I'm New Here
When You Visit
Visiting a new church can be intimidating
What should I wear? Where do I park? Where do my kids go?
We understand the many thoughts that can come from visiting a new church, so we want you to feel completely comfortable when you visit. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to contact us or talk with an usher when you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I worship with you?
Our Mass Schedule can be found here:
When is Confession?
Our Confession schedule can be found here:
What should I wear?
We are thrilled that you're joining us! We want you to be more focused on the service than what you or others are wearing. We want you to feel comfortable without drawing undo attention to yourself. Many prefer to still put on their "Sunday best," and that is certainly laudable. Yet, in the summertime, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sandals, shorts, and a shirt. However, we do request that shorts and skirts be of a modest length (no “short-shorts” or "mini-skirts") and that in general, clothing be respectable and modest. [Some may consider this request rather subjective, so objectively a good rule of thumb is the practice at Catholic shrines in other parts of the western world. In most churches that are pilgrimage destinations the requirement is that shorts be to about the knees, and shoulders be covered.] That being said, neither Father nor his minions will be carrying a ruler around the church to make sure that shorts and skirts are no more that two inches above the knees. The judgment is left to you and your properly formed conscience.
How do I get to Church Name?
Our parish is located at 6301 Woodbine Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19151. The mailing address is 6315 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19151. We are located at the "triangle" at Lancaster Avenue, N. 63rd Street, and Woodbine Avenue. Contact us here.
Where should I park?
Our church was built at a time that transportation consisted of horses, bicycles, and walking. Therefore, we do not have a parking lot, however, there is usually plenty of street parking available in the surrounding Overbrook Farms neighborhood. During the academic year, there is sometimes competition for parking from the students at St. Joseph University, so give yourself a few extra minutes on Sundays and Holy Days to walk from your car to the church.
Where do my children go?
If the church is not crying, it is dying. Our priests and most parishioners are not offended by the fidgety and sometimes noisy child who is learning how to attend Mass. Many of our parents will take their children to the vestibule if they become particularly rambunctious, and return to the nave when they settle down.
I’m not Catholic, how do I know when to sit, stand and kneel?
There’s no need to be self-conscious about the postures and responses used during worship. Most visitors just follow the lead of the our parishioners. However, we do have worship aids (in the form of the St. Michael Hymnal) located in each pew that provide you with the order of the Mass, the postures, and the words to each prayer. If you don't see a worship aid in your pew, ask an usher or a parishioner, and they will be happy to bring you one.
I’m not Catholic, is it okay for me to participate in communion?
Communion, or The Eucharist, is the most intimate expression of our faith. Catholics believe that the host is substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, transformed from bread and wine by the priest presiding over the service. Most evangelicals think of Communion as symbolic, so it makes sense that they are not as strict about having the right relationship to it as Catholics and Orthodox Christians who believe it is a sacrament and the true presence of Christ. So, if you are not Catholic, we ask that you not receive communion, but to remain in your pew and make a spiritual communion with God. Those Catholics who are properly disposed to receive Holy Communion come forward and line up along the rail at the entrance of the Sanctuary. The priest will move along the rail to the communicants who may receive kneeling or standing, directly on the tongue or in the hand, unless the ritual of the particular Mass regulates a more specific method of receiving Holy Communion.
Am I expected to put money in the offering?
If you are visiting with us, we don't expect you to put money in the offering, and you are welcome to just let it pass you by. If you consider our parish your church home, we'd love for you to prayerfully consider giving to our parish on a weekly basis. You can give by check or cash during the service, or you can sign up for online giving here.
I have a hearing problem, is there any special assistance?
Currently our church is not equipped with special assistance for the hearing impaired, but we are not opposed. Perhaps you or someone you know is willing to assist us in developing a system that works in coordination with our current sound system, or in helping completely upgrade.
