Looking for a Catholic Church to Call Home.

J., don't know where you are living in Bradenton, but I attend Church of the Incarnation on Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. It is easily accessible from 41 (Tamiami Trl.) and it does have a cry room. Children's mass is the 9 o'clock mass Sunday mornings so there are always a lot of children who attend this service. The other mass times are 4:30 & 7:00 on Saturday evenings; Sunday 7:00 a.m.; 11:00 and 12:30 p.m. I have been a member of this church since we moved here in Feb. of '96 and like it a lot. My 10 yr. old attends CCD during the school year and the VBS program in the summer. The church has a school (K-8) with it and Father Jerry is the Pastor. K.

J.,
I am eagerly awaiting the responses you will get here! I moved here 5 years ago (gasp!), and have not yet joined a church. I am hoping for one that does not have a huge congregation, but I would like it to be very family-friendly for my two children (ages 5 and 8). let's see what we find out!

J.,

I'm pretty new to the area as well. I don't go to Church as often as I should, but I have been to Our Lady of Angels Church by Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and St. Rd. 70. The mass was very nice and kid friendly. It is almost impossible to sit during mass on a holiday though. It is a small church and you need to arrive 1.5 hours ahead of time, especially during Easter and Christmas time. I would be interested in hearing of other churches in the area as well. I hope you receive more responses.

Go to your Local church and make an Appt with the Pastor and express your concerns and I know he will help. I also attend Church in Bradenton Sacred Heart Church on 12th ave west and it is a GREAT PARISH...in the beginning with my son we didn't stay the whole mass a little longer every week now he sits the whole mass no problem. He even goes up for communion with me every week and the priest blesses him. Of course he is to young to accept the host. He also attend our Parish sunday school every sunday now too.

Hi J., I was born and raised Catholic and my kids were baptised Catholic also. You may attend any Catholic church you choose...St. Joseph's has the school also. There is St. Bernard's on the Island, Saints Peter and Paul on 75th and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs near Sarasota. They are all very nice churches. I would suggest that you visit each one and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.I don't know about child care.
We(my 3 teenagers<one disabled> and I)now attend an all denominations church(Bayside Community Church) which has had exponential growth in the 5 years since the first service. I remember when we first attended and counted 22 people now over 2,000 attend regularly. This church focuses on Family, and is the first church that my kids actually do NOT want to miss! Our church also has "children's church" for all ages. www.baysidecommunity.org
In Christ's peace, L.