St. Jude Chapel — Attraction in Dallas

I’d like to assure whoever reads this that regardless of my gripes, it’s still the valid sacrifice of the Mass. What shocks and worries me, however, is that (at least at the Saturday Vigil I attended) reverence towards the Eucharist was completely non-existent. The cantors, readers, and Eucharistic minister didn’t so much as bow towards the tabernacle when they stepped on and off of the altar. The cantor was even seated right next to the tabernacle the entire first half of Mass as if he were a member of the clergy. The Eucharist is the actual body of Christ!!! Why are we treating it like some casual family meal that deserves no higher respect than a loaf of bread at home? On top of that, the entire chapel being carpeted was extremely concerning. What happens when particles of the consecrated host fall onto the floor? I dread to imagine that we could very well be treading on His Body every time we walk around the sanctuary.

As for my more personal gripes, the music was focused more on appealing to inclusivity and justice than the Gospel itself, and the Homily was similar in that respect. I walked out of that Mass with nothing of theological value having been said that I don’t hear on the news every morning. The lack of a quiet sanctuary environment was also extremely distracting, with half the parishioners loudly talking during the entirety of Mass, some even during the Consecration and immediately following the dismissal. The sanctuary ought to be a place of prayerful silence, but even the cantor was loudly conversing in front of the altar while myself and a few others tried to focus on quiet prayer. Unless these issues are addressed, I have no plans of returning to...

I haven't been to church since my dad's passing on Feb 9, 2023 and ever since I came back to the catholic church 2 Sundays ago with my girlfriend whom has been coming here for 5 months it made me connect more with my father who I pray for him everytime I go. I tear up everytime I come here just remembering all the times my dad taught us and going to church every Sunday with my dad hearing his voice teaching me all things he taught me about the church makes me feel so happy knowing my dad is probably tight here next to me in mass on Sundays. I love this church I been going for 2 Sundays now and I brought my mom to come with me now and she likes it too seeing us leave happy after church makes me and my family so overjoyed for the love God has brought to our family since coming here. I definitely made this my new church and will continue to go here forward...

Father Jonathan Austin is notorious for his wonderful sense of humor. It's really terrific how he will discuss matters of spirituality and teach us all things we might not have known about our Catholic faith, and still he makes us crack up laughing!!! How gifted is that??!!! One time there was a Mary Kay convention in town and so Father asks, "How many Mary Kay people do we have with us today??" Then he says, "We'll talk about foundation and lipstick later but for now the discussion is" etc....He is so funny!!! I highly recommend anyone living in downtown or even Uptown Dallas to go to St. Jude's and start your Sunday off on the right foot. I guarantee you will come out of there a little...