Form Page: church_talk_frcc

Church Information...

Reminder:
Select "N/A" if you do not know the answers to questions below (where applicable).

Church is exceptionally... (select one)

If the church does not have a particularly special characteristic and is not exceptionally reverent or beautiful, do NOT submit this post.

Note: Select "Other" ONLY if church is not exceptionally beautiful or reverent, but has some other particularly special characteristic (e.g. contains a large collection of relics, has special historical significance, etc.). Note that an exceptional priest is not considered a "particularly special characteristic" with regard to this section. Instead, discuss the special priest in the "Special Priests" section.

Stick to the facts. No superficial / inappropriate comments.

In ten words or less answer the following question: Why is this a favorite church of yours?

Omit names or other identifying information.

Do NOT include any personal information.

NOT Acceptable: "Mass is fun here!", "The seating here is so comfortable!", etc.

Acceptable: "The beauty of this church makes me feel God's presence", "The great reverence shown here strengthens my faith", etc. (Do NOT use the above examples, instead, include your own comment appropriate to your particular post.)

Full Name of Church:

Don't omit any words.

Please spell correctly.

Examples: St. Mary's Catholic Church of the North Valley, Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, etc.

Note: Do NOT abbreviate (unless official church name includes an abbreviation).

Church's Street Address:

Please spell correctly.

Please provide the church's COMPLETE street address.

City:

Please spell correctly.

Please indicate the full name of the city where the church is located.

State:

Country:

Limited to Roman Catholic churches in the U.S. only.

Parish Phone Number (including area code):

Please use the following format:
(999) 999-9999

Parish Fax Number (including area code):

Please use the following format:
(999) 999-9999

Note: You may leave this field blank if the parish does not have a fax number.

Diocese:

County:

Pastor's Name:

Please spell correctly.

Please include full name/title (e.g. Monsignor John Harrison, Fr. Mark Johnson, etc.)

Number of priests who regularly assist here:

If there is no regular/permanent priest assigned to this parish, select "(priestless parish)".

When was this church built?

Select first option that applies.

Any MAJOR renovations to this church since 1960?

Size of Church (select closest):

This church is best described as...

Is a Daily 'Tridentine' Mass Offered Here?

The "Tridentine" Mass refers to the old Mass said in Latin (and NOT the new Mass said in Latin).

Is a Weekly 'Tridentine' Mass Offered Here?

The "Tridentine" Mass refers to the old Mass said in Latin (and NOT the new Mass said in Latin).

Is silence encouraged in this church?

Amount of women who generally wear head coverings (e.g. veils) in this church:

This church emphasizes the...

Select "Horizontal" if there is a community emphasis (e.g. if handshaking / socializing / talking in church is permitted, if kneeling after Communion is not the standard posture for all the able-bodied, etc.)

Select "Vertical" if the emphasis is on God (e.g. holy silence permeates church, frequent genuflections and kneeling, no physical contact with neighbor inside church, etc.)

Is there one or more of the following at this church...?

* Altar girls (female servers)
* Communion in the hand is common
* Sign of Peace during Mass (e.g. handshake)

* Hand-holding during 'Our Father' is common
* Standing during Consecration
* Standing after Communion is common

* Frequent use of Extraordinary Ministers (a.k.a. "Eucharistic Ministers")

If one or more of the above is present at this church, select "Yes" below. Otherwise, select "No".

Style of Architecture:

Note: If unknown, enter 'N/A'

Examples: Contemporary/Modern, Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, etc.

Note: Choose closest

The external appearance of this church is better described as...

Note: Choose closest

The internal appearance of this church is better described as...

Is the altar raised?

Note: If the bottom of altar is above floor level by at least one step, select "Yes", otherwise select "No".

Does the altar more resemble a table or a traditional altar?

Is there an altar rail separating the Sanctuary from the body of the church?

Notes: An "altar rail" is also called a "Communion rail". The Sanctuary is the part of the church containing the altar, the pulpit, etc.

Are there any side altars?

Note: If there is more than one altar (e.g. one in front of the church and one at the side of the church), select "Yes". Otherwise, select "No".

Is the Tabernacle located prominently inside the church?

Note: The Tabernacle is an enclosure (typically over a foot tall) which houses the Holy Eucharist.

The Tabernacle at this church is better described as...

Location of the Tabernacle:

Note: If the only Tabernacle at the parish is located in a chapel which is separate from the church, select "other (outside church)".

Does the church have a cathedral ceiling?

Note: A cathedral ceiling is very high, open, and is usually slanted (or pointed).

Are there any moveable (or sliding walls) inside the church?

The front of the church (behind the altar) contains a...

Note: This refers to the MOST PROMINENT image, not to smaller images.

Note: A cross MUST contain an image of a crucified Jesus to be considered a Crucifix. If there is no corpus (body of Jesus) attached to the cross, select "Plain Cross". If the image of Jesus attached to the cross is a resurrected Jesus, select "Risen Jesus Image".

Number of traditional style confessionals:

Note: Traditional style confessionals are small "boxes" (or "little booths") which (usually) contain a fixed screen and a kneeler. They are anonymous and may be dark and somewhat "confining". Only one person fits in the confessional. (The Sacrament of Penance is done here.)

Number of modern style "reconciliation rooms":

Note: Modern "reconciliation rooms" are more "open and casual". They are the size of a small room and can fit two people (the priest & the penitent). They may contain a chair or a kneeler and may have a curtain or screen. They may be well-lit. (The Sacrament of Penance is done here.)

Seating arrangement inside church:

Note: For fan-shaped, select "Semi-Circular". Traditional seating has pews on both sides of the main center isle that face directly toward the altar. In a traditional seating arrangement (for our purposes), no pews would face the side of the altar or be at an angle.

Type of seating for congregation:

Note: If more than one type of seating, choose predominant type.

Kneelers inside church:

Note: A kneeler is a bar (often padded) - either fixed or fold-down - in front of the pews/seats that the congregation uses to kneel on.

Stained glass windows (if any) mostly contain...

Note: Holy images include pictures of Christ, the Saints, Bible events, etc. Other images include earthy items (e.g. plants, water, wheat, grapes, etc.), patterns, etc. If there is no stained glass, select "(no stained glass)".

Interior decoration of the church is best described as... (choose closest)

This refers to permanent decorations and NOT banners, signs, etc.

Approximate number of holy images inside the church (NOT counting stained glass windows and Stations of the Cross):

Note: Holy images include crucifixes, statues/pictures of Christ, the Saints, Bible events, etc. Do NOT count earthy images (e.g. plants, water, wheat, grapes, etc.), patterns, etc.

Note that a single picture containing ten Bible scenes would be counted as one holy image for our purposes here.

How much of the artwork inside the church is traditional?

How much of the artwork inside the church is modern?

Note: "Modern artwork" for purposes of this question includes 1960's style and 1970's style (and later) artwork.

Is there a LARGE statue of Mary INSIDE the church?

Is there a small or medium sized statue of Mary INSIDE the church?

Total number of saint statues INSIDE the church (NOT counting statues of Mary):

Number of holy images in the Sanctuary:

Note: Holy images include crucifixes, statues/pictures of Christ, the Saints, Bible events, etc. Do NOT count earthy images (e.g. plants, water, wheat, grapes, etc.), patterns, etc.

Note that a single picture containing ten Bible scenes would be counted as one holy image for our purposes here.

Reminder: The Sanctuary is the part of the church containing the altar, the pulpit, etc.

Are there Stations of the Cross inside the church?

Note: Stations of the Cross are a collection of fourteen crosses (usually with images depicting Jesus' journey to Calvary from His condemnation to His burial). They are usually located on the sides of the church.

The statues inside the church are best described as:

Most artwork inside the church is best described as:

Is the Tabernacle clearly visible FROM THE BACK of the church?

Reminder: The Tabernacle is an enclosure (typically over a foot tall) which houses the Holy Eucharist.

Note: If the Tabernacle is screened off (even if it is in the front of the church), select "No".

Holy Water Font Style:

Note: This refers to the holy water fonts located inside the church (usually found to the left or right as soon as you walk in).

Amount of Votive Candles INSIDE the Church:

Note: Votive candles are large or small candles usually located near statues inside the church. They may be real or artificial candles.

Type of Votive Candles Inside the Church:

Note: If there are no votive candles inside the church, select "(no votive candles)". Select "Real Candles" if the candles are real (e.g. are wax and contain a real flame). If the candles are artificial (e.g. electric), select "Artificial Candles"

Choir Location:

Is There a Pipe Organ Inside the Church?

Note: A pipe organ is a very large (or huge) musical instrument containing rows of large metal (or wooden) pipes. ("If you saw one, you would know right away that it was a pipe organ.")

Does the Church Have a Bell Tower?

Note: A bell tower is a large column-like structure rising above the roof of the church which contains a bell (or bells).

Does the Tabernacle Sit on the Altar?

Note: If the Tabernacle sits on top of the main altar (or directly behind it), select "Yes". Otherwise, select "No".

Note: For our purposes here, "on the altar" means directly on the altar or directly behind the main altar.

The general atmosphere inside this church is better described as:

Note: Choose closest.

Common characteristics of a "Casual" church atmosphere: talking/noise, casual dress, clapping, physical contact with others (e.g. handshaking), etc.

Common characteristics of a "Formal" church atmosphere: silence, more formal dress, parishioners facing forward, etc.

Would you say that the church is dominated more by horizontal or vertical proportions?

(see notes at right for assistance)

Ask yourself what is most noticeable inside the church - the height or width of the church? For example, if you walk in the church and the ceiling is so high that it seems to reach to heaven, select "Vertical". If the church has very many seats but is not terribly tall, select "Horizontal". If the proportions are relatively the same, select "N/A".

Note: Choose closest.

What best describes the physical beauty of this church (from the outside)?

Note: Choose closest.

What best describes the physical beauty of this church (from the inside)?

List any special characteristics of this church (optional):

(e.g. historical significance, relics, other unusual/special characteristics)

Do NOT include any personal information.

Please list the facts only. Do NOT editorialize.

Your Information...

Note: All information may appear on site.

Your Relation to This Church:

Select the FIRST option that applies

Year You Last Visited This Church (if unsure, give approximate year):

As indicated, please limit posts to churches you've visited personally within the last 3 years.

I hereby certify that I am a...

Your Catholic Affiliation:

(Posting in this section is limited to Roman Catholics only.)

Your CURRENT Diocese (NOT the diocese for this church):

For informational purposes. May not always appear on site.

Your e-mail address (optional):

This field is optional - you may put "N/A".

For informational purposes. May not always appear on site.

Do you certify that the above described church is a Roman Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See and that all information provided herein is accurate and true?

If so, select "YES". If not, do NOT submit this post.

Confirmation:

Please carefully double check ALL of the above fields for accuracy before proceeding. When you are finished, key in "OKAY" (all caps) in the field below.

Please do NOT key in "OKAY" unless you have actually gone back and checked each and every field.

Thank You!

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