Question on Communion and Confirmation?

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My husband and I were both brought up Catholics. We haven’t attended a Catholic church in about 7 years, well since my son did his communion. At this moment we have decided to go back to our Catholic church because my husband feels more comfortable there. Before we were attending a church called New Life Assembly of God, which I enjoyed very much, I got a lot out of attending the church. I told hime since he wanted to go back to church I would go anywhere where we can hear the word of God. Its been a long time since I have been to a Catholic church, but I am excited to go back for my kids. My question is do my kids really have to do the communion and confirmation? I know its a dumb question, but I really feel that they don’t need to even though my parents made we did. My son never did his confirmation and he is now 17 years old how old is to old. I am new to all of this again. Thank you for any help.
 
Welcome back home to the Catholic Church. In answer to your question, YES, Confirmation and Communion are necessary for anyone who wishes to be Catholic. These, along with Baptism, being the first sacrament to be received are the Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church. For you, your husband, and your son, please, go to confession to the priest, before you partake of any of the Sacraments. These are not just symbolic motions we go through, but are sacraments rich in depth and meaning for each of us. The Holy Eucharist (Communion) is the actual presence of Jesus, come down to us here on earth, to feed us with nothing other than himself. The bread, no longer bread, is the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. The wine, no longer wine, iis also the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus.

To understand this, read the Gospel of John, in the sixth chapter wherein Jesus tells us that his flesh is real food and his blood is real drink, and that unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we cannot have eternal life. Before you say you cannot believe this, at the end of this gospel passage, note that some of his disciples said the exact same thing, and they left Jesus. So sincere was Jesus in what he said, that he let them go and even turned to the apostles and asked them, "Are you going to leave me too?’ Jesus was so sincere, that he was prepared to let all walk away if they did not believe him.

The Eucharist is the sum and substance of everything that is Catholic. We are a Eucharistic people, whose faith is centered around the Body and Blood (the Eucharist) of Jesus himself; real and actually substantially present among us in the Eucharist. We have his word on this.

I sense by your post, that you have much to learn about the Catholic Church. It is an exciting and rewarding journey of knowledge. My prayers will be with all of you as you come back to the Church established by Jesus himself, and the Church that he promised would always have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Welcome home.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B
 
Thank you for you answer. I know I have a lot to learn about being a Catholic. Its been years since I pratice it. Is there a book or something that I can read to learn what steps we need to take on our journey?
 
A great book to introduce or re-introduce someone to the faith is “Catholicism for Dummies” which, despite the title, is actually a quite thorough book written in a way that pretty much anyone can understand. It’s written by two priests from EWTN, and has a LOT of good information. (On a side note, do NOT get the similarly named “Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism”, which is written from a position somewhat unorthodox to the faith and contains several serious factual errors.)

Additionally, the most important book in the entire Catholic Church, next to the Bible, is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This book is a complete summary of everything the church teaches. It can be read cover-to-cover, or as a reference. You might not find it as easy as the first book, but it is issued by the church itself, and its definitive. All Catholics should own it as a reference. (It’s also available online at the Vatican website.) Also at that website is the “Compendium to the Catechism”, which represents the same information that’s in the Catechism, but in a “question and answer” format. Some find it a bit easier.

vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm
 
juana said:
My husband and I were both brought up Catholics. We haven’t attended a Catholic church in about 7 years, well since my son did his communion. At this moment we have decided to go back to our Catholic church because my husband feels more comfortable there. Before we were attending a church called New Life Assembly of God, which I enjoyed very much, I got a lot out of attending the church. I told hime since he wanted to go back to church I would go anywhere where we can hear the word of God. Its been a long time since I have been to a Catholic church, but I am excited to go back for my kids. My question is do my kids really have to do the communion and confirmation? I know its a dumb question, but I really feel that they don’t need to even though my parents made we did. My son never did his confirmation and he is now 17 years old how old is to old. I am new to all of this again. Thank you for any help.
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A few other reflections on your post. First, it is great that you want to give the Catholic Church a try, but don’t just do it because you’re “more comfortable” there. There are major theological differences between the Assembly of God and the Catholic Church, and you’ll want to be aware of those differences (most noticeably would be the Real Presence in the Eucharist). The best reason to switch churches is because you find yourself more closely in agreement with what the Catholic Church believes.

Second, as to “how old is too old”? The answer is that there’s no such thing as “too old”. I’ve seen an 78 year old woman receive Confirmation. After a certain age, however, instead of going to classes with the rest of the kids that will be receiving first communion and confirmation, you’ll join RCIA, which is a year-long adult class for those that want to join the church. (I should also mention that going to RCIA in no way obligates you to join the church, but it does teach you what the church believes, and it’s (generally) necessary for any adult wanting to convert. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to attend yourselves and sit-in, actually. It would give you a good refresher on the Catholic Church by people who could answer your questions. (Of course, you wouldn’t have to go through any of the rites of initiation, since you already have before.)
 
I whole heartedly endorse the use of T**he Catechism of the Catholic Church. ** it is thorough and is cross referenced with scriptural passages and Church documents. The compendium is also helpful. Know that you and your family will remain in my prayers. Please keep me in yours also.
prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B
 
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