Thinking of attending Mass for the first time tomorrow Morning

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Jeffcbone

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Hello folks, new on the forums here. I was raised Baptist and sorta of drifted away from organized religion as I got older. But lately I’ve felt a calling to attend a daily mass at a local catholic church. I just wanted to know what to expect at Mass and if I should dress in a business casual type of way or would jeans and a collared shirt be okay? I have a general idea of information about catholicism but not all that much on individual Saints and everything. Anyways Im sure I’m dragging this on and I hoped i posted it in the right place. Thanks!
 
Here is a good video made for children and young adults that will give you a general idea of what the Mass is. youtube.com/watch?v=1B-N_5dTAm4

Weekly mass is just a lot shorter than Sunday mass. I dont’ know how familiar with liturgy you are, but here is a link of the Church fathers explaining the holy mass patrickmadrid.blogspot.com/2009/02/church-fathers-explain-mass.html

As far as dress goes, if it’s a weekly mass just go casual, no hats though but that’s probably common sense for any church.

Basically the holy mass is divided into four major parts:
  1. Introductory Rites (Penitential rite, Kyrie, the Gloria)
    2)LITURGY of the WORD (Biblical Readings OT, Psalm that on weekly mass is just recited but people usually sing it on Sunday mass, the NT and the Gospel, Homily (typically 2 minutes long on a weekday mass, Creed, Intercessions)
    3)LITURGY of the EUCHARIST (Preparation, Eucharistic Prayer; Communion Rite)
    4)Concluding Rite
I hope you enjoy it and don’t worry if you don’t understand anything.

God bless you and Viva Cristo Rey!
 
Is it okay to approach the priest after with any questions? I’m only asking because I know in the baptist church I used to attend it was very informal and you could approach him at any time and ask any questions you had or prayer request etc. sorry I’m sure I’m looking too much into this but I dont want to make a bad first impression.
 
Jeffcbone said:
Is it okay to approach the priest after with any questions? I’m only asking because I know in the baptist church I used to attend it was very informal and you could approach him at any time and ask any questions you had or prayer request etc. sorry I’m sure I’m looking too much into this but I dont want to make a bad first impression.
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Yes of course, however during the week they might have to run after mass to do different ministries so just be attentive. Don’t get discouraged if the priest keeps it short.

Here is another link with the exact structure of the mass. catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

However a weekday mass tends to be really short and very few people. For the most part, only daily communicants go.

You should definitely watch the first video I posted, “The Greatest Miracle”. youtube.com/watch?v=1B-N_5dTAm4
For us Catholics, the holy mass is an eternal event celebrated simultaneously in heaven.
 
That’s kind of what I’m looking for to be honest, I’m not a big fan of huge crowds and I’d prefer a small group atleast until I feel comfortable. Thanks for all the help and everything, is it normal to give a part of a tithe every day of mass? I just really want to make a good first impression and everything.
 
Jeffcbone said:
That’s kind of what I’m looking for to be honest, I’m not a big fan of huge crowds and I’d prefer a small group atleast until I feel comfortable. Thanks for all the help and everything, is it normal to give a part of a tithe every day of mass? I just really want to make a good first impression and everything.
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Hi Jeff,

Just read your post.
(we don’t tithe. but any amount only at weekend masses)

Welcome and just a gentle caveat, we catholics are sinners and saints in the making!! …so we can just be downright stupid and foolish and selfish etc, etc…at times…

so I hope the parish you are visiting will make a good first impression too!!

I would highly recommend this website.
“EWTN- the journey home by Marcus grodi.”

I am born catholic and in this website there are numerous sharings one on one between marcus and one of his guests on their faith journey into the Catholic Church… …

God bless and have a wonderful journey!

In prayers always

Kentcara2003(3rd order SSCC)

(PS You may not be aware of this but only catholics can receive communion. You will understand why as you learn more of the Faith)
 
Welcome jeffcbone.
You may want to check out the forums; Traditional Catholicism and Liturgy & Sacraments on the Home Page. These sub-forums will help familiarize you with the Catholic faith.
Enjoy the forums & resources.
Feel free to join in the forum discussions.
I’m sure you’ll find many answers to your questions on the site.
I’ll be praying for you.
God bless.🙂
 
Jeffcbone said:
Is it okay to approach the priest after with any questions? I’m only asking because I know in the baptist church I used to attend it was very informal and you could approach him at any time and ask any questions you had or prayer request etc. sorry I’m sure I’m looking too much into this but I dont want to make a bad first impression.
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Sometimes at weekday mass the priest will just go into the back and change and not really greet people at the door. If you don’t see him, head over to the office and arrange an appointment or ask about RCIA. RCIA IS WHAT you’ll need class wise to learn about the faith and prepare for the sacraments.

Remember as a non catholic you aren’t to receive communion but in the US people generally when not receiving either stay in the pew or go up with arms across chest and priest will say a little one sentence prayer over you.

(Forum vets, no need to start a debate on this point…again)

Weekday mass is about 30 mins as oppossed to over an hour on Sunday.

Let us know how it goes. Just soak it in.
 
Jeffcbone said:
That’s kind of what I’m looking for to be honest, I’m not a big fan of huge crowds and I’d prefer a small group atleast until I feel comfortable. Thanks for all the help and everything, is it normal to give a part of a tithe every day of mass? I just really want to make a good first impression and everything.
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No tithe is asked for weekday mass.
Usually very few people go to daily mass and they go there before they go to work, during, or after. It’s basically daily communicants getting the Eucharist. It’s not like Sunday mass. It’s quite, very few people and nobody really talks to each other. It’s just a small quite adoration and communion. At least that’s how it is in my church.

Don’t worry about giving anything. No tithe is asked on weekdays. And on Sundays you are not obligated to give anything either. Just look at the altar when they pass the basket around or just pass it around. There are times when I don’t give anything because I don’t have any to give.
Tithe is not obligatory in the Catholic Church.
 
It was my observation that the baptist services were more educational and memorization motivating vs the mystic and participating services of mass.

Holy mass is the participation of joining Jesus during his last week. It combines the entrance into Jeruselem, teachings, Last Supper, Temptation, and Resurrection of our Lord and. Savior Jesus Christ into every service.

We use our bodies much more in Holy Mass by standing, Geneflecting (to the Holy Tabernacle), kneeling, shaking hands, and other gestures of worship to God.

Yes, the Priests are very social at our Church and are available before and after Mass. However, I suspect you have more questions than a typical parishioner has and would find it beneficial to talk to the RCIA director to help guide you in our deep traditions.

Enjoy participating in Holy Mass, and Peace be with your Spirit!
 
I was looking into the RCIA, since I was baptistized as a Baptist does that make me a candidate instead of a catechumen? I really like how involved this process is and how welcoming the community is. The only problem is I do not have a sponsor as I do not know anyone who is a Catholic. I feel very called to this and I am extremely excited to attend tomorrow morning hopefully.
 
You have been given some wonderful ideas and information. I just wanted to welcome you to the forums!~ I hope you will let us know your impression of the Mass you attend.

Blessings,
Mary.
 
Jeffcbone said:
Hello folks, new on the forums here. I was raised Baptist and sorta of drifted away from organized religion as I got older. But lately I’ve felt a calling to attend a daily mass at a local catholic church. I just wanted to know what to expect at Mass and if I should dress in a business casual type of way or would jeans and a collared shirt be okay? I have a general idea of information about catholicism but not all that much on individual Saints and everything. Anyways Im sure I’m dragging this on and I hoped i posted it in the right place. Thanks!
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michaeljournal.org/holymass.htm

traditio.com/tradlib/graces.txt
 
Jeffcbone said:
I was looking into the RCIA, since I was baptistized as a Baptist does that make me a candidate instead of a catechumen? I really like how involved this process is and how welcoming the community is. The only problem is I do not have a sponsor as I do not know anyone who is a Catholic. I feel very called to this and I am extremely excited to attend tomorrow morning hopefully.
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As long as you are baptized in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit you are baptized and will be a candidate. Your RCIA director can help you further.

Don’t worry about the sponsor. Your parish will assign one to you.
 
Jeffcbone said:
Hello folks, new on the forums here. I was raised Baptist and sorta of drifted away from organized religion as I got older. But lately I’ve felt a calling to attend a daily mass at a local catholic church. I just wanted to know what to expect at Mass and if I should dress in a business casual type of way or would jeans and a collared shirt be okay? I have a general idea of information about catholicism but not all that much on individual Saints and everything. Anyways Im sure I’m dragging this on and I hoped i posted it in the right place. Thanks!
Click to expand...
God does not care what you wear to Mass. He is just happy to see you there.
 
Hi Jeff!

I’m excited for you. I remember the first time I attended Mass; I was so nervous and knew everyone would know I was not Catholic but a stranger! It was great.

Just a note, Catholic services are more reserved and there isn’t the overt fellowship afterward you may be used to in Protestant services. It is in no way indicative of the warmth or the congregation being a family. If you continue attending and going to functions, you’ll soon get to know others and form friendships and fraternity. 👍

Please let us know how it goes. And you may want to “try out” different parishes in your areas; each parish has it’s own “flavor.”

Welcome home, my brother.
 
Exciting! Let us know your thoughts tomorrow! God bless, I’ll be praying for you to have a beautiful experience. Welcome to the forums too!
👍
 
Do it. Daily Mass is awfully relaxed and you will likely find that most people barely even realize that you are new. But they would also be downright tickled to know that you are attending for the first time. I’d hope that a priest would be happy to talk with you, or at least make an appointment to do so.

I was (briefly) basically a Baptist before becoming a Catholic.
 
I love the daily Mass - while I attend every Sunday and enjoy it, the daily Mass is where I really feel like I get my few minutes to connect without all the distractions. As my own suggestion, try to arrive a few minutes before Mass starts, and take those few minutes to spend some time in prayer. For me, that is the time when I really do dump out everything that is weighing down my heart and “put it on the altar” for God so that when the Mass starts, I don’t have all that swirling around in my mind.

You should also feel welcome to approach the priest after the Mass. If he doesn’t seem to immediately be around, just ask and I’m sure someone can point you in the right direction. I know that in our parish, the daily Mass attendees are a pretty tight-knit group who always seem to know what is going on.

Do let us know how it goes.
 
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