Where to begin with Catholicism?

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I’m 32 and mother to two DDs (age 3 and 1). I was not brought up in the religion but my parents were both baptised and are from catholic families although pretty much h all members are now non-practicing or atheist/agnostic.

I’ve always felt something was missing spiritually in my life and have always wanted to learn more about Catholicism. Since having children this has increased more as I want to provide my children with something to believe in. I want to give them a reason, a purpose - something I’ve always felt was missing being raised atheist. The problem is I have no idea where to start. I am hoping to get my children into the local catholic school but I don’t just want to rely on the school to educate them in this aspect. Apart from obviously attending church services is there anything I can watch or read (apart from the bible obviously)? I have been to some services but I feel embarrassed as I don’t know any of the hymns or rituals and don’t know when to stand or sit. I don’t know where to begin.

I'm not Catholic so can't help you on that front but I am a Christian and I think the most important thing is to focus on Jesus. Read a gospel, maybe Luke, and ask Jesus to speak to you and show you himself. He's the common ground we all have as Christians.

I would ask your local priest for advice on where to begin. Are you in England, Wales or Scotland?

And don't feel embarrassed. Catholic churches get lots of visitors.

In case this is useful:edinburghjesuit.org.uk/rcia

I would say firstly that I am a baptised Catholic, but I am today a non demontional. I attended Catholic schools primary and secondary and had a good education.

You have mentioned about liking your children to attend Catholic schools. Just today I was telling my sister in law about schooling for her chilldren. Some boroughs was seeiming to be wanting you to attend for five years before they can refer to Catholic primary school, do not delay doing what you need to do. It was not even in my area, it was the London Borough of Ealing. I tried to use find by gave up pdf, it can take time now.

I do not disagree with anything in the Catholic faith, but I am very intendent in my praying and go to other church's as they all within the body of Christ. Jesus appeared to me to be a non demontional. He called his disciples his followers etc. I attend an Anglican church today and I am not an Anglican. I am a Christian non demontional one.I like that flexibility.

I would find a local Catholic and look in their newsletter and if they have any groups go. Just recently and I still attend my childhood Catholic primary school from to time and I looked in the newsletter and saw they had groups for people who were new to the faith. Go on the website of a local and have a good look around.

There is a Church of England primary school near me as well and it appears to be a very good school as well. They have less secondary schools though Church of England at least around me.

Now if concerning matters of the afterlife, they will end up in the same place. D

I found what I read about entry to one Catholic school in Ealing. Make of it what you will.

‘Certificate of Catholic Practice’ means a certificate issued by the
family’s parish priest (or the priest in charge of the church where the
family attends Mass) in the form laid down by the Bishops’ Conference
of England and Wales. It will be issued if the priest is satisfied that at
least one Catholic parent or carer (along with the child, if he or she is
over seven years old) have (except when it was impossible to do so)
attended Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation for at least five
years (or, in the case of the child, since the age of seven, if shorter). It
will also be issued when the practice has been continuous since being
received into the Church if that occurred less than five years ago. It is
expected that most Certificates will be issued on the basis of attendance.
A Certificate may also be issued by the priest when attendance is
interrupted by exceptional circumstances which excuse from the
obligation to attend on that occasion or occasions. Further details of
these circumstances can be found in the guidance issued to priests

https://www.ealing.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/16008/ourladyofthevisitationcatholicprimaryschooladmissionspolicy2025-26.pdf

Have a look for an Order of Mass, it'll tell you what's happening when during the Mass.

Have a look at which churches have a connected primary school, it might not be right next door to the church but nearby. See if they have any with school Masses, quite possibly there will be one on Ash Wednesday so the children can receive the ashes.