We’re About What You Need

CCE is a fast-growing Church family. With our apostolic succession roots in the Old Catholic Church, we have long grown in distinction from Rome’s authority. And yet, we’re thoroughly, traditionally Catholic.

Today, CCE is renewing Catholicism in several American cities and foreign countries. Our startup in Urbana-Champaign is about presence, keeping the best parts of being Catholic, and caring for each other.

Locally, our clergy are unpaid volunteers, and we don’t own a building here. We’re a little like the New Testament Church, and we like it that way. It keeps us flexible, free to grow and to be with people as they need us. When we celebrate Masses or Communion and offer interesting lectures, we’ll post dates and details here.

If you’re sick and need Sacraments or support, if you’re homesick or depressed and need to talk, or if you’re spiritually seeking for you-don’t-even-know-what, we’ll show up.

If you need a loving, open place to practice as a Catholic or learn what it might mean to be one in a new way, join us for worship.

And you recovering Catholics…are you curious about a new way of keeping the faith? That’s actually one of our favorite questions. Because we’re recovering, too.

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Sacraments in a Whole New Light

We love the Sacraments. When we celebrate them, they’re both ancient and new. Have you thought about the Mass as spiritual time travel through Christ’s Upper Room, Passion, tomb, and Resurrection, where past, present, and future events collide in spiritual power? Did you ever experience Reconciliation as an encounter with Christ for love and healing? We do, and we invite you to reimagine sacred experiences.

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The Catholic Church in Exile International Site

Get the big picture of a small but dynamic Church devoted to renewal of Catholicism for all people. CCE lives the truth that in God’s Kingdom, compassion truly does change everything. (undergoing redesign)

A cup of coffee, a young woman's lace front shirt, and her right arm tattooed with "guts over fear".

Spiritual Accompaniment, Your Way

Nobody can go it alone. But if the idea of “joining” a group makes you anxious, we can do occasional spiritual check-ins and conversation over coffee, tea, lunch, or online via Zoom. You decide. We won’t try to sign you up for stuff or pressure you. Click CONTACT for a meeting.

Or, jump right in. We’ll worship, read, discuss, eat, and enjoy life as spiritual friends and family. Start here.

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Catholic Church in Exile Urbana-Champaign Channel

Follow this new, developing YouTube Channel for Catholic content. This will include our recorded services and events, educational material, and other relevant support for your spiritual journey.

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So Much to Learn & Discuss

Spiritual growth is exciting. You start asking questions, which leads to bigger, gnarlier questions. But that’s how you uncover great things.

It’s not only possible to grow your heart, your mind, and your spirit in sync, it’s what we believe in. We’re lifelong spiritual learners who love hard questions, so we seek out interesting conversation opportunities.

Mad Catholic: Unbox Your Faith

Here’s a podcast where questions matter more than authoritative answers, and all “colors” of exiled Catholics, Christians, and doubters come together to talk about all things inclusive, debatable, and real.

What’s Old is New Again

The Catholic Church in Exile