I attend Mass and Confession at St. Mary' periodically; here are the highlights:…read more
~ Typical Mass and Confession times (see bulletin for changes):
-- Sunday Masses (Vigil: 4pm; Sun: 8am, 10am, 12pm)
-- Daily Masses are different each day: Mon: 7:30pm, Tues-Wed: 8:30am, Thurs: 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 8:30am
-- Confession: Sat: 2:30-3:30pm, Mon: 7-7:25pm
-- Adoration with Benediction: Thurs: 5-7pm
~ The Church: It's a beautifully architected Church. I love looking at all the Saints, Mary, and Jesus up near / beyond the Altar. It is a small church and old -- you'll often hear constant screeching of the kneelers and a crackling sound as people sit in the pews. But I love the traditional looking churches; it makes it just a more special place. If you look up just above the Altar an amazing image of Jesus is there -- I often look at that image for a brief moment as the priest lifts up the Body and Blood of Jesus to help me imagine Him there visually present.
~ Music: For the most part, the music and cantoring is delightful. I love the traditional organ music, which is typically played at the 8am, 10am, and 12pm Sunday Masses. The 4pm Vigil Mass isn't as great as they don't use the organ and have a different cantor.
~ Priests, Staff, Congregation, Parishioners: Fr. Tom (who is the current pastor) is great. I love how he starts his homilies with an anecdote related to the readings and/or Gospel -- it often engages you to listen. He also has the heart of Jesus in the Confessional, just as you would hope. The deacon, who also does homilies periodically is good, but I just don't like the animated ones or ones where he sings. Outside the priest and deacon, I've met a couple of the people who help out setup and/or during the Mass and they are great people. However, there are parishioners that talk before Mass that you can hear clearly, and that time is meant to be silent so we can prepare our hearts for Mass. (See paragraph 45: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html)
All in all, it's a great church, great community, and love coming here when I am able.