Dear Staci:

I praise God that our apostolate has been helpful to you.

I also praise God that you wish to return to the Catholic Faith. There is nothing to fear. Following the ten commandments, the Golden Rule, and the teachings of Jesus are all great things and things that you need to do as a Catholic. So returning to the Church, on that score, is just doing more of the same.

The three minimum requirements to live as a good Catholic are:

1) believe all that is required for Catholics to believe.

2) practice loyalty and fidelity to the Pope and the Magisterium in union with him.

3) follow the five precepts of the Church. The precepts are outlined in the Catechism:

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor") requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.

The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.

The third precept ("You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

2043 The fourth precept ("You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.

The fifth precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church") means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.

These are the minimum standards. There is no reason why anyone cannot meet these minimums. While the Church has set the standard low for minimum requirements, our love for God should motivate us to do more than the minimum. For example, while receiving the Eucharist once a year is the minimum, it is best to receive our Lord in the Eucharist every Sunday, or even more often (daily Mass), if we are properly disposed.

You should have no problem meeting these minimum standards. Because of your love of God I am sure that you will want to do more, but what I have outlined is all that is minimally required.

Since you are already Catholic the first step is go to the Sacrament of Confession and confess all your sins. Once you do that and are absolved you may begin receiving the Eucharist and start living the Sacramental life that God intended you to live. If you have not been confirmed you will need to talk with the parish priest so that arrangements can be made for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

To have what it takes to be Catholic? All it takes to be Catholic is a love of Jesus Christ and a desire to follow his teachings as best you can. You are not expected to be perfect -- that is why we have the Sacrament of Confession.

I pray that the spirit of fear shall leave you and you find your way back to the Church as Jesus wants you to do. That is what is right to do for yourself and for your family.

Jesus is waiting for you now....

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary