Your advice is needed. My fiance and I are members of a Catholic church in Scottsdale, but want to consider changing to a closer church in Phoenix. I'd like to go to a church that reminds me of where i went to church growing up (older, traditional catholic setting). The two churches who stand out to me are St. Thomas off Camelback/24th and St. Mary's Bascillica in downtown Phoenix. Anyone marry at these churches? Anyone transfer from one church to another? Is it a challenge to switch churches and then take marriage prep classes and marry in the church? AND, anyone know a Catholic church that will marry you on a Friday or Sunday Afternoon?
Any help you can provide would be great. I dont want to start calling churches till i have a bit more info...
***"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -- Lao Tzu***
Have you checked St.
Have you checked St. Gregory's Catholic Church at 19th Avenue & Osborn? We have been members for years now, but we did not get married there two years ago when we married. Why? It was kinda of like jumping through hopes. I am baptized, 1st holy communion and confirmed. My husband is not. So...they wanted him to get those sacraments before marriage classes and setting the date. That would have taken months to get those sacraments and plus, no time. He works nights and the classes were on nights. They couldn't work with us, even after being active contributing members for years. But despite all that, it's an awesome church, awesome school and awesome community. I'd highly recommend it. But as for being married there, might want to check into to.
There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one!
We moved here from Virginia
We moved here from Virginia and I guess we figured that Catholic churches are the same no matter where you go. WRONG!!! The first one we went to was St. Andrew's (in Chandler) and the people were nice and everything, but it was waaaaayyyy more 'touchy feely' than our church back in VA. Father was always encouraging us to 'get to know one another' before mass, whereas we grew up using that time before service as 'silent time' to put ourselves in the presence of God. And whereas our VA church sang standard traditional hymns, the upbeat show tune-style music of St. Andrew's had us calling service "Mass: The Musical." The last straw was when they had 4 teenage girls doing 'interpretive dancing" ON THE ALTAR DURING MASS!!!
So no we go to St. Steven's, which is adjacent to the retirement community Sun Lakes. We are MUCH more at home with the senior citizens who do things the old fashioned way!
I just want to say, I don't think St. Andrew's is 'wrong' or there's anything bad about the parish, it's just so different from what we're used to. I know that if someone moved FROM St. Andrew's to my old parish in VA, they would probably find it stuffy and waaaaaayyyy too conservative. So if you can find a church that helps you focus on mass and doesn't have all the distractions of being outside your 'comfort zone' then that is a good idea.
Good luck in your search and in your marriage!
New to AZ --- and missing autumn leaves and the smell of apple orchards!
while i dont mind
while i dont mind socializing, i do like to just go to mass, pray, and leave...never been much of a talker before or after mass. Thanks for the info!
***"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -- Lao Tzu***
I am starting to get the
I am starting to get the feeling that even if you've been a Catholic all your life, if you aren't bringing in the money, you are gonna have some challenges when you want to marry in a different church :(
hmm...i'll look at St. Gregory's too. thank you!
***"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -- Lao Tzu***
Have you tried Sts. Simon
Have you tried Sts. Simon and Jude? The church is beautiful and old fashioned. As far as i know EVERYONE has to take preparation classes, even if you have had all your sacraments and attend Mass regularly. And the way they know if you go regularly is the envelopes. After you register with a parish they send you the offering envelopes. Even if you can't put a dollar in that envelope it's IMPORTANT to put it in the collection basket each week. That's how they know if you attend Mass on a regular basis and aren't just using the church to get married and never return until you want a child baptized. It shouldn't be hard to do..,good luck to you.
Paz
ut oh...i rarely remember to
ut oh...i rarely remember to bring the envelope to church. Maybe i should just join a new church all together?
Where is St Simon and Jude?
***"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -- Lao Tzu***
My husband and I are
My husband and I are currently going through the convalidation process at St. Mary's in Chandler. We've been married 7 years, civilly and have 3 kids.
You need to take one marriage seminar class (all day Saturday in downtown Phoenix) and one NFP class. It's pretty simple - but you have to do some of the prep work. We did the FOCCUS test and met with someone at our parish.
It's seems funny - because we've been together for 10 years, but still the Church has its requirements, so we obliged.
Also, if you don't mind a Deacon performing your ceremony, you can get married when he and the church are available. If you prefer a Priest then you'll have to stick to the Saturdays. That's what we were told. We will probably have a Deacon whitness our marriage.
I didn't know about the
I didn't know about the Deacon option...that might be an idea if we can't marry on a Saturday (i am thinking it will be cheaper to have reception/caterin on a Friday or Sunday)
***"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -- Lao Tzu***
The Brophy Chapel at Central
The Brophy Chapel at Central and Highland also has that old world feel. St Francis which is practically next door is also beautiful but a different feel maybe. St Francis was the 2nd parish established in Phoenix btw after St Mary's. Sorry, I don't know the requirements for marriage though.