Everything within the Catholic religion seems to be so ritualistic, down to the removal of the Pope’s red shoes and the “defacing” of his ring. Why is that? Why is it necessary?
NYer has answered you well, but to address rituals further: they bring one closer to God.
If you know anyone that is a daily-Mass variety Catholic, join them at a "daily" Mass as there are few pretenders there (or just go on your own; you're welcome to partake in everything but Communion).
I was fortunate to meet a young man (he is now my husband) who would walk miles in the blinding snow to receive Our Lord (the Eucharist!) during the week. And it was not only through him, but through the many others who attended these Masses (and of course, through Him, capital "H") that I eventually saw the intense beauty and importance of the Catholic Mass. It's now been since 1984 that I've attended daily Mass, and my husband for almost a decade more. And if anyone was to offer either one of us a million dollars to just go to Mass on Sundays, we'd laugh, scoff, and send him on his way, as there is nothing more important than the daily Eucharist.
In fact, it is what allows all the Catholic haters on forum boards/blogs, etc. to continue espousing their junk, for without the Eucharist, there would be no life on earth at all. :)
It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass. --Padre Pio