My children are taking RE (CCD in our day) at Holy Trinity. At least 75% of the kids in our son's class live in Virginia. No problem for Holy Trinity at all. At a new parishioner meeting this fall, most of the new parishioners were from VA or MD, and described why they chose to drive past other Catholic churches on their way to Holy Trinity. Some people drive 45 minutes to get there. It's a great church. Very service-oriented. Go Jesuits!

Hmmm... Interesting predicament. I relate. You say you fell in love with the Church's history and it's Sacraments, well then you know why you came to the Church. Think of the Eucharist. Please re-look at all that before you consider leaving. Also remember, the Church doesn't "condemn" homosexuals. It teaches that they are called to a different way of life. Now, I know that's where a lot of the contention comes in but in understanding the Churches teachings on sex and marriage it does make sense. My approach is to try and accept all people in love and understanding. I submit to the magesterium of the Church because I believe Jesus Christ founded the Church on the Apostles and gave them His authority here on earth. I may struggle with a teaching, but I must trust and hope that one day I will understand. It is not my place to judge . Just so you know, I am a cradle Catholic who had a reconversion to the faith. I love the Church and all it teaches. I attend Mass each Sunday and go to confession regularly. Remember that Love is at the base of all of the Churches teachings. It really is. Christ calls us to wash each others feet. God bless!

OP, agree with others that you need to find a new parish. One thing to consider is the order of the priests. Find a parish with Jesuits-- who are traditionally more liberal. My sister's parish has Augustinians, and I've always loved going to mass with her when I visit. I've never enjoyed homilies more than at her parish-- warm, funny, human, loving. I'm actually choking up just thinking about the homily from Christmas a few years ago. A young, joyful priest who demonstrated how great God's gift of his son was by taking a baby from his mother and holding him up for everyone to see. The baby was so tiny and fragile and adorable, everyone gasped and oohed and aahed. The magnitude of God's sacrifice was made so palpable.

And I say all this as an angry, lapsed Catholic who is probably more agnostic than Christian!

I'm really happy to see this post. This is something I've been struggling with a LOT and so has a good friend of mine. I have a hard time dealing with the fact that I think that homosexuality is like race - it isn't chosen and God made people that way just as God made straight people. I don't want to leave the faith I was raised in but I have been searching for someone to talk these issues out and how to reconcile them with my faith. Thank you so much for posting all this information.

Anonymous wrote:Leave the Arlington diocese. It's one of the most conservative.

Exactly. I'm not Catholic and even I know how conservative it is.

Grew up über catholic. I am now Methodist and feel so close to God. I went to all catholic schools and never learned about the bible and how to personalize my faith. I am not a bible thumper, just enjoying learning and growing.
I will tell you I dealt with a lot of guilt in the beginning!

Once upon a time I found a book called "the good enough catholic" and it helped a lot. Also Kathleen Norris has some nice stuff out there.

I always say I'm cathopagan....if I were going to be Christian it would be the catholic church.

Second the recommendation for Our Lady Queen of Peace. Check the website and read over some of the material there:

www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org

We are parishioners and we're in Fairfax County. I know of some parishioners that live in Vienna and Reston, so we are not the only non-Arlington folks attending.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so far. About Holy Trinity -- do the priests welcome or discourage people from out of parish? It would be far for us. Are all the Masses the same, or are there some with/without music, with more contempoary or traditional music, geared to children, etc? Are all of the Masses crowded, or are some more intimate? Finally, is parking difficult, and should we allow a lot of extra time to park and walk to the Church? Thanks again.

The priests welcome from out of parish. From what i remember (it's been a couple of years since i regularly attended HT), the Saturday evening mass was less singing. Lots of singing Sunday evening. Don't know about Sunday mornings b/c I didn't have kids then, so I was "busy sleeping." Sunday mornings are geared to families. I would allow a little extra time to park, maybe 15 minutes. You can park at Visitation or street parking. Since I usually went Saturday evenings, I never had trouble with parking. You can also go to dinner afterwards at The Tombs (or elsewhere in Gtown.)

Gosh, i'm getting all wistful about HT now.....I also have the same feelings you do about the Catholic Church.

HTS masses are very welcoming, since it is also a school many students and their families come from out of parish areas to attend on sunday. (Some as far as Reston or Annapolis) There is a morning mass, 9:30 I believe for families in the theatre. I think 5:30 has a lot of musical elements. Check the website for other mass times and options.

Me too OP. I just had this conversation with a friend struggling with the same things. I am not willing to I've up on it but there are some who say you cannot pick and choose. I even took a glass called landings for people who have struggled. Try a different church. St Charles in Clarendon or Our Lady Queen of Peace is very economically and socially diverse. It is on 19th street in S Arlington. The focus is social justice. They are too busy feeding the poor and helping immigrants to care about homosexuality.