Is Somerset within driving distance? A while back, tired of the liturgical abuse at most of the churches in my diocese, I asked our Lord to guide me to a "holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community where whatever my God-given abilities were, could be of service to them". I compiled a list of parishes within a certain radius of home. Another freeper suggested including any Eastern Catholic parishes. Each Sunday, I attended mass at a different parish always repeating that prayer. After 3 weeks, a Maronite Catholic parish was next on the list. I was so moved by the beauty and reverence of their liturgy, that I returned the following week, and the week after that. It has now been 7 1/2 years since I entered that church and I am still moved to tears of joy by their liturgy and reverence. Communion is by intinction and on the tongue. It is distributed only by a priest or bishop. There are no extraordinary ministers of holy communion. Since joining this parish, I have been asked elected to the Parish Council, the women's sodality and serve as Director for Religious Education. Now retired, I volunteer my time at the parish office and assist the building committee with the renovations to our future church.
There is a beautiful Maronite Catholic Church in Somerset.
To learn more about the liturgy, you can visit this link. Should you decide to visit the church, drop me a freepmail so I can explain some of the differences in the two rites.
God bless you on your journey!