New to Catholicism and have a few questions please.

OliverC

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Hello all
I was baptised at birth, but was not educated in Catholicism. I have decided to try and understand it with the aim of continuing with the Catholic church. I have some basic questions, I hope they are acceptable in this section.

1) How do I introduce myself to the local priest. At mass he arrives then leaves through a back door. I guess there is an office time? When is the best time to attend and present myself?

2) At the mass I haven't gone up to take the bread because I am hesitant if I should or not. Someone told me that you shouldn't if you have sinned?

3) I would like to read a book which covers the basic to advanced theology and practice. What would you recommend if you had to recommend one book?
I have looked at the Catholic Bookshelf link, but there is a lot to choose from and finance restricts me to one or two books max at the moment.


Thank you

I looked through the FAQ (there is a looping link: Doctrine, Dogma, Discipline...WHAT?)
 

Forge3

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He leaves through a back door? Get the number of the parish so you can call him on the phone to arrange a meeting. Priest need to be available to their community. Have you been baptized? Have you gone though RCIA? RCIA is a good way to learn. And the Bible is the core book. You may look for a Catechism of the Catholic faith. Learn the baswics first and move vto the advanced. If you are hesitant to receive the Eucharist because of sin go to confession and with contrition confess your sins.
 
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ivebeenshown

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Hello all
I was baptised at birth, but was not educated in Catholicism. I have decided to try and understand it with the aim of continuing with the Catholic church. I have some basic questions, I hope they are acceptable in this section.
Hi!! :wave:

1) How do I introduce myself to the local priest. At mass he arrives then leaves through a back door. I guess there is an office time? When is the best time to attend and present myself?
This will best be asked at the parish; maybe introduce yourself to some parishioners and see how that parish operates.

2) At the mass I haven't gone up to take the bread because I am hesitant if I should or not. Someone told me that you shouldn't if you have sinned?
The Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion is the very body and blood of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. For this reason, we must be reconciled to God and forgiven for our sins so that we might worthily partake of Jesus.

3) I would like to read a book which covers the basic to advanced theology and practice. What would you recommend if you had to recommend one book?
I have looked at the Catholic Bookshelf link, but there is a lot to choose from and finance restricts me to one or two books max at the moment.
The Catechism is a great resource, and there are many 'beginner-friendly' versions or takes on it that are approved for reading by the faithful. I wish I could name for you the book which I was given in initiation, but I have since returned it.

I am as of yet not confirmed, but I love this faith and will the best towards anyone who is seeking to become part of it!
 
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OliverC

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Hi Forge and ivebeenshown, thanks for the replies! I will try to answer you both in one response.

I have just come across RCIA today, so will look into it. The parish runs bible classes and classes on Christology. I will take ivebeenshown suggestion to ask others about meeting the priest then too (or at the classes if I can attend next week).

The church has a door or exist to the side of the altar, so the priest goes through there at the end.

I was baptized at birth (about 2 days old), but received minimal education in Christianity.

I will look into buying a copy of the Catechism or a beginner-friendly introduction to it, that is a good idea!

From your reply I understand it is OK to start taking the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion.

There are lots of things I don't understand. I plan to keep going until I do. :)

ivebeenshown, thanks for the good will and encouragement.
 
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Hello all
I was baptised at birth, but was not educated in Catholicism. I have decided to try and understand it with the aim of continuing with the Catholic church. I have some basic questions, I hope they are acceptable in this section.

God bless you and may you always remain close to His Sacred Heart.

1) How do I introduce myself to the local priest. At mass he arrives then leaves through a back door. I guess there is an office time? When is the best time to attend and present myself?

Firstly, because of the huge crisis of faith and the rampant heresy found in 90% of Catholic parishes today, I suggest you find a traditional chapel to go to. Find a chapel within your distance run by a traditional group such as the Society of St. Pius X, the Fraternity of St. Peter, and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. If these groups are no where close, try and find the most traditional parish near you.

At most parishes you can meet the priest following Holy Mass, whether that's at "coffee and tea" or simply in the presbytery. If that doesn't work out (which is very unlikely), you can try organize meeting him via phone or email.

2) At the mass I haven't gone up to take the bread because I am hesitant if I should or not. Someone told me that you shouldn't if you have sinned?

Well, firstly it's not "bread". Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.

3) I would like to read a book which covers the basic to advanced theology and practice. What would you recommend if you had to recommend one book?
I have looked at the Catholic Bookshelf link, but there is a lot to choose from and finance restricts me to one or two books max at the moment.

I don't know what you mean by "advanced theology", but you must read the catechisms. The "Catechism of St. Pius X" is absolutely essential, and easy to understand, so that must be your first priority. Your second priority should be the "Baltimore Catechism" set 1-4. The Baltimore Catechism starts off simple and gets more complicated later on. Your third priority should be the "Catechism of the Council of Trent", which is generally more complicated. They are all very important to have.

Thank you

No problem, and God bless you!

I looked through the FAQ (there is a looping link: Doctrine, Dogma, Discipline...WHAT?)

You will learn what those terms mean from the Catechisms. :cool:
 
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Ave Maria

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Hello all
I was baptised at birth, but was not educated in Catholicism. I have decided to try and understand it with the aim of continuing with the Catholic church. I have some basic questions, I hope they are acceptable in this section.

1) How do I introduce myself to the local priest. At mass he arrives then leaves through a back door. I guess there is an office time? When is the best time to attend and present myself?

2) At the mass I haven't gone up to take the bread because I am hesitant if I should or not. Someone told me that you shouldn't if you have sinned?

3) I would like to read a book which covers the basic to advanced theology and practice. What would you recommend if you had to recommend one book?
I have looked at the Catholic Bookshelf link, but there is a lot to choose from and finance restricts me to one or two books max at the moment.


Thank you

I looked through the FAQ (there is a looping link: Doctrine, Dogma, Discipline...WHAT?)

For question number 1, you should address him as Father "Williams" but replace "Williams" with whatever his last name is. For example, if his name is John Doe you'd address him as Fr. Doe. That is the most proper way to address a priest whom you are not familiar with. As you get to know him better he may be comfortable with you addressing him as Fr. John instead but I think it is more proper to address him by Father and then his last name.

When you introduce yourself to him just say "Hello Father Doe (replace Doe with his actual last name). My name is John Ackerman (or whatever your name is). In other words, introduce yourself to him as you would any other person. You might also shake his hand when you first meet him, especially if he offers you his hand.

As for number 2, you should wait until you have been catechized and then received the Sacrament of Confirmation which it sounds like you have not been Confirmed yet. Also, its not just bread, its the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. If your priest gives you permission to receive the Most Holy Eucharist before Confirmation then you can go ahead and do as he says.

Also, if you are in a state of mortal sin then you cannot receive the Eucharist until you have gone to Confession. Seeing as how you have never practiced your faith in the past, it is likely that you need to go to Confession. I am not saying you are immoral but this is often the case with people who haven't practiced their faith in a long time. Everyone commits mortal sins every now and then and if you haven't been to Confession then you should not receive the Eucharist until first having gone to Confession. Do not go to Confession until your priest gives you permission to do so for the first time. It would be best for you to be properly catechized first.

As for number three, here are a few different books that I recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Cat...8-1&keywords=Catechism+of+the+Catholic+Church

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults: US Conference of Catholic Bishops: 9781574554502: Amazon.com: Books

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,Pope Benedict XVI: 9781574557206: Amazon.com: Books

Catholicism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality)): Rev. John Trigilio Jr.,Rev. Kenneth Brighenti: 9781118077788: Amazon.com: Books

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith: Robert Barron: 9780307720511: Amazon.com: Books

This Is the Faith: A Complete Explanation of the Catholic Faith: Canon Francis Ripley: 9780895556424: Amazon.com: Books

May God bless you on your journey to the Catholic Church.
 
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chilehed

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Here's an online catechism, at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Here's an online Catholic Encyclopedia.

There are a lot of good resources available at Catholic Answers. Don't miss the archive of radio shows.

Peter Kreeft has an excellent lecture series, some for sale but others are free. He also has a podcast on iTunes.

Advanced theology? You can't get more advanced than the Summa Theologica, by St. Thomas Acquinas. It's not easy... Kreeft wrote an excellent summary of the key passages.

Here's a link to Papal Encyclicals Online.

I highly recommend anything written by St. Therese of Lisieux, especially The Story of a Soul.
 
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Anhelyna

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Aum - let someone from the UK try and help a bit.

1) Contact the priest directly - either phone him [ you may get a helper in the Parish Office or you may get the Priest himself answering the phone ] and ask for an appointment to meet him. Explain that you do want to meet him to talk over personal things .

2) Don't worry at this point about finding a more traditional parish as has been suggested - they are not that easy to find in the UK , but are usually in most Dioceses.
Go to the Parish nearest where you live .

3) Please when you are attending Mass do not got forward when others go to Receive Communion - you may be Baptised [ the Priest will want to check that himself ] but you have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation so until You have made your First Confession you may not receive Holy Communion - you are not as yet a full member of the Church . Please ask the Priest if you may go forward for a blessing during Communion - some Dioceses [ and therefore all the Priests in that Diocese ] allow this , some don't - so please ask.

4) Don't buy any books till you have met the Priest and/or attended the first RCIA meeting - you will find out then what they want you to use as you start this journey of looking into Catholic education

5) You say the Priest goes into a door at the end of Mass - this is probably into the Sacristy - which is where the Sacred vessels are stored and also his Vestments [ the Robes he wears for celebrating Mass ]

I hope this helps a little - too much information can be overwhelming at the beginning
 
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OliverC

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I am curious as to why you chose the name Aum. That is the sacred sound of the universe as understood by Hindus.

Yes, that is good knowledge! Although not Indian, I have been studying Hinduism for about 4 years now and it was the religion which brought me to God. It is still an influence but I am starting to find my feet in Christianity. Do other religions interest you?
 
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MyLordIsMyLife

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Hello brother,

I was Hindu and converted to Catholicism, and I love the Catholic Faith because it is holy and true!

Communion is so beautiful. Usually Catholics need training (RCIA in your case) before going to Communion for the first time.
 
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