New to the Catholic Church - advice please

[RacecaJesicamjohnson]

When my daughter was born almost 2 years ago, I decided that it was important to raise her in the Catholic Church. My family is religious, however I didn’t attend church much growing up. I was baptized in the church, but that’s as far as it has gone for me. In order for my child to grow up catholic, I feel like I need to learn more and form a better relationship with God, if that makes any sense. I’m wondering how I go about learning what to do and say during church, how do I learn about confession, and do they offer adult communion classes? Thanks in advance for any advice, I know probably sound really stupid.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

You don’t sound stupid at all! Others returning to the Church have had the same questions that you have. I would suggest calling the parish office to arrange meeting with a priest. He will be able to guide you on the sacraments you and your daughter should receive and how to prepare.

As far as what to say and do: visit a church and follow along. Kneel when the congregation kneels, stand when they stand, sit when they sit. There are often missalettes in the pew or printouts that have the readings and also notes when to sit, stand, kneel, and what to say; ask an usher. Don’t feel like you have to say everything that everyone says/prays/sings; simply be reverent and you’ll be fine.

I’ve visited Catholic churches or went to Mass that were slightly different than a typical Sunday Mass: a Dominican rite Mass, a Maronite rite liturgy, and a Charismatic Mass. There were a lot of similarities but just enough differences which meant I had to follow what others did. I sat in the back and followed along.

 

[superblue]

If you are that new to coming back into the Church, I would strongly suggest getting off of this forum until you talk to a priest, deacon or parish receptionist at your local parish. Go learn about Catholicism at an actual Catholic Church, Every Church has an R.C.I. A program, and if you dont know where to begin, talk to the Deacon or Priest before mass call ahead to ask questions if it will make you feel more comfortable, and or ask about a R.C.I.A program before or afterwards, even just calling a parish office with your questions is a better start because the receptionist will know who to direct you too…

R.C.I.A classes are designed for those entering and returning and or wanting to just learn more about the faith. Some are better than others it just depends where you end up.

( Disclaimer; this is not a personal attack on anyone, this is an open forum and this is just a response to the original poster, feel free to disagree or ignore me, either way i wont be bothered and i don’t respond to baiting or arguing. )

 

[RacecaJesicamjohnson]

Thank you for your response! I did notice in our church bulletin that they are offering an RCIA course coming up. I assume I misunderstood it, but I thought it said it was offered for people are do not belong to the church, and I do. However you’re right, I should just go up and talk to them.

Thanks again!

 

[Viki63]

Hi, how wonderful that you are planning to return to the church with your daughter. I came back, after having been baptized as an infant, when I was 50. Best move I ever made.
RCIA classes are for newcomers,but also for people who just want to learn more about the faith. Also if they offer a Bible study, you might find that helpful. The one I go to is great, we study, fellowship and pray for one another.
God bless.

 

[Isca]

I’m in England and in my RCIA class there were a couple of baptised Catholics who wanted to be confirmed. They went through the same course as the rest of us, who were mostly already baptised and confirmed in other Christian denominations.

However, it varies from parish to parish, let alone from country to country.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Have you been baptised in the Catholic Church and had the Sacraments of Communion , Reconcilliation and Confirmation?

 

[NowAndFuture]

May be a book about the mass is what you need:
“A Biblical Walk Through the Mass : Understanding What We Say and Do In The Liturgy” (2011) by
Edward Sri.

An easy to read link about when to do this and that:
https://hsccatl.com/Growing-in-Faith/Why-Do-Catholics-Do-That

The best you can do as a catholic is to find a priest and tell him where you stand now. Please go often to confession! That will give you grace and strength.

God bless!

 

[st.hannah.17]

If you are lacking First Communion and/or Confirmation, then RCIA would likely be the place for you. The classes are GREAT and often questions will come up that you never would have thought of. Seek the direction of your parish priest, and welcome (back) home!

On another note, I would like to add to the comment suggesting you stay off of these forums. I believe the author has the best intentions and doesn’t want you to be given inaccurate information, and it is true that this forum is open. Especially when you are forming your faith, it is incredibly important that you seek information from reliable sources. I spent two years trying to learn about the Catholic Church, and these forums taught me a lot and brought up a lot of questions. They were a great tool of evangelization and apologetics in my early faith formation, and continue to be so today. HOWEVER, I would suggest that you take what you read with a grain of salt and seek the guidance of a priest, your sponsor, etc. No one human can know absolutely everything, so it is possibly that any singular individual posting on a forum or even conversing outside a parish after Mass could give you wrong information. This is why we have the Holy Mother Church and her guidance.

In your early formation, or if you simply feel more comfortable with these options, I highly suggest listening to Catholic Answers Live and reading the articles posted by apologists at Catholic Answers. You can subscribe to the podcasts and listen at your own convenience, and of course articles are available at any time. In my experience they are strongly in line with church teaching.

 

[RandomAlias]

In order for my child to grow up catholic, I feel like I need to learn more and form a better relationship with God, if that makes any sense.

That makes a lot of sense. Having children and being concerned for their faith motivated me too. I had drifted away from God and the Church as an adult, and now I think my faith is stronger and truer than ever before.

I’m wondering how I go about learning what to do and say during church, how do I learn about confession, and do they offer adult communion classes?

It sounds like RCIA is where you should start. It is a great way to prepare for communion and confession if you didn’t get that as a child.

If you are that new to coming back into the Church, I would strongly suggest getting off of this forum…

Superblue has a good point. There is a lot of junk on Catholic Answers Forums (and all over the Internet). If you hang out here, be ready to separate the wheat from the chaff. Avoid discussions and members that tend to weaken your faith. May the Holy Spirit assist and guide you.

 

[petra22]

I can really identify with you. Something happened to me when my daughter was born. I wanted to be good and get rid of every evil around me and her. It really started my search for Jesus, though I was a cradle Catholic… (Often I didn’t act like it!) I’m praying for you. I know people here have good advice. Start praying the rosary. Even just one decade a day. I’ll say one for you and your family, too!