Difficulty entering a Parish for the first time

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TreeOfLife123

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It was too difficult for me. Perhaps some other time I will try again.
 
I remember my sense of nervousness the first time I went, especially before I started going through RCIA.

If I were you, if you can find a time when the doors are open, but no mass is underway, with few people there, I’d suggest you just go in and sit there for a while as the first step. Don’t do anything - just sit there. Pray if you wish, but don’t get too involved.

Second step would be to go to a mass and just sit through that, but not attempt to go forward during communion.

Third step would be to enquire about RCIA via the parish office, and take it from there.
 
I didn’t know I could just go and sit.
Since my experience was so unpleasant and hardcore I don’t know when I’ll be trying again.

I like the idea you gave me. Of just going and sitting down.

I don’t know or understand about communion. Could you explain that to me? I don’t want to do something incorrectly.
 
Hi TreeofLife,

Can you describe a bit for us what your religious (or not) background is and what made the experience difficult for you?
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
I didn’t know I could just go and sit.
Since my experience was so unpleasant and hardcore I don’t know when I’ll be trying again.

I like the idea you gave me. Of just going and sitting down.

I don’t know or understand about communion. Could you explain that to me? I don’t want to do something incorrectly.
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It would help if you would do some reading about Catholicism first. Do you have or can you obtain this book? It will explain things in a basic way, and it has been approved by the Church as being truthful.

As a non-Catholic, you should not attempt to receive communion in a Catholic Church. Until you join the Church through a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program, you are not prepared to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. Yes, it is that serious.
 
Let me try to explain a little better what happened:

I felt the POWER. The spiritual POWER present around the church and at the entrance and it was too much for me. It is truly hard core. It’s not like just walking into an building by any means. It has a POWERFUL and clear spiritual power. And it was just too much for me.

So it’s the power. Even when things are good for me if it’s too powerful it makes me unwell.

I just had a GREAT INSIGHT! I think it was the clothing I was wearing that displeased the Lord. I think sweats was foolish even if it was for comfort. I feel much better and like I’m not overwhelmed by the power thinking of that! That it displeased the Lord wearing sweats and a sweat shirt to a mass. That could really be what it was. I know that our clothing has significance.

I’m not just going to try again. I’m going to try again with nice attire that is appropriate for Church. Honestly even if I have my hair unkempt I know it displeases the Lord.
 
I really don’t know anything about communion. I have been learning about Catholicism gradually and I can tell it’s a true faith. But I don’t know all that is involved. I know a bit about Scripture I think. And the results of accepting Christ are great great great.

I really think a lot of the trouble entering the Parish could be related to attire. This is truly Christ’s Church we are talking about and I have enough money to buy good appropriate attire. Wearing a silly t-shirt for example was a huge mistake. I think it’s true. I think my attire displeased the Lord and was inappropriate for Church and played the role in why it was so difficult to enter the building. I am willing to bet a bit that this is true.
 
Actually yes taking off the silly shirt and then looking at an image of the same exact parish I feel comfortable looking at the entrance. It’s all better it seems.

I do think attire matters. I believe it’s one way we can either please or displease the Lord. And yes I think I was kept from entering the Church because of attire. Absolutely.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Actually yes taking off the silly shirt and then looking at an image of the same exact parish I feel comfortable looking at the entrance. It’s all better it seems.

I do think attire matters. I believe it’s one way we can either please or displease the Lord. And yes I think I was kept from entering the Church because of attire. Absolutely.
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I think if more Catholics reacted like you do, we wouldn’t have half the people in the pews every Sunday! 😉 But maybe in a few weeks, everyone would be dressed appropriately!

All the best as you start your journey “home!”
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Let me try to explain a little better what happened:

I felt the POWER. The spiritual POWER present around the church and at the entrance and it was too much for me. It is truly hard core. It’s not like just walking into an building by any means. It has a POWERFUL and clear spiritual power. And it was just too much for me.

So it’s the power. Even when things are good for me if it’s too powerful it makes me unwell.

I just had a GREAT INSIGHT! I think it was the clothing I was wearing that displeased the Lord. I think sweats was foolish even if it was for comfort. I feel much better and like I’m not overwhelmed by the power thinking of that! That it displeased the Lord wearing sweats and a sweat shirt to a mass. That could really be what it was. I know that our clothing has significance.

I’m not just going to try again. I’m going to try again with nice attire that is appropriate for Church. Honestly even if I have my hair unkempt I know it displeases the Lord.
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Your desire to be at the church was put there by the Lord. You pleased Him by going. You did not wear sweats to offend Him.

Next time you can dress differently and you will feel better. God bless you!
 
For Catholics, the Holy Communion is to receive the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During Mass, while the priest, the persona Christi, is calling down the Holy Spirit and consecrating the wafer and the wine, they become the body and blood of Jesus. This is called Transubstantiation. It means the substance is changed without the change of appearance.

Only baptized Catholics who are in the state of grace should receive the Eucharist(the Holy Communion). If you are not a Catholic, you won’t receive the Eucharist. You can just relax and pray while others are in the Communion line.

Please find a RCIA program to go through if you are interested in becoming a Catholic. There is usually a summer information session and the class will start in September.
 
Well, we should try to look nice for Jesus, of course. But when you’ve seen what most of us have seen at Mass: shorty shorts, tank tops, t-shirts with the names of taverns on the back, micro mini-skirts, flip flops…the list goes on and on…sweat pants don’t seem all that bad! I’m glad that you felt the power of God at the entrance of the Church…that’s AWESOME! But also remember that the devil wants to keep you OUT of the Church–because HE knows who’s in there…so don’t let him keep you away! The Eucharist is Jesus–Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, under the APPEARANCE of bread and wine. The leftover hosts from Communion are placed in the Tabernacle and kept in the Church at all times. Thus, Jesus is in the Church at all times…that’s what you felt!!! I too would encourage you to go into the Church and make a visit. Just sit and there and talk to Jesus or just be quiet and “be” with Him–wearing sweat pants if you like…He just wants YOU–your soul and your heart.
 
You CAN go up to to the priest in Communion line…but just cross your arms over your chest and he will give you a blessing instead of the Eucharist. In fact, I would recommend that you do this…you will still receive some Grace from the priest’s blessing.
 
I think a lot of people do a lot of things that aren’t right and aren’t always so aware of the effects or ramifications or for whatever the reason is they just don’t feel affected.

There are all sorts of things that affect me negatively if they are truly inappropriate.

I guess to put it simply I’m more affected by things than most people. That’s for sure.

I’m more sensitive and affected by things than most people. And I think it’s a very good thing. Of course it helps at doing what is good and seeking the help of the Lord and turning to the Lord.
 
You know I still don’t know what it was. I hope I learn soon. I don’t know if the right attire would really help. It was a pretty hardcore feeling before entering the church.
 
It could also have been my shoes. Old sneakers…I think the whole attire is important. And makes a huge difference.
 
I think there is more than one reason why it is so much for me now and felt too powerful.

It’s up to God. But I am convinced that I need Christ and I also want Christ
 
What you are feeling is the “Real Presence” of God. This is because Christ is alive in the Holy Eucharist. You will not find this in a protestant church. That feeling is what first brought me to Catholicism. I then spent several years of study before finally converting. It was difficult because I did not know any other Catholics and did not understand all of the traditions. I continue to learn.
I still weep at every Mass I attend. I am so overwhelmed and grateful to be in the presence of God.

As for your attire, God loves all, regardless of thier dress, but, you would probably feel better about yourself if you dress more appropriately. After all you are attending an audience with The King of Kings.

Have a Blessed Journey
 
It’s not a question of whether God loves me or not. I know He does. I believe that certain attire is inappropriate for a Parish. And I believe attire is one way to please or displease God. I believe God wants us to dress appropriately in a Parish or temple or whatever religious setting. Actually I think He wants us to dress appropriately in general.

Also consider that how we dress affects others. How they feel and how they think of us. Dress is of significance not only in religious settings but all settings. In the book of Sirach it says that a man is know by his appearance. Even if people don’t think clothing is influencing their view of you IT DOES.

But I do think there is more to it than that. I just don’t yet know what it is.
 
I guess part of what I felt also was “HOOOOOLY God this is the Catholic Church”! as I approached the large doors. Something like that when I went to the entrance and felt such powerful things.

One way to look at it is that perhaps it was just an initial thing and gradually over time I will work my way more into the Catholic Church? And perhaps now is not the right time to convert and over time things will get better.

However there were good things from trying to go. Certain types of healing and health benefits. But that was after the fact.

You know I really have to give this more thought. I think it’s not always so easy to know the REAL REASON(S) why things happen.
 
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