When's the last time you've been to church?

Question

For me the last time was for the mass on the day of my godfather/uncle's burial. Prior to that it had been 7 years since I've been in any church but the last church I was in was a Protestant church. The last time I was in a Catholic church prior to my godfather/uncle's burial was when I was 13 years old. Anyway I'm thinking of attending a mass this Sunday but I'm a bit nervous as I know that I will feel lost when it comes time to the prayers and whatnot. What advice can you give me if any at all? By the way I'm thinking of attending a Catholic mass. What do they do in mass? I know I must sound foolish. Do they hand out any bibles or whatnot for mass?

Answer 1

last Sunday, and I am a Catholic.

If you are a baptized catholic, and have received your first communion, I would advise that you go say your confession to a priest. These are usually on Saturday afternoon. Tell the priest when you last made a confession, and he will guide you through and ask you relatively harmless questions. He will give you absolution, which will enable you to receive communion.

If you have not received first communion, then go to Mass anyway. A mass consists of the gathering, when the priest, lector, and altar servers process in and the congregation sings. When the priest reaches the sanctuary, there is a greeting, a penitential rite, an opening prayer, and a Glory to God (either said or sang). All this is done while standing. The congregation sits down, and then there Scriptural readings done by the lector. The readings are verses from the Bible, but are collected in the Missal, a small book usually located in the pews. By the way, all of the prayers and readings are in the missal. After the readings, comes the Gospel Acclamation, where the congregation stands, and the priest reads a selection from the Gospel. After the priest reads the Gospel, the congregation sits and the priest then delivers his homily, usually a reflection on the day's readings.

Then comes the recitation of the Apostles (or Nicene) Creed, the preparation and offering of the gifts (the collection and the bringing up of the bread and wine used later during Communion).

The liturgy of the Eucharist follows, which is a series of prayers and responses; Then, the Our Father (Lord's Prayer), the exchange of the sign of peace, and communion. If you cannot receive communion, process up to the altar anyway with your arms folded in front of you like an X, so that the priest or Eucharistic Minister may bless you. After communion, announcements are made, the priest makes a final blessing, and the congregation is dismissed.

Answer 2

I (a Protestant) went to a Catholic Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

I am glad that you are considering attending Mass again. I believe that you should go to Mass. When I first attended Mass by myself (I usually go with my Catholic girlfriend), I was nervous; however, I soon realized that the only thing that mattered was that I was worshipping the Lord. I simply stood/kneeled, and sat when the congregation did. Although I did not know the creeds, I just listened. The Mass is very beautiful and I enjoy every time that I go.

In a Mass, there is a book that is called 'Breaking Bread' in the pew. That has songs and a Missal in it. Follow the Missal, and you will know the order of the Mass. If you do not feel comfortable doing something, then don't do it. Nobody will judge you or think less of you. Since you are not a Catholic, you will not be allowed to take the Eucharist (Lord's Supper), but you can walk up with everyone else. When you reach the front, cross your arms over your chest and bow your head. The priest or Extraordinary Minister (laypersons who assist in giving the Eucharist) will bless you.

There are many online sources that can guide you and offer more information on the Mass. There are also books available, such as 'Catholicism for Dummies' and 'The How-To Book of Mass'. If you need help locating a Mass near you, you can visit Mass Times, which is a website devoted to helping people find Mass times and locations near them. I hope you find the courage to attend Mass and that it brings you closer to God.

Answer 3

The last time I went to church was Midnight Mass about three or four years ago. It was a Catholic church. In a Catholic mass be prepared to stand up and sit down several times. You will sing hymnals, and recite prayers. If you have been baptized Catholic it is required that you receive communion. The services I've been to only had song books for the singing parts of mass. When you first get to your seat, usually you kneel and pray and then make the sign of the cross before you wait for the service to start. Close to the end just before communion you will show a sign of peace by greeting and shaking hands with all the people around you. (Once again, that's what happens at my church).

Answer 4

Hello 'Top Of The Line' :
Last time in church ? :- the Sunday after 911 ! Put $200. in collection plate.
How unfortunate for me ! Been too long.
Your question is anything but foolish.
Never been to a Catholic mass, but, I know I'd enjoy it if I did.
I grew up in a Protestant atmosphere attending the Anglican Church.
I joyfully became a Christian but my attendance is to church is shameful !
However, now, nothing can change my beliefs.

Answer 5

This last sunday.

Catholic mass isn't much different from Protestant congregation. Sing a few hymns/worship songs, join in prayer, listen to the sermon, etc. The only real difference I can recall (it's been over 12 years since my last Catholic service) is communion. Other than that, falling back into the groove of things shouldn't be that difficult.

The Catholic church has been seeing a LOT of crap recently. They're probably very welcoming of new faces. :)

Answer 6

To bury my father. Before that, to bury my grandfather.

Catholic mass is a stylized series of movements, sitting, kneeling, standing, etc. Just follow the people around you. Hopefully they too aren't lost. I remember explaining Catholic mass to my Mormon brother-in-law on the way to my father's service. It was rather irreverent, as I am not Catholic any more, but I said it was close to the old fight songs "lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight". Either that or "head, shoulders, knees and toes".

They hand out hymnals, and usually books where you can follow along on the readings. They are broken up by which week it is in the calendar year.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The last time I was in church was on Sunday of this week.

If going to Mass makes you nervous why not try a Bible believing Christian church.

The church I attend, meets in a school auditorium.

And its more exciting than going to Disney World.

Pastor Art

Answer 9

I went last Sunday to a Catholic mass.

In Catholic mass, you can normally follow what everyone else is doing to see if you are doing everything correctly. But I urge you to go and speak to a member of the church if you'd like to do things without hesitation.

Answer 10

Two Christmases ago I went to a midnight mass on Christmas Eve...........



That year I wasn't doing anything at all with family. It was the first time I'd been to church in over 7 years. The reason I went was because I was really fed up with the xmas commercialism and decided that if I would do anything at all, I'd go hear some stories about the guy we supposedly celebrate on 12-25. You know, remind myself that there's nothing wrong with a little moral solidification along with a good chuckle or two. I went to the church I had last attended (Episcopal) which is where my dad goes. There were many people in attendance who remembered me. After the service they all wanted to come and ask me about what I had been doing, how's my dad, etc. Not one of them asked me why I had left the church. Not one of them had anything religion or Christmas related to say at all. It reminded me that one of the main reasons that I don't go to church is that it's all a bunch of socialites who only care about the personal lives of others and not their church.

End rant.