I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but something didn't feel right. Then it hit me, or the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear. It wasn't traditional enough. The church is pretty, but it feels secular. Can you imagine a Catholic Church that feels secular? It also dawned on me that the other church in town was the same way. No tabernacle in the church, it is in the back behind the scene. No holy water when you walk in to bless yourself with, and there are no kneelers. You find yourself wondering, "Did I go to the right church?" (And believe me around here there are churches on every corner so you very well could.)
St. Thomas More Church is pretty enough. 
Then the final test came yesterday, we went to church in Amherst. Only 10 minutes from the house we are buying. As soon as we walked in Jacob's comment was, "There is a tabernacle." Check one! Holy water was at the entrance. Check two! Four different people introduced themselves to us. They were actually able to tell we were new.
Finally, we've found our church.
We had a similar experience in the UK. Though the first church we went to was more traditional, it was too big for us to become involved in. We started going to the one on base, and fell in love with the sense of community there. No I do Children's Liturgy, DH is the treasurer, and we are known and active...something that has never been true of us before.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found the church for you.