converting

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: What If My Family Seeks a Church It Can Call Home?”

Q: My family and I recently stopped attending a Methodist church because we weren’t being fed spiritually, and the youth ministry became non-existent for my daughter. I’ve grown up Methodist; my husband grew up Catholic. Currently, my daughter attends a Catholic private school, and we love the education she’s getting there. I’ve attended the church service at her school several times and often feel lost. I don’t know if I’m allowed to do the sign of the cross, don’t know if I should kneel in front of Mary, don’t know if I should take Communion or ask for a blessing — just so many “don’t knows.” My family needs a church home, and I’m wondering if I should give Catholicism a try. But converting is so intimidating. The youth ministry is thriving at her school’s church and this is a plus as well. I’m so torn. – T.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It sounds as though the Holy Spirit is inspiring you to look into the Catholic faith more.

Our Lord is guiding and accompanying you on this journey, which can seem a bit mysterious or even daunting at times. It’s good to take things step by step.

You are welcome to attend Mass, but you shouldn’t receive Communion. That is for Catholics who are in a state of grace. (In any case, you also share in the blessing at the end of Mass, so there is no need to go up for a blessing at Communion time.)

You are certainly welcome to pray to Mary. You understand, of course, that Catholics don’t worship her (much less a statue of her!). Catholics might kneel in front of a statue in order to put themselves in a better frame of mind to pray to the saint represented by the statue.

If you have an interest in joining the Church, you might consider entering an RCIA program at the nearest Catholic parish.

This is a program that would give instruction in the key beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith. Many people in this program will enter the Church at the Easter vigil Mass.

In the meantime, it would be good to intensify your prayer life and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and your family.

You might consider reading a bit more about the faith. A good resource for people of all ages (despite its name) is the Youth Catechism, or YouCat. You might even get copies for all the family and read it together.

Also helpful could be our Retreat Guide on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a convert.

And stay close to Mary. She can help your journey seem less intimidating.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type your question HERE and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

“Ask a Priest: What If My Family Seeks a Church It Can Call Home?” Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Is It Normal to Feel Fears as I Set Out to Join the Church?”

Q: I’m a 22-year-old girl, raised by parents who are atheists, and so I wasn’t exposed to a lot of church-related events growing up. Despite this, I still have always felt drawn to religion, to Christianity and God. For about a year and a half now, I’ve felt this weird sort of longing to become Catholic. It seems such a beautiful way to worship! The Masses, the idea of Communion, confession — it all seems so incredible! I’ve been looking into Catholicism, and I’m fascinated by it! And recently, I shyly stepped into my local Catholic church, and I was enchanted by the stained-glass windows, with images of the saints on them. I was in awe! (Will stained glass always seem so beautiful?) But, now that I’ve been invited to the RCIA process, I’m feeling suddenly afraid, suddenly scared. I suppose I’m feeling a little guilty, because I’ve pulled away suddenly from the RCIA director, even though I told him I would love to go to the classes. Is it normal to have doubts once the process has begun? I also worry that maybe (this is going to sound a bit silly!) I won’t be accepted, that I won’t belong, or that they already have all the parishioners they want. Any advice for a gal longing to be Catholic, but having these sudden doubts and fears? Many thanks, and much appreciation to you all, for the wonderful work you do! – T.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: You’ve made my day! It’s beautiful to learn that you feel so drawn to the Catholic faith, despite (or maybe because of) your family background. Sometimes non-Catholics are the ones who can best appreciate the beauty of Catholicism.

At any rate, it sounds as though God has been giving you great graces to draw you, his beloved daughter, closer to him.

Don’t worry about the fears or concerns that you are feeling. It’s normal when someone draws closer to the Church to be tempted toward discouragement or worse. The devil certainly doesn’t want you to discover the riches of the Church that awaits you.

My suggestion is to stay on the path of the RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Feel speak to speak with someone (a priest, an RCIA director, etc.) about your concerns. There is nothing to fear. And there is lots to learn, to help you prepare for your possible entrance into the Church.

In the meantime, you might want to pray for your parents’ conversion.

And I hope the stained-glass windows always inspire you, though keep in mind the words of Jesus in John 1:50, “You will see greater things than this.”

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to [email protected] and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

“Ask a Priest: Is It Normal to Feel Fears as I Set Out to Join the Church?” Read More »

Scroll to Top

Looking for another country?

RC Near You

News & Resources

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!