Am I Catholic? Participate in the Sacraments?

[DonCoryon]

This is my second post so I would like to re-introduce myself. My name is Cory and have been a Catholic my whole life, so to speak. I was born into a Catholic family, baptized as a baby, went through my first communion when I was ten. I never went to Church when I was a teenager and started going to Calvary Chapel when I was older. I am 26 now and I want to start attending Catholic Mass and fellowship with my fellow Catholics.

My first question is am I Catholic? I always identify myself as such when asked.

Second, comes from a statement that is in the Parish Bulletin that I received on my first visit to my local Parish. It reads:

"Two consecutive years of religious instruction are necessary for reception of ALL sacraments. (One prep year is added if student has not been in religious education)

My question is since I have already taken communion in my past and have been baptized in my past (2 Sacraments) am I eligible to participate in the other sacraments?

 

[Tonks40]

1. Yes, you are Catholic
2. Since you’ve admitted that you’ve only received 2 sacraments, I would suggest you contact your local parish to see about receiving instruction on the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. This does not take 12 years for an adult. Normally classes (or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA) takes between 7-9 months, with your full reception into the Church on Easter Vigil.

You may still attend Mass - though I’m not quite sure about receiving the Eucharist in your case. You may have to verify this with your parish priest.

Hopefully others can clarify this for you.

God Bless and Welcome Home!

 

[John_Lilburne]

Yes, you are a Catholic from the information presented.

Perhaps it would be worth investigating the Church Bulletin. Does it mean that 2 years of religious instruction are required for the sacrament of marriage? Probably not. So perhaps it is referring to the sacraments for children.

I see no obstacle to going today to the sacrament of confession (or reconciliation), then receiving Holy Communion.

For Confirmation, the Code of Canon Law has:
“Canon 889 … §2. To receive confirmation licitly outside the danger of death requires that a person who has the use of reason be suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises.” (from vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM ).

The sacrament of holy orders requires lots of instruction and confirmation first.

 

[Cristiano]

Welcome back home. We are a bunch of people that try to do what it is right and most of us often fail over and over (at least I speak for myself).

You will see that with time your life will change in unexpected ways. My personal experience is that it will seem that Christians pop up like mushrooms around you, and that someone probably a stranger will offer you support and prayer. Good and challenging things will happen to you and that will allow to grow your love for God.

Sometime you will have dry spells and you will question your faith. Just keep praying and studying your religion, things will get back on track.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This is my second post so I would like to re-introduce myself. My name is Cory and have been a Catholic my whole life, so to speak. I was born into a Catholic family, baptized as a baby, went through my first communion when I was ten. I never went to Church when I was a teenager and started going to Calvary Chapel when I was older. I am 26 now and I want to start attending Catholic Mass and fellowship with my fellow Catholics.

My first question is am I Catholic? I always identify myself as such when asked.

Second, comes from a statement that is in the Parish Bulletin that I received on my first visit to my local Parish. It reads:

My question is since I have already taken communion in my past and have been baptized in my past (2 Sacraments) am I eligible to participate in the other sacraments?

Yes, you would still be considered a member of the Catholic Church. Depending on your specific situation, such as your Marriage situation. You would have access to the Sacraments. You should speak with a priest at your nearest parish. Returning to the Sacraments may be as simple as going to Confession and preparing to be Confirmed.

 

[DonCoryon]

Yes, you would still be considered a member of the Catholic Church. Depending on your specific situation, such as your Marriage situation. You would have access to the Sacraments. You should speak with a priest at your nearest parish. Returning to the Sacraments may be as simple as going to Confession and preparing to be Confirmed.

Is my mariage situation a factor?

I will explain my situation.

I married the mother of my child when I was 20. 4 years into my military service we divorced, mainly due to the fact that I was deployed for 38 out of the 48 months of our marriage. I was married in Reno, NV at a one stop marriage shop. We were divorced in the State of Oregon in court. She was not Catholic.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Is my mariage situation a factor?

I will explain my situation.

I married the mother of my child when I was 20. 4 years into my military service we divorced, mainly due to the fact that I was deployed for 38 out of the 48 months of our marriage. I was married in Reno, NV at a one stop marriage shop. We were divorced in the State of Oregon in court. She was not Catholic.

You are okay for now, but if you decide to marry again, you will have to get the first marriage annulled.

At your young age, it might be worth your while to look into an annulment with the thought that you will most likely want to marry again.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

1. You are Catholic by virtue of your baptism.
2. You should speak with a priest at your parish. Generally speaking, you would be able to receive the Eucharist after going to confession. You can also ask the priest about going through a program for confirmation and about an annulment.

 

[kell0618]

You are okay for now, but if you decide to marry again, you will have to get the first marriage annulled.

At your young age, it might be worth your while to look into an annulment with the thought that you will most likely want to marry again.

As he is a Catholic and did not celebrate his marriage in the Catholic Church, the marriage was invalid anyhow. This is of course assuming he did not at the time of marriage receive a dispensation from his Bishop.



Kelly

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Is my mariage situation a factor?

I will explain my situation.

I married the mother of my child when I was 20. 4 years into my military service we divorced, mainly due to the fact that I was deployed for 38 out of the 48 months of our marriage. I was married in Reno, NV at a one stop marriage shop. We were divorced in the State of Oregon in court. She was not Catholic.

You will need to have the Marriage look at by the Church. You should provide your pastor with a copy of your Catholic Baptism certificate. Your Marriage documents both from NV and OR. It should not be a long process.