Hi Karl,

First thank-you for your service to our country. All of us at AskACatholic.com appreciate your service.

Second, Welcome to the family! and if you haven't read it, check out two of my favorite pages:

• Why I am a Catholic.
• What I enjoy about being a Catholic.
  

To your question:

• Now that I'm home, since I can't prove myself a Catholic, can I join a parish as a member, or am I stuck?
• Do I have to start all over again?

It depends but don't worry about your situation. Seriously, Karl. If you were baptized in a Catholic Church in Iraq, they may have, or should have had paper work that you were baptized.

This would have been kept at the rectory, a house usually close to the church. If you were baptized by a priest, he would know whether there was paperwork or not.

Under a war time situation like this one, there may not have been paperwork.

What I would do: I would search for a Catholic parish in your town with a pastor who is known for his holiness and faithfulness to the Church and make an appointment.  He would be able to assist you in:

• determining if there is paperwork
• finding the priest/person who baptized you, and
  
• determining if RCIA is required or recommended, which it probably is.

Above all, don't worry. The Lord knows you are a Catholic at heart and He is rejoicing.

• Do you know anything about or do you have a Rosary?

If not you can get a free one sent to you on-line. Many of these web sites also have instructions on how to pray the Rosary. For those unfamiliar with the Rosary, here is some background information. [MS Word] A daily prayer life is so important Karl to stabilizing coming home to America and coming into the Church.

Maybe my colleagues can pitch in their two cents.

Mike

Karl,

Welcome to Catholic Church. There is nothing preventing you from attending any parish you wish. You might want to introduce yourself to the Pastor and explain your situation. Tell him exactly how you were received into the Church. He will either know what to do or he'll ask the diocese for guidance.

If you were in Iraq, it sounds like you didn't really have much time to receive instruction in the faith. It is advisable that you enter a solid RCIA program just so you fully understand what it means to be Catholic. You mentioned Baptism and Eucharist.

• Were you also confirmed?

If so, you are fully initiated. Baptism and Confirmation can only be received once.

If you were indeed received into the Church, there is nothing stopping you from receiving the sacraments. No priest will ask you for documentation in the confessional or as you receive the Eucharist.

The only time it could become an issue is:

• if you want to get married (assuming you're not); or
• if you are married, the Church may have some other requisites, especially if the marriage wasn't a Christian marriage.

Your local priest will or should know what to do.

As I said before, you can and should continue to, at the very least, attend Mass on Sundays and avail yourself of the sacrament of Confession on a regular basis.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Under His Mercy,

John

Hi Karl,

The U.S. Military Ordinariate would have information like this. They even have an online record request form:

• Office of Sacramental Records, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

Eric

Hi Karl,

The Military Ordinariate will have your records — never fear, they kept them!

The Church has been keeping Baptismal records for over a thousand years. Your local parish will help you contact the military ordinariate, but since you know you are Catholic, you can just show up and participate!!

The only need for records will arise when you decide to receive Confirmation or get married.

God bless you and thank you for serving.

Mary Ann