I’m going to a Catholic Church on Sunday. Is there anything I need to be aware of?

[TheLightSideOfTheMoon]

Support Worker, taking one of my peeps for the first time.

I’ve not been into a Catholic Church before and don’t want to offend anyone or make any faux pas.

Is there a dress code? Anything else I need to be aware of?

Thank you!

No dress code, but I wouldn't go with the arse hanging out of my jeans either.

You can receive a blessing at communion time if you wish, but you can not take communion.

If you are bringing a child that needs distraction soft toys not wooden ones, nobody in our church minds children but they hate extraneous noise.

Depends how traditional it is, but to be on the safe side...

No bare shoulders
No cleavage
No bare knees
No offensive slogans on clothing

If it is a very traditional church you might find they prefer women to have their hair covered, so if you want to be v careful, pop a scarf in your bag.

But honestly OP, you're probably overthinking it. Dress like a rational, respectful adult and you'll be fine.

Be aware the Lord's prayer is slightly different from C of E, catches me out every time .😂

Yep - don't take communion. If you need to take your ward up for communion, cross your arms over your chest and the priest will know you're not taking communion and will bless you instead. No explanation necessary.

I don't know what you do if you don't want a blessing, but have to take someone else up!

I've been to loads of Catholic funerals and no one has had their hair covered.

I’m too old to have my arse hanging out of my jeans. Mostly in knee length dresses this weather.

No child, but taking someone who does make a lot of noise - however there isn’t much I can do about it.

What’s Communion Time? How does that work?Can I just take the person I’m with up and explain that I’m there for her, not myself? Or is that rude?

They usually explain this beforehand.

Stand when everyone else does. Kneel when they do sit when they do. When everybody starts shaking hands dont be surprised just go with it. No dress code . Try not to sweat it. My DH said he felt like he had a neon sign above his head that said "PROTESTANT" 😆 nobody noticed or cared if they did notice.

That's lovely you are enabling them to do that. I hope it is a time you can pause and reflect too in whatever way helps you, as well as it being work. I don't go to a Catholic church but maybe Catholic people can help. The songs will probably be on an overhead projector screen so if that would be an issue for the person you support, you might be able to ask for a book. Also, the priest should come to their seat if getting up to communion would be hard, just mention to a steward.

No dress code unless it's a wedding or another special occasion. Very casual. Anoraks, jeans, jumpers fine. The priest will hopefully guide everyone as to when to sit or stand it kneel, that's if it's Mass.
You can sit during the kneeling part if you want. Whatever suits.
There's Communion at every Mass which is a small round white wafer. Your person may want to go up and get that. The priest or lay helper stands at the front and people queue up and the server places it into the person's hand and then the person puts it in their mouth. Just copy other people.
It'll be fine.

Been a while since I lapsed, but do they still do the Peace Be With You thing where you turn around and shake the hand of the people sitting next to you and behind you? OMG I used to squirm when I was a teen at that.

Communion time is when you go to the alter for bread and wine. You can't really say anything at that point. Maybe stand away from the alter if you don't want a blessing, or ask someone if the priest can go to the pew the person you are accompanying will be sitting in instead.

I was brought up Catholic, I went yo a Covent primary school ,nobody ever covered their hair.

Tbf the only time I've ever seen the hair covering rule is in ancient Italian churches, but wanted to put it in there just in case.

One of the silver linings of Covid is you probably won't need to shake hands with people when you exchange the peace.

Take a pillow. It’ll be 90 minutes of your life you’ll never get back.

We sometimes have people from a local home come along independently, it would be nice if someone came with them, even just at the start as they don't always get the time right. Don't worry if they make a noise, God doesn't care, even if some people might. I would be glad someone was there and that their carer was considerate enough to facilitate it. A church in a town near us has a special group for adults with a learning disability, if this would be relevant you could help them look out for something like this.

Communion is towards the end of mass
Maybe just phone ti church to explain your circumstances?
My mum is very physically disabled and somebody comes to their house to give her communion .

Stick your phone on silent 🤫

Genuflect - bend one knee and bless yourself - before you enter the row that you're sitting in.

90 minutes?
I haven't been to mass for years admittedly but it was usually less than an hour ,even my sisters Catholic wedding with a mass during the ceremony wasn't 90 minutes

If it is a very traditional church you might find they prefer women to have their hair covered, so if you want to be v careful, pop a scarf in your bag.

Unless you're going to a tridentine (latin) mass, scarf wearing is not a thing any more. Hasn't been for decades and decades. The Tridentine mass is not allowed without permission from the bishop and has other restrictions on it so the odds of you ending up in one of those is miniscule.

Re communion - if you go up with your charge and just stand behind them, you will be fine. You can do the arms crossed thing for a blessing if you want but I wouldn't bother. Just shake your head at the priest if they attempt to give you anything.

You'll know it's communion time when everyone has up to the altar and queues up for it. Usually people line up along the altar but sometimes they give it out as people reach the top of the queue. Just watch and follow.

That dress code above is OTT. Clean clothes, not clubbing stuff. We will shake hands wishing each other “Peace be with you”. Yes, our Our Father is in two parts. Yes to crossing your chest to have a blessing at Communion. Just put one hand over the other shoulder if you need to keep one hand on your mate so he doesn’t wander off. Check before leaving home if your mate does actually take Communion. There is a bit of standing, sitting , kneeling in rotation. Just keep your mate sitting quietly if you think that’s the best way to go.

We aren’t scary, I promise.

No need to do that unless you are catholic.

You don't need to bless yourself if you're not a Catholic yourself unless you want to. I'm a protestant Christian and wouldn't do this. The person is going as part of their job, you can be respectful but don't have to do things you don't personally believe in. So you can be there but don't have to take part in communion or blessings if it makes you uncomfortable. I would stand/ sit/ kneel if I was able to but if I was asked to go to a mosque for my work I wouldn't feel I had to actively take part ie say prayers. You might enjoy the singing, it's up to you. I wouldn't judge someone not singing or saying the prayers.