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'm not sure about shaking hands at the Sign of Peace. It was discontinued during Covid times. Has it come back ?

Ha ha!

Technically, a child receiving RC communion after a CofE (for example) Baptism is now Catholic, although they've just had their FHC without the fancy frock and party.

And anybody can baptise somebody if they have the requisite intention to do so and they feel it is a necessity (presumably not having an emergency Priest stashed in a cupboard counts as a necessity for some) because the Sacrament is from the Holy Spirit, not the person doing it. Canon Law is rather accommodating in that respect.

But this, as you know, an Ecumenical Matter. 😄

Ask the stewards at the back where to sit too as people often gave their favourite benches and you might get glared at if you sit in someone’s seat!
if your client hasn’t made their first communion they won’t be able to take communion either! I like mass as it’s the only hour of quiet reflection I get in the week together with a chance to sing!

No need to genuflect in a protestant church. Roman Catholics do it because they believe that God is present in the host contained in the tabernacle. Protestants don't believe that, the bread for communion is just that, bread.

Don't wear linen. You'll be wrecked after the standing sitting kneeling.

Mass is only 45 minutes

It doesn't sound like she's going to ancient Italy
OP hair covering is not a thing at mass, as for dress code - smart casual type is fine.
Arrive a little early and sit somewhere in the middle so you can see what others are doing.

Communion - line up like everyone else ... bow your head and cross your arms - left hand goes to right shoulder, right hand goes to left shoulder , the priest will bless you and you then return to your seat.
There's a lot of standing then sitting then kneeling ... Just copy the rows in front of you, you'll be fine x

This happened to us at a nices's first communion. It was a very wide church and we were directed to the front in one of the side sections. All the family on our side are lapsed protestant so hadnt a clue what to do. We were a bit behind on all manoeuvres!!

Oh sooo pleased someone has said this!

Definitely don't sit near the front. I grew up in a fanatical Irish Catholic family and God forbid if you ever sat in "Their seats."🙄. The "Regulars" behave as if they own the place.

I go back as far as the head covering and Latin only masses so loads of ancient experience. Am most definitely lapsed these days.

That's shocking! How many times? I've only ever ever seen it go round during the offertory

Oh I meant to quote a pp who said don't sit at the front!!

@NeverDropYourMooncup - Technically, a child receiving RC communion after a CofE (for example) Baptism is now Catholic, although they've just had their FHC without the fancy frock and party.

I don't think so, unless they believe in all the transubstaniation stuff. Taking communion is partly to show you are in communion with the teachings of the Catholic Church so a protestant child would not be in communion with those. Baptism into a related church isn't enough.

Love your username by the way. I assume it is the voice of sad experience?

At least it was at the side.

One of the funniest things I ever saw in a church was at my aunt's funeral. Five of the 6 remaining siblings were committed atheists. The 6th wasn't exactly dedicated but knew the moves. As the chief mourners, along with my cousin, her son, they were all in the front row. The one who knew what to do was at the end of the pew. It was like a Mexican wave every time there was a stand up/sit down/kneel.

The rest of the cousins were in the rows behind them. We couldn't make eye contact for fear of laughing.

Just go to Confession ... Clean soul afterwards
lol

There's no collection box going around in our church because of Covid. But you can tap and go

Of course you can

cover cleavage, no mini skirts or bare legs but shoulders/arms is fine if it’s a hot day

when communion happens (everyone starts walking to the front for bread & wine) you can stay sat in your seat, if you need to accompany your client to the altar then cross your arms over your chest and the priest will bless you. After the blessing (he makes the sign of the cross over you and mutters a few words), step to the left and follow the flow of traffic

kneel and stand when others do

kneel briefly before entering a pew (but nobody will mind if you forget)

you can usually borrow a missal from the front to keep up with the refrains if you want to. Again, if you don’t want to, it’s no big deal and nobody will notice

holy water is at the front you might see people dipping their hand in it and signing the cross - totally optional, do it if you fancy joining in & not if you dont

priest often stands to greet people at the end - chat if you like, not if you don’t

Some of this is over the top. The collection box doesn’t go round multiple times
i haven’t noticed anyone being precious about where they sit, but when I went with my son who has Tourette’s I always tried to sit at the end of the row - so he could leave if he wanted to.
There is no handshake of Peace - due to Covid - but people nod to each other.
Yes, there’s a lot of up and down, but due to Covid I can hardly remember what happens when.
Just dress decently, be respectful and no one will think twice. Catholics travel and go to a different Church on holiday - there’s quite often visitors - you should just be welcomed.
There should be a book or pamphlet for you to follow. Mass lasts an hour max, and quite often is shorter
I really think some prejudices are showing through on his thread.

It will not be 90 minutes!

😂

I used to feel like this in a Protestant Church!

Word of advice - when they start shaking hands they are saying 'peace be with you' not 'bishu wishu'

Oh, just saw they don't shake hands anymore because of Covid!

I agree with pp - no hair coverings since Vatican II concluded in the sixties.
Just be respectful, that is all.

Mantilla.
At school we were given black lace ones.

The archangels will smite you and your family will suffer bunions.
Or nothing.