Attending my first mass tomorrow...

[Chickadee27]

Is there anything I should know? I am very nervous

This has been a long “journey” for me to get to this point. Growing up I had many Catholic friends and became interested in the Catholic Church. In high school I really started to want to know more. I hadn’t gone to any church growing up and really felt that missing in my life. About the same time I started dating a boy (protestant) and going to church with him. I met my husband in the same church and have been attending for 10 years now.

Recently I haven’t felt “whole”. I am really missing that close relationship with God. I started thinking about the Catholic Church again. It has been in my thoughts more and more often. I’ve been listening to Catholic radio, watching EWTN, and reading. It’s time for me to go to mass. I just feel drawn to it.

My husband is not coming with me. He is very rooted in the church we currently attend. I worry that this will cause a rift with us, but I also have hope that he will want to come with me and we’ll both find something wonderful.

I am excited but, as I mentioned, very nervous. I’m sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, I just wanted to share and see if anyone had any advice!

 

[ricmat]

Is there anything I should know? I am very nervous

This has been a long “journey” for me to get to this point. Growing up I had many Catholic friends and became interested in the Catholic Church. In high school I really started to want to know more. I hadn’t gone to any church growing up and really felt that missing in my life. About the same time I started dating a boy (protestant) and going to church with him. I met my husband in the same church and have been attending for 10 years now.

Recently I haven’t felt “whole”. I am really missing that close relationship with God. I started thinking about the Catholic Church again. It has been in my thoughts more and more often. I’ve been listening to Catholic radio, watching EWTN, and reading. It’s time for me to go to mass. I just feel drawn to it.

My husband is not coming with me. He is very rooted in the church we currently attend. I worry that this will cause a rift with us, but I also have hope that he will want to come with me and we’ll both find something wonderful.

I am excited but, as I mentioned, very nervous. I’m sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, I just wanted to share and see if anyone had any advice!

Hello Chickadee.

Generally, when at Mass just do what everybody else does except going to communion. At communion time, just stay in your seat. Because we believe that during communion we literally partake of the body and blood of Christ - that it is more than just a symbol.

There will probably be a missalette in which you can follow what’s happening. But sometimes it’s difficult to follow because there are so many options during the Mass.

Depending on your background and particular interests at this point, it might also be useful for you to go to a daily mass, in addition to one on the weekend. The daily masses tend to be simpler and have fewer distractions, so you could observe and listen and maybe get a better feel for what is happening.

Here’s a link to a printable summary of what the priest and the people will say. Note: at Christmas time, sometimes there are extra things which happen at Mass, but generally the summary can be followed.

Please keep in touch with us here and let us know how things go! If you have specific questions, I’m sure a lot of people will be able to help you!!

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

YAY! I’ll be praying for you. You’ll do fine.

 

[arcee]

Welcome Home.
It is not that complicated as you imagine. The Liturgy is easy to follow. Pick up the Breaking of Bread book that is in the pew and go to page 3, The Order of Mass and follow it.
When you reach the Liturgy of the Word on page 10, the complete texts of the 1st, 2nd and Gospel readings can be found on page 43 to 44-Fourth Sunday of Advent-December 20, 2009. The homily will be given by the priest after his reading of the Gospel, where everybody will be seating down.
Then go back to page 12 and continue on. One caution though the Eucharistic prayers on page 15 to 26 are not all read by the priest but one that is applicable to the Mass or season.
It will continue on page 27 to 31. The Communion on page 30 will be the part where all members of the church will line up and proceed to the altar to received the host (which is truly the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ). The Church teaches that the Eucharist can only be received by someone who is in communion with the Catholic Faith. Therefore non-Catholics can not received it. I will leave the Theological explanation of these doctrines to your parish priest or bishop. There are more deeper explanations and understandings of this sacrament, and non-Catholics can received it through conversion of faith.
The Mass will conclude on page 31.
I do hope that you will continue to understand the deeper meaning of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. You will come to appreciate it in the weeks, months and years to come that the sactifying grace in receiving Jesus Christ will strengthen your spiritual well being.

 

[ricmat]

Welcome Home.
It is not that complicated as you imagine. The Liturgy is easy to follow. Pick up the Breaking of Bread book that is in the pew and go to page 3, The Order of Mass and follow it.
When you reach the Liturgy of the Word on page 10, the complete texts of the 1st, 2nd and Gospel readings can be found on page 43 to 44-Fourth Sunday of Advent-December 20, 2009. The homily will be given by the priest after his reading of the Gospel, where everybody will be seating down.
Then go back to page 12 and continue on. One caution though the Eucharistic prayers on page 15 to 26 are not all read by the priest but one that is applicable to the Mass or season.
It will continue on page 27 to 31. The Communion on page 30 will be the part where all members of the church will line up and proceed to the altar to received the host (which is truly the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ). The Church teaches that the Eucharist can only be received by someone who is in communion with the Catholic Faith. Therefore non-Catholics can not received it. I will leave the Theological explanation of these doctrines to your parish priest or bishop. There are more deeper explanations and understandings of this sacrament, and non-Catholics can received it through conversion of faith.
The Mass will conclude on page 31.
I do hope that you will continue to understand the deeper meaning of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. You will come to appreciate it in the weeks, months and years to come that the sactifying grace in receiving Jesus Christ will strengthen your spiritual well being.

Point of clarification.

Depending on the actual parish, “Breaking of the Bread” may not be the actual missal. There may be another one with different page numbers.

And in some parishes, the missals are not actually in the pews, you might need to pick one up on your way in…

 

[PJM]

=Chickadee27;6073485]Is there anything I should know? I am very nervous

This has been a long “journey” for me to get to this point. Growing up I had many Catholic friends and became interested in the Catholic Church. In high school I really started to want to know more. I hadn’t gone to any church growing up and really felt that missing in my life. About the same time I started dating a boy (protestant) and going to church with him. I met my husband in the same church and have been attending for 10 years now.

Recently I haven’t felt “whole”. I am really missing that close relationship with God. I started thinking about the Catholic Church again. It has been in my thoughts more and more often. I’ve been listening to Catholic radio, watching EWTN, and reading. It’s time for me to go to mass. I just feel drawn to it.

My husband is not coming with me. He is very rooted in the church we currently attend. I worry that this will cause a rift with us, but I also have hope that he will want to come with me and we’ll both find something wonderful.

I am excited but, as I mentioned, very nervous. I’m sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, I just wanted to share and see if anyone had any advice!

***My dear freind in Christ…

Know that it IS thee Lord Calling you Home

Some advice:

Don’t force your husband. Pray for him. lead by example, and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job.

At Mass I suggest your sit mid-way or towards the rear until you get used to what takes place.

Pay particular attention to the words of “Condecration” [after the Bible readings and sermon. They are AWESOME:thumbsup:

You will likely find a “Missal” that you can use to follow along. Some parishes hace them in the pews, some at the front of the Cchurch as you enter.

KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN HOLY COMMUNION UNTIL YOU BECOME A CATHOLIC, BUT YOU CAN GO FOREARD; CROSS YOUR ARMS AND REVEIVING A BLESSING

Also don’t expect the Mass to be as TRADITIONAL as it is on EWTN, nor will the people likely be as pious?

Also keep in mind that The Mass is all about Jesus, not fellowship. Fellowship can take place before and after the Mass. The Mass is first and FOREMOST a “re-presentation” NOT a represetation, of the Last Supper, and the Passion, and Death of Jesus, wherein in through two consecutative miracles, Christ is made Truly and Really Present to us in the Transubstanuated Host. This is accomplished by God through His Priest.

After Mass you may wish to introduce yourself to the priest, and let him know of your interest?

Let us know if you have additional questions.

Love and prayers,

Pat
[/COLOR]***

 

[Highwayhound]

Well, how did it go at mass?