how do i go about this?

[allan77]

hello again all
Firslty many thanks for all your answers in previous posts, you are all helping me understand things better:thumbsup: (I had a bit of a hard time understanding certain things about the catholic faith).

Ok so i’d now like to go to a chapel and experience mass and what goes on there and try to get a feel for things. Im finding out more and more everyday and it has a lot of appeal(maybe thanks to you guys )
I dont know of anyone who attends locally and to be honest i am way to terrified to go myself! and i wouldnt really have a clue what to do
I also dont really want to tell any family members as they wouldnt be happy with this.
My G/f was raised catholic and has nothing but contempt for the faith and refuses to even acknowledge it any any way other than by saying that its utter nonsense, so I dont really want to tell her just yet:blush:
I was not raised with religion in any way but my parents seemes to have a bit of a gripe towards catholisism( I dont know why, sorry!) so i’ll keep quiet for now.

So how do I go about going to chapel? Do i just pick a local one and go??
The thought makes me nervous at the moment.

 

[cymonk]

I am a craddle catholic, so I may not be the best one to give advice, but will try none the less. If you are in or near a college, you may be able to hook up with the Catholic Newman Center on campus. If not, you could give the local priest a call. Otherwise, yes, feel free to “sneak” into any mass and sit in the back. Not too hard to follow along with the sitting/standing/kneeling that everyone else does. When people walk up to recieve communion, you can just stay seated.

Whichever way you do it, there is a CD that I think you might like… and its free:

The Conversion of Scott Hahn
secure.catholicity.com/cds/

Christ be with you,
Cymonk

 

[nodito]

Hi Allan,

I think it’s great that you’re exploring the Catholic faith. Please consider this post a personal invitation for you to join us at Mass (which is what we call the Catholic worship service). If you have a Catholic Church nearby you can usually find the Mass times by looking up their website, stopping by and picking up a bulletin from the lobby, or going to masstimes.org. When it’s time for Mass just come on in and find a seat. You can participate as little or as much as you like (except please don’t go to Communion, which is reserved for Catholics in a state of grace). No one around you will notice whether or not you’re saying the responses or singing any of the songs. Just listen, learn, and enjoy.

If you’re interested in reading more about what happens in Mass before you attend, here is a link that explains it fairly well: americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0889.asp But please don’t feel pressured to memorize anything or even understand it the first time you go.

If, after time, you feel compelled to continue learning about the faith, you may want to inquire about RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). RCIA is comprised of a series of classes that explain the Catholic faith in depth (usually 1 night a week for several months, culminating in baptism for those who desire it). Again, there should be no pressure to convert, but it can be really helpful to understand how Catholics do things and why.

Take care and God bless!

 

[Sarah25]

It’s not as scary once you get there!! Word of advice… I was totally lost my first Mass. Only later did I find out they have nifty book in the pews that give you a road map of the Mass and responses. At the church I attend, it’s a red book but may not be where you decide to go. Just look in the front or back for something like “Order of the Mass”. You’re still going to be lost, but you won’t be AS lost as I was my first time.

 

[KarenElissa]

hello again all

So how do I go about going to chapel? Do i just pick a local one and go??
The thought makes me nervous at the moment.

I remember the first time I went to Mass, it was nerve wrecking before, but it turned out fine. I picked a nice big church so I wouldn’t stick out and we won’t talk about how many times I drove around the block before I went in. But it was fine, no one really talked to me, which is what I wanted, and it was pretty easy to at least follow along with the motions so I didn’t look totally lost.

So yes, I vote just pick one and go. Masstimes is a good place to find out the times and places and stuff in your local area.

 

[LARSCOUT0311]

Usually at the beginning of Mass the reader will ask for visitors stand or raise their hands to be recognized. Believe it or not once you “out” yourself people will begin to pay special attention to you and help you. Just remember that everyone is there for the same purpose and that even if you feel that you are just going through the motions by copying other’s actions you are taking baby steps.

The Mass is very organized and I think the hardest parts of it(still) are the responses(ie. Creed, Thanks Be To God, etc.). Also, when you first come into the church you will run into greeters/ushers. If you have any questions be sure to ask them and make sure you ask for a missal. They have “disposable” missals which will help immensely and these prompt you to stand. kneel and even have the readings of that day.

One final suggestion. If you are a bit nervous about going, try attending a weekday Mass. Usually during the weekday you have a smaller turnout due to members working. Most of the time during the week older retirees will be attending. Though you will not get three readings and the full experience of an obligation Mass you will get to see what happens and alot of the older people will take you under their wings.

Okay, this is the final suggestion for real this time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask on these boards, church members and even the priests. All will be willing to help, because we are called to.

Good luck and bless you!

 

[KarenElissa]

Usually at the beginning of Mass the reader will ask for visitors stand or raise their hands to be recognized.

If you have any questions be sure to ask them and make sure you ask for a missal.

One final suggestion. If you are a bit nervous about going, try attending a weekday Mass. Usually during the weekday you have a smaller turnout due to members working.

Funny, most of your suggestions would have terrified me the first time I went to Mass. My goal was to stick out as little as possible, to blend in and just be a part of the crowd. Oh well, to each his own.

 

[cymonk]

Usually at the beginning of Mass the reader will ask for visitors stand or raise their hands to be recognized. Believe it or not once you “out” yourself people will begin to pay special attention to you and help you.

I have been going to mass all my life and can not remember anyone singling out guests. So I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

In Christ,
Cymonk

 

[Joe_5859]

Usually at the beginning of Mass the reader will ask for visitors stand or raise their hands to be recognized.

No parish I have ever been to has done this. But I’m not surprised to hear that some parishes would do such a thing.

I think that different approaches work for different people. Some people would be greatly conforted and feel warmly welcomed by such a thing. Others would feel terrified. Of course, those that would feel terrified could certainly opt not to “out” themselves.

 

[kristanl]

I would recommend going to a Sunday mass as well, or a Saturday night vigil mass. Just search online for local Catholic Churchs and their times.
When you first walk in you will see people putting their hands and blessing themselves “in the name of the father (touch forehead with right hand) , son (touch chest with right hand), and holy spirit (touch left shouldar and cross to right shouldar with right hand)” and some people with genuflect (putting one knee to the ground) or bow before going into the pew. We do this in the direction of the altar where Jesus is present.
Also, do not sit in the front row when you go (which I’m sure you already figured) lol, sit closer to the back where you can watch when everyone stands, sits, kneels, etc. Seeing that you live in Europe, the customs may be a little different than in America. But also when we say the Our Father we hold hands. (I have family in Canada and they do not hold hands during this part, so I jsut wanted to give you a heads up just incase someone was trying to hold your hand). We also shake hands with other people during the mass (after the Our Father), and you say “peace be with you”.
As for dressing, dress conservative as you do at other churchs. My dad usually wheres black pants with a polo or something.
When it is time for communion, stay at your seat. Copy what others do after they come back from communion (most will be kneeling). (You cannot recieve communion yet because you are not fully Catholic yet).
As far as your girlfriend is concerned, you may want to invite her as she will probably know what is going on if she went to Mass as a child (the customs of the mass rarely change). But if she doesnt want to come, you probably should tell her how you feel, since if you want to get married and you become Catholic, marriage is a sacrament and you may want her to share this sacrament with her

Also, I dont know if I already told you this, but once you go to Mass (you really should go this weekend… no pressure, right!) but I think you should look into RCIA classes at the parish. They are classes to prep you into becoming Catholic. And if you decide, you will be baptized (i’m not sure if you’ve been, if you have you wont have to again), you will recieve your first communion, first reconciliation, and confirmation at the Easter Vigil in April. (The night before Easter morning). The classes may have already started, but they may still be able to accept you. You can always decide not to continue, as it is an inquiry into the Catholic Faith.

Anyways, I hope to hear from you soon
Kristan

 

[MDomashinski]

I’m so happy for you! Who knows why you’ve been chosen to have this call? Most likely to lead others back to the faith! Our parish doesn’t single people out and is accepting new RCIA candidates until the end of sept. doing RCIA doesn’t equal commitment to covert. It just equals a curiosity about the faith wanting to be fulfilled, which you already have. I’m praying for you. God will give you the strength. “be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me and I will lead you home.” BTW- I always cry at the Easter vigil baptisms!