Church question

Hey everyone, I have a question regarding church. I am Roman Catholic, but I never go to church. I have made communion, but not confirmation. I was wondering if anyone else was in the same situation and what you did or are doing before your wedding to get prepared. Is there classes to take to make confirmation? Also the place I was considering having my wedding is about 40 mins from my house so should I make confirmation at a church that's near the reception hall so it would be a close trip for the priest? Sorry about all the questions it's a topic that I am absoutely clueless on! Thanks everyone!

There are pre-cana classes that are req. They did not ask if I was confirmed just baptised. If you get married to a church that is not yours say that you go to church there before you state it's close to the receptoin hall. The preist get a little offended. Good Luck

Thanks for the replies I found your old post I will check out the responses, thanks again

Hi, this might be long, but i hope it helps. . . . .

If you want to be confirmed, it is a long process. It really wouldn't have any thing to do with the priest that is marrying you necessarily or where your reception is. it is quite a long process. You would go through what is called RCIA (Rite of Christian Inititation for Adults). You would go through that program at any church that you choose, but most people go through the program at the church where they will be a parishoner in the future. Most people that go through this program are converts to the faith OR there are a few that have not received all their sacraments and want to become full members of the Church. Depending on your level of knowledge on the faith (some in RCIA have already had their baptism and/or communion) you start classes together. You study the faith through the Bible and the Catechism of the catholic Church. You work with a parishoner from the church that has been trained to run this program as well as a sponsoring priest or deacon. The program will end at the Easter Vigil where you receive all your sacraments in front of your parish community. If you would want to do this, I would contact your parish ASAP... as far as I know most RCIA classes start up in September and end at Easter (March or April). It is a long commitment and one you should be ready to make spiritually and time and commitment wise.

Pre-Cana is a completely separate thing from confirmation. it is not a sacrament and really is just the Church's way to ensure that you are ready to enter the sacrament of marriage. (a bit like premarital counseling... basically you just talk aobut issues you will face as a married couple... many people have nipped serious problems and conflicts in the bud via Pre Cana). Many couples find it helpful, but it often depends on the facilators and the type of program...each parish and Diocese does it differerntly. this commitment is only a weekend retreat or a few week nights for a couple of hours. It is REQUIRED by the Church to get married.

Also, if you never go to Mass or really practice the faith in anyway, you might want to rethink getting married in a Catholic Church altogether. it is considered a SACRAMENT by the Church and the Church expects those receiving it to be prepared i.e. through baptism, and ideally a fiance that is also catholic as well you being already a full member of the Church. Technically, you only need to be baptized, so provided your fiance is also baptized, you can still get married in the church. But, again, I really feel that those that get married in the Church should want to receive the sacrament fully and all it entails (raising your children Catholic, etc. etc.) but of course that is just my opinion!

I hope some of this information has helped you! I would be more than happy to help in anyway I can--- have worked for the Church in a variety of ways and know a lot about the faith, so feel free to FM me if you have questions!