Joining the church

[LACOG]

I was born and raised in a not so Church friendly house hold. I honestly don’t know if my father even claims a domination, though he was born Southern Baptist. My mom on the other had was born and raised most of her life in a fully Catholic household. I got really interested in the church a few years back, and started studying everything that is included in the catholic faith and fell in love with everything. I recently asked my parents if I could join the church, and they had no problems with it. My grandmother has said that she would start going with me, because she was at one point in her life a very strong Catholic, and if i could get my grandmother back into the church i have a feeling that my mom would soon join us, as for my father I just don’t think that he is to interested in any church stuff catholic or not. And the only thing that we can do for him is to pray for him. So my question is where do I go from here? I’m 16 also if that helps the answering of my question any.

 

[Statius]

You should contact the priest of your local parish and see if you can meet with him. I imagine you’re old enough to go through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) course which would make sure you are taught the proper fundamentals before you are received into the Church. I don’t know of any specific provision for people your age, but RCIA is very flexible and so I’m sure that won’t be a problem. The priest will also want to know if you’ve been baptised.

It sounds like you have an opportunity to witness to your family in a particularly effective way, and I’ll pray for you and for your parents and grandmother.

 

[ibo]

I was born and raised in a not so Church friendly house hold. I honestly don’t know if my father even claims a domination, though he was born Southern Baptist. My mom on the other had was born and raised most of her life in a fully Catholic household. I got really interested in the church a few years back, and started studying everything that is included in the catholic faith and fell in love with everything. I recently asked my parents if I could join the church, and they had no problems with it. My grandmother has said that she would start going with me, because she was at one point in her life a very strong Catholic, and if i could get my grandmother back into the church i have a feeling that my mom would soon join us, as for my father I just don’t think that he is to interested in any church stuff catholic or not. And the only thing that we can do for him is to pray for him. So my question is where do I go from here? I’m 16 also if that helps the answering of my question any.

You asked my opinion and I would give it to you.

1. Jump into the pool. Start swimming. Discover slowly by yourself. So:
2. Go to the mass every Sunday NOW. You are not catholic and you cannot go to communion but you will learn a lot from the homilies of the Priests. Besides, you are praying the Catholic Way, and you are with Christ.
3. Learn the morning and night prayers and pray them.[edited]
4. Pray the rosary. If need help, just call.
5. Study the catechism of the Catholic Church.
6. Read everyday 1 verse of the Gospels.
7. Talk to your priest about being baptized, IF you were not.

 

[LACOG]

You should contact the priest of your local parish and see if you can meet with him. I imagine you’re old enough to go through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) course which would make sure you are taught the proper fundamentals before you are received into the Church. I don’t know of any specific provision for people your age, but RCIA is very flexible and so I’m sure that won’t be a problem. The priest will also want to know if you’ve been baptised.

It sounds like you have an opportunity to witness to your family in a particularly effective way, and I’ll pray for you and for your parents and grandmother.

Thank you very much, God bless you.

 

[LACOG]

You asked my opinion and I would give it to you.

1. Jump into the pool. Start swimming. Discover slowly by yourself. So:
2. Go to the mass every Sunday NOW. You are not catholic and you cannot go to communion but you will learn a lot from the homilies of the Priests. Besides, you are praying the Catholic Way, and you are with Christ.
3. Learn the morning and night prayers and pray them.[edited]
4. Pray the rosary. If need help, just call.
5. Study the catechism of the Catholic Church.
6. Read everyday 1 verse of the Gospels.
7. Talk to your priest about being baptized, IF you were not.

No I have not been baptized, and yes when I get back in town I am going to ask my local priest about everything. Thank you very much!

 

[Rolltide]

I would also recommend picking up a copy of two different books:

1. “Catholicism for Dummies”, by Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
   This book is an excellent and quite thorough introduction to the faith. It is an easy read, but doesn’t skimp on either details or orthodoxy to the faith. (Let me also mention that you should NOT get the similarly named “Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism”, which contains several major factual errors, and is written from such a liberal perspective that several of its explanations are simply wrong.)
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
   If you don’t want to splurge for this one, it’s available online for free here:

usccb.org/catechism/text/

This book is the official book from the Catholic Church that summarizes everything that it teaches. It covers almost every conceivable topic, but at a very advanced level. In other words, while you can read it cover-to-cover, you’ll probably find it better as a reference book if you want more information on what the church believes on this or that. There is also a “Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church”, which presents exactly the same information, but in a question and answer format. Some people find it easier to understand.