Question--Please Answer Quickly

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St_Aloysius

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I’m from a Baptist background. My mother doesn’t want me to be Confirmed till I’m 18, so I cannot yet receive the Eucharist.

However, I love the Mass and participate in the Prayers and Songs and receive a blessing during Communion. For me, just being that close to Christ is good enough for now.

Well… I still go with her to First Baptist on Sundays (and Mass Saturday and Sunday evening without fail) because she asks it of me, and a retreat is coming up at said church. I went last year, prior to my conversion, and it was an amazing experience. My friends all want me to go and I don’t know. I want to, I admit, and it gives me a chance to be a witness to the Catholic faith while there (I prayed the rosary with a friend during a Baptist camp at night and recounted the Fatima story to another friend, teaching him the Fatima Prayer).

Here’s my problem: The bus isn’t supposed to get back till 4:00 Sunday, and it’s always late. The last chance I’d have to make Mass is at that exact time, so it’s no go.

Since I can’t receive the Eucharist as it is, would it be wrong to go? I feel guilty about missing Mass–and besides that, I love it!

What’s MORE, my friend just asked me to go to something ELSE, a Bible study retreat, and I don’t know when it’s supposed to end. (It’s all weekend, returning sometime Sunday.)

He needs an answer by tomorrow. I also need to give my mom an answer about the other event.

HELP, please!

Thanks!
 
I think you should seek the advice of a priest you trust. Trust me, this is the best way to go.
 
CCC 2181 says: “The Sunday Echarist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who diliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.”

Your pastor appears to have the authority as given by the Church to excuse you from the Sunday obligation. Can you get a hold of him? If I got his blessing and go ahead, I would go for it.
 
I think when one is travelling and/or on vacation and there is not a Catholic Church available, that is considered a legitimate excuse for not attending Sunday Mass.

The other point that might have some bearing is that officially you are not yet a member of the Catholic Church. (I’m not speaking of the heart, for it’s obvious where your heart is. Praise God.) The regulation to attend Mass on Sunday is a Law of the Catholic Church (the way the Church has determined it’s members are to fulfil the command to “keep holy the Lord’s Day”). I’m not sure as to whether that regulation is binding on those who are not yet members of the Church.

I agree with the others. Seek the advice of a priest if possible.

Nita
 
St_Aloysius said:
…a retreat is coming up at said church. I went last year, prior to my conversion, and it was an amazing experience. My friends all want me to go and I don’t know. I want to, I admit, and it gives me a chance to be a witness to the Catholic faith while there (I prayed the rosary with a friend during a Baptist camp at night and recounted the Fatima story to another friend, teaching him the Fatima Prayer).

Here’s my problem: The bus isn’t supposed to get back till 4:00 Sunday, and it’s always late. The last chance I’d have to make Mass is at that exact time, so it’s no go.

Since I can’t receive the Eucharist as it is, would it be wrong to go? I feel guilty about missing Mass–and besides that, I love it!

What’s MORE, my friend just asked me to go to something ELSE, a Bible study retreat, and I don’t know when it’s supposed to end. (It’s all weekend, returning sometime Sunday.)
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I would advise you not to go to these weekends. Won’t you be able to see your friends at another time? How can you be a witness to the Catholic faith when you’re missing Mass? You had a great time last year, prior to your conversion. It’s clear that your joy is in Jesus, where it should be, but where can you be closest to Jesus?
 
I’m sorry, I’m not quite clear on this… have you officially entered the Catholic Church? If so, it is a grave sin to miss Mass on Sunday without a good reason. If you do knowingly and willingly miss Mass on Sunday without a good reason, then it is a mortal sin. I would talk to a priest to see if your situation qualifiies for a good reason. I, personally, do not think that it does. When I go on vacations, I make absolutely sure there is a Catholic Church in the vicinity, or I do not go. From the original post, I am not sure if you have joined the Church or not, if you are not, then I’m not sure you would be bound to attend Mass or not. Again, talk to a priest. However, I would say your conscience is talking to you in a big way… you should listen.

I see your predicament, of course. We are to be obedient to our parents. EXCEPT when our parent instructs us to do something that goes against our conscience (ccc 2217). There are enormous spiritual benefits to being confirmed and to receiving the Eucharist. It is remarkably unfair and wrong for your mother to prohibit you from receiving these gifts of God. That being said, you do want to be as obedient to your mother as possible. Talk to your priest to see exactly what your are obligated to do.
 
if you have not yet been received into full communion with the Catholic Church, you do not have the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, although doing so, as you have been is the greatest part of your preparation. In the meantime as long as you live at home honor your mother, respect her beliefs, meantime asking her respect for yours, attend the retreat but if questions arise that seem to attack your growing Catholic faith, bring them here. the biggest danger, since you don’t yet have enough knowledge or understanding to defend the Faith, is that you will hear contradictions and attacks, very likely, and not now how to respond.
 
…a retreat is coming up at said church. I went last year, prior to my conversion, and it was an amazing experience. My friends all want me to go and I don’t know. I want to, I admit, and it gives me a chance to be a witness to the Catholic faith while there (I prayed the rosary with a friend during a Baptist camp at night and recounted the Fatima story to another friend, teaching him the Fatima Prayer).
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Here is my concern with you going on this retreat: Last year was prior to your conversion, your commitment to enter the Church. It was easy for you to share your newfound interest in Catholicism then because it wasn’t generally known by your Baptist friends or the leadership of the Baptist church. This year is different.

Two things are most likely to happen this year: First, you might find yourself in a corner fighting to defend your new beliefs. I can’t imagine your Baptist friends knowing your new commitment to Catholicism and not wanting to try to talk you out of it.

Second, the leadership of this Baptist church might not be happy with you trying to talk to their Baptist young people about Catholicism. After all, if it were a Catholic retreat and you were Baptist and tried to share your Baptist beliefs with the intent of making conversions, the Catholic leadership wouldn’t be happy about that, either.

I think you should not go, for the reasons I cited, and instead talk to your friends as opportunities arise outside of any official church-sponsored activities.

I second the advise of others that you talk to the priest of the parish where you have been attending Mass. He might be able to direct you to a good youth group within the parish/diocese.

As to attending Mass, since you are not Catholic you are not required to attend any Mass, Sundays or otherwise, but it is wonderful that you have the desire to both attend and to be obedient to the Church in this as if you were a Catholic. 🙂

God bless you on your journey into Christ’s Church.
 
The bible is very clear here…You are to obey your mother perfectly and sins will not be held against you. To disobey is a sin.Forgive my ignorance but remember the story of the jewish boy who bowed to the idol on his mothers orders?(and the Lord directed him to do it)
 
Brady said:
The bible is very clear here…You are to obey your mother perfectly and sins will not be held against you. To disobey is a sin.Forgive my ignorance but remember the story of the jewish boy who bowed to the idol on his mothers orders?(and the Lord directed him to do it)
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Can you give me a scripture where that is… because I don’t remember reading that?

Hey St_Aloysius,
Has it occurred to you yet that this could actually be a misguided evangelistic plan to keep you away from Mass and things Catholic?

Just a thought my friend. If it was me. I’d go to Mass.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
 
Church_Militant said:
Can you give me a scripture where that is… because I don’t remember reading that?

Hey St_Aloysius,
Has it occurred to you yet that this could actually be a misguided evangelistic plan to keep you away from Mass and things Catholic?

Just a thought my friend. If it was me. I’d go to Mass.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
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Please forgive me for not getting the info to you immediately. I am presently on the road and dont have any of my books. I will contact my mother however and get it to you.

That being said, since this child is under his parents authority does anyone really believe the Lord would have him break one of the 10 commandments even for this?

I’m fairly certain God doesnt work that way,and if there is a sin it goes to the mother.
 
It wasn’t a Jewish boy, and it wasn’t his mother. It was Naaman the ex-leper, an Aramean who converted, and he asked permission to bow to Rimmon when his master did. 2 Kings 5:18.
 
Brady said:
The bible is very clear here…You are to obey your mother perfectly and sins will not be held against you. To disobey is a sin.Forgive my ignorance but remember the story of the jewish boy who bowed to the idol on his mothers orders?(and the Lord directed him to do it)
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This is not the case. We owe allegiance to God first and to other authorities second. No parent can tell a child old enough to understand the truth that s/he cannot embrace the truth out of obedience to him/her. Obedience to proper authority does not extend to being disobedient to God.

This mother does not understand the truths of the Church and she probably fears her son is getting involved in something bad for him. That’s only natural, but he is old enough to know better, so he has to answer to God first and his mother second in this case.
 
Since you are not receiving the Eucharist, you are not turly participating, ask your pastor for a dispensation to partake of it.

If you have several friends who are strong catholics ask them to go with you to witness to them. Otherwise, stay home out of the Lions den.
 
Della said:
This is not the case. We owe allegiance to God first and to other authorities second. No parent can tell a child old enough to understand the truth that s/he cannot embrace the truth out of obedience to him/her. Obedience to proper authority does not extend to being disobedient to God.

I totally agree with this answer. It seems the mother does not want her son to advance in the Church and receive the sacraments of initiation because she does not know and truly understand what they are. It is almost as if she is afraid of losing him if he does this. This situation calls for prayer for both of you by all of us. I promise mine for you both.
Deacon Ed B
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Daniel_Marsh said:
Since you are not receiving the Eucharist, you are not turly participating, ask your pastor for a dispensation to partake of it.

If you have several friends who are strong catholics ask them to go with you to witness to them. Otherwise, stay home out of the Lions den.
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Daniel obviously does not understand what it means to participate in Mass, so disregard that comment. Also, a person is a member of the Church who is baptized, which clearly has happened with the OP.
 
Deacon_Ed_B said:
Della;3200221:
This is not the case. We owe allegiance to God first and to other authorities second. No parent can tell a child old enough to understand the truth that s/he cannot embrace the truth out of obedience to him/her. Obedience to proper authority does not extend to being disobedient to God.

I totally agree with this answer. It seems the mother does not want her son to advance in the Church and receive the sacraments of initiation because she does not know and truly understand what they are. It is almost as if she is afraid of losing him if he does this. This situation calls for prayer for both of you by all of us. I promise mine for you both.
Deacon Ed B
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My point is very simple. You say disobedient to God or God firrst. Honor thy father and mother. Yes, lets by all means disobey and we have given the baptist mother a perfect example of everything propaganda has taught of the church. This is really plain, Obediance is better than sacrafice-honor thy father and mother.

Please please please friend, go to a priest and discuss these things with him. I think you will find the catholic church is still there when you are 18 (and I sure hope you werent baptized without parental consent) I cant see that happening.

For all of our good intentions here, let us remember that what we advise this young man to do, is an example to his mother, family, and friends. And if you are legitametly arguing a case for a breaking of a commandment INTENTIONALLY- please let me know because honestly- the celibacy thing is a pain lol (joke) (kinda:o )
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If I could choose on my own. Then I would want to be close to Jesus. I would not miss Mass. If I could choose.

Now on that whole obey your mother thing that everyone is talking about.

If your mother said to do drugs or to steal? Do you still obey her?

Sorry but we obey God first! And He says to obey mom,but that law cannot contradict the 1st law.

Think iRobot.😉
 
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