Good Conservative Catholic Church? TY. (Matthews, Mooresville: chapel, new house, catholic schools)

[sophialee]

Hi,

Just moving here from Cleveland, Ohio and looking for a traditional Roman Catholic Church. Preferably one that gives Communion on the tongue, not in the hand. Altar boys, not girls. Compassionate priests. Things like that.

Hoping someone can recommend a church. There are barely any down here! We have a Matthews(Union County) zip, so fairly close would be nice.

and please don't bash me for saying the altar boys thing. It's just traditional role for boys to prepare for the priesthood, I'm not a misogynist.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Hi,

Just moving here from Cleveland, Ohio and looking for a traditional Roman Catholic Church. Preferably one that gives Communion on the tongue, not in the hand. Altar boys, not girls. Compassionate priests. Things like that.

Hoping someone can recommend a church. There are barely any down here! We have a Matthews(Union County) zip, so fairly close would be nice.

and please don't bash me for saying the altar boys thing. It's just traditional role for boys to prepare for the priesthood, I'm not a misogynist.

I cannot think of a single Catholic church matching your description anywhere in this diocese, though the new bishop is thought of as very conservative. It has been my experience that at communion if you do not offer your hands, but instead just open your mouth you can receive communion that way anytime, anywhere. Not bashing you about the alter "boy" thing - just wondering where in the world you got the idea this was a "tradional role for boys to prepare for the priesthood"? Being an alter server is simply that - learning a way of being of service to others.

[sophialee]

Altar girls are a new thing. Seeing as the preisthood is desperately needing more preists, I guess it's just my opinion that maybe they should have kept it that way to perhaps encourage more boys to consider the preisthood.

I'm not real crazy about Laymen giving communion either, but that's just me.

[BxRosie]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Altar girls are a new thing. Seeing as the preisthood is desperately needing more preists, I guess it's just my opinion that maybe they should have kept it that way to perhaps encourage more boys to consider the preisthood.

I'm not real crazy about Laymen giving communion either, but that's just me.

I can understand how you feel Sophialee. In NY, it's a bit more conservative than is is in NC. It was definitely culture shock for me the 1st time I attended Mass in my new parish, St. Therese in Mooresville. It's run by the Jesuits & is more "progressive", think Catholic with a Baptist flair. They have Eucharistic Ministers there & you can receive Communion under both species (bread/host & wine) at every Mass.

Having a brother that is a priest back in NY, I understand why the church has changed many things like Altar Servers & Eucharistic Ministers. They fill a need & they are serving their Lord. It's ok to feel uncomfortable about receiving Communion from "your next door neighbor", there's a few EM's back in NY that I would never receive from myself.

BxRosie

[sophialee]

Thanks!

I meant no disrespect towards altar girls or EM's. It was a total shock the first time I saw either one! I do know there is a need for them, though. I still prefer to wait in line for the priest to give me Communion, or a Deacon. Still prefer a priest, though. JMO.

I don't think there are any Catholic churches in Union County!

[MJPost32]

We will be going to St. Matthew's catholic Church in Ballantyne and live in Wesley Chapel. It seems much nicer then the one I go to now here in Philly. It seesm more liek a community type of church with all sorts of activities. I am excited to join...but the 20 min. drive wil not be so fun!

I have no problem with the altar girls but do with the laymen communion members.

We picked this church because it has a school and eventually if we stay down in NC our kids will go to school there.


http://www.stmatthewcatholic.org/

[sophialee]

Thank you! Our new house is in Wesley Chapel too. Weird it has a Matthews address though? Right off 84.

I guess the altar girls don't really bother me too much. I just hope it doesn't turn into women priests, I guess. Though I don't see that ever happening, hopefully (bibical reasons, not that I don't think women are as competent. In case anyone is wondering why a woman would say such things.).

I went to Catholic schools and want my children to, as well. Thank you so much for the link!

[BxRosie]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Thank you! Our new house is in Wesley Chapel too. Weird it has a Matthews address though? Right off 84.

I guess the altar girls don't really bother me too much. I just hope it doesn't turn into women priests, I guess. Though I don't see that ever happening, hopefully (bibical reasons, not that I don't think women are as competent. In case anyone is wondering why a woman would say such things.).

I went to Catholic schools and want my children to, as well. Thank you so much for the link!

My son went to Catholic school from Pre-K 3 until he graduated 8th grade last year. Would have loved for him to go to a Catholic HS in NC but they were too far away. Over an hours drive from our house in either direction & we would have had to provide the transportation for him. Maybe, with the continued growth of Catholics to NC, you might see more schools available in the future.

The Altar Girls are very good. In my last parish, they were more dedicated & reliable than the boys were. I too still have a problem with EM's myself. I'll go to one if I have to, but I prefer receiving from a priest too. I guess it's what we grew up with & change is sometimes hard. I also know what my brother went through & gave up for his vows to enter the priesthood.

Rosann

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Altar girls are a new thing. Seeing as the preisthood is desperately needing more preists, I guess it's just my opinion that maybe they should have kept it that way to perhaps encourage more boys to consider the preisthood.

I'm not real crazy about Laymen giving communion either, but that's just me.

Altar girls / servers aren't THAT new.... but I do still go to the priest for my communion host. I have an "easier" time with EM if they're dressed as such. Where I used to attend in PA, the EM wear robes and enter with the priest.
Where I attend now, they dress any which way - seems as if there should be some (oh, I don't know) dignity to it. I also don't much care for the deacon giving the sermon either. That's just me....

[sophialee]

^agree! They dress however at my home parish, too. My fiancee hadn't been to mass for years till he started seeing me and I drug him along. j/k lol. His mouth dropped when he saw lay people handing out the host. Of course, I told him he needn't worry because he wouldn't be recieving till he went to confession. lol.


A good confessor is also something that is important to me. That's what I meant by compassionate, I guess. My priests in Cleveland are so wonderful, they do not make confession feel like a scary thing and give great advice. I'll miss them.

I'm guessing a Latin Mass is out of the question? jk..