Hi Crysta,

There are several issues in your e-mail I'd like to address.

The Church welcomes everyone who has been away to return to the Church.   I'm glad you e-mailed us.

You said:
I want to return to Church. I have not been to Church since I was a small child although I believe I was baptized.

If you were brought up Catholic, you can easily confirm your Baptism at the church you grew up at. They should have your original Baptism certificate, and if not, the local diocese, will have the Baptismal records.

If there is any uncertainty about your Baptism, the pastor can have you conditionally baptized.

You said:
I do not think I will be accepted because I have visible tattoos and I have an eye brow pierced. I have also lived a sinful life.

Incorrect. You would be welcomed with open arms. God looks at the invisible soul, not the outward tattoos or eye brow piercings.

We have addressed this issue in the postings below. They will give you the Church's disposition on this issue.

It's not something I look for at Mass, but I would be surprised if I didn't find some people with tattoos at the parish I attend.

• Since I've been thinking about getting one, what does the Church say about tattooing and getting a tattoo?
• What's the Church's opinion of cosmetic and plastic surgery and can you provide additional information?
• Does the Church prohibit hair transplantation and corrective-eye surgery?

You said:
I have also lived a sinful life.

That makes you a perfect candidate for joining the Church!!

We are a Church of great sinners while at the same time a Church of great saints so come join us!

Jesus knew that we would have problems in this area. That's why He established the sacrament of Confession.  Through this sacrament all of those previous sins will be removed if . . . , if you strive not to commit them again.

You said:
I have a son who is eleven and live with his father. We are not married but have been together for 16 years. I also want my son to be baptized in the Church. He has learning disabilities and he is not good at meeting new people. I think he would have a hard time if he had to go to Bible school.

• Is there anything I could do?
• How do I return to the Church?

I am very scared and nervous.

If you begin the process of returning to the faith and the sacraments, and both you and your male partner are willing to begin the process of preparation for matrimony (or, if you do not wish to marry, to separate and live celibately), then your son can be baptized, as long as you promise to raise him in the Catholic faith, and his father promises not to interfere with his growth and formation in the faith.

• Does this make sense?

I would strongly recommend you make an appointment with a Catholic priest known for his holiness and faithfulness to the Church so you can start the process.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Dear Crysta,

I am so glad that the Lord is drawing your heart back to your home in His Church. The Catholic Church has the living Word of Christ and all His Sacraments, and they can heal everything.

You are hearing the call of God like the Prodigal Son, who looked around and saw that he had been living a sinful life and wanted to go home.

Come home! There is no obstacle. You will need to talk to your local pastor, learn some things (probably go to a class or join a group of people like yourself who are journeying to full communion), then have your union blessed by marriage, if you wish to stay together.

Once you are committed to the path, you may have your son baptized, though at his age he would need to be part of a group of children preparing for the same sacraments as he is — and there are special groups for learning disabled children.

As for Catholic and Christian, Catholicism is the original and authentic form of Christianity, so your heart is leading you in the right place.

Welcome back!

Mary Ann