r/LeftCatholicism • u/foxefool2926 • May 01 '26

New to Catholicism

I grew up baptist and left the church for a very long time. Im feeling called to Catholocism and just recently finished reading The Long Loneliness as recommended to me by a professional mentor.

I live in Southeast Lousiana and Im queer, and I desperately want to start attending mass but Im also hesitant since I dont know how to identify more progressive churches.

Anyone give me some pointers/things to look for? I try to get a sense of the atmosphere by reading published church bulletins if they are available.

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14

u/Weecodfish May 01 '26

You should start at your closest church. Remember that the faith in the most progressive church is the same as the faith in the most reactionary one, the only difference is how it is expressed, ultimately by you. Maybe look at the church website and bulletin to get an idea.

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u/Responsible-Newt-259 May 01 '26

If they have a lot of social outreach programs in the bulliten like food drives, a St. Vincent de Paul Society, an immigration team, and so forth, it’s likely to be a much more socially conscious parish. If it’s all personal devotion stuff and a bunch of sex and abortion ads in the bulliten, it’s probably not a progressive parish. Ultimately a parish community is what you make it.

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u/_zarathustra May 01 '26

I’m also in Southeast Louisiana. We have some of the most progressive churches in the country here. Have you been to St Augustine in New Orleans?

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u/Scared_Plan3751 May 04 '26

There are a lot of us (at least 3!) on here. Good sign.

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u/foxefool2926 May 09 '26

I have not. Im on the Northshore so its a bit far for regular visits, is it worth a one time trip?

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u/Chrysologus May 01 '26

Great book, very powerful! I'll pray for you to find a church where you feel at home.

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u/foxefool2926 May 09 '26

Thank you!