St. André Bessette church is named after a French-Canadian lay Brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross who had a strong devotion to St. Joseph and through whom God healed many sick and infirm.
Founded in 1919 to assist sailors returning from World War I, this church used to be known as the Downtown Chapel (although its formal name was St. Vincent De Paul Church) and for many years was run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). After the Congregation of Holy Cross took responsibility for the chapel and after St. André's canonization, the name was changed to honor Brother André.
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St. André Bessette Catholic Church is located on 6th and West Burnside St., convenient for both those work work downtown to catch a noon Mass and to minister to the street people of that area. Indeed, its outreach to the poor is a big part of its raison d'être.
On weekdays the worshipers are a mix of the above: downtown workers and the downtrodden. On Sundays the congregation more closely resembles any other west side congregation.
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I
did note one difference though; on the Sunday I attended the
congregation actually sang in such a way as could be heard and felt --
totally unlike the average Catholic congregation which sings so low and
pitifully that one wonders if it qualifies as praise. (See Why Catholics Can't Sing, by Thomas Day.)
How fortunate for me to stumble upon your review of Catholic churches. I left the church many moons ago, but something nags at me to give it another go. So I Googled "liberal catholic churches in Portland" and your site came up. I appreciate your postings; they appear to be honest and unbiased. I may check out a couple. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you find this helpful. I think I would grade St. Andrews and St. Francis as the most liberal. St. Phillip Neri as just a little less so. You may want to consider joining a committee (and attend events) in any church you decide to attend. My experience is that unless you are particularly outgoing, you'll have trouble meeting people just by going to Mass and may feel like an outsider if you don't join a group and thereby make some friends in the church.
DeleteHey there, we're looking to convert into the Catholic Church and wondering if you could tell us which of these churches you visited was more conservative and family oriented, coupled with a lively parish. We feel so blind visiting churches and not knowing what to do or where to go with our kids. It feels like a foreign country. We want to take the RCIA class, but hopefully at the right parish. Anyway, any pointers would be helpful. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMost churches are family friendly. Why not go to the church in your neighborhood? Holy Rosary is the most conservative--many women wear veils, no handshake of peace, frequent confessions. St Andrews, St Francis and St Philip Neri are most liberal. The rest are in the middle.
ReplyDeleteOther Anonymous, please check out St. Irene's! There are often more children present than adults because of all the large families.
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked St. Irene. http://portlandchurches.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-irene-byzantine-catholic-church.html
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