How to join a Catholic church?

Question

I haven't been to church in about 5 years but have recently started wanting to make the Lord part of my life again.I don't want to go back to my original parish because I don't really care for the priest. So I was thinking of joining a nice church a few miles up the road. How do I go about officially joining?

Answer 1

Contact the parish office and register yourself as a new parishioner..

Answer 2

Go in and talk to the priest. You can't just switch "churches" on the spot because the RC religion is considered the one true church that all others were founded on. As such they require you to take a course to learn all the doctrines of the church. Usually they are weekend courses and sometimes they just require a few meetings with the priest himself, since you are a devout person, he may just give you readings and instructions and just welcome you in. You will not be able to have the sacraments (communion being one) until you are baptised into the church as a Catholic.

It all depends on the priest as he has to follow the rules and is accountable also to the arch-bishop of the RC church.

There is nothing DEMANDING about the church other than you attend mass and be a good Christian.

It's all the other churches that bleed you dry. Mind you the RC church gives to many charities and asks at Sunday mass that you help to support them. Remember though that money for the church and for charities come from donations from the parish but no one should be arm-twisting you into donating if you don't have the money. It's not a church for the rich and famous like many of the TV money grabbing religious churches are.

PS the sacraments are (if I recall them right) baptism, reconciliation, communion, confirmation, marriage, last rites and I can't remember the last, becoming a priest perhaps.

Basically the priest wants you to have an understanding of the churches expectations of these sacraments and what they mean, and the teachings of Jesus, before converting you into the faith. The church believes in canonisation and prayer to the saints too whereas other religions do not.

Good for you for caring enough about your spiritual wellbeing to save yourself and find peace in today's world of lost souls.

Answer 3

I worked as a secretary in the Rectory office of a catholic church for 26 years and I can tell you that the best way to join a church is to go regularly to a church in your boundaries and make yourself known by introducing yourself to the pastor after mass. Parishioners support the church so yes, if you can afford to contribute something each week, it certainly would be put to good use, but in no way would it stop you from being a member. Registration cards are easy to get if you really want to become a member. If you have a good reason for not liking one particular priest, call the rectory and ask what priest are saying each mass. They have a schedule by Friday each week. If that still doesn't work, choose another church that is more to your liking. Good luck on finding your place.

Answer 4

Sounds like you are already Catholic. If so....VERY easy....walk into the parish office and fill out a registration form.

Then make an appointment to see the priest for a general Confession. Since you haven't been to Mass in 5 years, I'm guessing you haven't been to Confession either.....and item #1 you confess is "I haven't been to Mass in 5 years."

Father will lead you through the process- ask him to help with the examination of conscience- or use this one:

Fr Larry's

SINS THAT NEED TO BE CONFESSED

Abortion

Adultery

All use of illegal drugs

Any dealing with occult, IE. Ouija boards

Artificial Birth Control

Blasphemy: disrespect toward God or toward His Holy Name.

Breaking promises deliberately

Bringing dishonor to family, school, community, or the Church.

Calumny: telling lies about another.

Despair: To believe that God will refuse to forgive you

Destruction of other people’s property

Detraction: Telling an unkind truth about another

Disobedience toward parents/teachers

Drunkenness, including any drinking under the age of 21

Excessive materialism

Gluttony: eating or drinking to excess

Gossip: talking about others

Hatred

Homosexual actions

Impure thoughts

Indifference to good or evil

Ingratitude

Intentional violation of school rules

Jealousy

Laziness

Lying

Malice: The deliberate choice of evil

Masturbation: impure actions with yourself

Missing Mass on any Sunday or Holyday

Murder

NOT PRAYING EVERYDAY

Not giving to the poor and the Church

Premarital sex, including oral sex, intercourse, impure touching of another

Presumption: Sinning and saying God MUST forgive me.

Pride

Prostitution

Reckless driving that endangers you, passengers, or others

Rudeness

Selfishness

Stealing

Superstition

Unjustified anger

Using others for your own personal gain

Watching or looking at pornographic material

Answer 5

Call the church office about registering.

Answer 6

You contact a psychiatrist near you and tell him about your delusional mental disorder symptoms coming back. He will treat you with zyprexa (use only as directed). You will then be able to lead a normal life, free of religious superstitions and delusions.

Answer 7

Just go! You forget though, our hearts are where God resides and that is your church not a building (even though the Catholics have awesome structures). Being with others that worship help, though.

Answer 8

Contact the church about their RCIA program

Answer 9

Easy just give them....10 percent of your salary be available for 1 weekend a month to work around the church (cleaning collecting bingo) and get led around by the nose !!!

Answer 10

contact the churc office and ask for envelopes