What's Involved in Coming Back?

[ALoveDivine]

So I was born into a Catholic family, baptized as an infant, was catechized, and I remember receiving first communion, so I'm assuming I was also confirmed though I don't really remember it. I dropped out of the church for a long time and became an atheist for much of my life, until I truly found Christ and came to personal faith five years ago. I've been in the nondenominational crowd since that time.

Recently, having studied the early church Fathers and church history in general, and having a deep love and admiration for Pope Francis, I find myself drawn back to the Catholic Church. I've also found a great parish downtown which I plan on visiting for mass this Sunday. My question is this;

Since I've gone through baptism, confirmation, and first communion as a kid, what else would be required of me to come back into the church?

 

[Fish and Bread]

Confession on Saturday and then receiving communion at Sunday mass. You're back.

You'll also want to fill out a form to join the parish, but that's a paperwork requirement, not a theology requirement. You're back as soon as you confess, get absolved, do your penance, and receive communion in a state of grace.

If it turns out you're not confirmed, they'll want to set that up with you and may try to shift you into RCIA (A series of classes). But if you're confirmed, you can just do the above. And if you're not, you just need to do the above and then set up a path towards being confirmed with your parish priest.

Calling the parish office and setting up a meeting with a priest may be a good idea in any event. I'm sure you have a lot of questions he can answer.

 

[Rhamiel]

what F&B said
if you are already confirmed, you just have to go to confession and then you are back to being a Catholic in good standing

if you have not received the sacrament of confirmation, then you might need to go to RCIA or atleast have a few meetings with your local priest so he can know you are ready for the sacrament

RCIA or just a long talk with your local priest, might be a good idea even if you have already been confirmed

 

[Meowzltov]

WELCOME HOME!!!! Hallelujah! You are just a confession away from Eucharist.

You might feel more comfortable having a visit with the parish priest just to get to know him and him to know you. Some Catholic parishes have groups for returning Catholics; you might want to call the parish office to see.

I agree with the above post. Check into whether you completed that confirmation, and if necessary, have fun taking care of things.

I'm so excited for you!

 

[mark46]

Most parishes have Welcome Home groups.

 

[LivingWordUnity]

So I was born into a Catholic family, baptized as an infant, was catechized, and I remember receiving first communion, so I'm assuming I was also confirmed though I don't really remember it. I dropped out of the church for a long time and became an atheist for much of my life, until I truly found Christ and came to personal faith five years ago. I've been in the nondenominational crowd since that time.

Recently, having studied the early church Fathers and church history in general, and having a deep love and admiration for Pope Francis, I find myself drawn back to the Catholic Church. I've also found a great parish downtown which I plan on visiting for mass this Sunday. My question is this;

Since I've gone through baptism, confirmation, and first communion as a kid, what else would be required of me to come back into the church?

You should make an appointment to talk with the priest at your local parish, and explain to him what you did to us.

By the way, welcome back.

 

[benedictaoo]

About confirmation, its not strictly needed to be a practicing Catholic. It's more like
you as an adult making the choice for yourself to confirm you in the faith to follow Christ and His Chuch. At confirmation the bishop will lay hands on you for you to receive the Holy Spirit in which this is what we consider being "baptized" (for a lack of a better word) with the Holy Spirit. By the laying on of hands we're set on fire to be soldiers of Christ, to fight the good fight of faith and to stay on the straight and narrow path we have chosen. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit at water baptism to sanctify us at and at confirmation the Holy Spirit overshadows us and fills us with Christian courage. It's our own personal Pentecost.

 

[WarriorAngel]

So I was born into a Catholic family, baptized as an infant, was catechized, and I remember receiving first communion, so I'm assuming I was also confirmed though I don't really remember it. I dropped out of the church for a long time and became an atheist for much of my life, until I truly found Christ and came to personal faith five years ago. I've been in the nondenominational crowd since that time.

Recently, having studied the early church Fathers and church history in general, and having a deep love and admiration for Pope Francis, I find myself drawn back to the Catholic Church. I've also found a great parish downtown which I plan on visiting for mass this Sunday. My question is this;

Since I've gone through baptism, confirmation, and first communion as a kid, what else would be required of me to come back into the church?

Check with the parish of your childhood to see if you were confirmed.
if so - you only need to go to confession.