St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church and St. Vincent de Paul Conference

Review of St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church – Rental Assistance Experience I was recently referred to St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church for rental assistance and followed all the steps I was told were required — including calling and leaving a voicemail right at 7:05 AM on June 30th. I received a callback from a woman named Linda. Unfortunately, the interaction did not go as I had hoped. From the start, Linda’s tone came across as condescending, especially when asking questions or explaining parts of the process. Although I felt a bit uncomfortable, I continued the conversation, hoping to move forward. She asked for the name of my property management, and upon hearing it, said they did not work with them and that the treasurer had already declined help. I tried calling back to clarify that my property management had worked with them before and even told me they would again. I was hoping to speak with the treasurer directly. However, during that second call, Linda hung up on me mid-sentence. I called once more, and she answered only to hang up immediately. This was one of the most disheartening experiences I’ve had while asking for help — especially from a place of faith, where I expected compassion, kindness, and understanding. Reaching out in need is already difficult, and to be met with dismissal and unkindness made me feel ashamed and humiliated. I truly expected better.

I come here often even though it's not my main church. It's just close to my house. I found peace and holy here! The church is small and simple enough and clean. I feel welcomed. I love it!

Tucked away in beautiful surroundings you'll find this charming church and it's campus; The grotto was locked but looking through the grate it appears to be a beautiful, reverent space. The Adoration chapel welcomes you in the narthex; it's a beautiful intimate space. They have a great choir, homilies, social outreach and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries at the end of each Mass with a blessing for the individuals. It has many great qualities and people who truly care about the parish. There is a real concern for community within the church and for their external community as well. So it's surprising that no one ever made an effort to talk to me; they weren't rude, they did return my hellos (which revealed me to be a 'yankee' so perhaps that was off-putting?). The Masses were beautifully prayed and the music exceptionally performed but the 'sense of Sacred' seemed missing in the church as it seemed to be more of a gathering space than a 'Sacred' space. Was it the choir practicing in it before Mass, was it the comradery of parishioners before Mass, was it Mass song choices or maybe all those combined? I was only a visitor and it was the closest Catholic church during my 2 month visit. If they are happy with their church, that is all that matters.