Dear Susan,

Yes, absolutely, you may attend a Catholic service. No one will ask who you are or what you're doing there, for in most churches no one will notice.

And yes, there is much more to the faith than pre-planned church programs.

Jesus offers Himself to the world, and to you and me, on the Cross so that we may participate in divine life. The Catholic Mass, or Divine Liturgy, is the participation in Christ's salvific act, where His Body is offered for us and to us. There is nothing greater than continuously being in the bosom of Christ by receiving the Sacraments of Communion and Confession.

Contact us again if you have any further specific questions or call a church rectory near you and make an appointment with a priest. If you find yourself wanting to convert to Catholicism, the priest can walk you through what would need to be done to seek validation of your marriage.

Peace,

Paul

Dear Susan,

Just to add to Paul's fine answer, Yes!, you could attend a Catholic service also known at the Mass. Nevertheless, at Communion time, you would have to refrain from receiving Communion until you become a Catholic.

This is not uncommon, even within the Church. Faithful Catholics know that they can't receive Communion if they have committed a grave sin . . . which requires going to Confession first before one can receive Communion again.

• Some, in the situation, go up in the Communion line with their arms crossing their chest. This tells the priest distributing Communion that the recipient cannot receive Communion but still wishes to receive a priestly blessing from the priest.
• Others, in the situation, remain in their pews and pray a Spiritual Communion:

Hope this helps,

Mike