About becoming a Catholic

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Blood_Angel

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There is a very small Catholic Church in my town, do I just go in whenever it’s open? It does say on its website that anyone is welcome to pop in and pray during the day and be in the presence of the Lord, so I see that as an invitation. I take it if I just walk inside I will be greeted by a Priest or something? Just so I know what to expect!

I’m not a Catholic or even a Christian or anything, I am just curious to see what it’s like, actually inside a Catholic Church and well most importantly to see if I feel anything. It’s one thing talking and learning about Catholicism online but it’s another to actually experience in real life.
It’s only a small and modest Church mind you, there is much bigger Churches in my town, there’s several big Church of England ones and there’s some Methodist and Baptist ones too, even a Pentecostal Church which is full of young and foreign students, they seem to be the most active in the community, but from what I gather, Pentecostals kind of scare me a little, Catholicism has a beauty and art to it, at least in my opinion.

Anyway, sorry to drivel on!
As I said, I’d just like to know what to expect if I just walk in one day out of the blue and if I was interested in becoming Catholic, how would I go about that?
 
You are very blessed to have a Catholic church open all day near you. Our parish is able to keep ours open, too, with the aid of CCTV cameras.

So do take up the invitation to drop in. Before I became a Catholic, I used to spend hours in churches. reading pamphlets, trying to figure out the stained-glass windows, even reading the hymnbook.

I would say that it would be unlikely you’d come across a priest, as they are usually too busy, but if there is somebody there filling up the candles or something, they would be delighted to help you make contact with the priest.

Another way would be to phone or email (many Catholic churches in the UK have a website) and somebody should get back to you.

Does the church have daily Masses? After one of those might be easier to make yourself known to the priest, rather than on a Sunday - there again, don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you make contact.

Welcome! Let us know how you get on, or PM me.
 
If the church is a church and not a chapel, there will be a red light–a light or candle inside a red glass lamp. That indicates that the Body of Our Lord is in the tabernacle near the light.

I hope you will like visiting your church. I myself notice a difference between being in a Catholic church and anywhere else…
 
paperwight66 said:
You are very blessed to have a Catholic church open all day near you. Our parish is able to keep ours open, too, with the aid of CCTV cameras.

So do take up the invitation to drop in. Before I became a Catholic, I used to spend hours in churches. reading pamphlets, trying to figure out the stained-glass windows, even reading the hymnbook.

I would say that it would be unlikely you’d come across a priest, as they are usually too busy, but if there is somebody there filling up the candles or something, they would be delighted to help you make contact with the priest.

Another way would be to phone or email (many Catholic churches in the UK have a website) and somebody should get back to you.

Does the church have daily Masses? After one of those might be easier to make yourself known to the priest, rather than on a Sunday - there again, don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you make contact.

Welcome! Let us know how you get on, or PM me.
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Thanks for the information!
It has mass very often by the looks of it, every day apart from Monday I think.
I’m still very nervous though, I can just go in and mind my own business then?
 
That’s what I did as I began my journey into the Catholic Church. Our local Parish holds Eucharistic Adoration every week and I would slip in, sit in the back, and pray.
If you’re up for it, you could always speak with a Priest or other office worker, tell them of your interest and of your desire to slip in the sanctuary to pray. I’m sure they would be welcoming and it may relieve some of your nervousness.

And the suggestion about daily Mass is spot on…Daily Mass is generally less crowded and a great opportunity to introduce yourself to Father.
 
If you go outside of Mass, it will be very quiet and peaceful. There might be people in the pews praying.

Generally the Church has at least one Mass daily. You are invited to go to Mass as often as you like. The only thing you can’t do as a non-Catholic is receive Communion.

I spent years going to Mass before I became Catholic. It is really very peaceful and beautiful.
 
Blood_Angel said:
There is a very small Catholic Church in my town, do I just go in whenever it’s open? It does say on its website that anyone is welcome to pop in and pray during the day and be in the presence of the Lord, so I see that as an invitation. I take it if I just walk inside I will be greeted by a Priest or something? Just so I know what to expect!

I’m not a Catholic or even a Christian or anything, I am just curious to see what it’s like, actually inside a Catholic Church and well most importantly to see if I feel anything. It’s one thing talking and learning about Catholicism online but it’s another to actually experience in real life.
It’s only a small and modest Church mind you, there is much bigger Churches in my town, there’s several big Church of England ones and there’s some Methodist and Baptist ones too, even a Pentecostal Church which is full of young and foreign students, they seem to be the most active in the community, but from what I gather, Pentecostals kind of scare me a little, Catholicism has a beauty and art to it, at least in my opinion.

Anyway, sorry to drivel on!
As I said, I’d just like to know what to expect if I just walk in one day out of the blue and if I was interested in becoming Catholic, how would I go about that?
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Absolutely it’s an invitation! You can walk in the door (if it’s open) anytime and just look around or sit down and think about things. The priest most likely will not be there, but others may be praying there, so silence is the norm. If you are interested in the Catholic Church, then you can call the parish office and make an appointment to speak with a priest about your questions and concerns.
 
Hi you are very blessed to feel this attraction:) i would suggest you to do this way:

Conversion is a form of God’s grace , grace comes also from te prayers 🙂 so i think u should start to find out what the Rosary is and pray it daily. All your dubts and fears will disappear . Remeber that out Holy Mother the Vergina Mary is the way to the Lord. Infact she gave us Jesus.she was that way God decided to revail Jesus to the world.So anyway that wants to find salvation through Jesus should pray her. She will open ur heart;) She is the best way to him and she will never abbandon you.

I warn you Being catholic is a constant battle against the word… Your conversion wont be over with the Baptize but it is a life path. You will face moments were u can’t lose the faith as that will happen go back to Mary:)

All this happened to me. I was born catholic but i had fallen away and even questioned the Faith. I call myself a convert too:)

Christus Imperat!🙂
 
There’s something about a Catholic Church that I can’t describe. I’ve only known the Catholic faith, but during my youth visited many other non-Catholic churches on school trips,as well as many weddings and a few funerals.

When I go to my little Church just a few blocks from the Ocean, it’s a sanctuary to me. I leave all the evils of the world outside the minute I enter, touch the holy water and make the sign of the cross.

It’s one of the few places that hasn’t changed in all my decades of living. The feel of the wooden pews, the smell of the incense, the beautiful architecture that gives God the respect and reverence he so deserves.

It would be wrong to keep the spiritual feeling one gets from all these things, particularly when we celebrate a Mass. Our Faith is a gift, not everyone has it, but everyone deserves it. As a Catholic, I hope all you guys and gals share what we’re blessed to have and experience, it’s sinful not to. If you’re not a Catholic(yet), we’ll save you a seat. Wherever your journey takes you, we’ll pray for you. That’'s what Catholics do best, better than anyone 😉
 
Blood_Angel said:
There is a very small Catholic Church in my town, do I just go in whenever it’s open? It does say on its website that anyone is welcome to pop in and pray during the day and be in the presence of the Lord, so I see that as an invitation. I take it if I just walk inside I will be greeted by a Priest or something? Just so I know what to expect!

I’m not a Catholic or even a Christian or anything, I am just curious to see what it’s like, actually inside a Catholic Church and well most importantly to see if I feel anything. It’s one thing talking and learning about Catholicism online but it’s another to actually experience in real life.
It’s only a small and modest Church mind you, there is much bigger Churches in my town, there’s several big Church of England ones and there’s some Methodist and Baptist ones too, even a Pentecostal Church which is full of young and foreign students, they seem to be the most active in the community, but from what I gather, Pentecostals kind of scare me a little, Catholicism has a beauty and art to it, at least in my opinion.

Anyway, sorry to drivel on!
As I said, I’d just like to know what to expect if I just walk in one day out of the blue and if I was interested in becoming Catholic, how would I go about that?
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I am not Catholic either, and have only begun to learn about Catholicism for a few months now. Like you, I am very nervous about just going into the church without knowing anyone! Hopefully we can both get over this fear so we can start out journey. 🙂
 
I am English and a covert to Catholicism from atheism (or just regular secular background). You are always welcome in a Catholic church. I would just use common sense and be respectful if you go to Mass. You should find a stack of missals (books) at the back of the church and you can find the current date and follow the whole Mass and the readings from the scriptures that way. When I first attended Mass I really had no idea what was going on and I certainly didn’t realise that Catholics believed that Jesus was coming soul and divinity in Communion at every mass. But I did feel the presence of God and how sacred the church was. Follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. Depending on where you are in the UK I might be able to find some local resources for you if you can say which county you live in.

God bless you and pray for me!
 
Blood_Angel said:
There is a very small Catholic Church in my town, do I just go in whenever it’s open? It does say on its website that anyone is welcome to pop in and pray during the day and be in the presence of the Lord, so I see that as an invitation. I take it if I just walk inside I will be greeted by a Priest or something? Just so I know what to expect!

I’m not a Catholic or even a Christian or anything, I am just curious to see what it’s like, actually inside a Catholic Church and well most importantly to see if I feel anything. It’s one thing talking and learning about Catholicism online but it’s another to actually experience in real life.
It’s only a small and modest Church mind you, there is much bigger Churches in my town, there’s several big Church of England ones and there’s some Methodist and Baptist ones too, even a Pentecostal Church which is full of young and foreign students, they seem to be the most active in the community, but from what I gather, Pentecostals kind of scare me a little, Catholicism has a beauty and art to it, at least in my opinion.

Anyway, sorry to drivel on!
As I said, I’d just like to know what to expect if I just walk in one day out of the blue and if I was interested in becoming Catholic, how would I go about that?
Click to expand...
Yep just go right in
 
Welcome! When you enter a Catholic Church, you will first see a little basin containing holy blessed water. That is used to bless yourself with in the Name of the Trinity. This water is very powerful to make the devil flee.

In the front of the church is a table called an altar. On the altar the priest consecrates bread and wine during Mass. It becomes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Next to the red lamp (Sanctuary lamp) is a golden rounded box called the tabernacle. Jesus lives in there in the form of bread. All are welcome to come into church to pray, adore, worship and talk to Jesus. Having the Real Presence of Jesus makes the Catholic Church so wonderful.

Throughout the Church you will see statues of Jesus, His Mother Mary and various Saints. We adore God but venerate Mary and the Saints. The statues are there to remind and inspire us to live holy lives. We do not worship the statues. (cont’d)
 
The stained glass windows depict Saints, Jesus, and other religious themes. They instruct and inspire us.

No need to be nervous. You are always welcome in God’s house.
 
Kindness said:
Depending on where you are in the UK I might be able to find some local resources for you if you can say which county you live in.
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I live in the county of Merseyside.
nevaehniko said:
Hopefully we can both get over this fear so we can start out journey. 🙂
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It is good to know that I am not alone in feeling alone and hopefully we can do it! I believe we will be kicking ourselves for not going sooner one day.
Getting over that first hurdle is a big something!
 
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