This is a large church with a vibrant community. Sadly, like at most present day Novus Ordo (NO)…read moreMasses, the mean age skews high. There are younger people and small children, but far fewer than middle aged and elderly parishioners.
If you are looking for a reverent Mass, you will likely be disappointed here. If you attend church for the social scene and an occasional good homily, and that's pretty much all Mass means to you...you will find this an amiable, inoffensive parish. While the priests and deacon are friendly, as are most of the regular parishioners I've had the pleasure of interacting with, it's clear by their actions that not many in this parish believe in the Real Presence of Christ within the Eucharist. Let me draw a few of several examples.
Like at so many other NO Masses, Communion is given in the hand while standing in line.
I try to avoid the 10am live-streamed Mass because they permit an older man often dressed in a distracting manner (to put it as charitably as possible) to stand up front in the center aisle behind an iPad on a tall stand to change the camera focus on different areas of the altar throughout the Mass. Worse, he points the iPad camera at every person who comes through the center aisle after they receive Communion. This feels extremely violating of an intimate, spiritual moment, spurring in me an odd cognitive dissonance between desiring to fully experience an intimate moment with our Lord who I just received, while at the same time hip-checking the camera stand as I pass by to return to my seat. If this is not your usual Mass, there is no warning that all are being filmed up close after Communion. I truly hope this is something the priests will stop. This spacious church offers room at other locations where filming can *discreetly* occur that would be far less distracting and not block the altar.
Loud talking is the norm before/after most Masses, so if you wish to pray a rosary or other prayers before/after Mass, you may find it challenging to focus. A lot of people here also talk throughout the Mass across pews to friends. Today two older couples turned around to talk, non-stop after returning from Communion through the final procession, with the couple sitting in front of me. Other times I've attended there are a few families who give their children bags of food and distractions like car keys that are loudly crackled and clanged on the pews, with no regard to neighbors who may be distracted.
The church is very modern, spacious, and minimalist - some might say sanitized of religious symbolism. Aside from the hanging crucifix above the altar and the few statues up front, the church is plainly decorated, such that if it weren't for those you might think this is a Protestant or non-denominational church. The stained glass windows are an abstract cross between hand-doodled curlicue rosettes and birds(?): no saints...no stories...no religious symbols...no meaning.
The music ministry has potential. They have some talented individuals who are capable of professing the most reverent, moving a cappella chant, which I have only infrequently heard at the 10am post-communion reflection. The male choir director (I'm guessing) has a lovely voice that shines during these types of songs, whereas he drags through the post-Conciliar modern hymns. Those musically inclined may wish to slip a metronome to the choir and organist to speed up the music and singing double-time. Today while listening it occurred to me that because of this, the cantor and choir's performances of a joyful song can sound needlessly depressing.
It's easy to find parking at most Masses. Parking at Christmas and Easter Masses is the Hunger Games...be prepared. Maybe this isn't unique to St. Greg's, but the salty Jersey drivers ARE unique and do add a challenge when coming/going in the parking lot.
Without fail, every single time I leave someone checks their Catholic Card at the big front wooden doors and rushes to cut me off in the parking lot while lining up to exit, making two lanes out of one...a nice parting gift that occurs at almost every visit.
Why do I continue to attend? The location is convenient to where I stay while in the area. The people are pleasant, if not seemingly hurried. I'm a very frequent out of town visitor who attends this church almost as much as my home parish. I now avoid the 10am due to the filming issue, so the other aspects are tolerable.
If any priest from this parish is reading...PLEASE halt the iPad filming in the center aisle, especially filming people during Communion. If you care about your flock, please speak more in Mass about and encourage reverent practices that reflect belief in the Real Presence. ~70% of us not believing is why so few young people are coming and why so many who do attend don't take the Mass seriously.
