Church

[Chuck1]

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ? Would they look down on me because I’m not a formal catholic ? Please help me
Many Thanks .

 

[choliks]

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ? Would they look down on me because I’m not a formal catholic ? Please help me
Many Thanks .

What a Mass is like? My words won’t do it justice. I think you have to experience it yourself.

Normally, a parish would have mass everyday. Just check for schedules.

I don’t think they would look down on you. Everybody is welcome.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ? Would they look down on me because I’m not a formal catholic ? Please help me
Many Thanks .

no idea what this has to do with your poll but welcome home,
yes all Catholic liturgies are public and open to anyone. best advice is to simply come, sit, watch and listen in a prayerful respectful attitude. Don’t try to read, respond, sing or otherwise participate until you feel comfortable in so doing. When you are ready to start asking questions and getting answers, call the parish office and ask about an RCIA Inquiry session where you can do this in an informal no-commitment setting.

I think it is a rare Christian who has the regular necessary habit of prayer who does not have a corner set aside for that purpose whatever they call it, even if it is just a spot next to a favorite chair in a quiet place with a bible, prayerbook or other aid.

 

[Spencerian]

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ? Would they look down on me because I’m not a formal catholic ? Please help me
Many Thanks .

Hi.

Here is one link to an article that explains the parts of a typical Mass.

All are welcome to attend Mass for instruction, prayer and reflection. As a non-Catholic, do be mindful that, until you fully believe (although not necessarily understand) in what the Church teaches, and taken oaths to that effect, you should not receive Communion because doing so before you take these formal pledges would be effectively lying. The Church restricts Communion to non-Catholics because we don’t want to lead our non-Catholic brethren into sin.

I’m happy to see your interest and do hope you stick around for any questions you may have about the Church.

 

[starsmurf]

I converted to Catholicism from a Protestant church and I was made very welcome at the first Mass I attended, even though I did almost everything wrong! As an earlier poster said, don’t feel obliged to follow the sitting, standing, kneeling bit if you are not sure what to do or don’t feel comfortable with it. Plenty of people sit throughout the Mass.

There is something called the Sign of Peace during the Mass, which I found very welcoming. It goes like this:

Priest “Peace be with you”
People “And also with you” or in the new version “And with your spirit”
Priest “Let us now offer each other the Sign of Peace”
Everyone turns to the people sitting beside them (and sometimes in front of and behind them), shakes their hand and says “Peace be with you”.

I mention this as when that came up in my first Mass I didn’t have a clue what to do!

Most Catholic churches have Mass at least once a day. The weekday Mass is shorter than the Sunday Mass, so I would advise going to a Sunday Mass as well. Many parishes have a Vigil Mass on the Saturday evening for those who will not be able to attend Mass the following day. It is the same as the Mass of the following day so try that if you can’t attend on a Sunday.

I will be praying for you. You will be welcome in the Catholic Church and I hope that your journey in faith brings you into full communion with her. I have never regretted converting and I am finding spiritual joy in the Church that I couldn’t have imagined, even when I converted. It isn’t always easy to leave your old church but God pays us back a hundred-fold what we give up for Him.

Let us know how your first Mass goes. If you have any questions about it, or other aspects of the Catholic faith, feel free to ask!

 

[GratefulFred]

Everyone is welcomed to attend Catholic Mass. No one checks IDs at the door.

The only restriction is that those who are non-Catholic or Catholics not in the State of Grace should not receive Holy Communion. But many who are not prepared to properly receive Holy Communion come forward with their hands crossed over their chess and receive a blessing. Catholics believe that Catholic Holy Communion is indeed the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ throught the power Christ gave His Apostles at the Last Supper and handed down to our priests. Being able to receive Christ is a HUGE reason for being a Catholic in the State of Grace.

A collection is taken at Sunday Mass for the support of the Church. Sometimes a second collection is taken for a special purpose. No one is obliged to contribute. Many do not either because they feel they cannot afford or they contribute a larger amount once a month. No one questions anyone.

You may want to sit, stand, and kneel along with the Congregation but for various reasons, mostly lack of agility, some do not.

Although the Catholic Mass is the same with the same readings each day everywhere in the world, you will find that the style of Masses are somewhat different. The 17 years olds and the 70 year olds often like music more to their taste. You may want to attend Mass at different times to see which is more in tune with your mood. My family routinely attends different Masses because the substance of the Mass is still the same.

As others have said, most Catholic Churches have a public Mass evey day. Each priest is required to say a Mass daily, even if in private. So most Churches have a one or two daily Masses. Depending on the size fo the parrish, 20 to 100 or more people attend daily Mass.

As you explore your path to a stronger relationship with Christ, I encourage you to say often this short prayer: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.

A little longer prayer that is more specific: Lord, grant me an increase in Wisdom and Faith.

God always answers sincere prayer at the proper time. Have the courage to act according what comes into your heart and mind.

 

[GratefulFred]

I would add that my Southern Baptist relatives recently asked me why there are no bibles in the pews in Catholic Churches.

I explained that there are Missles in the pews with the readings from the Bible for each Sunday and references to the Bible readings for each daily Mass. In a three year period, the entire Bible is read aloud at Mass. And the priest’s homily (sermon) is to be on some aspect of the readings.

I would also add that the other prayers in the Mass are really quite meaningful.

 

[Jim_Roberts]

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ?

Yes, you can attend mass and just follow what the other people are doing. It seems you are perplexed between the churches; if you want to be a Catholic, than, go to a prist and talk things over.

 

[corsair]

I think Puzzleannie has hit on it. Plus I’m not sure what “a prayer table” is.???

enjoy your first Mass.

 

[zab]

Chuck1;8159287:

Hi , I was wondering if I wanted to go to a mass could I just walk into the church and sit down or somthing becuase I go to a baptist church but I do the traditional roman catholic stuff aswell so I call myself a baplic a mixture of baptist and catholic anyway , I wanted to check one out since I go to a baptist church , if so can anyone tell me what a mass is like and if they would be one in the week ?

Yes, you can attend mass and just follow what the other people are doing. It seems you are perplexed between the churches; if you want to be a Catholic, than, go to a prist and talk things over.

PLEAES pray about this matter, no matter what denomination you are, God still hears you

PAX!

Sometimes those darn quote buttons don’t seem to work no matter what you do. But you seem to be having more unluck than usual. Are you clicking on the quote button?

 

[Chuck1]

Thankyou all , you have been very comforting ! I have contacted the parish office and they said the preist is away untill the 13 of august and they have a mass in the week so i think I go to a Saturday one when the preist gets back .

I was also thinking I quite like the idea of buying a praying the rosery but not sure because I read in the bible that you shouldn’t repeat the prayers to god like the pagans did so can anyone shed any light on this ?
Also I dont know weather to get a prayer table because I spoke to someone and they said the trouble with that is that it could become like a shrine and think that’s the only place where you can pray so I’m not sure about that either?

Please help , many thanks

 

[TrueLight]

What is a prayer table?

 

[starsmurf]

Thankyou all , you have been very comforting ! I have contacted the parish office and they said the preist is away untill the 13 of august and they have a mass in the week so i think I go to a Saturday one when the preist gets back .

I was also thinking I quite like the idea of buying a praying the rosery but not sure because I read in the bible that you shouldn’t repeat the prayers to god like the pagans did so can anyone shed any light on this ?
Also I dont know weather to get a prayer table because I spoke to someone and they said the trouble with that is that it could become like a shrine and think that’s the only place where you can pray so I’m not sure about that either?

Please help , many thanks

I’m glad you’re going to go to Mass, I hope you find it a great experience.

The Rosary is a meditation, we are thinking on events in the lives of Jesus and His Mother. What the Bible is condemning is copying aspects of pagan worship, to “fit in” with them. Pagans would pray multiple times, and wealthy pagans would pay for priests to pray too, with the idea that the more prayers, the more likely a favourable answer. God answers our prayers in His own way, he’s not someone who can be annoyed into doing what we want, as I’m sure you know.

As I said the Rosary is a meditation on the lives of Jesus and His Mother, we repeat the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to help calm our minds and remind us Who we are praying to and to ask Mary to pray with us and for us. We hope that when we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, we can learn something from them. We’re not trying to copy the pagans, the point is not to say 53 Hail Marys but to spend some time meditiating on those mysteries.

I have a crucifix, an illustated manuscript, a statuette of Our Lady and a couple of pictures of my favourite saints on the top shelf of my bookshelves, I use this as my prayer table. It is a good place to pray but it is all about intention. If you don’t let that place become the only place you pray, it won’t be. I pray everywhere: on the bus, while walking, in the supermarket, in church and in my home. I pray here at the computer. When I sit in front of my prayer shelf, it helps me to focus on the fact that this is my prayer time. It’s like studying, it’s good to have a special desk for study but you can do it anywhere, it is simply helpful because you associate that desk with studying and it helps you to focus.

I hope that this helps, if any of this is unclear, please just ask for an explanation. I’m sure that others will give better replies than I have. I’m praying for you on your journey of faith.

 

[Chuck1]

Thankyou , you have cleared that up for me , just to confirm can I get it blessed and why is Mary a big part of the catholic church ? Can she forgive sins and stuff ? Also how can preists for give sins , I thought Jesus was ment to do that ? Anyway thanks again sorry I have lots of questions !

 

[corsair]

I guess there is no one to answer the “prayer table” question.

 

[starsmurf]

I guess there is no one to answer the “prayer table” question.

It’s a table you pray at.

Often with a crucifix and other religious items on it.

 

[Link0126]

Thankyou , you have cleared that up for me , just to confirm can I get it blessed and why is Mary a big part of the catholic church ? Can she forgive sins and stuff ? Also how can preists for give sins , I thought Jesus was ment to do that ? Anyway thanks again sorry I have lots of questions !

Hello,

Mary is important in the Catholic Church b/c she is the Theotókos, the Mother of God. That term, used from the very early church was defended at The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD when they condemned the heresy of Nestorius who believed that no union between the divine and human was possible. Those that defended the title “Mother of God” did so b/c they were defending the divinity of Christ.

All of Mary’s titles are relevant only in their relationship to the person of Christ. For instance, many of the Church Fathers called Mary the Ark of the New Covenant b/c she carried Christ, the Word of God made flesh, just as the Ark carried the Word of God in stone. Ultimately, we respect and consider Mary blessed because the scriptures tell us to. Speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit Mary said in the first chapter of Luke “All generations shall call me blessed”. We honor Mary, b/c Christ fulfilling the law perfectly honored his mother perfectly by keeping her free from all sin.

God Bless my friend. Welcome to the Catholic Church.

 

[starsmurf]

Thankyou , you have cleared that up for me , just to confirm can I get it blessed and why is Mary a big part of the catholic church ? Can she forgive sins and stuff ? Also how can preists for give sins , I thought Jesus was ment to do that ? Anyway thanks again sorry I have lots of questions !

Any priest will be happy to bless your Rosary, just take it with you and ask him.

Mary is a big part of the Catholic Church because she is Christ’s Mother. She can’t forgive sins or anything like that, but we can ask her to ask God to forgive us. When we pray “to” Mary, we are actually asking her to pray ***for ***us. She is especially powerful for two main reasons: the first is that she is the mother of Jesus. At the wedding at Cana, it was Mary who asked for the first miracle Christ performed, she told Him, “They have no wine” (John 2:3). She was the catalyst for the first miracle, it was her request that brought out Jesus’ miraculous powers. The second reason is that, as well as being the mother of Jesus, Mary is also our mother. This is due to Jesus giving her to the “beloved disciple (John)” as he was dying on the cross (John 19:25-27). He gave her to every one of us as a mother to love and care for us. There is a lot more to Mary than this but these are just a few of the reasons for her importance.

Priests can forgive sins through the power of God. Jesus said to the apostles, “Recieve the Holy Spirit, those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23) Catholics believe that authority was handed on by the apostles all the way down to today’s priests. I personally find it rather mind-boggling that Catholic priests know their ordination line goes all the way back to the apostles! When we go to the Sacrament of Reconcilliation (the proper name for confession), we can come out from it knowing that our sins are forgiven. It is wonderful!

Don’t apologise for having lots of questions, it is only natural. To be honest, I’d be more worried if you didn’t have lots of questions.

You are in my prayers. God bless

 

[xixxvmcm85]

I guess there is no one to answer the “prayer table” question.

In answering the poll I’m assuming the OP is referring to a home altar.

 

[vsedriver]

It’s a table you pray at.

Often with a crucifix and other religious items on it.

my great grandmother had one of these. It was quite beautiful and very spiritual. Much easier to pray in a specific spot with few distractions.

Remember, not all prayer is worship.