As a kid I was baptized and attended church but have not been to it in a long time. I am curious when people start going to a church if you must join?
2006-11-15 19:48:51 · 5 answers · asked by Labatt113 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to the laws of Catholicism, once you are baptized Catholic you remain Catholic forever regardless of whether you attend church or not. You are forbidden to attend any other type of church or you are committing a sin. If you wish to get back into going to Catholic Church you have to go to confession. And most definitely you have to go to confession if you want to receive communion.
~edit~ I am going on the assumtion since you said you used to attend church that you had already gotten your first communion. I don't know what the BELOW poster is thinking but you have to go to confession whenever you commit a sin (not just a MORTAL sin) before you receive communion again.
Also you don't get confirmed until you are a teenager now. It used to happen around 3rd grade but they changed the requirement because they decided you needed to be older to fully understand & appreciate the sacrament.
Also, ummm, yeah it IS called Baptism. Baptism is one of the 7 sacraments. It's called the Sacrament of Baptism. And Catholics ARE Christians. Being Christian means that you believe that Jesus is the son of God who came to Earth & died for our sins.
Off the top of my head here the sacraments are: Baptism, Communion, Reconcilation (Confession), Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Last Rights.
I think "askmee" needs to study their CATECHISM better...esp. if they are under the assumtion that Catholics aren't Christians.
2006-11-15 19:52:26 · answer #1 · answered by Evil Ameba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what the other posters are thinking.... to be a full member of the Catholic Church you must receive all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation. If you know for sure you received all three, then just find a Catholic Church of your choice and go into the Church office and register as a parishoner. If you feel like learning more about your faith, most churches offer some kind of class, or even attend RCIA classes to learn more. (those are for people wanting to join the church or learn more about our beliefs.) However, If you didn't receive any sacraments beyond baptism, the you will definately have to join the RCIA class at the parish so that you can receive all the sacraments and be fully initiated into the church. This usually takes about a year, and ends with the Easter Vigil mass where you be confirmed and receive your 1st communion. At some point, when you feel comfortable, you may go to confession. Remember, confession is required at least once a year if you have committed a mortal sin. (those really bad ones)But nobody will force you to do that until you are ready. Good Luck!!
BTW.......no such thing as a Catholic Baptism, baptism is Christian
2006-11-16 06:36:30 · answer #2 · answered by askmee 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are several levels (or types) of Church membership.
Anyone who has received Baptism in the Catholic Church has the right, among other things, to Catholic marriage and burial.
Anyone who has received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Holy Communion) are considered "fully initiated" Catholics. These Catholics can be godparents, confirmation sponsors, lectors (readers in church), extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist (who distribute Holy Communion), etc.
Anyone who has registered in a parish is considered a parishioner.
There are probably other levels or types that I haven't listed.
With love in Christ.
2006-11-17 00:24:06 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of couse not. I would go to different churches even different denominations if you want. Then when/if u find one u like a lot join then.
2006-11-16 03:53:27 · answer #4 · answered by ♥misunderstood♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think as soon as you can.
2006-11-16 03:51:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋