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When they are available (you are not nailed to anything, are you?), and when and because you have faith in Christ, you should do what He asks us to do through His gospels, namely, * be baptized * confess your sins * obey His commandments * receive the Eucharist * do works of charity I think, as someone familiar with the gospels, you can locate the chapter and verse references for the above; if not, just ask.

IMO whether or not you do those things will not affect your status as saved. If you steadfastly refuse to follow the instructions of Christ, I think it is an indication that you do not have saving faith however none of those things are necessary for salvation. Salvation is not contingent upon our works, but is contingent solely upon God's grace and mercy.

I believe it is signifcant that the first "convert" and the first man to enter into the Kingdom with Christ was nothing more than a condemned sinner who took nothing into the Kingdom with him other than his faith in Christ.

I also think it is significant that despite the fact that he did no rituals, did not get baptized, did not confess his sins, did not partake of communion, was not given last rites, did not tithe, did not do any works of charity, nevertheless he went directly to be with the Lord that day and apparently did not spend so much as an hour in any place called Purgatory. IOW he was immediately justified and sanctified and glorified by God entirely by a single act of faith and not by any works. IOW, when Christ said "it is finished" it was finished. Your salvation is contingent upon nothing more than the finished work of Christ on the cross. IMO if someone thinks their salvation is contingent upon them helping out God or otherwise doing things which will secure their own salvation, then they are robbing God of the glory which is his alone and taking away from the sacrifice Christ made on the cross.

Your faith is made manifest in good works, but it is by faith and faith alone that your salvation is secured. That is the method by which the Thief on the cross secured his salvation. It is the method proclaimed by Christ in John 3:16 and it is the method spoken of by Paul. It is... the gospel.

I also think it is significant that despite the fact that he did no rituals, did not get baptized, did not confess his sins, did not partake of communion, was not given last rites, did not tithe, did not do any works of charity, nevertheless he went directly to be with the Lord that day

Actually, let's look at this.

He didn't get baptized, partake of communion, or tithe, nor was he given last rites (as best as we can tell, anyway). He did, however, confess his sins - he admitted before Christ that he received the punishment his sins deserved. He also did a work of charity - defending an innocent man reviled by his executors.

I don't think you can tenably argue that the thief did't do good works. Those good works are the very reason we know he was the "repentant thief." (Gee, sounds like James.)

apparently did not spend so much as an hour in any place called Purgatory.

That's another argument for another day.