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!

I also wouldn't worry about your charge being in a 'state of grace' that's for them to decide. I haven't been to confession in 3 years and I will still revive communion. It's between me and God.

I haven't been to confession in decades so I don't take communion.

I’m pretty sure you only do that if you’re Catholic?

I haven't gone to confession since 1984 and I have not taken communion since because I was told not to until I go to confession.

If I go into a non-Catholic church I always umm and aah over genuflecting. I'm never sure if it's just something Catholics do!

Just out of interest, what happens if you take communion in a Catholic church and you're not a Catholic?

Asking for a friend who was a child at the time😬

Nothing very much my sister had a full Catholic Church service during her wedding ,her now ex husbands brother had communion despite having never been to church in his life!
As he didn't know he shouldn't!

Yeah, I mean, I am Catholic so it's completely normal for me but I feel weird going into another church and not doing it, just sitting down at my pew feels wrong.

Our priest can crack it out in just over ten minutes. Can't understand a word he says and it's small so communion doesn't take long.

I've never had a 90 minute mass unless Easter / Christmas etc.

That wouldn't have been a sunday mass though?

Longest I was at was the bloody bishop decided to do a guest appearance and do the mass. He loved the sound of his own voice. 1 hour and 45 minutes in to it my mother decided we should abandon it as the roast would be ruined otherwise.

As a teenager I always sat as for some reason I had a habit of fainting if I knelt for long periods. No one cared.

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.

Unless you are going to a Catholic Church c 1952, this is bollox

When everybody starts shaking hands

There's no shaking hands since Covid

Almost no-one does this either.

I grew up catholic in England. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Ireland that the service lasted about 25 mins

Haha Ursula yes, in Ireland you're certain to find at least one speedy priest who'll knock the Mass out in under half an hour.

40 minutes is about the max!

Some do, some don't. I'd say here in Italy most will at certain parts of the mass ("the gospel according to" bit for example) but there's not all the genuflecting that seems to be going on in the UK, curiously.

Don't over think it, dress comfortably. If your charge is likely to be noisy or cause a disturbance why not mention it to the priest or deacon at the door just to warn them, they won't mind.

There's usually a collection if it's a Sunday service, ignore it if you want. In most areas (UK) the collection goes to the diocese for the upkeep of churches etc. (Priests are usually provided with their accommodation & expenses plus a small amount for spending. (Last time I spoke to a priest about it he got about £10 a week) I think he also got to keep the Easter collection for personal use. Not a job for people looking for big earnings.

Yes, ours are about 40 mins max. The Saturday evening ones which is when the elderly parishioners tend to go is done and dusted in about half an hour.

In the 80,s when I used to go to mass we always went yo the Sunday evening Mass, the priest who was very theatrical and loved the sound of his own voice ,used to be done in about 30-40 minutes
His morning masses which were always packed were maybe 50-60 minutes!

I get that posters here are trying to be helpful but unless you regularly go to Catholic services in the present time, it's likely your information is completely wrong.

Even the 'arse hanging out of your trousers' - people in Ireland go in all states of dress & otherwise. There really really isn't a dress code.

It's not in the least bit rude to stay sitting. The only thing to remember is to lean forward a little bit to allow the person kneeling behind you to lean against the back of your pew.

You will get struck down by lightning. It may just be a slow moving bolt for your "friend". You should expect it any day now.