Sunday Mass

Thomas Martin

Member
Original Poster
Hi, everyone!

I have a simple question that I do not see anywhere.
Does Disney provide any type of Catholic Service on Sundays?
My son is making his confirmation, and our church requires him to attend church every Sunday. He has to bring back a signature from the priest on a form.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Tom
 

nemobruce

Member
I remember a few years back that they did at the fire pit in fort wilderness and somewhere around the polynesian. You can call guest services and ask, but if they dont there are quite a few churches around the area
 

BRER STITCH

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, you'll have to leave WDW property to catch a Catholic Mass.

Mary Queen of the Universe is a nice shrine near Disney that you can catch a cab to or drive.

Here is my post from a previous thread about the same topic. Hope it helps!

==================================

BELOW IS THE SCOOP ON THE CATHOLIC MASS HISTORY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, directly from the source...

Be sure to visit the Mary Queen of the Universe website for lots of interesting info. Here is the link:

http://www.maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/index.html


The Masses at Walt Disney World
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the cessation of regular Sunday masses at Walt Disney World we have cause to reflect on a part of our Ministry that was very special, and that over the years provided Eucharistic service to thousands of visitors. Perhaps too it served to illustrate the dedicated commitment to the Eucharist of our Shrine volunteers ( or of our Tourist Ministry volunteers in the early years before the Shrine.)

Let it be said we have never had anything but a cordial and cooperative relationship with the Disney people. That relationship still exists.

Time marches on. Situations change. Back in 1975 when this Ministry began we lacked a meeting place. We made arrangements with hotels in an effort to serve our people. I have wonderful memories of our relationship with hotel staffs, irrespective of which hotel it might have been. And in 1976, after negotionas with then Vice-President Robert Allen, we began our first masses at the Polynesian Cove within the Disney complex.

Looking back on what was achieved, God worked wonders through the volunteers and priests involved in the ministry. On Sunday mornings we had masses at a Lake Buena Vista Hotel (it may have been the Royal Plaza, or th Howard Johnson, or the Travel Lodge, or the Hilton, or perhaps even the Palace We brought our mass kits into all!) Then we raced to the Sheraton Twin Towers some ten miles away for the final masses of the Sunday. How could we have added two more masses at Disney World? The fact is, we did!

We had, as we still have, a group of very dedicated volunteers, for whom nothing was too much! They were always there ahead of the priest, to meet him, park his car if necessary, unload the materials for mass, set up the altar, distribute the materials - and take up the offerings! Without them, the ministry could simply not have survived. At the end of mass the same machinations took place, in reverse! And the Salesian Fathers from Tampa played a major role through the help they provided, sending us a priest every Sunday for years.

What all of this activity says is that the service of our visitors was the prime mover in all our aspirations. When we built Holy Family parish and added three more weekend masses, there was simply no thought of ending the Tourist masses. We just had to find yet another priest to help us out! Fr. Leo Brown, O.F.M. was the first to arrive on the scene at Holy Family. And with only one leg, he still wanted to be involved in the Tourist masses too. Sadly, he was on his way to preside at the masses at the Polynesian Hotel on the Sunday of Labor Day 1982 when he was tragically killed in a car accident.

We pay tribute to the Salesian Fathers, many of whom we rembember with affection and pride. Two of the principals are dead, Fr. Innocent Clementi and Fr. Al Manni. May God grant them eternal rest. With their sense of humor and their dedication they left a permanent imprint on this Ministry of ours. Come rain, come storm, the masses continued.

But we also had a dream that was realized with the first mass at the Shrine on January 31, 1993. We now had a central place of worship for our visitors. Dedication day in August 1993 was a day to remember for its pageantry, its liturgy and the joy of all who had been a part of the success. We were home.

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.

At the outset of our ministry our aim was to make it possible for crowds to attend mass. For this purpose we chose many venues and exerted ourselves in accordance with the energy of our years. From 1976 - 2002 is one year more than a quarter of a century. We are grateful for the spiritual help we were able to bring to our visitors. But at no time did we ever intend to convey the notion that Catholic visitors to Orlando would have the mass brought to them for their personal convenience!

Indeed, when those masses began, the Disney complex stood almost on its own on State Road 192. There were a few hotels there. We recall visiting them on a frequent basis to make sure their guests services knew about our mass schedules, not only at Disney World but elsewhere. Today the same State Road is lined with hotels and places of entertainment right to the end of the line, about four miles beyond Disney World. And today too, the Shrine is a Worship Center that serves the spiritual needs of Catholic visitors from the world over.

Something else needs to be remembered too. When we began in 1975 the average age of priests in this ministry was under fifty. Today that average age has escalated to around 65. The Director of the Shrine will be 73 in February 2003. Most lay persons are long retired at this age! For the small minority who took umbrage at the closing of the masses, we have this to say: the time is coming when Catholics will have to make much larger sacrifices to get to mass, because short of an outright miracle the priest shortage in this country will continue to worsen. Prayers for priestly vocations far exceed in value than any complaints! Be kind to your aging priests! They may soon be all you have!

Personally, I am grateful for my years, and the way in which God has used me for His purposes. Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine stands as a lasting tribute to the faith of our people from far and near. It is their home away from home. Our faithful people will always be welcomed here with open arms.



Fr. F. Joseph Harte
Director of Tourism
Diocese of Orlando
 

egionet

New Member
Definitely go with Mary, Queen of the Universe. It was a very nice church, and I'm sure they would be glad to sign something for your son. They are always happy to see tourists that are strong enough in their faith to attend while on vacation.
 

Disney4Eva

Member
Yes, go w/ Mary Queen of the Universe. I've been there quite a few times, and it's lovely. It actually doesn't feel like a Florida trip w/o attending mass there.
 

SIR90210

New Member
Well, for starters, welcome to the boards! Second, I'm going with everyone else and saying that you should definitely go to Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. It's right near the Downtown Disney area, the priests are friendly, and the building is magnificent! It's something of a Mediterranean-Medieval mix with large stained glass windows on the sides, which look like they should have flying buttresses coming off of them, and a stuco exterior. Absolutely beautiful! Oh, by the way, go to the gift shop; it's where my parents got their Confirmation gift for me. Cheers! :wave:
 

SpectroMan

New Member
Mary, Queen of the Universe is an amazing church.

When you go up to communion, there is a crucicix above the altar. When you come back from communion, look up and see the risen Christ in the same style as the crucifix. Get the representation...We are participating in both his death and resurrection.
 

mikeymouse

Well-Known Member
Yes, there used to be a Sunday Mass at the Polynesian were they had the Luau. But that ended for some reason. It was beautiful. It was really packed too. Sometimes standing room only. Ever since, we've been going to Holy Redeemer, 1603 N. Thacker Ave, in Kissimmee. It's a very nice church. Fairly large and very comfortable pews. Right off of Hwy 192. Plenty of seating for everyone. :)
 

Halfling418

New Member
I love Mary, Queen of the Universe!

That's where you need to go if you're in Orlando.

(Sadly, priests can't preform marriages on Disney property; it has to be in a church. My dream destroyed. :( )

but a Disney reception--now that's something...
 

joshwill

Well-Known Member
Thomas Martin said:
Hi, everyone!

I have a simple question that I do not see anywhere.
Does Disney provide any type of Catholic Service on Sundays?
My son is making his confirmation, and our church requires him to attend church every Sunday. He has to bring back a signature from the priest on a form.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Tom

not being of i christian type religion, i dont know if this counts. traveling on the bus to and from downtown disney, i recall seeing something about a gospel sunday morning something or other. ive no idea what it actually is, but if thats your thing, it might deserve checking out.

it was at the house of blues
 

Maria

New Member
Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine is the church to go! It is very pretty as stated above and full of tourists! It has no parrish as the priest always said when I was there because it was mainly made for tourists. The priest used to ask where people were from before Mass started. ;)

Don´t forget to visit the chappel on your left when you enter. It is devoted to the Virgin of Guadalupe (the mother of all mexicans, as she appeared here to Saint Juan Diego) and it has a tile mural that tells the story. I thought that was a very nice thing to find in Orlando for a mexican like me. :)
 

barnum42

New Member
Thomas Martin said:
and our church requires him to attend church every Sunday. He has to bring back a signature from the priest on a form.
He has to get a signature?

So much for the church having faith in your son :rolleyes:

;)

It's that I don't recall having to provide signed documentation when I was confirmed.
 

barnum42

New Member
Halfling418 said:
(Sadly, priests can't preform marriages on Disney property; it has to be in a church. My dream destroyed. :( )
Have the official marriage in your local church, but there is nothing to stop you having another ceremony on Disney property. Just a thought. :wave:
 

Thomas Martin

Member
Original Poster
Thanks everyone for all the great info.

These are great boards, I've been going thru a lot of threads and everyone is so informative.

Maria, last year when we were in Mexico I had a chance to visit Our Lady of Guadaloupe Church it was truly amazing.

Thanks again everyone

Tom Martin
 

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
barnum42 said:
He has to get a signature?

So much for the church having faith in your son :rolleyes:

;)

It's that I don't recall having to provide signed documentation when I was confirmed.

Sadly, that's the way it is now. When I got confirmed about 7 years ago, I had to go to church every week and hand in a card to the priest, and if I was away I had to get a signed letter on church stationary. I was allowed two absences. Being that I did not want to be Catholic in the first place and my mother was forcing me to do it, I skipped Easter and Palm Sunday, the longest masses. :goodnevil
 

Pix E. Dust

Well-Known Member
joshwill said:
not being of i christian type religion, i dont know if this counts. traveling on the bus to and from downtown disney, i recall seeing something about a gospel sunday morning something or other. ive no idea what it actually is, but if thats your thing, it might deserve checking out.

it was at the house of blues

I know this is OT but since it was brought up, I thought I would post a little more information about the Sunday brunch. This is from All Ears Net:

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Every Sunday, House of Blues Gospel Brunch serves up the finest from the South in all you can eat style. The buffet is followed by a hand-clapping, foot stomping musical celebration. The price for the Gospel Brunch is $30 per adult and $15 per child (ages 3-9); which includes tax and gratuity. 2 brunchs offered at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm [/font]


[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Call for Tickets: 1- 407-934-2583 Press 1 for the Box Office
Groups call 1-407-934-2009
[/font]​


I would go myself but we travel on both Sundays of our vacation.

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
 

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