4 Strategies for Choosing Your Catholic Church in 2020

Choosing the best Catholic church for you and your family is no easy task. Before you call a church your home, you need to feel confident that you are making the right decision for your needs. Here are four things to think about when choosing the Catholic church you will attend this year.

Consider Your Commute

You will be more likely to bail on attending church if you have the excuse of a long commute to fall back on. If you are committed to attending mass regularly, you should consider a church located in close proximity to your home. This will also make it easier for you to attend classes, social events and other activities at your church home. The distance is especially important if you have children who will be attending confirmation classes at the church.

Average Age of the Parishioners

One key factor in choosing a church is the average age of the people in the parish who attend. If you are a young family, you may have a hard time making connections in a parish that is composed mostly of older people. Visiting a church a few times and getting to know its members will help you to discern if this is a place where you fit in and feel comfortable.

Research Bishops Online

Before deciding on a church, it is important to do your due diligence in researching the history of the bishops and other leaders in the diocese. There is a published record of allegations for any bishop charged with a serious crime. Knowing this information will help you to make an informed decision so that you feel good about the church that you end up calling your spiritual home.

Church Fellowship Opportunities

If you want to be an active part of your church membership, you need to find a place that boasts a number of fellowship opportunities. Be sure to visit the church for mass and pay close attention to activities that are in the bulletin. This will give you a good idea about how active the membership is. While this is not important to everyone, you need to make it a consideration if the fellowship opportunities are a deciding factor in your decision.

Choosing a church is not a decision to be taken lightly. Considering all four of these comprehensive factors will help you to find a parish where you will establish a connection and your spirituality will flourish.

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