ago. I remember thinking it was MD. I think there's a community in Fairfax too. But i feel like these communities are heavily Opus Dei.
I honestly think that there are very few members of Opus Dei in Hyattsville. Most people in the Hyattsville Catholic community have some sort of affiliation with Catholic U., either as professors (both women and men) and as graduate students or former graduate students. A lot of people are attracted to St. Jerome Academy for their kids. Many people live within walking distance of St. Jerome church and school, but not everybody.
In Virginia you would find a Catholic community in Front Royal. Honestly, this community is a bit traditional. You might find a lot of women wearing mantillas at mass. I don't say this to criticize them - the community just has that flavor.
In Montgomery County, you might find like-minded families at Brookewood and Avalon schools. You might find a few Opus Dei members, but not many. You will find many devout families.
You might also like the residential neighborhoods around St. Bernadette in Silver Spring and Holy Redeemer in Kensington.
I don't think that OP shows a misunderstanding of Christianity. She simply wants to find like-minded people for community. I would hope that OP still enjoys her friendships with non-Catholics and appreciates all that we share as children of the same creator.
OP, you might enjoy the book The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher.
PS - I am sure that there must be some Catholic-dominated neighborhoods in northern Virginia, but I don't live there, so I can't tell you!