Posted on 09/16/2014 5:21:54 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
1. Fast before Mass. It is Church law that one fasts for at least 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine can be consumed, of course. The purpose is to help us prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
2. No Food and Drink in Church. The exceptions would be a drink for small children, water for the priest or choir (if discreet) and water for those who are ill. Bringing a snack into church is not appropriate, because we want to set the church apart as a place of prayer and reflection.
3. Men take your hats off. It is impolite to wear a hat into a church for a man. While this is a cultural norm, it is one that we ought to follow closely. Just as we take off hats for the Pledge of Allegiance, we do so in church too; as a sign of respect.
4. Don't chew gum in church. It breaks your fast, it’s distracting, it is consider impolite in a formal setting, and it doesn't help us pray better. Can you imagine the Pope popping gum in during Mass?
5. Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering and leaving the church. This is a reminder of our Baptism, which made us members of Christ's Church. Just try to remain mindful of what is happening when you do so and don't do it without saying a prayer.
6. Dress modestly and appropriately. Wear your Sunday Best. As Catholics we believe that God comes down to meet us at every Mass. So, why would we not dress up?
7. Show up at least a few minutes early. If for some reason you can't be on time, then try to sit in the back so you don't disturb others. Getting to Mass early allows you to pray and prepare yourself better for Mass.
8. Cell phones should never be used in Mass for calls or texting. The exceptions are emergencies (big ones, not everyday ones) and if you do use one, please walk out of church to do so. Also, if you are using the phone for readings or prayers, this is appropriate, but try to be discreet.
9. Don't sit on the edge of the pew if you sit down before others. Rather, sit in the middle so others don't have to climb over you. Furthermore - Gentlemen offer their seats to a any lady (elderly, disabled, etc) who must stand. Some churches, like ours, get packed. We live in Texas (Howdy!). In Texas men don't sit when a woman is standing.
10. When we enter and leave Church, genuflect toward the Tabernacle. Christ is present for our sake. By allowing our right knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He is our Lord and God. If someone is physically unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient. During Mass, if you pass in front of the altar or tabernacle, bow reverently.
11. Please be quiet while in church. Once you enter the sanctuary - it is not the time or place to visit with those around you. If you must talk do so as quietly and briefly as possible. Remember that your conversation might be disturbing someone who is in prayer, which is much more important. Sssshhhhhhhh.
12. Take loud children to the back. Every parent knows that sometimes the baby is going to have a bad day. Don't make everyone else's day bad as well. Sit on the end of a pew, if you can, and take the kid to the back quickly. Don't wait too long before you make a move. There is no reason to be embarrassed about having to quiet your child in the back of the church. It is worse to allow them to disturb Mass continually.
13. Prepare your offering before Mass. Christ tells us not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing when you make your offering. Keeping the basket while you get your wallet out can sometimes become quite a scene.
14. No bulletin reading during Mass. Imagine if you invited a guest to your house and before dinner (or during) they decided to read a magazine instead of talking to you. That is what is happening in God's house when you read the bulletin.
15. Respect Boundaries others may have. You might want to hold hands to pray, they may not. They might be sick and not want to shake during the sign of peace. These are all OK. Do not make any unnecessary judgment because they worship differently.
16. Bow before receiving Holy Communion. If it is God, then show your respect with a bow of the head. This is an ancient practice that has continued until this day.
17. Do not receive from the chalice if you are sick. This is an act of charity and it is not necessary to receive in order to receive the entirety of Jesus' body, blood, soul, and divinity.
18. Do not leave early. We should stay to the end of the recession and the hymn that accompanies it, if there is one. While there are certainly exceptions to this guideline, most who leave early don't need to and ought not to.
19.Pray after Mass, if you feel called to do so. It is a good custom, though not required, to offer a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass is over.
20. Leave quietly. We encourage you to visit with others, but once you are outside of the main sanctuary of the church so you won't disturb others who want to stay and pray. So, please leave quietly and then have then visit afterward.
Catholic Confirmations border on chaos, because of the crowd that shows up. Most important thing! No one is watching you, they are all on their own trip so don't worry about it. No one will likely know that you are not Catholic and they won't care.
+1 :)
So they do Communion at a confirmation? Okay, thanks All for everyone’s input. R/Janey
I appreciate everyone’s answer to my question. I feel lots more confident. R/Janey
Seriously don't worry about it. It's not like the movies, but sometimes I wish it were that solemn. But people are people, if you know what I mean? I had the same concerns when I was invited to my friends wedding. They were Jewish, lovely wedding!
have you ever been asked not to? Never happened to me; but then again, there are many more churches i haven’t been to than those i have
Bkmk
....And often when it comes to RCIA, at the Easter vigil, when it is a new Catholic who receives all 3 sacraments of initation, baptism, confirmation, and eucharist. Then the priest is allowed to confirm the new Catholic then.
When it is canidiates, those who were either baptized in other churches or Catholics finishing up their initation sacraments, then a priest has to get the bishop/archbishop’s permision, because the practice is to send the new Catholics over to the cathedral for confirmation of adults.
Yes, the Church I go to asks that we recieve only in the hand during flu season.
The Pope wears his hat in church.
What's up with that?
That’s very pretty and I see nothing wrong with wearing it.
He takes it off during Mass and puts it back on when he leaves.
ohhhh - yeah, i can see that....
I was raised Pentecostal and was never exposed to Catholicism until I married Hubby. His whole family was Catholic. His aunt was a nun and his sister was a parish coordinator at one of the large churches here. I got to know some of the nuns and the main priest there pretty well.
I have been to full on latin funeral masses, Spanish funeral masses and out of curiosity stayed for a mass at the Santa Barbara mission which is the prettiest one I have been too. They still do old style masses.
http://www.santabarbaramission.org/
I always just sit and observe while all the Catholics do their thing. I love observing people period. Just enjoy it.
Personally I want to sit in back but the family will want to be as close to the front as possible. I’ll survive. LOL
Hi, Albion, well, you did say “usually” re the Communion. And that’s a 100% no-no. Never, ever!!!!
I have RC friends who get upset that their non-RC friends can’t take Communion at their church. They don’t seem to comprehension that the understanding of and belief in the nature of the Eucharist is a primary dividing line btn the RCC and all other Christian churches, and that it’s fundamental to what the RCC is. When I go to a family wedding/funeral in a RC church, I do not take communion out of respect for that faith. I know, tho, that others don’t respect that RC caveat.
I think you need to visit your VA relatives. Soon. Or just come for a visit.
I learned that it is appropriate to wait until the priest has left. The hymn has nothing to do with it.
To begin with, the men don’t wear beanies.
I apologize for the music, and I'm 90% certain this apology will be necessary.
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