If you just moved into the community and you are looking for a parish, here are important considerations to remember.
Location
Proximity to the parish is always an excellent motivator, Our Sunday Visitor says. If you want a downtown parish, then check out options like Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Knowing you can easily make it to mass in less than an hour means less stress in the mornings when you get everybody ready to go out the door.
Quality of sermons
Apart from the location, another factor you need to look into is the quality of the sermons. You can ask around or reach out to neighbors in the community for their advice and opinion. Reading up on reviews and feedback online can also help. Check out if there are comments that can help you work out which parishes hit the mark.
Feeling welcomed
Finding a house of worship involves more than going to the nearest church to your home, though. Do you and your family feel welcomed? Do you. While it’s true that you can also reach out and take steps to become an active part of the community, having that sense that people in the group welcome you and your family can boost your motivation to stay. That is the advantage of choosing a parish like Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church. With a community that extends a warm welcome to new members, deciding to stay or go becomes easier.
Style of the services
What kind of service style suits you? The best way to get a gauge on whether it’s the right parish for you is to pay a visit. Attend one of the services. Talk to the other members of the parish while you are there. This can tell you a lot about the community you will join and if it is a good match for you and your family.