Topic:  What do I need to do to be a "good Catholic"?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: July 27, 2004

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:   Hi, sorry this is my 3rd email. I just found out about this website and I'm just really excited. I have to apologize for my first two questions since they were not really well thought out....I just got really excited and wrote the first thing that came to mind. My main goal in life NOW is to be a good Catholic so my question what constitutes a 'good catholic'. I attend masses every sunday and I go to confession and of course I try not to sin. I feel that these three things are not enough in making me a good catholic. Are there anything else I am suppose to do??? Thank you once again! this will be my last question...for today that is =)

Answer: 

What a great question!

Unfortunately, there's not a "checklist" for being a good Catholic!

Fortunately, you're doing a lot of really good stuff already and so you should just continue building on the foundation that you have laid.

Attending to and participating fully in the life of the Sacraments is at the heart of being a good Catholic. You're doing that and that's great!

All of us can deepen our experience of grace in the Sacraments. For instance, you can spend some time each week reading over the Scriptures that are going to be proclaimed at Mass the coming weekend. That way, when you get to Church, you won't be hearing the Sciptures "cold." The Word of God will have time to make its home in your heart before you even get to the Liturgy. So the Holy Spirit will have an "easier" time, so to speak, inspiring and speaking to you in the Sacred Liturgy. On Monday read next week's first reading; on Tuesday read next week's Psalm; on Wednesday read next week's second reading; and on Thursday read next week's Gospel; on Friday re-read the Gospel; and on Saturday re-read the first reading.

Another aspect of being a good Catholic is to develop a personal prayer life. Praying with the Church in the context of the Liturgy is crucially important. But so is developing a way and style of praying that works for you. For instance, pray when you jog, when you're driving. Set aside a few minutes for quiet and prayer in the morning before school or work or possibly in the evening when you are getting ready for bed. However you do it; find some time each day -- maybe 5 minutes, maybe 20 -- to spend time with the Lord.

The other thing that is essential to being a good Catholic is reaching out to the poor, the hungry, the needy, the oppressed. Jesus says in the Bible that every time we give a cup of cold water to a thirsty person, we are giving HIM something to drink! So, look around for opportunities to serve those whom the world has decided are unimportant or who have been marginalized by society...and in doing so you will be serving Christ. Help at an AIDS house; work on a Habitat home; cook at a homeless shelter; be a big sib for a disadvantaged child; go on a mission trip to Appalachia; join the Jersuit Volunteer Corps for a year. There are lots of opportunities out there; be a "Nike Christian:" Just do it!

Finally give away some of your money. If you have a salary, give 10% (either before or after taxes -- it really doesn't matter) to charity, to the Church, to the poor. Our faith has to affect the way we talk and what we do and how we believe...and in America where money is such a big deal, our faith has to affect how we spend our money!

Sounds like you're doing great!

Blessings,
Father Phillip