Christmas Day Masses at St. Theresa

I'm looking for input on the various Christmas Day Masses at St. Theresa's. We are parishioners, but this is the first year we'll be in town, and we're trying to determine which Mass will have the least crowds and traffic. We'll have eight people total, most of whom cannot stand for the entire service (so will need a seat), and we'll definitely be going on Christmas morning, not Christmas eve. Anyone care to comment on the 8:00 am vs. 10:00 am vs. noon? Thanks!

 

watch out for all the C&E's.

 

Are the services still in the gym?

 

Yes, services are still in the gym. The groundbreaking for the new church was this fall, and I think they hope to have it finished by next Christmas.

We're worried because it's so crowded on a normal Sunday. With our visiting family in tow, it's going to be more logistically challenging. I was already warned to avoid Christmas Eve. Our back-up venue is Georgetown's chapel (my husband and I went to school there, and that's where we got married), but then we have to factor in drive time.

 

For the past couple of years they've been running "dual Masses" on Christmas Eve and Easter to accommodate all the extra bodies. The more formal one in the gym and a slightly less formal one in the cafeteria.

We've never had a problem getting a seat, but we do arrive at least 30 minutes early.

 

I would imagine that the earlier in the morning, the less crowded it would be. Whether it's Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the best thing is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. You'll still have delays getting out of the parking lot afterward, though.

If you feel that St. Theresa's will be too crowded you can use Christ the Redeemer in Sterling as a backup. It's a lovely church with padded pews (yay!) and a good choir. Here is the schedule for Christmas. I see that they offer a 2pm mass on Christmas Day - I imagine that would be less crowded. The church is on Route 7 just this side of the shopping center with the Shoppers Food Warehouse.

 

I have also noticed that the earliest mass at almost any church is the best - you just have to talk the kids into it

Oh and even though they're cute & great to go to - most times the Midnight and Children's masses are WAY packed!

 

We have some people in from out of town. Can someone tell us what the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses are for St. Theresa's? I can't find it on their web site. Thanks!

 

Christmas Eve

Monday, December 24, 2007
Daily Mass: 6:15 am, 8:30 am
Christmas Eve Masses: Mass: 4:00 pm
Mass: 6:00 pm Children's Choir
Mass: 8:00 pm Family Choir
Midnight Mass: 12:00 am December 25, 2007

Christmas Day

Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Mass: 8:00 am
Mass: 10:00 am
Mass: 12:00 pm (Noon)

 

Thanks for posting the times!

 

I thought I'd report back... we decided to try the noon Mass at St. Theresa today. We showed up at 11:15, and we were the only ones there! More people started arriving around 11:30, and there was a big last minute rush. The gym was full, but not as full as some regular Sunday Masses (I didn't see any standees). It didn't take too long to get out of the parking lot, but there were some problems with visitors parking in fire lanes and not taking turns when exiting from the two separate lots.

All in all, it worked out well for us, and it was a nice service. Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone for the advice!

 

We went to the 4PM on Christmas Eve, what a madhouse! We arrived at 3:25, no spots left in the lot. Went in and the gym was completely full so we were sent to the overflow mass in the cafeteria. That was also full. Got my out of town guests some seats with the help of the ushers. They kept coming and the hallway in between both masses had lots of people packed in. I'm guessing that was the most popular of the masses by the turn out.

 

To revive a very old thread: Anyone have any input on the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass at St. T's?

Thanks.

 

If you think St. Theresa's is going to be too crazy you can try Christ the Redeemer in Sterling:

http://www.ctrcc.org/schedule.htm

Christmas Eve at 4, 6 & 10pm
Christmas Day at 7:30, 9, 10:30am & 2pm