Is a Protestant Christian welcome at Mass?

[otjm]

Absolutely right!

Sitting in the front is a dead giveaway that the person is not Catholic!

Aw - com’on - my mother paid pew rent on the third from the front, on the right, ever since 1950. And my younger brother continues to sit in the same location (different parish). That’s 64 years of pew rent…

 

[otjm]

I am not familiar with blessing yourself with holy water. Can you describe how that is done? I am a baptized believer but may possibly do that if it is permissible.

It is supposed to be a reminder of our baptism (and is voluntary), although I am not sure how many Cahtolics could tell you that (sigh!).

Does the clergy typically stand somewhere to greet the parishoners after Mass or would I need to seek them out somewhere else? Just curious. Thanks again.

That may depend on how closely Masses are spaced together, and whether or not someone may have pigeonholed Father before he could get there.

We also have parishes which have one or more deacons, and they may be out there greeting people as they leave. Most of them are easy to speak with too.

 

[Tommy999]

Please let us know what you think of the service when you decide to go. I would also encourage you to visit more than one Catholic Church. I went to around 4 or 5 before joining and then later converting. There is and never will be pressure to convert, though the Pope is placing an emphasis on outreach. [But no one will ever give you a hard sell.]
We are glad to have you here on CAF as well!

Hi esieffe,
You peaked my curiosity with the comment about visiting about 4 or 5 churches before joining. If you don’t mind, can you elaborate on that? Can you explain the differences between the ones you visited and the factors that made you decide on the one you now call home? By what I’ve read on CAF, the Mass will be the same at each. Could it be a difference in comfort level, friendliness of those at the church, proximity to home, being able to relate to the staff better, or perhaps none of the above?

By the way, thanks for the infio, otjm.

 

[formerNAC]

Tommy999:
I am a recent convert. I was a lifelong member of the New Apostolic Church as well as spending 32 years in various ministries (Deacon, Priest) before I starting attending the Catholic Church. One of my friends accompanied me to the first Mass I attended and this helped me to follow the liturgy. I am sure that you will feel welcome, even though you express no interest in conversion. The greeters and ushers were also very helpful to me during the first few visits. When I had a question, I just asked one ot them and they always seemed willing and able to help me out.

~formerNAC

 

[paulrxp]

Hi esieffe,
You peaked my curiosity with the comment about visiting about 4 or 5 churches before joining. If you don’t mind, can you elaborate on that? Can you explain the differences between the ones you visited and the factors that made you decide on the one you now call home? By what I’ve read on CAF, the Mass will be the same at each. Could it be a difference in comfort level, friendliness of those at the church, proximity to home, being able to relate to the staff better, or perhaps none of the above?

By the way, thanks for the infio, otjm.

Hi Tommy,

This is not unusual, because people from my own parish did this(visit several parishes). You’ll feel welcomed in almost any parish you attend. For me personally, when I’m in prayer at my current parish, it feels no different than the parish I attended 40+ years ago as a kid that’s over 1000 miles away from where I currently live. There is a peace I can’t explain, one that’s not affected by time or anything that is happening outside those church walls. I’ve seen people come and go, places change phases of my life begin and end, but this peace and calmness in prayer in almost every parish I’ve attended is constant and spiritually very inspiring and uplifting.

In my parish though, before the liturgy begins people who are visiting will be asked to stand, and the entire congregation will greet you. So you’ll stand out, but whether you’re Catholic or not, you’ll get a warm welcome. This of course could vary depending on the parish. Also when the Mass ends, there is usually a closing hymm. You’ll see a processional cross lead the priest, deacons, and or ministers out of the Church. You’ll notice everyone makes the sign of the cross as the processional cross passes them. It’s a good idea to wait until this cross passes you, then you can exit. The priest usually is at the entrance to thank and say goodbye to those exiting.

Most Catholics believe it is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth who will speak to your conscience. If your heart and mind calls you to the Faith, the Holy Spirit will be the one to really welcome you home.

This is jumping way ahead, but the Catholic Church is truly universal. We have Eastern Churches too that make up Rites of the universal Church. Rites that have totally different liturgy,some are very much like the Eastern Orthodox Church. There are over 20 Rites, all diverse but unlike Christian denominations, we are all united, all in Full Communion, we are the Body of Christ on Earth . We are One Church as our Lord wished and prayed us to be. Never feel amongst Catholics you’ll stand out for the wrong reasons. If the love of Christ is a big part of who and what you are, you’ll feel very united and be very happy to know the Catholics around share this love for our Lord.
Please let us know how things go, God Bless

 

[asia53]

Dear Tommy999,

Welcome, welcome, welcome! As suggested, if there is an Usher, talk/question one of them.

Absolutely right!

Sitting in the front is a dead giveaway that the person is not Catholic!

Oh my gosh! Usually, I sit in the second pew from the front. Does that mean I’m only half-Catholic?

 

[jmcrae]

We must be careful here. Going up to receive a blessing is not a universal practice, it is not done in most churches, and is not encouraged by Rome, although it seems more common than it is by reading CAF. If you go up for a blessing in a church where it is not the custom, you might be embarrassed. And, only the priest can give a formal blessing. In my parish blessings are not usually given, except for infants and small children with their parents, and only by the priest. It is better to just sit in the pew during Communion to avoid confusion.

I agree with this. I have known more than one person who confused the priest by going up for a blessing, and was accidentally given Communion when they were not supposed to be receiving it. (In some parish communities, crossed arms signify that you are receiving on the tongue.)

It’s much safer to stay back and pray, rather than join the communion procession, especially at first. If the priest invites you to come forward for a blessing, that’s a different story, but if you don’t know the priest, or if he hasn’t invited you to do this, it’s best to stay back until after you have received your First Holy Communion, formally.

 

[jmcrae]

And having said that, I also say, “Welcome!”

With regard to everything else besides going for Holy Communion, copy what everyone else is doing, unless it would conflict with your current beliefs.

Listen carefully to the words of the Mass, and don’t worry about not knowing the congregational responses. With repetition, you will learn them over time.

Priests vary in terms of whether they wait outside to greet the congregation, or go back in straight away to get ready for the next Mass or the next item on their agenda for the day. The best way to get hold of a priest is to make an appointment with his secretary, and come to his office to speak with him. Simply explain that you are thinking of learning more about the Catholic church, and want to make yourself known to him. Most priests would be very receptive to meeting with you and helping you with your initial questions.

 

[paperwight66]

Hi Tommy,

You’ll see a processional cross lead the priest, deacons, and or ministers out of the Church. You’ll notice everyone makes the sign of the cross as the processional cross passes them.

Do you know, I have never seen that in any Catholic church or cathedral I’ve been to, although I deduce it was the ancient custom from the fact that it is done in High Anglican/Anglo-Catholic churches.

I wonder if your parish is unusual?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Do you know, I have never seen that in any Catholic church or cathedral I’ve been to, although I deduce it was the ancient custom from the fact that it is done in High Anglican/Anglo-Catholic churches.

I wonder if your parish is unusual?

Normally the SOC is not made during the processional in my parish. It is not made until the priest makes it at the beginning of Mass. It is probably a local or ethnic custom in some areas.

 

[jmcrae]

Dear Tommy999,

Welcome, welcome, welcome! As suggested, if there is an Usher, talk/question one of them.

Oh my gosh! Usually, I sit in the second pew from the front. Does that mean I’m only half-Catholic?

LOL!

I have read in other places that it’s the Catholics who sit up front, who are the most likely to be the best volunteers and the best evangelists - so don’t worry.

 

[Qaletaqa]

Absolutely right!

Sitting in the front is a dead giveaway that the person is not Catholic!

, lol thought that was funny, my son was baptised on june 1st and i made a point of sitting at the front to make it easier for my friend the priest to come and chat to us as my son’s baptism was done during morning mass, its funny sitting at the front you get the look of disapprovement that you sitting in someone elses seat. i kept having to say sorry but i did point out that i was sitting there for a baptism, saved time though after chatting to my parish priest he said its a long walk to come and see me if i was sitting in my usual seat which is in the very back of the church. plus someone took my seat