A beautiful church that is bright, airy, and a pleasure to work with. My husband and I were married…read morehere in October 2022. We met with Deacon John for all of our pre-marital requirements and he is the sweetest, kindest man. The church made it very easy to make sure we had our ducks in a row and completed all that we had to leading up to our wedding day. It was a beautiful experience and something we will always treasure.

This is a large church with a vibrant community. Sadly, like at most present day Novus Ordo (NO)…read moreMasses, the mean age skews high. There are younger people and small children, but far fewer than middle aged and elderly parishioners. If you are looking for a reverent Mass, you will likely be disappointed here. If you attend church for the social scene and an occasional good homily, and that's pretty much all Mass means to you...you will find this an amiable, inoffensive parish. While the priests and deacon are friendly, as are most of the regular parishioners I've had the pleasure of interacting with, it's clear by their actions that not many in this parish believe in the Real Presence of Christ within the Eucharist. Let me draw a few of several examples. Like at so many other NO Masses, Communion is given in the hand while standing in line. I try to avoid the 10am live-streamed Mass because they permit an older man often dressed in a distracting manner (to put it as charitably as possible) to stand up front in the center aisle behind an iPad on a tall stand to change the camera focus on different areas of the altar throughout the Mass. Worse, he points the iPad camera at every person who comes through the center aisle after they receive Communion. This feels extremely violating of an intimate, spiritual moment, spurring in me an odd cognitive dissonance between desiring to fully experience an intimate moment with our Lord who I just received, while at the same time hip-checking the camera stand as I pass by to return to my seat. If this is not your usual Mass, there is no warning that all are being filmed up close after Communion. I truly hope this is something the priests will stop. This spacious church offers room at other locations where filming can *discreetly* occur that would be far less distracting and not block the altar. Loud talking is the norm before/after most Masses, so if you wish to pray a rosary or other prayers before/after Mass, you may find it challenging to focus. A lot of people here also talk throughout the Mass across pews to friends. Today two older couples turned around to talk, non-stop after returning from Communion through the final procession, with the couple sitting in front of me. Other times I've attended there are a few families who give their children bags of food and distractions like car keys that are loudly crackled and clanged on the pews, with no regard to neighbors who may be distracted. The church is very modern, spacious, and minimalist - some might say sanitized of religious symbolism. Aside from the hanging crucifix above the altar and the few statues up front, the church is plainly decorated, such that if it weren't for those you might think this is a Protestant or non-denominational church. The stained glass windows are an abstract cross between hand-doodled curlicue rosettes and birds(?): no saints...no stories...no religious symbols...no meaning. The music ministry has potential. They have some talented individuals who are capable of professing the most reverent, moving a cappella chant, which I have only infrequently heard at the 10am post-communion reflection. The male choir director (I'm guessing) has a lovely voice that shines during these types of songs, whereas he drags through the post-Conciliar modern hymns. Those musically inclined may wish to slip a metronome to the choir and organist to speed up the music and singing double-time. Today while listening it occurred to me that because of this, the cantor and choir's performances of a joyful song can sound needlessly depressing. It's easy to find parking at most Masses. Parking at Christmas and Easter Masses is the Hunger Games...be prepared. Maybe this isn't unique to St. Greg's, but the salty Jersey drivers ARE unique and do add a challenge when coming/going in the parking lot. Without fail, every single time I leave someone checks their Catholic Card at the big front wooden doors and rushes to cut me off in the parking lot while lining up to exit, making two lanes out of one...a nice parting gift that occurs at almost every visit. Why do I continue to attend? The location is convenient to where I stay while in the area. The people are pleasant, if not seemingly hurried. I'm a very frequent out of town visitor who attends this church almost as much as my home parish. I now avoid the 10am due to the filming issue, so the other aspects are tolerable. If any priest from this parish is reading...PLEASE halt the iPad filming in the center aisle, especially filming people during Communion. If you care about your flock, please speak more in Mass about and encourage reverent practices that reflect belief in the Real Presence. ~70% of us not believing is why so few young people are coming and why so many who do attend don't take the Mass seriously.

Best church around hands down. I've been going to this church for over 10 years and love the…read moreenvironment, pastor, & location. It's a great place to worship and fellowship!!!

Our experience with Saint Cecelia's has been frustrating and sad with some truly glorious moments…read morescattered through~like our son as an alter boy, and our little daughter in the Christmas pageant. The priest that was there when we first moved here in the early 80's; was a very arrogant man. and he did not like children!!! My husband at one time while returning a movie to the video store ( remember them?); saw this priest walk into the " back" room! it was rumored he had a girlfriend! Well, that rumor came true...and so did his charge of stealing money from the weekly collection! And yes he was excommunicated. But this man was there for several years telling us...married, young parents~trying to get it all right. We left this church a while ago and it hurt both our children. They made their sacraments there. BUT...the last 3 or 4 pastors have practically dismantled St Cecelia's. We so miss the 2 Fr Toms and Fr Dennis that served here in the very early years. One sadly was called home, and the other two of whom either would have made a great pastor~we're transferred. We also had a great priest that was a widower and entered the priesthood late in life. He was wonderful, he understood the challenges and triumphs of young families unfortunately the parish wasn't allowed for him to stay either. and as much we all loved him and fought to keep him, "they" moved him to be a high school principal, because he had been a teacher. Never mind the knowledge and compassion he had for parents and marriages! the funny thing is, that school was closed only a few years later! That's when the parish was alive. Unfortunately diocesan politics got in the way and we were sent a string of priests that had there own agenda, not the people~families, young couples, there were others along the 15+ years we were parishioners there with equally uncaring and disrespectful attitudes to their people.l one in particular, this man that became our pastor was a control freak and, found it necessary to change everything down to the most basic traditions that made our young parish unique. The saddest thing was that this took place at a very critical part in our children's journey to adulthood. They still have their faith, in God. But not in the Catholic Church as the business that it is, the machine. And now as they start their own families, I worry that the damage in the trust of the church has been irreparably damaged.

Salvation is not done by the church building nor the priest and parishioners but by a Relationship…read morebetween the person and Jesus. Everything and Everyone else are mere stepping stones to that relationship with Christ !

Cute little historic church in Eatontown. Congregation was friendly as well as the spiritual…read moreleaders.

Beautiful and Inspiring Ministry with good people sharing Worship. This is a True ELCA Lutheran…read moreChurch. Should you be looking for ELCA come visit the Church with the Boat Shaped Roof! Worship at 9am and 11am Sundays.

Lovely iconic church established by Franciscan convential friars in 1882. The original church…read moreburned down in 1901 but the existing one you see today is the 1902 reconstruction. More information is available on the church website. Designed 60 years before Vatican II era, this beautiful house of worship is situated "ad orientum", so that the rising sun (typeology of Christ's resurrection) enters the rose window at the narthex and shines on the holy altar where His Sacrifice is re-presented. The interior is filled with architectural elements commensurate with orientating the human senses to the contemplation of God and the Holy Trinity. The marbled carved altar shows the last Supper in relief and the figures are exquisitely sculpted. There are many liturgies throughout the week, multiple Mass and confession times and the community parish is open, welcoming and thriving as testament to the pastoral excellence of the Franciscan friars in residence here. Will definitely return soon on my next trip. You should also visit here if you're searching for peace, healing , and comfort in these troubled times. Mahalo for reading my review. In the words of St Francis d'Assisi: "Pax et Bonum" (Peace and Goodness to you all)

Excellent. In all dimensionsfrom service to priests, clearly incommunication with church…read moregoers.Comfortable atmosphere for worshiping. Returns frequently.

Great church to worship and have fellowship at. Pastor Scott does a great job preaching Bible based…read moresermons!

Wonderful sermons. Great Pastor and congregation. Family atmosphere. Verse by verse teaching. Feel…read morethe love and joy of God's presence.

St. Barnabas is a great, friendly, inviting parish. Father Carlos, and all of the Priests/Deacons…read moreare amazing.

The church offers a warm and inviting ambiance, creating an uplifting experience. Father Carlos and…read morethe priests deliver exceptional daily Mass and demonstrate kindness, reflecting their commitment to their congregation.