Catholic Churches

[Forealzchola]

I have always loved how Catholic churches are always open and have so many services during the week...but my perception was that they were exclusive to catholic only..so my question is to the catholics here whats the procedure of going to a catholic church...am i allowed to take communion..I already take communion at my church..do I have to be catholic in order to go? thanks

 

[wayseer]

My understanding is that you could not. However, talk to the local priest. I attend the local Anglican church but I talk to the Roman Catholic priest from time to time and he is quite happy for me to accept communion but his superiors would not. I would not wish to breach our friendship over the issue.

 

[heron]

Since you haven't had many responses and it's Sunday morning, I'll tell you what I have experienced and heard, which may be wrong.

Friends have told me it's better to not take communion, out of respect. Since Catholics teach that the sacraments are real body and blood, and Protestants do not, a visiting Protestant would be taking communion with a different understanding, not respecting the sanctity of the elements in the same way. (That is what I was told.)

But I have been to Catholic services where others were invited to partake. I would guess that some churches will make it clear during the invitation. I think it's better to not offend, and just participate with prayer, than to stir up others' emotions.

In an Episcopal church I attended, stopping at the aisle was a sign of respect, and crossing oneself as recognition that God is there and you are in a Holy place. If you feel fake crossing yourself, then pausing is realistic and honest. Someone else told me it is declaring that your heart is sealed for Him, with the sacrifice of Christ's death.

The meanings might of these actions and representations might be different than I told you, but these are things you might miss if someone didn't mention it. I think the rest is just a matter of following the readings and what others are doing.

 

[wonderwaleye]

I have always loved how Catholic churches are always open and have so many services during the week...but my perception was that they were exclusive to catholic only..so my question is to the catholics here whats the procedure of going to a catholic church...am i allowed to take communion..I already take communion at my church..do I have to be catholic in order to go? thanks

Anyone that wishes to go into the Catholic Mass is welcome to. They will find things different as folks there use a missal during Mass that goes along with the service. Doesn't take long and you know how to do that. Now Communion is a different story. Some churches will have specifics regarding this, and rules apply. On the other hand, some churches have "open" Communion (see particular church doctrine for more info) Then before you receive Communion you must attend instruction for a Catholic church. I WAS a Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Full GOSPEL, ECT.. My walk up the road to the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD has been very interesting. You learn all about " doctrine ".
​

Now don't get the idea that I'm negative on Church. It's a GREAT place for a babe in CHRIST. Not to mention it is biblical for us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. They feed the milk you MUST have in order to become a CHRISTIAN. They are fun, have good entertainment, and offer fellowship with the training. Now if you really want to speed your walk up God's Road, you will not only attend a Christian church and sup on the milk they serve, but you will also open the New Testament and read and reread till the next time you read it you will already know what IT'S going to say. For then IT'S locked in your heart to draw from for the rest of your life. You will NEVER be sorry you did.


This is a VERY IMPORTANT step for ANY CHRISTIAN because:



" ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE "




The Church wolves will no longer like the taste of your flesh.




Then you need to devote your WHOLE life to GOD and seek HIS WILL in your every decision. GOD searches the heart and knows when this is complete and will then ANOINT you with HIS HOLY SPIRIT. ( BORN AGAIN-SAVED )




For it is then that you will become a member of the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD. THIS IS THE REAL CHURCH YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR.




But no matter where your Church journey leads you, know that they are full of NOTHING but sinners including the preacher or priest. We all have failings so make sure you keep you eyes focused on GOD.
​

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

( left click and hold over the above to see your personal message )

 

[heron]

Forealzchola, did you end up going yesterday?

 

[monmon]

Anyone that wishes to go into the Catholic Mass is welcome to. They will find things different as folks there use a missal during Mass that goes along with the service. Doesn't take long and you know how to do that. Now Communion is a different story. Some churches will have specifics regarding this, and rules apply. On the other hand, some churches have "open" Communion (see particular church doctrine for more info) Then before you receive Communion you must attend instruction for a Catholic church. I WAS a Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Full GOSPEL, ECT.. My walk up the road to the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD has been very interesting. You learn all about " doctrine ".
​

Now don't get the idea that I'm negative on Church. It's a GREAT place for a babe in CHRIST. Not to mention it is biblical for us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. They feed the milk you MUST have in order to become a CHRISTIAN. They are fun, have good entertainment, and offer fellowship with the training. Now if you really want to speed your walk up God's Road, you will not only attend a Christian church and sup on the milk they serve, but you will also open the New Testament and read and reread till the next time you read it you will already know what IT'S going to say. For then IT'S locked in your heart to draw from for the rest of your life. You will NEVER be sorry you did.


This is a VERY IMPORTANT step for ANY CHRISTIAN because:



" ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE "




The Church wolves will no longer like the taste of your flesh.




Then you need to devote your WHOLE life to GOD and seek HIS WILL in your every decision. GOD searches the heart and knows when this is complete and will then ANOINT you with HIS HOLY SPIRIT. ( BORN AGAIN-SAVED )




For it is then that you will become a member of the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD. THIS IS THE REAL CHURCH YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR.




But no matter where your Church journey leads you, know that they are full of NOTHING but sinners including the preacher or priest. We all have failings so make sure you keep you eyes focused on GOD.​

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

( left click and hold over the above to see your personal message )

I agree with you wonderwaleye. i attend a catholic church and i attended doctrine also. i also believe that once you know the truth, nothing can get in your way (i guess that's pretty much what you said hehe).

 

[Forealzchola]

Forealzchola, did you end up going yesterday?

No I didnt go yesterday its something im thinking about checking out in the future..i am not getting spiritually fed at my current church...but they do have wed night service thats a lil more advanced so hopefully that helps...and im thinking maybe the catholic church can offer more you know? because I have been to quite a few churchs and im way pas them...my dad had a 500 plus christian book library when i was a lil girl so ive read my way past the churches, past the youth group etc..and have yet to find a church on my level but i know its because as a whole the congregation isnt there yet but sometimes it just feels like church is a waste of time especially when i cant get anything from it

 

[EazyMack]

Just make sure the church teaching is Bible-based.