We're happy you are interested in coming to Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles.  If you have never been in a Catholic Church, the following are some questions that often come up.
 

How early do I need to be there?

Coming at least ten to fifteen minutes before the start of a service (which is called a Mass or a Eucharistic Liturgy) should give you enough time to get acclimated to the church and spend some time in personal prayer. There are no assigned seats, so sit in any of the pews you would like. The only exception is we usually leave the very front pews for those who have trouble walking (there are handicap ramps on the side of the church exterior). If pews are reserved for a special occasion, there will be either reserved signs or bows designating those as reserved.

Do you have anything for kids?

Children are encouraged to attend Mass with their parents. If your child is acting up, you can always take them to the vestibule (entrance area in the back of the church).

How should I dress?

Dress should be respectful and modest. This gets expressed in various ways. Catholics run the gamut from Sunday best - suit and tie - to jeans and a nice t-shirt. In other words, as long as you are dressed modestly and respectful (no revealing clothes or vulgar images or messages), you will fit in.

What should I expect?

The Mass is designed for us to worship with our minds, our bodies, and our hearts. Thus, we have a lot of standing, sitting, kneeling, and singing. Don't let this intimidate you! Just follow the person in front of you or beside you for your first few times -- explanation for the Mass is available for you if you are intersted. Listen to the Mass Explained by Fr. Larry Richards. See the YouTube video to the left.

Usually you will listen to a reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and one from one of the Gospels, as well as a singing of one of the psalms. Many of the prayers and rituals of the Mass are deeply rooted in the Scriptures also.


At other churches I've attended, everyone was invited to take Communion when it was offered, but I've heard Catholics do not allow this. Is this true, and if so, why?

Catholics believe that what they receive at Communion is more than a symbol. Catholics believe that the bread and wine are truly transformed into the Risen Christ - the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus (see John 6). St. Paul warns about receiving lightly. He even says that in the early church, people were dying because they were receiving Communion without proper preparation (see  1 Cor 11:23-30).

When a Catholic says "Amen" to the minister holding Communion and saying "The Body of Christ," they are saying not only "Amen - Yes I Believe" to the fact that it is the Risen Christ, but also Amen to everything the Catholic Church professes and believes to be true. Therefore, we would be putting people in the position of being dishonest if we said that everyone should or could receive Communion. If you are not Catholic and yet are already at the stage of believing everything the Catholic Church teaches and professes to be true, then please contact us about Catechism Classes to help prepare you to become a Catholic (See Becoming Catholic).


Is there a book I can follow along with the Mass?

In the front of the church on both side pillars, you will see boards with numbers on them. These numbers refer to where you will find the songs for the Mass. These are found in the "St. Michael Hymnal" found in the pews. In the smaller book, the Liturgy of the Word has the readings for the Sundays. Just look up the day's date and you will find the readings that will be read in the Mass. However, don't worry about getting caught up trying to know all the parts of the Mass - that takes time - just listen and reflect upon the meaning of the words and ritual that form the Mass. Much of it accords exactly with the way the liturgy was celebrated in the early church (See St. Justin Martyr's description of the Mass in the 2nd century - and you will realize just how ancient and continuous is the ritural of the Holy Mass).