Stories
Why do our members come to the Catholic Community of Greenbelt?
What I like most about CCG is that we focus on the teachings of Jesus and his message rather than rote rules of the church. -John Lippert
I have been a Protestant my whole life. When I married my Catholic husband we sometimes attended each others’ churches. People were polite to me at traditional Catholic churches but it was clear that I didn’t belong. Soon after my husband joined CCG I joined that congregation too. It’s wonderful to belong to a church family where we can worship together in community with kind, introspective people. We discuss the readings and homily, and all voices are welcome. - Jane Young
I travel from Mt. Rainier to worship with a loving community, the Greenbelt Catholic Community. The dialogue homilies are meaningful and the message of Jesus is preached in deed as well as in word. And the people are fun! - Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL
I love this Catholic Community of Greenbelt. I am so happy to receive a wonderful message not only from the priest but also from the community members. No mention of rules and politics. When I leave after Mass I feel so loved! The way it should be! - Judy Parker
We attended the CCG years ago when we lived in Greenbelt and are so thrilled that we can now attend on hybrid zoom from Garrett County, Maryland. The homilies and the discussions about the homilies are informative and inspirational. There is so much to think about. We love this community! - Mary Helen and Bob Spear
I'm a former 20-year resident of Greenbelt and now I live at Riderwood in Silver Spring. I come each Sunday to attend Mass with the Catholic Community of Greenbelt, an Intentional Eucharistic Community. You may ask why I come all this way when there are other options. I come because I'm nourished by the love, wisdom, respectful sharing and insightful homilies connecting the readings to our daily lives. - Angela M.
When I accompanied my Catholic wife to the Catholic Community Mass at first I had no religious affiliation. The experience I had there with the shared homily, where anyone is free to say what the readings mean to them, was transformational. The other masses I had attended seemed distant and unconnected from my life. Hearing my fellow parishioners explain what these 2000 year old writings mean in their everyday lives made the light go on about what faith, spirituality and religion means to me.
After 3 years of study with them I took the steps needed to become baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic. Since then I have felt a deepening of the spirit in me and been drawn to service and to ministry of others. I have felt welcomed and affirmed there from the very first day even though I’m very much part of the LGBTQ+ community. - Hilary Howes
I was baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant many years ago but never felt at home until I discovered the Catholic Community of Greenbelt where EVERYONE is truly welcomed & well-loved. The priests, the homilies, the sharing & the members nourish my soul, bring about much introspection and fill my heart! - Kerry Loring
We have belonged to the Catholic Community of Greenbelt for many years. For us, the priests who come to celebrate our liturgy is a highlight for us. Their gifts of the Holy Spirit shine. We are blessed. - Alice and Joe Murray
I am a life-time Catholic who spent 8 years in the seminary and left. I have been nurtured by faith communities and saddened by the Church's positions on some issues. When we heard of the Catholic Community of Greenbelt, Geraldine and I were initially cautious. We weren't sure what to expect. What we found when we opened our minds and hearts was a welcoming, loving community of people with diverse and rich experiences in living and learning about faith and trusting God and God's love. It has provided us the kind of community we have sought since we were married 25 years ago. - Tom Adams
As a relatively new member of the 30+ year-old Catholic Community of Greenbelt, I am so grateful to have found it! Love-filled and inviting are just a couple words to describe this special group who share and practice their faith together. It is a joy to see our CCG friends and our fabulous dedicated priests each week. - Geraldine Adams
I’ve been in a lot of different kinds of churches because of where I’ve lived and the kinds of work I did. When my wife and I first moved to Greenbelt, I wanted something that would nourish my heart and my soul. I saw The Catholic Community of Greenbelt advertised in the News Review and decided to try it. I took my wife with me, who was an agnostic at the time, in case it wasn’t what I wanted.
But we felt so welcome from the 1st moment that we stayed. It has been a wonderful experience for the past 24 years. I refer to it as my Master’s Class in Theology as I have learned so much from the amazing priests and my fellow parishioners. It’s my spiritual home. - Celestine Ranney-Howes