So, Am I Still a Catholic?

[porthos11]

So, new question: I’m feeling lost at mass. I mean knowing when to stand, kneel, sit isn’t an issue. I can pretty much imitate what others are doing. Knowing what to recite, that’s difficult. Really wish my Church would use PowerPoint presentation with the words, or have it written out on a card in the pew, or something. Feeling out of place, awkward, even embarrassed. Reluctant to go back. Would it be frowned upon to read the words using my iPhone during mass? I mean, it would still be awkward being the only one holding up a phone during mass, but I wouldn’t feel as out of place.

There are books called hand missals that allow you to follow the Mass. They can be issued in an annual edition, or a permanent edition that is useable across all years. It’s mid-year now so I don’t know if the 2018 annual missals are still available.

But you know, don’t care too much about what other people think. The Mass is relatively new to you, so use your phone while you familiarize yourself if it helps you. The Mass is fairly static where the people’s responses are concerned, and you will likely have the prayers memorized after a few weeks.

But do not let your reluctance hold you back. Keep going to Mass. It is even enough for you to go and just pay attention for the first few, without singing or saying anything.

It’s just a new experience, but an essential one. It will grow on you.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

If you parish doesn’t have full missals (rather than the cards). There are some pretty inexpensive ones available.

The tricky part will be finding an inexpensive one what still have the remainder of this liturgical year in it. Most 2018 versions are out of print with the 2019 missals coming out in October. It looks like you might still be able to get this one:

St. Joseph Sunday Missal and Hymnal for 2018 Amazon.com

 

[spockrates]

What’s the extraordinary form?

 

[deMontfort]

What’s the extraordinary form?

The old Latin Mass.

 

[porthos11]

What’s the extraordinary form?

The older Latin form and do not worry about it. That is not something to be concerned about at this time, and should not even have been brought up.

 

[mVitus]

As others have said, you made Catholic by your baptism and Catholic you remain regardless on how you felt about it in the past. (Even excommunication doesn’t stop someone from being Catholic. They’re just a Catholic with some sanctions.) Welcome home.

As for some places to start, I was never Evangelical, but 2 years ago I really didn’t know much about my faith. Amd what I had known from Catholic grammar school had been forgotten. Some things I used were the Ask An Apologist on CAF (which is actually what brought me back) and CA tracts. Also looking at articles from some other Catholic sources helped plus some CCC reading. (Though I really haven’t read much of it over all.) If you ever need a springboard from which to launch into a topic, CAF usually can give you resources. I will also advise against one pitfall I made in the beginning which was reading moral topics expecting informed answers all the time. Much better to ask your priest. While the posts from priests on CAF can be really interesting and there are some informed members, there’s also bad stuff to sift through. As for books, you might consider Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Catholocism. I haven’t yet read it, but it’s highly recommended by people I know and covers a broad amount if topics.

 

[mVitus]

Would it be frowned upon to read the words using my iPhone during mass?

If people judge you, that’s on them. You’d be looking at it for the right reasons.

Any parts in particular you don’t know the words for? Or just overall?

 

[mrsdizzyd]

What’s the extraordinary form?

There are several forms of the mass. The one you will most commonly encounter is the ordinary form. It is mostly in English, and the priest is usually facing the people (among other things).

There is also the extraordinary form. You will encounter it less often. This mass is based on an older form of the mass. It is in Latin with the priests facing East (usually with their backs to the people). There is more to it than that. Those are just two examples of differences. Generally speaking, you have to seek this form of the mass out.

I’d suggest starting with the ordinary form and getting used to that. Then, if you want to ease your way into the extraordinary form, go for it.

Both are beautiful.

 

[adgloriam]

Feeling out of place, awkward, even embarrassed.

No need for embarrassed/awkward, seasoned Catholics will be the first to understand and appreciate your effort. You definitely are in the right place doing the right thing.

Reluctant to go back.

Absolutely the contrary, you can safely drop that feeling in exchange for confidence.

Knowing what to recite, that’s difficult.

I used to feel like this in my early teens, don’t get put off by it. It will come with time and experience.

or something.

Basic missal would be a small booklet with a couple dozen pages. At your diocesan library (or any good catholic library) you’ll find that booklet for a few cents. Once you read through it you’ll see how beautiful and relatively simple the liturgy is. You’ll also be taken to further your reflection on the the meanings of every spoken word and gesture of the liturgy. Memorizing it comes with experience and mass attendance.

God bless.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

If your parish church uses the hardback hymnals, check inside the front cover… The newer ones (since 2011, which should cover almost everyone that uses them) have the common prayers/responses there.

 

[Horton]

So, new question: I’m feeling lost at mass. I mean knowing when to stand, kneel, sit isn’t an issue. I can pretty much imitate what others are doing. Knowing what to recite, that’s difficult. Really wish my Church would use PowerPoint presentation with the words, or have it written out on a card in the pew, or something. Feeling out of place, awkward, even embarrassed. Reluctant to go back. Would it be frowned upon to read the words using my iPhone during mass? I mean, it would still be awkward being the only one holding up a phone during mass, but I wouldn’t feel as out of place.

Welcome back! Continue to go to Mass. You can print out the order of the Mass from the USCCB website as well as the readings if there isn’t a missalett in the pews. Most missaletts also have the order of the Mass in them with the responses, such as the creed, the Gloria, the Agnus Dei, and so on. You will catch on very quickly with weekly attendance.

I wouldn’t bother with RCIA. I would do some self study through reputable online resources such as Catholic Answers, read good books, and get involved in a ministry at your parish. A men’s group or a bible study.

 

[mVitus]

I was writing a whole big post with all the parts when I found this
http://www.catholic-church.org/dg/Mass/mass.htm
It’s comprehensive and gives you basically everything.

With the Gloria, some churches repeat “Glory, Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace to people of good will” as a chorus.

If your church uses the Nicene Creed instead of the Apostles Creed, you can find the words here http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/

I find that the congregation does not respond “Blessed be God forever” on Sunday during the Liturgy of the Eucharist as that’s when the collection is.

 

[Cruciferi]

have the Pope’s change to CCC 2267 incorporated as I write this, but otherwise it’s up to date)

You mentioned it

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I was just curious as to how quick the Vatican updates their website, so I looked…

guess the answer is “not very quick”

 

[steve-b]

Hi! I know! If you have to ask, then maybe you’re not. Right?

But I went to mass and confession for the first time in my adult life awhile ago. I explained to the priest I left the Church as a teen years ago and never looked back. I asked if there were classes or something I should take to become a Catholic.

He said that since I was baptised by a priest as an infant and confirmed in the faith when I was young, I didn’t need to do any of that. No worries. I was still a Catholic.

Not trying to question what the priest said. Just trying to understand how this is true. I mean I’m pretty familiar with Evangelical doctrine and a good deal of scripture, but I’ve forgotten more about Catholicism than my Evangelical Frieda might ever know! So, I’m uncertain about a great many Catholic beliefs.

I guess what I’m asking is this: Is it the sacraments that make me a Catholic and not putting faith in the doctrines I comprehend?

Your question pertains to "practicing" Catholic vs “non practicing” Catholic. Both are Catholic.

Practicing as in, living out / persevering, in one’s faith to the end. As we know from scripture, if we want a good ending to our life, we need to persevere in our faith till the end.

 

[LilyM]

It’s like if you left your family in your teens and reconnected with them years later.

You’re not necessarily going to do formal classes or anything to get the lowdown, that comes naturally with spending time with them.

And yes there is bound to be some awkwardness but nothing that won’t go with time.

 

[stuartbrianhenlis]

Hi Spok!

Welcome home! I just bought a book from Amazon called “A Devotional Journey into The Mass: How Mass Can Become A Time of Grace, Nourishment, and Devotion”. It teaches the ins and outs of the Mass in easy-to-read sections. I bought it because I tend to fade during services due to my lack of knowledge about the ritual. Maybe this book could be of use to you, too.

BTW, it’s not expensive, about $12!

 

[PetraG]

He didn’t mean you didn’t have a duty to keep learning the faith. We all have that, and he has a duty to help you learn what you don’t know, even if you are an adult. He meant that you have completed the sacraments of initiation. Once that is complete, in no sense are you “less Catholic” because you have had a gap in your education.

This is a passage in canon law describing the duty of a pastor. You see that catechetical formation does NOT end in childhood.

Can. 776 By virtue of his function, a pastor is bound to take care of the catechetical formation of adults, youth, and children, to which purpose he is to use the help of the clerics attached to the parish, of members of institutes of consecrated life and of societies of apostolic life, taking into account the character of each institute, and of lay members of the Christian faithful, especially of catechists. None of these are to refuse to offer their help willingly unless they are legitimately impeded. The pastor is to promote and foster the function of parents in the family catechesis mentioned in ⇒ can. 774, §2.
(Can. 774 says that all Catholics have a duty to have solicitude for catechesis as our role in the Church allows, as well.)

Can. 777 Attentive to the norms established by the diocesan bishop, a pastor is to take care in a special way:

1/ that suitable catechesis is imparted for the celebration of the sacraments;

2/ that through catechetical instruction imparted for an appropriate period of time children are prepared properly for the first reception of the sacraments of penance and the Most Holy Eucharist and for the sacrament of confirmation;

3/ that having received first communion, these children are enriched more fully and deeply through catechetical formation;

4/ that catechetical instruction is given also to those who are physically or mentally impeded, insofar as their condition permits;

5/ that the faith of youth and adults is strengthened, enlightened, and developed through various means and endeavors.

 

[spockrates]

spockrates:

What’s the extraordinary form?

The older Latin form and do not worry about it. That is not something to be concerned about at this time, and should not even have been brought up.

Yeah, no. That’s fine bringing it up. I like learning the lingo. It’s the mass my aunt complained about during the time of a previous pope.

 

[spockrates]

Your question pertains to “practicing” Catholic vs “ non practicing ” Catholic. Both are Catholic.

Practicing as in, living out / persevering, in one’s faith to the end. As we know from scripture, if we want a good ending to our life, we need to persevere in our faith till the end.

Interesting. In Evangelical circles, there’s a great deal of emphasis on believe what they call essentials of the faith. If one believes the wrong things, one has faith in a different gospel and is likely hell bound, they say. Faith in the right beliefs is what they stress.

In contrast, the emphasis here seems to be on the sacraments.

• Was I baptised by a priest?
• Did I receive my first Holy Communion?
• Did I participate in my first Confession?
• Was I confirmed when I was young?

These events seem to be the means by which I become a Christian. The fact that I don’t remember most of what I learned to be confirmed really doesn’t seem to matter much, it seems.