Our family has been part of this parish for a while now, and it's honestly one of the most vibrant, faith-filled Catholic communities we've experienced. The parish is growing, thriving, and full of young families who are genuinely trying to live out their faith. This is reflected in the packed pews, the gaggle of children everywhere, and the real sense that people are invested in building a strong Catholic community together.
Most everyone here is incredibly welcoming. New families are greeted warmly, kids are included, and there's a strong sense that the parish belongs to everyone--from newborns to grandparents. Like any large parish, there are occasional moments where someone might be bothered by the developmentally appropriate noise or movement that naturally comes with lots of small children. In fact, this past weekend there was an older woman who seemed visibly offended by the mere existence of the littlest parishioners at Mass and even refused to let a father back into the pew during the Our Father after he had briefly stepped out with his child. She actually was so annoyed she stormed out in the middle of Mass. Thankfully, moments like that are the exception and not the norm, and they certainly don't reflect the spirit of the parish as a whole.
One of the reasons the parish is flourishing is the incredible work being done in faith formation. Our Director of Religious Education, Lauren Walsh, does an absolutely remarkable job. She essentially manages religious education and youth ministry for hundreds of children, coordinating programs, volunteers, and events that help young people grow in their faith. The amount of dedication and organization required for that is enormous, and the results speak for themselves.
Fr. Keating also deserves a lot of credit. His homilies are thoughtful, challenging, and rooted in authentic Catholic teaching. He doesn't just offer feel-good reflections--he encourages the faithful to actually know their faith, think about it, and live it out in daily life. Deacon Steve and Deacon Wilfried are also wonderful - they are such a great resource and support for our community.
With the growth of the parish came new office staff as well - Leigh and Anna keep us all in the loop and the parish logistics running smoothly. Patricia is one of the OG office ladies and we definitely could not do it without her!
If you're looking for a lively parish filled with families, kids, and people who are actively practicing their faith, you'll likely feel right at home here. But if you prefer a morgue-type silence or quiet retirement-home atmosphere where children are rarely seen or heard... this probably isn't the parish for you. read more