ISO Contemporary Catholic mass

[idiganthro]

We're hoping to find a Catholic parish with a more contemporary service. That was the type of parish we had before we moved here and we miss it. We've tried 4 different parishes so far, but they are all very traditional. Nothing wrong with that, just not what we're looking for. Any suggestions?

Oh, and I was going to post this in the "religion" forum, but all that seemed to be going on there currently were political arguments and only 10 people were viewing! Just hoping to get suggestions from the SOMD vets.


Thanks!

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

We're hoping to find a Catholic parish with a more contemporary service. That was the type of parish we had before we moved here and we miss it. We've tried 4 different parishes so far, but they are all very traditional. Nothing wrong with that, just not what we're looking for. Any suggestions?

Oh, and I was going to post this in the "religion" forum, but all that seemed to be going on there currently were political arguments and only 10 people were viewing! Just hoping to get suggestions from the SOMD vets.


Thanks!

Can you define to me what a "contemporary" mass is? How does it differ from "traditional"?

 

[toppick08]

I'm sick of our "contemporary" Methodist services.............no respect..............give me Old Time Religion....

 

[idiganthro]

Basically more contemporary music, more upbeat, maybe less formal (though not less respectful). Often a parish will have at least one service geared toward people with that preference.

 

[tommyjones]

Basically more contemporary music, more upbeat, maybe less formal (though not less respectful). Often a parish will have at least one service geared toward people with that preference.

thought the services at our Lady Star of the Sea were relatively contemporary. they have a contemporary band anywany, and were much less formal.

 

[idiganthro]

thought the services at our Lady Star of the Sea were relatively contemporary. they have a contemporary band anywany, and were much less formal.

Hmmm, we went there for 12:30 yesterday, but it was very traditional. Perhaps we went to the wrong service?

 

[toppick08]

Here we go.....

 

[tommyjones]

Hmmm, we went there for 12:30 yesterday, but it was very traditional. Perhaps we went to the wrong service?

maybe, i have only gone to the early (8 or 830) and it was less formal than most catholic services i have attended.

maybe it was even earlier, i cant remember, but it was held in the aux building, not the church

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Basically more contemporary music, more upbeat, maybe less formal (though not less respectful). Often a parish will have at least one service geared toward people with that preference.

I don't think you are following the correct religion for your worship beliefs then :shrug: I am non-practicing Catholic, but when I did go to mass, I don't remember any church being "contemporary". I know that the Saturday night services were usually less formal (not necessarily dressing up in "sunday" clothes, just looking nice/presentable instead), but last one I went to didn't have music for one reason or another. That was usually reserved for the Sunday services :shrug:

 

[idiganthro]

I don't think you are following the correct religion for your worship beliefs then :shrug: I am non-practicing Catholic, but when I did go to mass, I don't remember any church being "contemporary". I know that the Saturday night services were usually less formal (not necessarily dressing up in "sunday" clothes, just looking nice/presentable instead), but last one I went to didn't have music for one reason or another. That was usually reserved for the Sunday services :shrug:

There are certainly denominations that tend to have more upbeat services as a normal part of their church.

We came from the diocese of Richmond. Our parish in Virginia Beach was very contemporary in style. I don't want to stop being Catholic, just hope to find a service that fits me.

 

[IrishGirl]

We go Our Lady Star of the Sea in Solomons. My husband and son play in one of the many music groups. There are several different ones each with their own style, some way more traditional than others. The 10:30 mass is usually the most crowded with alot of young families, kids, etc. 8am tends to be the older parishoners but all of the masses are pretty casual as far as dress is concerned. I know the group my family plays with is working on playing more contemporary music whenever they can. Hope you find a parish that fits your personality. I know we had trouble when we first move here (of course that was 20yrs ago.) We were coming from Univ of MD which had a very contemporary, liberal view and So. Md was the complete opposite. Good luck

 

[idiganthro]

We go Our Lady Star of the Sea in Solomons. My husband and son play in one of the many music groups. There are several different ones each with their own style, some way more traditional than others. The 10:30 mass is usually the most crowded with alot of young families, kids, etc. 8am tends to be the older parishoners but all of the masses are pretty casual as far as dress is concerned. I know the group my family plays with is working on playing more contemporary music whenever they can. Hope you find a parish that fits your personality. I know we had trouble when we first move here (of course that was 20yrs ago.) We were coming from Univ of MD which had a very contemporary, liberal view and So. Md was the complete opposite. Good luck

Thank you for your input. We may try that 10:30 mass.

 

[forever jewel]

I attend St. John's Church in Hollywood Maryland. While their earlier masses are traditional, the 11:30 mass is very laid back (IMO), including an upbeat band and clapping.

I was raised in a VERY traditional church (i.e. no female altar servers), so I'm used to that. The 9am mass at St. John's is just right for me (a mix of both contemporary and traditional).

 

[idiganthro]

I attend St. John's Church in Hollywood Maryland. While their earlier masses are traditional, the 11:30 mass is very laid back (IMO), including an upbeat band and clapping.

I was raised in a VERY traditional church (i.e. no female altar servers), so I'm used to that. The 9am mass at St. John's is just right for me (a mix of both contemporary and traditional).

Okay, now I will definately check out 11:30 mass at St. John's this weekend! Thanks for the info.

 

[Dymphna]

Okay, now I will definately check out 11:30 mass at St. John's this weekend! Thanks for the info.

Do me a favor and report back...I've given up hope of finding "contemporary" in So. Md. I grew up here and traditional is all I knew before going to college in Baltimore.

I learned a lot from my parish there, including a lot about what parts of traditional come from the doctrines and teachings of the Church vs. what was just habits developed over the years that spread from parish to parish, but have no true reason for existing except for "that's the way we've always done it."

I do know that the pastor of St. John's used to be at a different church where my grandmother attended. He was classically traditional at the time and very resistant to change and/or being challanged.

 

[idiganthro]

Our parish in VB is so amazing- open and inviting, active, active, active with tons of ministries, classes and groups. The youth group is huge and amazing- they meet weekly and do mission trips every summer. The pastor there is also amazing- he is like a whirlwind and remembers every one he meets. We just loved it there so much.

Moreover, every mass was like a celebration- joyful and enthusiastic. (Do no read disrespectful or out of control...) You just left church feeling great! I just want a mass that is not like a funeral.

My husband has given up hope of finding that kind of environment here, but I am still hoping...

I'll be happy to report back.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

I do know that the pastor of St. John's used to be at a different church where my grandmother attended. He was classically traditional at the time and very resistant to change and/or being challanged.

Which pastor?

 

[awpitt]

I don't think you are following the correct religion for your worship beliefs then :shrug: I am non-practicing Catholic, but when I did go to mass, I don't remember any church being "contemporary". I know that the Saturday night services were usually less formal (not necessarily dressing up in "sunday" clothes, just looking nice/presentable instead), but last one I went to didn't have music for one reason or another. That was usually reserved for the Sunday services :shrug:

In the 70s, we used to go to "folk" mass from time to time where they'd have guitar music and a very upbeat service. This was in the Laural area.

 

[Dymphna]

Which pastor?

The Irish one, Just checked their website, he's not listed as "pastor" anymore, but as "senior priest in residence" Guess he "retired." :shrug:

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

The Irish one, Just checked their website, he's not listed as "pastor" anymore, but as "senior priest in residence" Guess he "retired." :shrug:

He was never actually their pastor. The main pastor is Fr. Ray, and he is great (IMO). I never really went to any masses of that other one, I can't recall his name, but he did seem more traditional.