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Mary wrote:

Hi, guys —

I am Catholic, (who completed my Confirmation in 1996), however I have not been an active member of the Church since 2001. I was never married, however I had a child in 2000.

Through a family friend, who was a priest, I had her baptized in the Catholic Church despite the fact that I had skipped the sacrament of Marriage. I did not enroll her in CCD when she was younger and she never completed the other Sacraments past Baptism.

I have recently found my way back to my faith and I would like to again become an active member in the Catholic Church. My 12-year-old daughter has also expressed wishes to join the Church and make her First Communion and Confirmation.

  • Would we even be allowed to do this and if so what would be the steps?

Thank you,

Mary
  { After drifting from the faith for a while, as a single mother, what steps do I need to return? }

Fr. Jonathan replied:

Hi Mary,

Welcome back! Of course you would be allowed in the Church, you are both baptized members of the Church and therefore you are welcome.

Your being a single mother has nothing to do with your status.

Talk to your parish priest. You are a fully initiated Catholic as you were confirmed. I would suggest you go someplace for Confession and then see if there are any adult education programs in your parish or at a local parish.

Your daughter is considered baptized/uncatechized. I would think the priest will be able to help get her into the appropriate Religious Education program and by the time her class is ready for Confirmation, she can make her own choice, fully informed, as to whether or not she wants to be a practicing Catholic.

This all begins with a conversation with your pastor, another priest, or a pastoral associate in your parish.

I wish you well.

Fr. Jonathan
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