Is Mass enough for you?

[Casilda]

Hoping this is the right place to ask the question. My husband and I have been very involved in other churches we have been to, meaning we’ve started ministries to help missionaries or simply that aided in the fellowship of the members. Those usually were started with blessings from the pastor or elders.

We would like to be a part of the life of the church. Is that possible without being members yet? We have been attending daily and Sunday Mass. There has been no opportunity in meeting people or the priest, just busy church office staff. I dont want to go through RCIA just simply coming to class/going to Mass and not connecting with anyone. Or would people be more open to newcomers once they are officially members?

 

[Della]

Welcome back home and to CAF, Casilda!

If you and your husband were baptized Catholics, perhaps confirmed, as well, all you need do is go to confession and resume attending Mass as you are obligated to do. But as for ministries, there are a plethora of ministries and apostolates in the Church. If you get involved in a few of these you will meet plenty of people. Also, most parishes have coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses, or something of the kind. Introduce yourself to people there, as well. Make an appointment with the priest. I have no doubt he’d be happy to welcome you back to the Church and to find things for you to be involved in. Usually, there are women’s groups of many kinds, and men’s groups, as well, such the Knights of Columbus. You’ll be quite overwhelmed with the possibilities.

 

[CatholicRaven]

Mass is generally not considered the time for socializing (though right after Mass, especially at a “coffee and donuts” type of event, may be an entirely different story!).

Check your parish’s bulletin and see what activities and events are coming up–often there is contact information included. Consider volunteering to help out with some of those events. Or, if you see a need at your parish that isn’t filled, consider filling it (such as starting/coordinating a youth group, a rosary-making group, a monthy Mom’s Coffee Night, mission trips, etc.).

There are usually a few types of social activities available in each parish, but what exactly is available varies widely among parishes. For example, besides those who serve at Mass (cantor, lectors, etc.), your parish or diocese may have a Bible Study group, apologetics group, youth group, a weekly men’s group, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Holy Name Society, Legion of Mary, the choir, Daughters of Isabella, volunteers that help with CCD and/or RCIA classes, various fund-raisers, Couple’s group, Single’s group, food pantry, those who visit the sick and shut-ins, and more. If there is also a Catholic school affiliated with your parish, there will be even more opportunities to get involved.

Generally, if the bulletin doesn’t tell you much (or your parish doesn’t have one), the next best place to start is to call the parish office and ask about volunteer opportunities and/or social activities or upcoming events in your parish. Just tell them you’d like to be more involved (though if you are not yet Catholic, you should remind them of that).

You could also try asking the instructor at your RCIA class, as other newcomers would probably like to know what is available, as well. If the instructor doesn’t know about any opportunities off the top of his/her head, ask him/her to find out, and/or let you know whom to contact for more info. And please be patient. If there is not a volunteer coordinator at the parish (not many I know of have them), it may take some time to gather all of the current contact information for various groups and events.

And of course, praying to God to lead you to the right opportunities will probably help quite a bit, too!

I will for you. I am always happy to see/hear of people who want to volunteer and be more involved in the Church!

 

[jmcrae]

Hoping this is the right place to ask the question. My husband and I have been very involved in other churches we have been to, meaning we’ve started ministries to help missionaries or simply that aided in the fellowship of the members. Those usually were started with blessings from the pastor or elders.

We would like to be a part of the life of the church. Is that possible without being members yet? We have been attending daily and Sunday Mass. There has been no opportunity in meeting people or the priest, just busy church office staff. I dont want to go through RCIA just simply coming to class/going to Mass and not connecting with anyone. Or would people be more open to newcomers once they are officially members?

There are lots of things that “becoming” Catholics can do, including help out with the food pantry, sing in the choir, help take the Collection, organize and/or help with fundraising dinners and other fundraising activities, and more.

The only things you are not yet allowed to do would be to teach any kind of class, or to serve at Mass other than in the choir or as an usher.

Take a look at your parish bulletin or parish web site and find out where the need is. If you have a “Coordinator of Volunteers” you could also ask that person if there is a need that you can assist with.

 

[Cathoholic]

Re: Is Mass enough for you?

Remember the words at the end of Mass. “The Mass is ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Part of our service is good fellowship with one another. The Cleveland Diocese talks about this concept and a Catholic Mom gives some other good ideas too.

You stated:

. . . . we’ve started ministries to help missionaries or simply that aided in the fellowship of the members. Those usually were started with blessings from the pastor or elders.

The Catholic Priest has a “Book of Blessings” and he will be able to give you and your husband a suitable blessing right now.

I think I understand what you are asking when you ask about the “connecting with” your fellow Catholics.

As far as the fellowship aspect, that varies widely from Parish to Parish. For years we attended a Catholic Parish an hour drive away from our home (driving by many other Catholic Parishes) so we could immerse ourselves in that type of Catholic parish life as many Catholic families at this Parish were seeking the same thing.

We always stayed in parishes under our Catholic Bishop though. Don’t go to any schismatic parishes, etc. These are really non-Catholic but try to sell themselves as being “Catholic”. Don’t be fooled. There is a temptation to do this because their fellowship aspect is usually strong and after all, they DO call themselves “Catholic”. This is a sin against the unity of the Catholic Church.

We did a lot of things together at our parish as families (we had smaller children at the time and so did most of these people who we did these various types of activities with). We had picnics and social gatherings, family trips out to the lake, family prayer (such as group Rosary around a campfire followed by “Marshmallowing”), etc. This was often immediately after Mass. We (our family group) even had an annual Marian pot luck luncheon/picnic on May Day.

A Catholic Bishop from a neighboring diocese had a Eucharistic Congress every other year that many of us would attend.

A “Eucharistic Congress” is basically where they bring in excellent Catholic speakers from around the nation and it is a huge family-friendly conference. Many of the families would go get motel rooms in the same place, go to the talks together, and in the evenings, the kids would frolic around in the swimming pool while the adults drank pop, ate chips, and talked while closely watching our children (remember this is a swimming pool setting so we were pretty careful).

Our kids are grown up now, and I cannot attend any of these types of events any more associated with some health issues (I’m dealing with a cancer) so I just have to be content with occasional visitors (with a lot of restrictions on them with my immunity being hampered due to my chemo). I also enjoy myself doing this type of thing (Catholic Answers Forums) and daydreaming about the things we used to do together as a family. Lots of prayer as well. My grandchildren are here often which gives me even more joy than I ever had with our wonderful social groups.

We attended the Pauline Mass but occasionally we went to the Traditional Latin Mass too and met wonderful Catholics there as well (who seem to place a higher emphasis on Catholic fellowship than typical Catholic families do–but where we “fellowshipped” in the Pauline Parish, these families were every bit as much into the Catholic lifestyle as the Tridentine people so seeking out the area Tridentine Community is not necessary although we liked spending time with our “Trad” friends too (they would in jest refer to themselves as “The Trads”).

It was wonderful. A group of the “Trads” and the “Novus Ordos” even got together and formed a door-to-door Catholic evangelization ministry under the direction of a “novus ordo Catholic Priest”.

Not all the Trads are as wonderful as these people were. Not all the “Novus Ordos” are as fun as these people were too. As I said, you may have to look around a little bit to find that deeper kind of parish life.

Once you do find a few of these Catholic families, the “network” grows like wildfire. You will be amazed at how many dedicated Catholic families are out there all struggling (but bolstered up by God’s grace, especially through the Sacraments) to live out the Catholic life the best they can.

I hope you find a niche in the Catholic Community and welcome home! I will keep you folks in my prayers.

God bless.

Cathoholic.

 

[Kal2012]

RCIA helps potential Catholics build roots in the Catholic community. I wouldn’t dismiss it just because it’s a class. Also, if you want to be a Catholic, then you’ll most likely have to go through the class.

I’ve only run into a few people from my class since Easter but it’s always great when we do see each other. It’s nice to know someone at church.

Also, when you sign up to be a member of the parish, sometimes they’ll give you a skills/volunteer sheet to fill out and return. I’ve gotten quite a few messages about joining this or that after filling out the form.

If you live in a larger community, then check out what other parishes in town have going on as well. I’m always checking out what the other parishes offer because at my parish most programming is geared towards seniors or youth and I don’t qualify for either of those groups.

 

[bsroufek]

In John 6, Jesus says that we must eat/drink His Body/Blood in order to have eternal life. The Church teaches that we should receive The Eucharist frequently.

In order to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, you must be Baptized members, which means, being adults, you must go through RCIA and be received as members in The Church.

Without the Pastor’s permission, you must not be receiving the Eucharist at Mass.

 

[PJM]

=Casilda;11299460]Hoping this is the right place to ask the question. My husband and I have been very involved in other churches we have been to, meaning we’ve started ministries to help missionaries or simply that aided in the fellowship of the members. Those usually were started with blessings from the pastor or elders.

We would like to be a part of the life of the church. Is that possible without being members yet? We have been attending daily and Sunday Mass. There has been no opportunity in meeting people or the priest, just busy church office staff. I dont want to go through RCIA just simply coming to class/going to Mass and not connecting with anyone. Or would people be more open to newcomers once they are officially members?

First welcome HOME:thumbsup:

Get to Confession

Sign up as members of the parsih

Then see either the DRE [Director of religious education] or the pastor for opportunites to be of greater service.

There are NEVER to many willing to assist.

 

[CatholicRaven]

In order to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, you must be Baptized members, which means, being adults, you must go through RCIA and be received as members in The Church.

Without the Pastor’s permission, you must not be receiving the Eucharist at Mass.

Yes, this is the usual approach for non-Catholics; however, the original poster’s religion is stated as “reverting Catholic,” which means she is already baptized (and possibly Confirmed) Catholic, but had fallen away from the Church (and is now returning; i.e., “reverting”). Therefore, she may not need to go through RCIA–but Confession is most likely necessary before receiving the Eucharist. Speaking with the parish priest about her particular situation would probably be most helpful.

That said, I would still recommend to those who are already Catholic to take RCIA as a “refresher course” (assuming resources aren’t so limited that you would be “taking a spot” from a prospective newcomer, of course) every few years or so, as necessary.

I am already Catholic, but I have found RCIA classes to be very helpful both in deepening my understanding of the Catholic faith, and in meeting/welcoming those who are new to the parish.

HTH!

 

[Catholic1954]

Hoping this is the right place to ask the question. My husband and I have been very involved in other churches we have been to, meaning we’ve started ministries to help missionaries or simply that aided in the fellowship of the members. Those usually were started with blessings from the pastor or elders.

We would like to be a part of the life of the church. Is that possible without being members yet? We have been attending daily and Sunday Mass. There has been no opportunity in meeting people or the priest, just busy church office staff. I dont want to go through RCIA just simply coming to class/going to Mass and not connecting with anyone. Or would people be more open to newcomers once they are officially members?

Your enthusiastic participation in the life of your parish, in whatever ministry you choose, will be most welcome! The Sunday Bulletin would be a good place to start, it will list all of the groups and upcoming activities and all you have to do is pick one and make a phone call. Welcome (back) Home! We missed you.