I am kind of nervous.
Nervous? Why?
I don't know. I never went to a church before. I was not raised as a Christian, so I don't know what to do.
Don't worry. You don't have to do anything. All you have to do is listen. You will enjoy it.
Maybe. I know I agreed to go with you, but now I don't feel right about it.
Listen, Ryan. Catholics welcome people who aren't Catholics to visit the church. You don't have to pretend to be Catholic. It's okay if you just come to listen.
Really?
Yes. We are kind and welcoming people. It is not a secret society or something like that.
Alright. But will we sing?
Yes, but you don't even have to sing. If you want to sing along, you can.
I don't know the words.
There is a songbook. All the words are in the songbook. Many people have to read the words.
And will I go up to the front to have the bread and wine?
No. That is something only true Catholics do. So if you come to the church as a visitor, you only listen to the service. But you shouldn't go up to the altar for the bread and wine. Only after someone joins the church, then they go up for the Eucharist.
Eu-char-ist? What is that?
That is the special word for the ritual of the bread and wine. The Catholics call it the Eucharist.
It doesn't sound like an English word.
It's not. It's an ancient Greek word. It means gratitude.
Alright. Well, I feel more comfortable now. Now I understand I am welcome as a visitor.
Of course you are. I wouldn't ask you otherwise.