Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:34     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
We have attended St. Charles in Arlington and Good Shepherd in Alexandria (Mount Vernon), which both offer more than a tow-the-party-line version of Catholicism. I hope you find a good fit. It is a tough place to be.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:26     Subject: Re:S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
OP here. Thank you for the responses. I'm actually surprised to hear about your experiences. I'm originally from Germany and the Catholic Church that I attended there was actually very open-minded. I guess, it will be a different experience over here.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:23     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I went searching for a not-too-conservative Catholic church around here a few years back. One of my friends asked if, "If you really don't agree with so many of the teachings, do you really want to go to a Catholic Church?" It made me think.

We ended up trying out a few Episcopal churches and found what we needed. The rituals and basics were familiar to us, but I didn't need to pick and choose what I decided to listen to during the sermon (homily). The Episcopal churches we visited that weren't the break-away parishes, fit the bill.

Just a thought.......


I am going through this right now in DC of all places! These days are really, really tough times for the liberal, social justice types in the Catholic church. Many of us are rapidly being pushed to the margins, and I found myself worrying about what my young daughter was taking away from the experience. I suspect we'll be joining an Episcopal parish real soon. Good luck to OP in the Arlington Archdiocese.


PP, have you tried Holy Trinity? They are Jesuit and into liberal, social justice, etc. We got married there Have you checked it out? http://www.trinity.org/


There are many factors that go into the choice, including diversity and location. I have thought about HT. Some of my friends have too, but there is a compelling Episcopal option closer to home. It will also be refreshing for our kids to see women in leadership.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:16     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I went searching for a not-too-conservative Catholic church around here a few years back. One of my friends asked if, "If you really don't agree with so many of the teachings, do you really want to go to a Catholic Church?" It made me think.

We ended up trying out a few Episcopal churches and found what we needed. The rituals and basics were familiar to us, but I didn't need to pick and choose what I decided to listen to during the sermon (homily). The Episcopal churches we visited that weren't the break-away parishes, fit the bill.

Just a thought.......


I am going through this right now in DC of all places! These days are really, really tough times for the liberal, social justice types in the Catholic church. Many of us are rapidly being pushed to the margins, and I found myself worrying about what my young daughter was taking away from the experience. I suspect we'll be joining an Episcopal parish real soon. Good luck to OP in the Arlington Archdiocese.


PP, have you tried Holy Trinity? They are Jesuit and into liberal, social justice, etc. We got married there Have you checked it out? http://www.trinity.org/
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:14     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:I went searching for a not-too-conservative Catholic church around here a few years back. One of my friends asked if, "If you really don't agree with so many of the teachings, do you really want to go to a Catholic Church?" It made me think.

We ended up trying out a few Episcopal churches and found what we needed. The rituals and basics were familiar to us, but I didn't need to pick and choose what I decided to listen to during the sermon (homily). The Episcopal churches we visited that weren't the break-away parishes, fit the bill.

Just a thought.......


I am going through this right now in DC of all places! These days are really, really tough times for the liberal, social justice types in the Catholic church. Many of us are rapidly being pushed to the margins, and I found myself worrying about what my young daughter was taking away from the experience. I suspect we'll be joining an Episcopal parish real soon. Good luck to OP in the Arlington Archdiocese.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:12     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just give it up. If you are liberal and reasonable (i.e., you think pedophile priests are criminals), the Catholic Church doesn't want you.

Signed, Ex Catholic


Okay great, we got the requisite Catholic bashing out of the way. Now let's move on.


Has anyone tried doing a convalidation at St Charles (or any of these?) just wondering what is involved.


Im sorry, I have not gone through a convalidation there. (For those who are wondering, this is getting your marraige recognized or blessed) but if anyone would handle it well, I would think it would be this parish, because I personally think they are very open, welcoming, intelligent, sensitive, etc. Hope someone else can chime in on this for you, though. Good luck!!!



Catholic Churches in DC are not part of the Arlington Diocese and have been, in my experience, much less strict. If you strike out in VA, try DC.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 11:03     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just give it up. If you are liberal and reasonable (i.e., you think pedophile priests are criminals), the Catholic Church doesn't want you.

Signed, Ex Catholic


Okay great, we got the requisite Catholic bashing out of the way. Now let's move on.


Has anyone tried doing a convalidation at St Charles (or any of these?) just wondering what is involved.


Im sorry, I have not gone through a convalidation there. (For those who are wondering, this is getting your marraige recognized or blessed) but if anyone would handle it well, I would think it would be this parish, because I personally think they are very open, welcoming, intelligent, sensitive, etc. Hope someone else can chime in on this for you, though. Good luck!!!
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 08:17     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
I went searching for a not-too-conservative Catholic church around here a few years back. One of my friends asked if, "If you really don't agree with so many of the teachings, do you really want to go to a Catholic Church?" It made me think.

We ended up trying out a few Episcopal churches and found what we needed. The rituals and basics were familiar to us, but I didn't need to pick and choose what I decided to listen to during the sermon (homily). The Episcopal churches we visited that weren't the break-away parishes, fit the bill.

Just a thought.......
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 07:33     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:I find it rather funny how the frequent "Help me find a not-too-Catholic Catholic parish" threads on DCUM have proved invaluable to our family in our search for a very Catholic parish to join when we move here. We would never have found a good fit without this forum. Thanks for the help


+1!
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 06:54     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:Just give it up. If you are liberal and reasonable (i.e., you think pedophile priests are criminals), the Catholic Church doesn't want you.

Signed, Ex Catholic


Okay great, we got the requisite Catholic bashing out of the way. Now let's move on.


Has anyone tried doing a convalidation at St Charles (or any of these?) just wondering what is involved.
Anonymous
Post 08/08/2012 06:49     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Just give it up. If you are liberal and reasonable (i.e., you think pedophile priests are criminals), the Catholic Church doesn't want you.

Signed, Ex Catholic
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2012 23:12     Subject: S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Another nod for Nativity in Burke. We live within the parish boundaries, but I know that Father Martin makes a point of welcoming everyone to the parish. I'm a southern Catholic... ie. I grew up in an area where there were so few of us, we couldn't afford to drive anyone out of the Church...and Nativity has the welcoming spirit I remember growing up. It IS very crowded on Sundays, esp. at the 11:00 a.m. mass. Recommend arriving early or attending an earlier or vigil mass.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2012 12:08     Subject: Re:S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:are you allowed to choose your own parish in the NOVA area? i had heard that they were pretty strict about only accepting people who lived in a certain area.


They may give you grief about registering if you're out of bounds without some reason, but they won't ban you from attending.


We joined St. Charles though we are not in the parish and got zero grief. Very nice, open-minded parish.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2012 12:05     Subject: Re:S/O Catholic Parishes (in NoVa)
Father Martin Rocks!