Catholics- question please r.e. converting

[JohnnyTwoHats]

I have been considering Catholicism for a while- it seems to be the religion which most closely aligns with my beliefs. I used to go to a C of E church and both myself and my DD (5, nearly 6) are baptised C of E. I know there are RCIA classes in my parish but I'm worried about how I might be recieved as a single mother (long story, accidental pregnancy, resisted abortion due to my belief that it was inherrently a wrong thing to do).

Would there be an issue around this?

The priest did mention that he thought some sort of mentorship for me would be useful, ie not just waiting until October when the class starts again. Not sure about DD as she is not at a catholic school, how will she learn? arrgh, am not confident to pass on my limited knowledge! Useful to know that not everyone has to go the exact same route. I suppose it is helpful taht I already have some knowledge and we are both baptised?
I don't mind going to the RCIA classes if that is what is required, but it does seem a long time between now and October!

bleseing yourself with holy water on the way in to church reminds us of our baptism. You don't need to do it on the way out aswell but a lot of people do.

I would say that, while waiting for October, just go along and be a member of the community - you and your daughter will learn plenty by getting involved

Get a missal and follow that for the mass, I still use mine now as Im still not sure of all the words and the order

There are loads of mass books at back of church with the hymn books so I used one of those last time- are they the same as a missal? Sorry to sound thick!

yes - a mass book is fine.

ther is a lovely mass book for children which you might be interested in for your DD. I will see if I can find it

here - really useful book for children. They may be some others on that site that might help Johnny2hats - they are excellent

Tommy- that book (and that site actually) looks fantastic.
I have bookmarked it and might get it for DD. I am blessed with a DD who is a bookworm too and very literate, so a book might just be the best way of approaching things.

Update (v quick one as on my way out)- I am still going to Mass every week and am going to be received into the church next Easter all being well. My family have been fine about it too- my mum is a lapsed Catholic who has never liked to talk about why she left the church but I have had a few chats with her and she has been fine. Also a lovely chat with my nanna who is over the moon that I want to 'come home!' She thrust a rosary and a bible on me . I have been reading loads of books and learning about the faith, as RCIA classes not on over the summer, and consequently I feel much less selfconscious at mass and can even answer lots of DD's questions. I went to a Catholic baptism recently in a different parish and found myself automatically looking for the holy water font, genuflecting and crossing myself like a good'un!

It's all becoming second nature to me already- and the great thing is also that I feel like I am becoming a more peaceful, more tolerant person as a result of my growing spirituality.

So so glad I am on what feels like the right path, thanks to you all for encouraging me when I first posted.

Why can't she take communion? Is it because she's C of E? She's not divorced, but rather never married the child's father.

You have to go through a ritual before you can take communion. It's a sacrament. So you'd need to approach the priest and he'd instruct you as to what communion means, it's significance and all of that. Then you reaffirm your baptismal promises.

I can't take communion because I have not been baptised Catholic. I won't be re-baptised, as the Church recognises my baptism as a valid one but I still need to receive instruction and will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, after which I will be able to take communion.

Did you know about the 'Arr' that you have to do when you receive communion?

eh? are you winding me up?

Nope, I'm a devout Catholic - do a search. When you receive communion by the mouth you are supposed to say 'Arrr' as you would do at the dentist. This is so the priest can check that you don't have any food substance in your mouth that would contaminate the host.

They generally receive in the hand in my church- have never noticed anyone doing that Rhubarb!

You know the priest has to spit in your hand to make sure it's clean before he puts the host in it, don't you?

I had a friend who went up to the altar during our wedding because everyone else was. When he got there and the priest tried to give him the host he said "Nah, you're alright mate, I'll have a biscuit later" and walked off!

hilarious!

Watching confused, non-church going friends during our wedding service was the best bit!

The baptism I went to last week there were a few of my non church going friends sitting at the back of the church as their kids were playing up a bit. I was to see one of them (the adults) get a packet of crisps out and start eating it half way through the service!

great news Johnnytwohats - really pleased that you are enjoying it

My advice would be dont do it.

By GRACE ye are saved and not of WORKS.

You are right with God ONLY by repentence and the shed blood of Jesus Christ.