Catholic Mass Times

Catholic Mass Times is exactly what it sounds like — a directory of Catholic churches around the world with their Mass times, confession schedules, and contact details. It's by Pablo Licheri, an indie developer, and it draws from the long-running MassTimes.org database.

The app uses your location to show nearby parishes. Tap a church and you get the address, Sunday and weekday Mass times, confession hours, the parish phone number with a one-tap call button, the website, and driving or walking directions. You can search a city or zip code if you're planning a trip. There's also a section for online Masses if you're sick or homebound.

What I appreciate is that the data is decent. MassTimes.org has been around for decades and is maintained by volunteers in parishes worldwide, which means it's not perfect but it's better than guessing. I've used apps like this on the road and ninety percent of the time the Mass times are right. The remaining ten percent is why you call the parish before you drive across town.

Good fit for a Catholic who travels — for work, for vacation, for a family wedding three states away. Also useful for finding confession times in a strange city. RCIA candidates exploring the Church can use it to find a parish near home. Parents helping an adult child find a parish at college will reach for it too.

It's not a substitute for calling the parish. Mass times change. Holiday schedules shift. Pastors retire and new ones rearrange the calendar. Always call ahead if it matters — a wedding, a funeral, a holy day of obligation. The app is a starting point, not the last word.

Free, from Pablo Licheri. Available on the App Store: Catholic Mass Times. A useful tool to keep on the phone — you won't need it most days, and you'll be glad to have it the day you do.