Attending mass/services

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Chris3434

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Hello

Apologies first if this has been asked a hundred times!
I’m at a stage in my life where I am feeling drawn back to church, my job has allowed me to attend a few services and I wish to go to more etc. obviously with Christmas coming up there is midnight mass would it be frowned upon for me to attend and not take part in the Eucharist part? Or is it best not to go?!

I was brought up as a Christian and was christened totally unsure what type but it wasn’t catholic but it is a Catholic Church I have become drawn to if that’s the correct way to put it! My family for whatever reason suddenly stopped attending church and I find it’s something hard to discuss with them now!

Thank you for any advice
 
Hi Chris,

You are most definitely welcome to attend Mass, whether or not you receive the Eucharist. There are many reasons a person may not receive. In Roman Catholic parishes, children do not receive until they reach the “age of reason,” usually 7. People who are converting attend Mass but do not receive, as well as people deciding if they would want to convert, or who are just visiting. There are many reasons adult Catholics may not receive as well: if they aren’t in an appropriate state of mind, if they have sin that is serious enough that they need to go to confession before receiving, or if they have not fasted the required length of time (1 hour). No one will think anything of you not receiving, if they even notice at all. 🙂

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, I would highly encourage you to speak with a priest at the church where you attend Mass. It is a very busy time of year so it may take a bit for him to get back to you, but I’m sure he would be happy to sit down with you and answer any questions you have. You can also consult the bulletin (normally at the doors to the church) to see if they have listed someone who is in charge of RCIA - which is the process for adults to convert. Even if you don’t know if that’s what you want, they would have lots of information!

God bless you and I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
 
Hi Chris! Welcome, welcome!

My God bless you on your journey and may the more you learn bring you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Yes you are more than welcome to attend midnight mass…and ANY mass for that matter! (as you said, just don’t take communion as of now…however, if you go to the priest when everyone is going up for communion. you can cross your arms over yourself like you are giving yourself a big hug and the priest will give you a blessing instead. Then go back to your seat and pray and just be with Jesus for a while and welcome Him into your body, mind , heart and soul and tell Him how much you want to be with Him and then quietly place yourself into His arms or lap and just rest in Him…this is known as “spiritual communion” and when done with TRUE sincerity…it can be almost as efficacius as if taking Holy Communion itself!

Please feel free to get involved with any catholic life…learn the rosary, put holy pictures/statues/holy water in the home, feel free to help out at catholic soup kitchens or any parish events etc etc. You are more than welcome…there is only 2 things you are unable to do right now :
Fully participate in Holy Communion AND go to confession and get absolution as of yet (you should go talk to the priest for this prior to going because they may want you to go through classes first to make sure you understand what you’re doing).

This is a very important time for you right now… you are to be preparing yourself and deepening your prayer life so as to deepen your relationship with God ( I highly recommend finding a Eucharistic adoration chapel in your area!).

God bless, and if you ever need any help or have questions…don’t hesitate!

Michael
 
MichaelHowling said:
Hi Chris! Welcome, welcome!

My God bless you on your journey and may the more you learn bring you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Yes you are more than welcome to attend midnight mass…and ANY mass for that matter! (as you said, just don’t take communion as of now…however, if you go to the priest when everyone is going up for communion. you can cross your arms over yourself like you are giving yourself a big hug and the priest will give you a blessing instead.

Michael
Click to expand...
Please don’t do that unless the priest issues the invitation – it’s not something that is done everywhere.
 
You are most welcome to attend Midnight Mass! Please remain in your seat during Communion, blessings offered or not, just let the others pass by on their way out or back into the pew. There should be a lovely song (or two!) by the choir that you can join in singing during that time. It is one of our most beautiful liturgies of the year, enjoy!
 
Hi Chris and welcome!

Don’t feel like you are missing out if you are not eligible for communion. Why? Because in other churches communion is symbolic. Other reasons? Just being close to the Eucharist is a blessing, and Catholics are wonderful people as most make a sincere effort to LIVE the life of Christ!

Feel free to come to any Mass. A greeter will give you information about how you can learn more about the church, should you choose to do so. No one will pressure you at all. I felt zero pressure when I started the inquiry process.:christmastree1:

Merry Christmas!
 
Chris3434 said:
Hello

Apologies first if this has been asked a hundred times!
I’m at a stage in my life where I am feeling drawn back to church, my job has allowed me to attend a few services and I wish to go to more etc. obviously with Christmas coming up there is midnight mass would it be frowned upon for me to attend and not take part in the Eucharist part? Or is it best not to go?!

I was brought up as a Christian and was christened totally unsure what type but it wasn’t catholic but it is a Catholic Church I have become drawn to if that’s the correct way to put it! My family for whatever reason suddenly stopped attending church and I find it’s something hard to discuss with them now!

Thank you for any advice
Click to expand...
This has 3 doors on the screen. You pick the one which best applies, click on it. It should help orient you.
catholicscomehome.org/

I would forego the Eucharist part till you can clarify it all. Even a lot of Catholics don’t go, if they are not in a state of grace, which is as it should be. People respect their privacy. Others may be visiting from other faiths.
 
Yes, Chris, you are more than welcome to attend Catholic Mass. Just don’t receive Holy Communion until you are Catholic, as others have noted.

Call the parish office and tell them that you are interested in learning more about the Church and possibly joining so you can learn who is in charge of religious education.

Teachings of the Church:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Question and Answer format)
 
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