Being a 'good' catholic?

[jamesstella]

Hi, I have recently discover the catholic faith after being church of England and 4 years of not believing any religion. I believe catholic beliefs and I try and be the best person I can be with god in mind, I pray every night the lords pray and hail Mary then my own prayer and soon I would like to learn the full rosary. My question is am I ok as I am or do I have to attend mass to be a ‘good’ catholic ?
Thanks for all answers, Jameshttp://robertfrost-poems.blogspot.com/

 

[Nelka]

Mass is the most important.

Have you been baptised a Catholic yet?

 

[odile53]

To actually be received into the Roman Catholic Church, one has to take a course of instruction, and at the end of this course of instruction one is baptized (if not previously baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,) and receives the Sacraments of the Most Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation, if one is an adult. And Catholics are required to attend Mass on Sundays and all holy days of obligation (they may vary from country to country, in the United States, there are six such days.)

You are making a wonderful beginning. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic, contact any priest at any parish church and let him know. He’ll be thrilled to hear from you, and will get you all set up!

And I will say a rosary for your journey in faith. Welcome!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

In order to be a ‘good Catholic’ one must first be Catholic. The church requires that candidates take classes where they learn about the faith (called RCIA) and if they decide to go through with it they are normally received at Easter vigil. It is expected that those who attend these classes go to mass every sunday.

You might be late for joining this year but it is still worth contacting your parish and asking. Even if it is not possible for you to join at this point it still makes sense to start attending mass and familiarising yourself with the Catholic faith.

Good luck!

 

[stanczyk]

If I might make a suggestion, I think you’re looking at it the wrong way. It’s not so much that you must go to Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation. Think of it as a gift; you get to go to Mass. Mass is the celebration of the greatest sacrament. It’s a privilege to go to Mass and partake of the body and blood.

As far as whether you need to go to Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation to be a “good” Catholic, well I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean by “good” Catholic. Do you mean a “perfect” Catholic? There’s no such thing.

Should you try to Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation? Yes. Why? A priest I know once put it very succinctly: “When you go to Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation, it brings great glory to God.” I can’t think of a better reason than that.

God bless!