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Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] (scruggle @ July 12 2006,07:36)]Some questions off the top of my head:
Thanks.
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Alicia -- welcome.
I don't have all the answers, just what I know from research. (Ann? Claire? Helloooooo?)
catholic.net is a good site with lots of articles and links to modern issues facing American Catholics today.
This is a good apologetics (explanatory) site. If you've got questions, they have answers.
To address your questions:
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Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] ]What do I do to prepare for Baptism? I know there are catechism classes but what are they about?
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-- as an adult, preparing for Baptism is way different than preparing as a parent with a baby. The RCIA program in your parish should address all the issues of education that you might have. Generally, it does a great job; I've noticed that as a rule, adults who come to the faith through this program are way better informed and dedicated than those of us "born" into it. RCIA (I believe) will teach you the tenets of the faith, about the sacraments, the reasons why things are done, and how you fit into the faith community. (Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.)
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Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] ]Do I do the sign of the cross when I go into church and before I sit in a pew or is that only for those who can recieve communion?
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-- Traditionally, when you enter a Catholic sanctuary, you dip your fingertips into the holy water font at the entrance and make the sign of the cross. This signifies a "cleansing" before you enter God's house. When you enter a pew, look to the altar, and specifically to the tabernacle (the receptacle that houses the Communion hosts and regalia when not in use). If the candle near (next to, on, above) it is lit, this signifies the presence of the consecrated Host, and it is out of respect to the real presence of Christ that you "genuflect," or briefly kneel (usually touching one knee down and immediately rising) and make the sign of the cross. Just because you haven't been through all the preparation to receive the sacrament of communion yet doesn't mean you can't show respect. I remember asking my mother as a wee girl why she genuflected. She glared at me and said, "You just do." Okeefine, mom. Just asking….
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Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] ]Will they tell me all of the rules I need to know when I take the classes?
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-- Part of your RCIA training will be to prep you to receive the sacraments. If they don't tell you what you need to know, someone's sleeping on the job and your pastor and the diocese need to know that. Generally, they assign you a sponsor (an adult in good standing with the Church who volunteers for this task) to guide you through.
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Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] ]Is the order of Mass the same everywhere? If so, can you tell me what it is? It's hard to flip through that book and I would like to study it at home so I don't need the book.
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-- The order of the Mass SHOULD be the same everywhere. HOWEVER, different parishes have different traditions, and some play fast and loose with the rules. There are "charismatic" parishes in my area where you wouldn't even be sure you were in a Catholic church. There are Filipino congregations that do it exclusively in Spanish and Tagalog (which is kinda cool). I grew up in a heavily Italian/Polish community, and those traditions influenced the way the parish went about things.
That having been said, the Missal available to you in the pew or at the church vestibule will give you the guidelines for the standard progression of the Mass. It will also provide you the weekly readings from the OT, NT, and the gospel read by the priest or deacon.
This webpage shows you the order of the Mass, with options. It claims to have been updated fairly recently, which is important, because the Council of Bishops has recently made some changes. (Minor, I'm told, but changes nonetheless.)
I hope that helps some. I know I'm not the only Catholic on here, and I'm sure someone can add to and correct me where necessary.
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