Q: I was brought up in a Catholic family and baptized and confirmed. After high school I moved out of the house and rarely went to church except for a handful of times per year. I never stopped believing in God and Christ. I want to go back to church every Sunday or more. Do I need to go to confession? Can I confess with prayer at home? I am surely a sinner but cannot remember all the sins I have committed. How should I confess all my sins? My son was baptized in a Catholic church but never confirmed. What should I do to get him into the Catholic Church? We live in a crazy world now, and I think it is beneficial to devote more time to the Church. Thank you for any advice. – G.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: Your desire to return to the practice of your faith is a great grace from God. It’s a grace you want to take advantage of.
The world is indeed crazy, and without faith we can be swept away easily.
From what you say, yes, you need to go to confession with a priest before receiving Communion again. Confessing at home wouldn’t be enough.
As part of the sacrament of confession you need to resolve to attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation and to avoid sin in general.
There are lots of online guides for making a good confession, including ones from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Knights of Columbus. Father Mike Schmitz’s short video might help, too.
Just do your best to prepare for confession. Our Lord will understand if you can’t remember all your sins.
As for your son: He is already in the Church if he was baptized Catholic.
If he is at the age of reason, it would be good for him to prepare for confirmation. Contact your parish and ask about the instruction he would need to prepare for the sacrament.
He might be able to receive Communion if he has enough instruction and if he gets to confession first. Again, your parish could give you some information.
Immensely important, too, for your son is your own example of living the faith. Dads have enormous influence on whether their children will embrace and practice the faith.
Part of your mission is to help your family get to heaven.
If you dedicate yourself to a life of solid prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, and efforts to help the Church evangelize, you will be on the right path to navigating through a crazy world.
