tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post2378387771273451632..comments2023-10-07T09:34:47.507-05:00Comments on Aggie Catholics: Advantages / Disadvantages to Mega-ParishesMarcelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121158394600137195noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-55920806747581109542011-08-03T23:38:03.708-05:002011-08-03T23:38:03.708-05:00I'm from a very small parish but I definitely ...I'm from a very small parish but I definitely see the advantages and disadvantages of both. We just need a combination of both!Cassi@FromaCatholicDaughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992034772501802590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-67934267856189286382011-08-02T20:40:05.048-05:002011-08-02T20:40:05.048-05:00I think this gave me an insight into why I like tw...I think this gave me an insight into why I like two of the Byzantine parishes in Texas I've visited. They are invariably small parishes in our corner of the country, at least. <br /><br />They don't embarrass visitors at the beginning of the liturgy, but especially if you arrive early someone will notice you're a visitor and will offer to explain things that Byzantines do differently and how to flip through books. <br /><br />It would be nice if all of our parishes had the ability or inclination to more discreetly welcome visitors and give non-Catholics tips on what to expect in the liturgy and let them know important things, like "we ask that non-Catholics refrain from presenting themselves for Communion. The reason is ___".<br /><br />Back to these Byzantine parishes, they always have a reception afterwards and they're very good hosts. They would love to have another parishioner. I actually tried talking to a new parishioner after Mass once. She had moved from another state, and I faced a "why are you talking to me?" sort of situation. :-pstceolfrithtxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04369240659677103435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-28894118657769571382011-08-02T19:10:46.738-05:002011-08-02T19:10:46.738-05:00I used to be an Episcopalian. Even the fairly mod...I used to be an Episcopalian. Even the fairly moderately-sized Catholic parish I belong to now is a mega-parish compared to the Episcopalian parish I used to belong to. There's small and then there's <b>small</b>.Will Duquettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07842496412575851453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-83656160245803529832011-08-02T16:13:17.132-05:002011-08-02T16:13:17.132-05:00I would have to disagree that music in huge parish...I would have to disagree that music in huge parishes is generally better. Certainly there may be more money poured into the music program, but that does NOT make it better. Paid musicians are not the same as dedicated worshipers, and liturgical music is ultimately an offering of worship not a professional performance.<br /><br />To my mind, the many disadvantages of mega-parishes far outweigh the putative advantages. "More," in a religious context, seldom actually means "better." These things can't be commodified.Lisa Nicholas, Ph. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17350994312307258539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-82098386698151688792011-08-02T13:08:35.513-05:002011-08-02T13:08:35.513-05:00Sacramental preparation at smaller parishes can be...Sacramental preparation at smaller parishes can be more individualized without as many "hoops." <br /><br />We'll be attending a very small parish when we move. It was founded 10 yrs ago to offer that small community that the mega-parishes can't. They have meals together after mass and they all know each other. There are many homeschooling families and the city's Catholic homeschool group is based there. I'm looking forward to being a part of that community!Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03403300534569346474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5094967570243723764.post-536059583977916672011-08-02T12:02:06.735-05:002011-08-02T12:02:06.735-05:00My biggest fear would be distribution of Our Lord ...My biggest fear would be distribution of Our Lord in the Eucharist would be zipped through as fast as possible taking out all the reverence and awe receiving the Lord naturally entails.The Okvist Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06182946013297521911noreply@blogger.com