Dear Paula,

Thanks for the good question.

You said:
I am Catholic with strong values and beliefs but I don't attend Mass very often and now that my child needs a place in our local school, we are in a kind of dilemma because we need to attend Mass to get a place.

• What can I do in order to prove that I am a good Catholic?

What you have to do are those things that reflect the teachings of the Church, like:

1. Renewing your covenant with the Lord each Sunday by going to Sunday Mass.
2. Staying in a state of grace by going to Confession at least once a month.
   (Priests hear Confession on most Saturdays.)
3. Renew your convent or attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligations.
4. Learn and accept what the Church teaches and match what the Church believes with your actions and behavior, and
5. Doing your best to keep the Ten Commandment while doing some type of prayer on a daily basis, like reading from the Scriptures or saying the Rosary.
   

Anyone who calls themselves a practicing or good Catholic, yet omits any of the five bullets above is a hypocrite.

You are making a good move though. The education a child receives at an elementary to high school Catholic institution of learning has always out paced others schools in student scores.

I hope this helps,

Mike