[ArrogantBustard]

A couple weeks ago, I assisted at Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Staunton VA. The physical plant was beautiful, and had clearly been restored/renovated within the last decade or so. Fresh, clean real stained glass, gothic style interior etc. Very nice. I almost didn't notice the lack of a communion rail at first ... they made available a small portable kneeler for those who wished to receive Holy Communion while kneeling. Mass done right, good music, very traditional bookstore ...

I couldn't believe I was in the DDR.

OTOH, Tidewater (Chesapeake/Norfolk/VA Beach) is still a mess. Less of a mess than it used to be.

[verga]

That is my parish, which Mass were you assisting at?.

We have the best monsignor in the world, and just about the worst Deacon.

[AnAmericanMother]

Beautiful church -

- but way out of our orbit, which is around Richmond. Good thing that they manage to be pretty conservative so close to UVA.

Don't see anything on the website or in the bulletin about the music repertoire, but at least on the website they say that ability to read music is "strongly preferred." You can tolerate a few non-music readers in the choir, but it really limits your ability to rehearse and sing good music. One of my pet peeves is people who sing in the choir for years and never trouble themselves to even try to learn to sight-read. It is just not that difficult, and age is no excuse. I had never seen Gregorian (Solesmes) notation before the age of 47, and I just sat down and learned it.