Returning Catholics FAQs: The Season of Communions

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

My nephew is making his First Communion next week at a Mass at his parish. It’s been a while since I went to church, but I’d like to participate. What do I have to do?

How wonderful that you want to be involved at your nephew’s First Communion. If by “a while” you

mean a few weeks or months, I’d suggest you receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation beforehand, at your parish or his. Examine your conscience… where have you sinned, or been involved in the near-occasion of sin? Identify patterns in your life; perhaps you tend to gossip or judge, or to sit by as others in your family or circle of friends or total strangers are struggling and could use your financial, spiritual or emotional assistance. Discuss them with the priest.

If by “a while” you mean a year or more, I’d recommend you schedule a visit to a priest to discuss how you can begin to reconnect with Catholicism. The priest likely will provide some counseling and guidance, and may suggest you go to confession after doing some contemplation and reading. Or he may choose to absolve you on the spot.

In either case, this wonderful sacrament likely isn’t nearly as scary as you may remember. In fact, you may be surprised just how healing you find it. To learn more about penance and reconciliation, check out the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s page on this topic.