Congrats on your profession of belief in God.
From the Catholic perspective, Church, that is to say - attending Mass, is a beautiful thing. It is where we receive the Eucharist: the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Mass is many other things as well. The more you know about the Mass itself, the more fruitful your Mass attendance will be.
You don't need to apply to begin attending Mass. You can begin attending Mass whenever. Catholics (are supposed to) attend Mass at least once per week, typically Sunday or Saturday evening. Masses are held on a daily basis, so you could attend daily Mass if you wanted.
Masses are usually an hour long. You don't have to dress formally, unless you want to of course, but one really shouldn't go to Mass in a "jeans and t-shirt" getup either. Know what I mean. What's the term? "Smart Casual" is appropriate. Think of it this way. . . You are entering God's House as a guest. You will want to dress accordingly, as if you were a guest in someone else's house at a dinner party or something.
Do you learning something new each time? The answer to this question goes back to what I said earlier about knowing about the Mass. Many people, unfortunately, go to Church but "veg" while they're there. These are the one's who leave spiritually unfilfilled. If you understand the Mass, pay attention to what's going on, and participate in the Mass, you will get a lot out of it. If you are lucky enough to attend Mass at a parish with a prolific preacher, you're in for a treat. You will learn much from one week to the next.
Independent Catholic study on your own time will yield much wisdom as well. Reading the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, among a host of other Church documents, saints writings, etc, you will learn a lot very quickly.
If you do wish to become a Catholic, you will have to enroll in the parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. It consists of instruction in Catholic beliefs and practices and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, (first) Holy Communion, and Confirmation. This sounds like a lot, but there is really nothing to it. How long this takes depends on what you already know about Catholic beliefs and practices.
2007-10-02 01:52:19
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answer #1
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answered by Daver 7
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Most church's there is no applying, they are just happy to have you come. The church we just started attending gives out loaves of bananna bread to new people. No you don't need your parents with you. Usually the services last 1 to 1 and a half hours. No you don't have to dress up, just wear something casual and clean, a pair of jeans and a nice shirt. I do learn something new every time I go, God is Good all the time. I am really proud of you that you are going to church.
2007-10-01 14:33:26
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answer #2
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answered by CR 5
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At the Church that I attend there is no application necessary you just start going. You don't have to come with your parents, the service is usually an hour and the music is contemporary and upbeat. There isn't a dress code you just should not be vulgar or revealing in your dress ie low cut, mini skirts or inappropriate slogans. blue jeans and t shirt are fine. The Pastor usually talks about something that can be integrated into what is going on in peoples lives today and how to apply what the Bible teaches to your life.
2007-10-01 14:40:38
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answer #3
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answered by Lisa 4
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Apply? Not sure what you mean by this but n you don't need to go with your parents you can choose your own church.. Church is very good for your spiritual growth and you learn alot. I also like to spend time with the people in the congregation. My church last between 1 hour to 1 and a half hours, in my church you don't need to dress up we wear tees and jeans if we want. If you have to dress up to go to a church your going to wrong church Jesus wouldn't even have been able to attend churches like that because he was poor himself...
2007-10-01 15:02:31
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answer #4
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answered by LILBITOFKY 3
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That is one TERRIFIC question!!!! Congrats! I am Lutheran, and I have always considered Catholics to be Christians, just that their doctrines got a bit "off track." Just as Martin Luther had challenged those issues, many of those issues are STILL unresolved in the Catholic Church today. But many have been changed and "corrected." As I grew up and learned my Catechism, I learned that, at our roots, we Lutherans should not really consider ourselves to be PROTESTANTS, but "Reformers." Luther never desired to break away from the church, but to reform it and bring it back to the "central" truths. This is why Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day on October 31st, not "Protestant Day." I know there are significant doctrinal issues between the two "groups," but I feel that the CORE beliefs between the two remain the same. What ARE those "Salvation Essentials"??? They are: 1. God's Unity 2. God's Tri-Unity 3. Christ's Deity 4. Christ's Humanity 5. Human depravity 6. Christ's virgin birth 7. Christ's sinlessness 8. Christ's atoning death 9. Christ's bodily resurrection 10. The necessity of GRACE (for salvation) 11. The necessity of FAITH (for salvation) 12. Christ's bodily ascension 13. Christ's priestly intercession 14. Christ's bodily second coming Now, if you compare this list with what the mormons and jw's believe, they do NOT agree. But the Catholic church DOES agree with and teach these essentials. The remainder is "mere" quibbling over NON-essential details. MARANATHA! Come, Lord Jesus, COME!
2016-05-18 07:49:49
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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If you go to a non-denominational church like mine, anyone can show up and you just have to wear clean clothes of any kind. It's a "come as you are" church because God loves you just the way that you are but He loves you too much to leave you like you are. http://www.alcf.net
Our services last about 90 minutes. 45 minutes are for preaching and the rest of the time is for praise and worship or baptisms or communion or the choir or announcements and stuff like that.
You should check out my Pastor and give him a listen. He's one of the best Pastor's in this country according to the many fan letters that I read from listeners to his radio show. Here's the link if you want to check it out. Each show is half of a Sunday sermon. http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Enduring_Truth/archives.asp
If you want to great Free resources to help you grow then check out the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/
2007-10-01 14:39:03
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answer #6
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answered by Martin S 7
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It depends on the church. Pray to God to lead you to the one he wants you to be at. I do not go to the same church as my parents, mine lasts and hour and a half, and I do not dress up- but different churches are different. Attend different ones until you find the one that "fits"
2007-10-01 14:30:22
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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It varies GREATLY. The best advise I can give you is that if you find yourself in a church that does not preach and read directly out of the KJV Bible you need to get out of there. Also, go directly to the priest, minister, or pastor and ask them if they believe that the Bible is the very word of God and every word is true. If they tell you NO, then you need to get out of there.
2007-10-01 14:31:16
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answer #8
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answered by tas211 6
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If you are already going to a community church, why are you asking about church?
No application necessary.
No dresscode.
No parents required.
You learn something new only if your heart and mind are open.
2007-10-01 14:29:12
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answer #9
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answered by lady_phoenix39 6
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If your just attending Catholic mass its fine, but you CANNOT have eucharist before your first communion, you also have to be confirmed by a bishop to be seen as a fully functioning adult in the Catholic faith. Its normally an hour long.
2007-10-01 14:28:56
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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