Holy Family Catholic Community Parish and Academy — Attraction in Palatine Township

Holy Family is what you get when you take a megachurch like Willow Creek and smash it together with your typical post-Vatican II parish.

There are big screen to the left and right of the sanctuary to provide a view of the action, lyrics for songs, and text for prayers. This was very helpful to me as at the mass I attended, we recited the Apostles' Creed instead of the Nicean Creed and it threw me off my game.

Lyrics are also helpful because you're going to get a bunch of "in your face" music. We're talking more Matt Maher CCM style, less Marty Haugen/David Haas post Vatican II classics, and 0% pre-1970. And I'm not implying this is about KLOVE staples and GIA Gather favorites played on an organ. We're talking full on worship band. Cool.

The homily by Fr. Rich was orthodox, yet kind. Lots of personal anecdotes that reflect the gospel in a parable like fashion. Regular attendees at evangelical megachurches will enjoy his preaching style. Feel free to take some notes. I see that sometimes with our protestant brothers and sisters, yet this was the first time I saw someone at a Catholic church whipping out a bible and writing notes in the margin.

The pews have no books, so I recommend BYOB (bring your own Bible) or downloading your missal on your phone if you like to read the scriptures and follow along. And don't worry; you're not going to have any cranky person hissing at your to put your phone away. And even if they did, you will do so in comfort as the pews are cushioned! They have kneelers, but few parishioners appear to use them; instead standing for most of the Eucharist and bowing at appropriate times.

Speaking of Eucharist, this was one of the more confusing parts of mass. As a regular mass attender, you may naturally gravitate to the center aisle to join the line of the faithful in receiving the body. However, at HFCC, you will go to a side aisle, receive, and then proceed up the center to return to your pew. I received from a gentleman wearing shorts and sandals. My problem was not the reverence of his dress for the sacred mass, but the fact that he was wearing socks with the sandals. For shame.

Now, this may have been due to the time (Sunday @ 4pm), but as soon as the mass ended, everyone bolted for the door and a literal party broke out in the narthex. Usually, you have old women scrambling for the holy water and racing to their cars to beat traffic out of the parking lot. Not these folks. There was punch and cookies, chatting, and laughter. These people really want you to feel welcome. It's easy in this area...some narthices are simple entrances, but this one has a feel more akin to Starbucks with its squishy chairs and less like a cold foyer that only serves as an entrance to the nave.

I don't think I've seen a group of people so genuinely excited to be at a Catholic Church. It felt different, but in a good way. If you're into TLM, feel anxiety holding hands during the Pater Noster, and twitch when people applaud during mass, then head on down to St. John Cantius in the city. If you want to worship with a group of Catholics that sincerely love Jesus Christ, you...

I was in the area today and made it to the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Holy Mass. The people of the parish are very welcoming and friendly. It is definitely a modern church. They have a lively band, announcements displayed on two huge screens.

The crucifix is a reminder to us of the true sacrifice God made and the suffering Jesus endured for us. The Holy Cruxifix in this church is more like an ice sculpture of Jesus.

Today's homily consisted of the deacon going over the readings and Gospel inwhich Jesus asks 'who do you say that I am'. To which deacon questioned "..Is Christ even a Him?" " I don't think Christ has a gender". Well deacon, the Holy Bible references God throughout the Bible as our FATHER. We begin and end the Holy Mass and the sign of the cross, in the name of the Father. It is heartbreaking and shameful to think of all the souls, especially those of children who are in this parish that will become lost sheep at the hands of these progressive shepards. Along with the reverence and respect for the Holy Eucharist, they also cut out words to responses and kneeling before Almighty God during the Eucharistic Prayer. They refer to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as "Confession". However, I heard alot of buzz words: acceptance, migration, gender, awareness and inclusion.

These may be small details. But again, this our faith! As small as the stars seem to us, what is a night sky without them shining above. All the beauty and wonder has been sucked out of this church. I shook the dust from my feet...

Notice how all the one stars are basing their ratings on a strict conservative, black and white view of what should and should not be considered the proper way to be a Catholic Church? As they say in the south, “bless your hearts” 🙄😳 Because if that’s your stance, you truly just don’t get it and never will- really, please, go somewhere else. Everyone will be happier if you do.

This church is the realest church I’ve ever been to. I got married here and drive 30 minutes past hundreds of religiously conservative Catholic Churches to hear HF’s mass. HF is different in every good way one can think of possible. The music is inspiring and uplifting and that, along with its attitude and personality makes me want to actually go to church!

If you want to feel the spirit and joyfully come alive as mass awakens it within you… if you want to feel like you have a home in a liberal (religiously liberal, not necessarily politically) then you have a home here. It’s the most welcoming place called church I’ve ever been and Look forward to seeing your reaction as you experience the love of Jesus on the cross reaching out to you and being told that this mass never ends, let us go now in peace to love and serve the lord and each other, then you are going to be very happy. It’s...