Church

[trayletha]

Does anyone know where we could attend a Catholic service on a Sunday? Would we have to go off-site or are services held anywhere in the World? We won't have transportation so may need to hire a TC or taxi I guess. Suggestions?

 

[lovethattink]

Years ago, they had a mass at Poly, but I think Disney has since cancelled Sunday worship services. There is a really nice catholic church just before the buena vista outlets. Here's the link and the directions. We've never gone there, but I have seen tons of cars there on a Sunday. http://www.maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/directions.html

 

[rgribik]

We were at Dis in April, and the church the other poster listed is the one the hotel directed us to. We used to go to the Poly, but yes, all the services have been discontinued. We did not go because we did not have a car, and taxi fare for the 7 of us was outlandish.

Good luck.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Not to create controversy, but does anyone know WHY they canceled all services? Just curious. 'Gay days' are fine, but can't have church?

 

[tessqt]

No more Masses at the Poly, the closed is Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine, I remember the Father saying it was built with money from all the visitors. I think for one reason it stopped was that Priests are few and far between anymore.

There is a post I don't know if it was here or on the transportion board about some transportation service going to the SHrine it was a semi-recent post too.

We decided to get a car this time so we will be okay, it is very easy to get to, I went by myself the last time I was there!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine is very close to WDW. This Shrine was built from the generous donations of people attending Masses at the Poly for many years. A taxi from any Disney resort is the easiest way and likely only a few dollars. I read recently that Mears offers shuttle service to all except the 9:30am Mass. For Mass times anywhere in the country go to Masstimes.org.
Disney never issued a statement as to why the Sunday Masses were stopped at the Poly. I agree with a previous poster that it was likely due to the priest shortage. It still would have been nice to have this officially stated.

 

[dsnymomof4]

We were ther in July and the priest gave a very long speech about the history of the Shrine and how they used to go to WDW to do mass, but since there was such a big need for a local church for visitors, they built the Shrine. I also heard a rumor that there used to be a shuttle to it, but not anymore. I think Disney should offer a bus to the Shrine. I'm sure there are many families that rely on Disney transportation and are without a car. We did use a taxi last year - it was about $16 each way.

 

[**eeyore**]

Not to create controversy, but does anyone know WHY they canceled all services? Just curious. 'Gay days' are fine, but can't have church?

I found this on the church's website:

"Still, the masses at Disney continued. But time was running out. The priest shortage would create problems. We wanted to continue the Disney masses, but it was not to be. Their time had passed. In late July of 2002 we experimented with offering one mass within the Disney complex. But the double numbers that showed up at the single mass caused discomfort to guests, and with no other suitable place available the Disney Company and the Shrine came to a mutual agreement. The masses would be discontinued, and Disney would direct Catholic guests to the Shrine"

Sounds like the priest shortage and then the lack of a large enough venue caused the masses to move elsewhere. Unfortunately I'll bet this means that a lot of families that would have attended mass at WDW end up not attending a mass during their vacations.