Not catholic yet questions

[brandand]

I attended Easter Vigil last Sat. night and I have to say that it was beautiful. I should mention that I am going to start the RCIA process this fall. I have not been baptized in any religion. My question is, can I attend Mass prior to joing the RCIA program? If so what should I do during Mass? I want to be respectful and not do anything that I shouldn’t. I mean, I know the obvious(communion) but what about kneeling, sign of the cross, the congregation responses, etc… Thanks for any advice. Also, a friend at work, suggested that I attend Mass, register my family(my husband and mother in law are Catholic). Is that something that I should do? Thanks again for any answers.

 

[Simon_X]

Ill try to answer some of your questions, but I would recommend to go to the parish priest with these same questions and he could clear up what you all need to do to become catholics and/or join the parish.

Having said that, I do not think there is any problem in attending mass and participating as much as you can. Of course, you cannot go to communion until you go through the RICA program and get baptized, ect…But you can certainly attend mass and sing and pray along with everyone else. Is your husband a practicing Catholic? If he hasn’t been to mass or confession for a while, he may need to talk to the priest and get back on track. Hope this helps somewhat. Good Luck to you all…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I attended Easter Vigil last Sat. night and I have to say that it was beautiful. I should mention that I am going to start the RCIA process this fall. I have not been baptized in any religion. My question is, can I attend Mass prior to joing the RCIA program? If so what should I do during Mass? I want to be respectful and not do anything that I shouldn’t. I mean, I know the obvious(communion) but what about kneeling, sign of the cross, the congregation responses, etc… Thanks for any advice. Also, a friend at work, suggested that I attend Mass, register my family(my husband and mother in law are Catholic). Is that something that I should do? Thanks again for any answers.

Your husband should have registered his family, which would include you? Yes, attend Mass and yes you can do all that you are comfortable with (except Communion).

 

[quiet52]

hi brandand,
Even if the sessions don’t start for a few months, talk with your pastor or RCIA director, and ask if someone can be assigned as your sponsor. You deserve to have someone walk with you in your journey, and to help welcome you into the faith community.
Be persistent with your questions!

 

[Pookie_Dupre]

brandand, I find that answers to questions about what a person should do when “new” to the Catholic Church are sometimes vague and a little cold. I want to welcome you to the Church and tell you to go to Mass and follow your heart. Everyone … that is ever a member of the Catholic Church has to recieve the Sacraments of initiation … Baptism, Confession, and Eucharist … even those born into “Catholic” families, called “Craddle Catholics” … the rules of order are no different for you or for them. And no you cannot recieve the Eucharist physically until you learn and accept the teachings of the church. When you say “AMEN” before receiving the Host and Cup you have to be able to give your absolute consent to the unity that is going to happen between you and Christ at that moment! It must be an informed consent and very personal … so the Church asks that you be catechized,and Baptised (washed clean) before Eucharist. But you can attend Mass … and learn the Mass well … listen and follow all the prayers and scripture readings … and meditate on the prayers said by the Preist as Jesus comes Body, Blood, and Soul into the midst of your being … for HE is calling you to him … and HE will come to you just as surely as HE does to those who approach the altar. It is called Eucharist by DESIRE. Go and enjoy the Mass, pray the words of the Mass and let it become part of your life … Be with your Lord and Savior and HE will show you the way, the love and the truth. Welcome home brandand, welcome home.

Respectfully, Pookie.

 

[Tracy07]

I attended Easter Vigil last Sat. night and I have to say that it was beautiful. I should mention that I am going to start the RCIA process this fall. I have not been baptized in any religion. My question is, can I attend Mass prior to joing the RCIA program? If so what should I do during Mass? I want to be respectful and not do anything that I shouldn’t. I mean, I know the obvious(communion) but what about kneeling, sign of the cross, the congregation responses, etc… Thanks for any advice. Also, a friend at work, suggested that I attend Mass, register my family(my husband and mother in law are Catholic). Is that something that I should do? Thanks again for any answers.

Hi there i have just been fully welcomed into the church this easter so just wanted to reply and let you know the things that i did really, i was already baptised though as CofE but had been brought up in the catholic faith which sometimes could be really confusing, i baptised both of my children catholic and my eldest is now an altar server at our church my youngest will be making his holy communion next year.
I started my journey about a year and a half ago and at first i felt that everyone was looking at me at mass knowing that i wasnt a catholic and i worried about was i doing the right thing kneeling, sign of the cross etc, i spoke to father about the way i was feeling and he said this to me " you do what you feel is right to do for you, nobody will judge you everyone here is here for the same purpose to give thanks to god" from then on i did everything everybody else did and didnt worry about what others thought.
Its about YOUR relationship with christ so you do what you feel you should do and as long as you do not take communion until the right time comes then you are doing no wrong.
Good luck with your journey and god bless
xxx

 

[danlaupat]

<<My question is, can I attend Mass prior to joing the RCIA program? If so what should I do during Mass? I want to be respectful and not do anything that I shouldn’t. I mean, I know the obvious(communion) but what about kneeling, sign of the cross, the congregation responses, etc… Thanks for any advice. Also, a friend at work, suggested that I attend Mass, register my family(my husband and mother in law are Catholic). Is that something that I should do? Thanks again for any answers.>>

Absolutely, attend Mass. I attended Mass regularly even before I began RCIA and, of course, during RCIA. It was attendance at Mass that helped me make my choice to convert. I did everything everyone else did at Mass (e.g., kneel, stand, recite the Creed, etc.) except receive the Eucharist. During communion, I simply kneeled and prayed. It was a time of prayerful waiting! I agree with others here that you should talk to your parish priest. He will guide you.