Will the Catholic church welcome me back? I'm a little scared.?

Question

I was baptized as a baby but never confirmed. I did go to confession a few times as a child but I don't remember much. Anyway, I'm in college and I kind of feel guilty & not sure I'll be welcomed in church, will I?

Also I'm in a new city & I don't know anyone Catholic here, how do I start? Will any church welcome me? How do I know which one to go to?

One more thing, sorry, if I can't prove I was baptized will I have to be baptized again? Thank you

not scared but anxious.

Answer 1

Yes, we will welcome you back to the Catholic Church with open arms.

Your college probably has a Catholic outreach, probably a Newman Center. Drop in and introduce yourself. Or look in the phone book and find the closest parish, in the yellow pages under Churches - Catholic. Any Catholic Church will welcome you.

The Church respects Baptism highly and will not want to baptize you again. If you cannot contact the parish where you were baptized, then get someone who was there to write a letter about it.

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 2

Why not?
The church is not that strict....they're looking for people to belong not to outcast. As far as proving your baptism....go or call the church you were baptized in and ask for a copy of your baptismal record. You will need to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation and the church has programs for adults and older kids for these Sacraments....go ahead...make an appointment with a priest and you don't have to be perfect to go to Mass....just go. The Catholic Churches are all in the yellow pages and if a church has a cross on the tippy top, it's Catholic.

Answer 3

They will welcome you with open arms. Baptism is no requirement to sit in on mass, that's for sure, and it's not like a legal issue or something. Take a few deep breaths and just think about how exciting it's going to be to join a group of people who agree with your philosophical view of the world. To figure out which church to go to, just try a few local ones and attend a mass or two. If you remember from your younger days, though maybe you never went, mass is very community oriented and thus picks out no individuals. You will not stand out in the least bit. So sit in on a mass (don't go up for the Eucharist/Communion, though, as that would be disrespectful at this point) and just get a feel for the people there. If you think you will be comfortable there, go up to the priest at the end of mass and chat a little. They should be very friendly and welcoming -- he will help you in the next step to take.

Answer 4

i'm Lutheran, yet have many Catholic pals. touching directly to Welcoming.... In the two denominations the smaller the Church , the greater welcoming the human beings look. related to Communion. As in our Church oftentimes the Catholic Church practices Closed Communion. We/they try this to guard people who do no longer understand the Sacrament, thereby combating them from sinning against the physique and Blood of our Lord. As reported above, and we try this too, you're welcome to acquire Gods Blessing from the Pastor without partaking. (in case you have attended Lutheran church homes you will locate that the Catholic Mass, is very resembling the Lutheran Mass. rather often the Lutheran Mass would be greater difficult, and greater solemn). pass and compliment God.

Answer 5

Now might be a great time to investigate learning about having a personal relationship with God through Christ by attending a Christ honoring, Bible teaching Christian church in your area.

Sorry if that's not the type of answer you were looking for, but as someone who was raised in a family that all fell away from their Catholic roots and who was called out of my agnosticism by God into an excellent Christian church that's my best recommendation. Listen for 20 minutes to any of the sermons that my Pastor has been airing on the radio across the nation and see if there isn't a real difference between honest and encouraging Christian Bible preaching and what you are used to OK?

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/enduring_truth/archives.asp

Answer 6

Blaine has the right idea, but I would recommend first talking to the priest. There will be someone or a class to help you review the articles of faith of the church, and remind you what confession means, and how to do it so you make sense. In general, you well know you need to be re-oriented.

Yes, the church welcomes people back.

Answer 7

you will not have to be baptized again, the church will be able to find out.

as for being welcomed? I know if you show up at my parish I will be the first to do so. You will always be welcomed home.

You may want to speak with the priest and see about the RCIA program, they will be starting very soon so this is a great time to come back.

Welcome home

Answer 8

Sure you will be accepted... Just go to the church where you will probably be confirmed. I don't think it's an issue... start with confession and tell the priest your intent to be a more religious person. He should help you.
That's what confession is for...

If any prient gives you a hard time, remind him about the parable about the prodigal son.

Answer 9

the catholic church is more than happy to bring you back. The church is here to serve and to spread Jesus' love. Jesus wants you to return to him via the church. Never be afraid of returning to Jesus Christ. Just pray to him that he may show you the way> Search in the internet or the town center and ask for the church. Good luck and remember, JEsus wants you to return to him through church!!

Answer 10

Shop for a lliberal priest and bring money. Will always fix anything with church. Rationale: The church will benefit more from the money than from continuing to punish you. What I was taught anyway.