I feel like I don't fit in at church

[Zundrah]

Confirmation is a sacrament that can be received only once.

Are you perhaps thinking of Confession? That’s a sacrament that can be received often. We need to go to confession for the forgiveness of sins. Missing Sunday Mass without a good reason such as illness is something someone would need to confess. We’re not required to attend daily Mass, however, so missing it is not sinful.

But usually if someone has not been to church for a long time aren’t they refused communion for a while? And don’t you have to get re-comfirmed if you change churches?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

But usually if someone has not been to church for a long time aren’t they refused communion for a while? And don’t you have to get re-comfirmed if you change churches?

If someone is in a state of mortal sin – which is entirely possible if they haven’t been to Sunday Mass – then they need to go to confession. I wouldn’t say they’re denied communion since it’s entirely their choice when and whether they go to confession. As soon as they are in a state of grace they can receive communion. The Church doesn’t impose some kind of waiting period.

I’m not sure how to answer your question about being reconfirmed if you change churches. Confirmation is one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you have been confirmed then that’s it – it’s a one-time sacrament. Someone who has been “confirmed” in a Protestant community hasn’t been confirmed as far as the Catholic Church is concerned. A person in that situation would need to be confirmed by the Catholic Church for the first (and only) time.

 

[Zundrah]

If someone is in a state of mortal sin – which is entirely possible if they haven’t been to Sunday Mass – then they need to go to confession. I wouldn’t say they’re denied communion since it’s entirely their choice when and whether they go to confession. As soon as they are in a state of grace they can receive communion. The Church doesn’t impose some kind of waiting period.

I’m not sure how to answer your question about being reconfirmed if you change churches. Confirmation is one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you have been confirmed then that’s it – it’s a one-time sacrament. Someone who has been “confirmed” in a Protestant community hasn’t been confirmed as far as the Catholic Church is concerned. A person in that situation would need to be confirmed by the Catholic Church for the first (and only) time.

But then couldn’t you just go into a parish and say that you are already comfirmed, and get communion - and be lying?

 

[rayne89]

But then couldn’t you just go into a parish and say that you are already comfirmed, and get communion - and be lying?

Confirmation comes after communion anyways -in the latin rite. My daughter made her first communion in 2nd grade, she made her confirmation in 8th. And yes anyone can lie -but God know’s you’re lying so you aren’t getting away with anything.

I can go to any Catholic church anywhere in the world -I don’t have to belong to the parish to go there. My daughter went to Mass in Germany this past summer while she was on vacation with her grandfather there. As Catholics we can go to any Catholic parish to attend Mass and receive communion.

The original poster said he/she stopped going to daily Mass that does not mean he/she is not going on Sundays.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

But then couldn’t you just go into a parish and say that you are already comfirmed, and get communion - and be lying?

When you go up to receive communion no one asks you to prove that you’re Catholic.

If I’m in my own parish the priest knows me. If I visit some other parish the priest has no idea who I am or what my background is. If I go up for communion he gives it to me, trusting that I am Catholic and in a proper state to receive the sacrament. So yes, I could be anybody – someone in a state of mortal sin or a Protestant who is ignorant of the fact that she can’t receive communion or someone who is outright trying to deceive the priest. Sometimes it’s obvious someone isn’t Catholic because they don’t know what to do, but otherwise, there’s nothing to distinguish among people.

 

[leonie]

I know why you might think this is stupid but to this person it is not stupid it is very real, an issue. I relate to her in a way that it may be easier to quit when that is not the answer so instead of us saying stupid we should be saying go back do your thing and never give up.

Thank you Kimmielittle for your reply to me.

I was only replying that way because the op asked in her post if it was a stupid reason to miss Mass. I was using her language in what I hoped was a teasing manner…

sigh.

Is this a stupid reason to avoid daily mass?

is what she wrote.

I also said “understandable…”

Sometimes, I don’t know why I bother posting anything on CAF. Does it really help? Or, is it just a way for people to snipe at you?

 

[Zundrah]

I was only replying that way because the op asked in her post if it was a stupid reason to miss Mass. I was using her language in what I hoped was a teasing manner…

sigh.

is what she wrote.

I also said “understandable…”

Sometimes, I don’t know why I bother posting anything on CAF. Does it really help? Or, is it just a way for people to snipe at you?

Ha ha ha, I can reason with you! I’ve often felt this way too.

 

[reed987]

thanks for all your responses, I’ll try to keep them in mind.