tips for attending catholic church?

Question

a friend invited me to attend mass. can you please tell me what goes on at mass? on tv, i see people kneel and eat a flat piece of bread. do i have do that too? also, when would i have the chance to talk to the pastor?

Answer 1

First, the bread is for Communion. As a non Catholic, you may NOT receive Communion. Even as a Catholic there are rules as to when you can receive it such as fasting an hour prior and last Confession and so on.

Usually after mass, the Priest will stand outside the door and greet people as they leave. That would be a good time to tell him that you'd like to visit with him. I'm sure he'll tell you when he's available or if you need an appointment.

You will kneel for the part of the mass where the priest prays over the Eucharist. Other than that, you will sit or stand for the rest of the mass. You will be expected to shake peoples hands as a sign of peace at the appropriate time during mass. Usually, there are 3 songs.....entrance, Communion and exit. Oh, and be sure to bow for the 3 lines of the Creed and anytime you says Jesus. Follow the other parishioners. It's not that hard.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

You would not take communion if you are not Catholic. You are supposed to take classes to prepare for this sacrement. When everyone gets up in line, remain seated or kneeling. Since you arn't part of the church, you are not expected to repeat the prayers. If you want to sing, go right ahead.

At one point in the mass everyone will shake hands with people in their vicinity. As you shake the persons hand say "peace be with you". A collection will be taken in the middle of the mass and some times at the end. Donating is not mandatory, but if you feel like it, drop some money in the basket.

You can talk to the pastor before or after mass.

Before you sit in the pew and as you exit the pew, it is proper to genuflect to the alter.

Make sure your cell phone is either off or on vibrate. Speak with a low voice, this is a place of worship. Try not to talk at all during a service.

Just follow everyones cue. When they stand, you stand etc...

The mass is a ceremony. If you really want to read up on it, go to a catholic site. Catholic.org, fisheaters.com, newadvocate.org or ewtn.com are good sites. There will be a greating, passages from the bible will be read, the preist will give his homily, the blessing of the bread and several other steps. All of the steps in the ceremony have symbolisum and are taken from the bible. To break each step down and get the meaning - visit the sites I listed.

Have fun.

Answer 3

If you are not Catholic you cannot have a communion (which means you cannot eat the flat bread). Communion is very important for Catholics, and if you do not know the meaning of it you should just sit through the mass and listen. The mass is a ritual. It's a way for Catholics to santify God and Jesus and it's a beautiful ceremony where every prayer and gesture (like kneeling), has a meaning.
You can speak to the pastor after mass.

Answer 4

Here is an outline of the Mass:

+ Introductory Rites
. + Entrance (All stand)
. + Greeting
. + Act of Penitence
. + Kyrie Eleison (Latin for "Lord have mercy")
. + Gloria
. + Opening Prayer

+ Liturgy of the Word
. + First Reading - usually from the Old Testament (All sit)
. + Responsorial Psalm
. + Second Reading - usually from a New Testament Epistle
. + Gospel Reading (All stand)
. + Homily (All sit for the sermon)
. + Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) (All stand)
. + Prayer of the Faithful (prayers of petition)

+ Liturgy of the Eucharist
. + The Preparation of the Gifts - the bread and wine are brought forward and placed on the altar, our monetary offerings are also collected at this time (All sit)
. + The Prayer over the Offerings (All stand)
. + The Eucharistic Prayer - during this prayer the bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Christ (Catholics kneel, visitors may kneel or sit)
. + The Lord's Prayer (All stand)
. + The Rite of Peace (We offer each other a sign of peace)
. + The Breaking of the Bread
. + Communion - non-Catholics are requested out of respect not to receive Communion, they may approach the altar with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing (Stand or kneel according to local custom)

+ The Concluding Rites
. + Announcements (All sit)
. + Blessing (All stand)
. + Dismissal
. + Procession

Typically the priest will greet everyone after the Mass. You can speak to him then or call the rectory and make an appointment.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

You will be able to follow what your friend does at Mass - except you will not be able to have Communion - the wafer, if you are not Catholic. You don't have to kneel - you can sit when they do. But you'll feel more comfortable if you stand/sit when they do at different parts of the service. The pastor is called a Priest, and you address him as "Father". Sometimes he is available after Mass.

Answer 6

If you're non-catholic, you don't receive communion. When everyone else goes to the altar, stay in the pew and remain kneeling.

I haven't been to a "novus ordo" (new) catholic church in years. I'm a lapsed catholic, but when I do go, I attend the traditional latin mass. Huge differences between the two, and it would take a while to explain it. :)

Otherwise, just kneel when everyone else kneels, sit and stand when they do, and don't go for communion.

Also, I've heard that just about anything goes now in the new church, but even if everyone else is wearing jeans and tshirts, please wear something respectful (a suit jacket, trousers and tie would be ideal, but khaki pants and a polo shirt would work too, in a pinch). You have to remember you're in God's house, and should act and dress accordingly.

Answer 7

If your not catholic you don't have to kneel unless you want to. If your not catholic you aren't suppose to take of the bread. You will have a chance to talk with the pastor,( in the catholic church they are called Father). at the end of the mass.

Answer 8

from a roman catholic that goes to church (forced by his mother)

when you go to church you have to stand then sit then stand then sit
and keep doing those procedures.

then they have hyms but i dont sing.

Also there is a time where you have to hold hands, on either sides.

then you have to shake people hands around you. Like about 6 people. (that is showing peace)

then you kneel and kneel and the preist talks alot.

then when people goin up to eat the bread thing. Only people who made their first communion could take it.

so you cant go up. just dont cause god will be mad.

if you want to taste it then when goin up you put ure hands together like ure praying and put ure left hand over ure right hand like ure was receiving it.

when the person raises the bread thing, and finish speaking you say AMEN. and then put it in ure mouth.



most of the time in church, i does take the newspaper and do out the crossword puzzles to make time fly.

Answer 9

All you need to do is dress formal and neatly. Yes you kneel for praying and yes you eat a flat piece of bread. You could talk to the pastor after everyone else leaves the church.

Answer 10

For a start he not called a pastor but a priest ok. When you enter a Catholic church one bless themselves with holy water.