Catholic Churches in N. Summit/S. Cuyahoga County

[jam40jeff]

St. Stephen sings the portions which were meant to be sung (Opening Hymn, Gloria, Responsorial, Allelujah, Communion Hymn, Closing Hymn) and nothing else. The music that is sung is beautiful (organ and cantor who is also in the Cleveland Opera). Very traditional and compliments the Mass well.

[BillLuc1982]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

St. Stephen sings the portions which were meant to be sung (Opening Hymn, Gloria, Responsorial, Allelujah, Communion Hymn, Closing Hymn) and nothing else. The music that is sung is beautiful (organ and cantor who is also in the Cleveland Opera). Very traditional and compliments the Mass well.

Thanks! I agree that all of those parts (along with Holy Holy, Lamb of God, Amen, Mystery of Faith) SHOULD be sung, and they are at most churches

You hit the button on how music should be. The Our Father should have 100% participation, visitors included, and should be spoken regardless of occasion. I felt like a welcome visitor at St. Albert's

[jam40jeff]

Originally Posted by BillLuc1982

Thanks! I agree that all of those parts (along with Holy Holy, Lamb of God, Amen, Mystery of Faith) SHOULD be sung, and they are at most churches

You hit the button on how music should be. The Our Father should have 100% participation, visitors included, and should be spoken regardless of occasion. I felt like a welcome visitor at St. Albert's

Yah I left out the singing during the Liturgy of the Eucharist because I don't know of anyone that doesn't sing those. I have been to churches that sing everything (including the Our Father, Kyrie Eileison, all amens, and the priest chants the entire Eucharistic Prayer) and other churches that sing next to nothing (not even Responsorial Hymn). I think that most I have been to still strike a nice balance.

As much as I love the Mass overall at St. Stephen Church, you can't beat Father Snow's homilies at Gesu.

I think I have been to St. Albert once. It was a nice mass, which is more important than a grand building. I prefer the nice mass AND the grand building, though.

[BillLuc1982]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

Yah I left out the singing during the Liturgy of the Eucharist because I don't know of anyone that doesn't sing those. I have been to churches that sing everything (including the Our Father, Kyrie Eileison, all amens, and the priest chants the entire Eucharistic Prayer) and other churches that sing next to nothing (not even Responsorial Hymn). I think that most I have been to still strike a nice balance.

As much as I love the Mass overall at St. Stephen Church, you can't beat Father Snow's homilies at Gesu.

I think I have been to St. Albert once. It was a nice mass, which is more important than a grand building. I prefer the nice mass AND the grand building, though.

My fiancee and I both appreciate grand buildings as a big bonus. She is not a fan of circular or near circular churches -- the "modern" architecture. St. Barnabas is very circular with an awkward floor pitch. That plus the abundance of singing makes that a big no-no!

[costello_musicman]

If you appreciate grand buildings....then definitely make the trip up sometime!

Here are some links to these Cleveland Gems:

St. Stanislaus in Slavic Village http://www.ststanislaus.org/
St. Stephen http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2008/09/st-stephens-in-cleveland-ohio.html
Holy Rosary Little Italy http://holy-rosary.org/

[sophialee]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

I'm not a Catholic, but my daughter is, so I know what you mean about many churches having intrusive music. Her church is the worst. I guess their theory is if someone is willing to sing, but can't, they're still included, and a cheap sound system is better than one with a volume knob, right? Don't even get me started on when priests love to hear themselves sing.
A lot of Protestant churches have this problem too. I don't want a hip church service. I like my religion quiet and plain.
Anyway, I've heard that St Mary's in Hudson is very nice.

Uhhh you guys have no clue. I moved to the South recently from Cleveland and the Catholic churches down here are soooooo different from up North.

First of all, you have to find one which is a challenge itself, and the one we go to has like a full fledged rock band! LOL. I almost died the first time I went to Mass . You get used to it tho and it is still Mass, just a little more swinging than up North.

[BillLuc1982]

Yes down South they are way different and more creative with their liturgies. I've been to 38 states and attend Mass when I'm away from home.

[jam40jeff]

I have been to some rock band Masses around Cleveland. I didn't give those places the chance to force me to get used to them.

I also went to Easter Sunday Mass in Florida one time and there were TV monitors in the back so people with bad vision could watch.

In the Catholic Church, it is technically the same Mass wherever you go, but it sure can feel a lot different at some places than at others. The key is finding the one that fits you best, which obviously is different for everyone. That is the best part about being in an area with many parishes. (I know you're technically SUPPOSED to go to the parish you live in, but the Church has never given me a problem about twice being a member of another parish outside of the one I live in.)

[BillLuc1982]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

I have been to some rock band Masses around Cleveland. I didn't give those places the chance to force me to get used to them.

I also went to Easter Sunday Mass in Florida one time and there were TV monitors in the back so people with bad vision could watch.

In the Catholic Church, it is technically the same Mass wherever you go, but it sure can feel a lot different at some places than at others. The key is finding the one that fits you best, which obviously is different for everyone. That is the best part about being in an area with many parishes. (I know you're technically SUPPOSED to go to the parish you live in, but the Church has never given me a problem about twice being a member of another parish outside of the one I live in.)

Going to the closest parish was a rule that existed before I was born. Thankfully, that rule doesn't apply -- must attend St. Barnabas doesn't sound good. I was used to going to the best parish because I grew up going to my mother's parish. My mother, father, brother, and I loved the church and have always gone there and still go there.