im a roman catholic but i never really go church because only me, my sister and dad are roman catholics and i dont live wid my dad. im a teen and i havnt had my holy communion or confirmation and i want it really badly :( i want to be a full roman catholic. and im scared to go church on my own because no one i know will be there. can you people give me advice
2007-02-20 07:55:07 · 34 answers · asked by heyy ppl 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You've nothing to be afraid of. I'd bet anything that your fellow parishioners will think highly of you for going to Church on your own accord.
Catholics are very welcoming to "new" mass attendees. If your parish has a "coffee and donuts" gathering after mass, I highly recommend you check it out. It's easy to make friends with other Catholics this way, and you will see them regularly as well.
Nothing bad can come from any of this so I hope you choose to attend mass. WHEN you go, don't hesitate to speak with the priest about receiving your First Communion and Confirmation.
It's a Lenten tradition for people to abstain from something until Easter Sunday. You can make it a tradition to add something as well. For example, last year I took up praying the Rosary (a decade at least) per day. it became a permanent thing. You can add attending mass regularly for Lent. Hopefully this will become permanent.
2007-02-23 06:13:02 · answer #1 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can completely understand not wanting to go to church by yourself. Do you have any friends who are Catholic? If so, you can start by going to church with them. If not, find the church that is closest to your school and call and ask if they have a youth minister. Many churches now have youth groups and even "youth masses" where the music and homilies are geared more for teens.
For you to receive your first Communion and Confirmation, you will most likely go through the RCIA program. Now, in my experience, teens in your position don't always get a lot out of this program cuz most of the other participants are adults and there isn't a lot to relate to. You might be able to go through the Confirmation program with other teens and work with the youth minister or another catechist for your preparation for Communion. The end result would be the same, and my guess is that either route will take 6 months to a year.
All this being said, find yourself a church that you like. Not all Catholic churches are the same and you want to be somewhere where you can worship and pray and be yourself.
2007-02-20 08:03:18 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely NO reason to be scared to go alone. Find the nearest Roman Catholic church and call and make an appt. to meet with the pastor there. Explain your problem and ask for help. Depending on your age, there will be classes you can attend which will help you with all the necessary steps. There is no age limit for accepting the Sacraments. Some of my kids did it as little guys but a couple did it as older teens because of some circumstances that made it difficult for us to do it at the time.
You will find help and guidance if you just ask for it. There is really no reason to be nervous. They won't put you in a class with little kids if you are afraid of that happening.
Good for you for wanting this. It is really a great thing to have a religious background to fall back on when you are an adult. Sometimes life can be pretty hard and having faith is a HUGE help.
If you would like to talk anymore please feel free to email me. Good luck and God bless!
2007-02-20 08:04:47 · answer #3 · answered by mnnorthernlight 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No reason to be scared, friend. I am a convert to the Roman Catholic faith. My family are secular Protestants. I was very warmly welcomed into the Church and later made the way toward the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). You will find that the Catholic faith is very warm to converts and "cradle Catholics". I would urge you to visit the rectory of a nearby parish and ask to speak to the faith formation or youth ministry director--often a woman behind a desk. She will likely ask you some questions about your life; what you do for school, fun, etc. From there she will certainly pass your name along to a parish priest who will give permission for you to read for your Confirmation. Confirmation is an important step and is supposed to be reserved for conscientious adults. The Church has become more stringent on it recently. On the other hand, it's a great way to meet people and grow in faith and learn about the Church! Good luck, friend!
2007-02-20 08:01:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will never be alone, Jesus is always with you.
One of the few places in the world that you don't have to be scared of going is a church, especially Roman Catholic. Call the priest office before you go if you want, or just go. You will always be welcomed.
Don't feel like you've done wrong or fell that you are bad. We are all wrong and bad, but we have His forgiveness.
The best people in the world you can meet will be at church, don't deny them the opportunity to get to know how great a person you are.
TX Guy
2007-02-20 08:00:58 · answer #5 · answered by txguy8800 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are wrong. Someone you know IS at Mass every Sunday. Jesus Christ Himself is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Remember that skipping Mass (on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation) for any reason other than serious illness or complete inability to attend can be a Mortal Sin. I don't mean to scare you or anything, only to remind you of how very important the Holy Mass is.
I just became a Catholic last year at this time and it was scary to walk into the church the first time. But I told one of the greeters and they directed me to someone who could help me. I was even seated next to someone who could help me step by step through the Mass.
They should be able to put you in classes to help you get ready for Confirmation and your First Holy Communion.
2007-02-20 08:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the Parish Priest about your story just nice and easy and he will help you along the way. Dont worry,he may become your first friend in the church. Also on how to become active in your local parish. God still loves you and it will make a way for you to be a full 100% Roman Catholic.
2007-02-20 08:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by Jelo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of the fun of going to church is finding a church that suits you! Try going to a few different Church's for Mass and see what one you feel the most comfortable at.. I think you will be surprised at how nice and friendly people can be! If you happen to hear a priest speak who really hits a note in you approach him after the service and say thank you, you may then find an opening to tell him about your wishes. If its a decent church they should have a youth group that he could introduce you to and there you will find other young people of like mind! You do not need anyone else to help you affirm your beliefs, this is between you and God... Also do not forget that in order to meet people who think and believe in the same things you do going to a church will help to start this process.. It can be scary to do things like this on your own but I promise it will not be long until you have your own friends at the Church you go to and your nervousness of going on your own will be long behind you! Good luck and do not forget to ask God for strength when making you decision as I find this can really help.
2007-02-20 08:06:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
dont be scared to go to church god is opened to everyone. Even if u havent made your communion or confirmation, and still are baptized u truly are a full roman catholic doing those things just hows god that u love him and your willing to except him into your lives along with Jesus. dont be scared fear is just a factor of our normal lives trust me if u want to go to church then go u have nothing to hide but u r willing to show your faith. So talk with your dad and sister ask if you want to go. it might seem scary at first but trust me once u do it your not going to ever regret it. being able to stand up and telling people u want to go to church and be a full roman catholic is the bravest thing u can ever do. so just tell your dad or your sister u want to go to church trust me they will be proud of you if you tell them this. even if u get to scared to go with them no one will blame u if u go alone. every one wont care if your their they wont mind. Church is just about interacting with god no one will care what or why the reasons u went just the fact that your their is good enough, and if u want to make your communion and confirmation ask the priest or your dad, maybe even your sister of course u would have to enroll into religion class to make these things but it really is good of what u want to do. your welcome
2007-02-20 08:13:04 · answer #9 · answered by stephie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check to see if there's a young adult class for Confirmation and Holy Communion. Seriously - talk to the parish secretary or priest at your local church. They will gladly help point you in the right direction on where to start.
2007-02-20 07:59:11 · answer #10 · answered by ઈтєlly 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋