I am new to the Milwaukee area. My wife and I are having some difficulty finding a solid, orthodox parish where we can attend Mass. Any suggestions?Folks from Milwaukee, can you offer some suggestions? I would probably start at the Basilica but I haven't even been to Mass there yet. When a church building like the Basilica can lend the senses that much support in entering into the ritual I would think it would be hard not to meditate on the mysteries of God.
12 comments:
Oof. I'm not surprised they're having difficulty. Do we know what side of Milwaukee? If they're in Whitefish Bay, for instance, they probably don't want to head down to the south side on a daily or even weekly basis.
The Basilica is a good choice for its beauty. I have been to confession there twice in the past month with the same priest (a newbie, I believe) and he has been excellent--talked about the power of the Rosary, etc. I have not stayed for mass in awhile because I am a parishioner elsewhere, but they have amazing music and in the past the priests have given challenging sermons.
I attend Sacred Heart Croation Parish on 49th and Wells (917 N. 49th Street) just north of Miller Park. A vibrant community in a somewhat unexpected neighborhood. It originated as an ethnically Croatian church and is still pastored by a Croatian Franciscan and has a Croatian language mass every Sunday. But the non-Croatian population at the chuch is quite large and there are lots of young families there. It also has one of the best fish frys around, and if you are looking for Bible study, we have one of those, too! Lots of adoration and events to get involved in.
A lot of my friends attend St. Mary Visitation Parish in Elm Grove if you are looking for a large young adult group.
No Kat, the request came as a comment on an older article, and no contact info. So hopefully Brian the commenter will chime in with the details. Others might benefit though if you know of good parishes anywhere in the metro area.
Thanks Anon! I'll have to check it out next time I go to a Brewers game.
St. John the Evangelist, 84th and Coldspring in Greenfield or St. Anthony's on 9th and Mitchell, Mary Queen of Heaven in West Allis (102nd and Lincoln), St. Mary's Elm Grove and further west, St. Jerome's in Oconomowoc.
I think this covers them all...
One of the best churches in the Milwaukee Metro area in St. Stanislaus just north of the Basilica (and south of downtown). It is an historic Polish church that is run by the priests of the Institute of Christ the King Soveriegn Priest. This group celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass. Many highlights are: army of Altar Boys for Mass, a Choir singing Latin responses at the High Mass, a priest in the Confessional during most masses, Communion at the altar rail, most women wear the mantilla (chapel veil), bells and incense abound.
It is hard to go back to the Novus Ordo after witnessing the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Stanislaus.
http://www.institute-christ-king.org/milwaukee/
Be CAREFUL about St Mary's/Elm Grove. The people are (generally) orthodox; the pastor---well...mostly, kinda.
The Croatian parish is good, as is St A's on 9th/Mitchell, and St Jerome's/Oconomowoc.
Last time I was at the Basilica, the Mass was straight-up, no "enhancements."
Masses I'll go to in the City:
St. Stanislaus - if the person is a traditionalist, then they'll go here. Or, SSPX in Mukwanago (I think).
St. Anthony's Parish - 9th & Mitchell, also good. I went here before I committed to the TLM. Very beautiful church, nice people.
St. Josaphat's Basilica - Decent Mass. Not the best, but not the worst in the archdiocese. Plus, beautiful. :)
I cover a lot of ground and get to diffrent parishes all the time in Milwaukee and the surrounding area.
The Catholic core of the city is indeed St. Stan's, St. Anthony's, and the Basilica, all on the south side. St. Stans and St. Anthony's are very self-selecting with people commuting for the traditionalism. The Basilica is not up to the same traditionalist par as the other two but it is more like a "regular" parish.
I would also suggest checking out the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, St. George's, on State, teh eastern liturgy is amazing and Fr. Phil is top-notch.
St. Maximillian Kolbe has a good Mass, in Polish.
In the suburbs, St. John the Evangelist is fine, a few of the other suburban parishes have decent associate pastors who sneak in a good homily occasionally but the ethos at most of these places is stuck in 1979 still.
Honestly though I am wondering if we are getting to a tipping point wheras young, solid, Catholic families don't need to drive an hour to find a decent Mass but should just go to their actual parish and start nudging things in the right direction, tell the young associate pastor you support him, have him over for dinner, as the pastor why he is using a glass chalice instead of precious medals, get involved in the choir, suggest trying some Greogrian chant, etc.
Yes, we are near the 'tipping point.'
Dad29, You'd be the last to know.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! We sincerely appreciate it and we look forward to checking out these churches. The last few weeks have been somewhat frustrating trying to find a good parish, but I am thankful we came across this blog. It is nice to meet others who have similar views on the liturgy, and it is disappointing that those views are not more widespread.
We are certainly willing to drive to the south side for Sunday Mass, but I too think that there is a strong current of people who want to see a return to more traditional practices. Hopefully this will take hold in more parishes.
As for Kat's question, we are currently renting an apartment in Brookfield. But we are looking to buy a house in the next year, hopefully moving much closer to downtown (where I work).
Again, thanks for the great info!
To all, would anyone know where a good Mass is in the suburbs? Altar boys, incense, traditional music, communion rail, etc. ? I am only sixteen thus my parents will not allow me to drive to the city. I've been to Holy Hill which is decent, but there are too many tourists, and St. Mary's Visitation is alright as far as the people, but not so much the priest.
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