Lapsed catholic feeling drawn to return

[Ladyglittersparkleseriously]

Hi I am hoping for some guidance. I was brought up catholic but haven't practised for more than 30 years, apart from saying prayers when in difficult situations (usually medical) or at night when I couldn't sleep. In the last few months I've felt drawn to come back and am wanting a closer relationship with God. I've been saying the Rosary - it started when Pope Francis was poorly - I joined the online sessions live from the Vatican. I want to go back to the faith but I am a bit scared and don't know where to start. Should I go to confession first? Any advice gratefully received. I am mid-50s, F.

I don't know, as I'm not RC, but how lovely that you feel drawn to returning.

Local church? I bet they'd be delighted to welcome you back. Can you sit at the back of a service to get a feel, and maybe talk to a Priest afterwards?

I agree with this.
Take the pressure off yourself OP. Just do what you feel comfortable with and enjoy coming close to Jesus again.

God is Jehovah Ra-The Shepherd that looks for his flock and Jesus awaits the prodigal son to return. They happily await you to return.
Theresa of Avila is a Saint, she experienced health challenges and left the faith as such for over a decade and returned and God awaited her. She went onto to great work for the Catholic church and was seen as courageous and was made a Saint and is in heaven.
I was baptised as a Catholic as a child and attended Catholic schools to 19. Perhaps start with the Our Father and ad lib your situation and then say the prayer. You may also like the Anima Christi prayer and the Litany of the Most precious blood which I love myself for once in a while.
I am non demontional now, but still attend at times my Catholic primary school church for mid week services. Perhaps look up some in your area and consider attending if you feel ready at any service including mid week if you can.

I am due to go to Lourdes myself next month just because it is a beautiful place to go and open to the spiritual experience.

@Ladyglittersparkleseriously I am not Roman Catholic either, but would agree with @FuzzyPuffling's suggestion to speak with your local priest.

To speak to some local priests now in my opinion I have had to ring them before the service and let them that I wanted to speak to them or arrange a time out of service to meet with them. I have done both and had to book in really if I wanted to speak to them beyond the service.

I'm C of E and you certainly don't have to book in at all. During every service the Rector always welcomes new people and invites them to make themselves known to the clergy after the service if they wish.

I'm sure all churches are different, but ours active encourages questioning and discussion, and totally welcomes those in the early stages of their faith journey, or returners.

Good luck, OP. I hope you find a welcome, and answers to what you are seeking.

Thanks everyone, it's really nice of you all to comment and support me in this. I don't want to just take the 'easy' way out of not changing anything! I think I'll start with just going and sitting at the back of mass at my local church and see if the priest seems friendly. I expect I would have to book in for a chat of any length. Thanks for the lovely prayer suggestions too @Justmerach I'll look up the ones I can't remember! I went to Lourdes twice when I was younger and it was lovely, especially the candlelit processions x

If you're able to, I'd recommend going to a weekday Mass, less people so easier to get to know others.

Definitely look up confession times too, and remember you can always ask the priest for confession outside those times.

I'm sure it'll all be familiar to you once you start going.

I've just stumbled on this thread. How are you getting on OP? I hope you have managed to find somewhere where you felt at home and welcomed.

Thanks for asking after me - I've not been brave enough to go to a church yet but I've been praying more, which feels good. I will try to go to our local church over the summer. Are you a catholic?