Taking my mom to Mass for her first time

[CreekCrawler]

So I have invited my mom to Mass tomorrow. It will be her first time inside of a Catholic Church… she was raised Baptist ( as was I ), and has more of a non denominational outlook now I think. My parish Church is beautiful and very traditional, and I’m hoping she will see something special in the beauty of the Liturgy as well as the building itself, and in the reverence in which we do things. We will be having lunch afterwards, and hopefully she will have questions to spark a conversation…
Thing is, she has been battling Leukemia and loves the Lord. I’m finding the thought of explaining to her that she shouldn’t participate in communion at Mass a bit awkward. Any thoughts ?

 

[Petaro]

I would be upfront with her as to why this rule exists. She should understand that the Eucharist is the ultimate sign of unity with the Church and is reserved for those who accept the full theology of transubstantiation and the Real Presence. She should understand. May she find the glory of the Liturgy a little above the hall experience of many Protestant services.

 

[EmeraldOak]

I pray she enjoys her time with you and sees what you see in the Mass. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

[Catholic1954]

So I have invited my mom to Mass tomorrow. It will be her first time inside of a Catholic Church… she was raised Baptist ( as was I ), and has more of a non denominational outlook now I think. My parish Church is beautiful and very traditional, and I’m hoping she will see something special in the beauty of the Liturgy as well as the building itself, and in the reverence in which we do things. We will be having lunch afterwards, and hopefully she will have questions to spark a conversation…
Thing is, she has been battling Leukemia and loves the Lord. I’m finding the thought of explaining to her that she shouldn’t participate in communion at Mass a bit awkward. Any thoughts ?

BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CHURCH (today would be good) explain to your Mom that the Catholic Church has closed communion and she will not be allowed to receive. You can tell her that Catholics must complete a two year program in order for us to receive communion and if it makes her feel more comfortable you will stay behind and sit with her. Hopefully, this will be the first of many Masses your Mom will attend!

 

[Debbie_Keefe]

If your church offers blessings (arms crossed over chest) from the priest, it may make her feel more included and welcomed. I had a similar situation at Christmas Mass. Sometimes they just feel singled out by staying back.

 

[po18guy]

She may make a spiritual communion with Christ! Yet, she must be convicted by the Holy Spirit that what appears to be bread and wine, as it was with the Apostles in the upper room, is actually the Body and Blood of the New Testament - Jesus Christ in the flesh. Trivia: The New Testament is called the New Testament because those exact words appear in scripture only at Jesus’ consecration of the bread and wine into His Body and Blood. It is this way in both the King James and Douay-Rheims bibles. Due to subsequent language changes, it has since become “new covenant”

“My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen”

The scriptures are vitally important to your mom, as they are to each of us. Here is a link to the integration of mass and scripture - since they cannot be separated:

salvationhistory.com/studies/lesson/supper_a_biblical_introduction_to_the_mass

Prayers ascending!

 

[glendab]

Hello Creek. First off congratulations on getting you Mom in the door. I’ll pray for a good outcome.

So I have invited my mom to Mass tomorrow. It will be her first time inside of a Catholic Church… she was raised Baptist ( as was I ), and has more of a non denominational outlook now I think. My parish Church is beautiful and very traditional, and I’m hoping she will see something special in the beauty of the Liturgy as well as the building itself, and in the reverence in which we do things. We will be having lunch afterwards, and hopefully she will have questions to spark a conversation…
Thing is, she has been battling Leukemia and loves the Lord. I’m finding the thought of explaining to her that she shouldn’t participate in communion at Mass a bit awkward. Any thoughts ?

If you love your Mom tell her the Truth regarding the Eucharist and trust the Author of the Truth with the outcome. It is the most loving thing you can do. If your Mom was raised Baptist, she is familiar with the notion of sin and you don’t need to point it out to her. Just ask her to read the notes to visitors that are usually found in the front cover of most Missalettes in the pews these days. It explains it all very nicely without being rude or condescending.

I can hope that the illness with which your Mom struggles is the reason she is drawing nearer to the Lord. Don’t be afraid to ask if she’s considering Confession. Can you introduce her to the Priest after Mass? Do they do that there and would she feel put upon if you did so? You know your Mom best, so do what you think is best and as I said before, trust God with the outcome.

Glenda

 

[pianistclare]

Hello Creek. First off congratulations on getting you Mom in the door. I’ll pray for a good outcome.

If you love your Mom tell her the Truth regarding the Eucharist and trust the Author of the Truth with the outcome. It is the most loving thing you can do. If your Mom was raised Baptist, she is familiar with the notion of sin and you don’t need to point it out to her. Just ask her to read the notes to visitors that are usually found in the front cover of most Missalettes in the pews these days. It explains it all very nicely without being rude or condescending.

I can hope that the illness with which your Mom struggles is the reason she is drawing nearer to the Lord. Don’t be afraid to ask if she’s considering Confession. Can you introduce her to the Priest after Mass? Do they do that there and would she feel put upon if you did so? You know your Mom best, so do what you think is best and as I said before, trust God with the outcome.

Glenda

THIS^^^
Best answer…and most charitable.
Don’t start out with what she will NOT get to do…simply say " you’ll get to sing along with everyone while I go up to receive Holy Communion. Baptists know our communion is different.
You will be fine. She’s just visiting after all…she may be seeking. Just let her “be” .
God bless you…what a beautiful time for the two of you to share…especially in light of her illness. Perhaps you could ask your priest to anoint her privately. My priest did this for the Baptist custodian across the street. He was very moved by the peace and compassion offered to him.
Peace.