Am I Welcome Here?

Am I welcome here?
What do you teach and preach?
Are you liberal or conservative?
Can I take communion?
Will I be judged?  Will I be respected?
What will be expected of me?
What should I wear?
Can I just sit here and watch?
What if I want to participate?
Can I become Catholic?
What if I'm not Catholic and don't want to be--can I still hang out?

Am I welcome here?

This is a common question today, even if it is not asked out loud.  If you’re wondering it for yourself, or a friend, allow me to offer an answer.

Anyone who wants to hear the Gospel is welcome.  From the committed to the curious and everyone in between, the doors are open for you.  As Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

This is God’s house, and Jesus Christ welcomes you here.  Period. 

Maybe you’ve been hurt, name-called, abused, shunned or excluded.  This is not God’s desire for you and he wants to heal the hurt caused in you by the sins of others.  Maybe you’ve shut God out for a long time and want to give Him another try.  Jesus welcomes you and longs to heal you.  The Gospel is full of encounters where Jesus forgives and heals men and women who have been on the margins for all kinds of reasons.  If you think that’s you, then know that Jesus is especially interested in your being here, regardless of what other people might think.

The Catholic Church believes and teaches that all people (regardless of their beliefs, affiliations, or preferences) are to be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.  Unfortunately, I know that this is not always the case.  Good-intentioned people can do hurtful things and sometimes even "religious" people are just downright mean.  I urge you to not let this get in the way of your relationship with Jesus and his Church.  He still calls you, and the Church is here to help you answer that call.

What do you teach and preach…?

As a Roman Catholic priest, I believe and profess the Nicene Creed, and everything that the Church sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed or definitively proposes regarding teaching on faith and morals.  You can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church online (ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/catechism/) to understand the teachings of the Church.

Our mission as a Catholic campus ministry is to help college students grow together into the saints they are called to be. You are called to holiness. This doesn’t mean you are necessarily called to be in a monastery on your knees praying for the rest of your life.  It means that you are called to become the person God created you to be!  We all long to be better at loving, at being just, at being merciful. This is what the pursuit of holiness is all about. It also means that we do need God and the Church to challenge us in our beliefs, behaviors and attitudes.  Saint Augustine once said:

If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.

Don’t give up on holiness! God wants to transform you by his love.

Are you liberal or conservative?

That’s a tough question to answer... partially because I don't necessarily know what you mean by those words.  You might be surprised.  Some things that the Church teaches are politically liberal, and other things the Church teaches are politically conservative… others just don’t fit anywhere at all.  I hold to the teachings of the Church on faith and morals, and I also believe that Jesus Christ came to call sinners, and that he is most interested in those who consider themselves as most excluded from the Church.  Can you come to Church if you disagree with the Church?  Yes.  In fact, I recommend it.

Can I take communion?

Catholics believe that during the Mass, by the working of the Holy Spirit and through the words and actions of the priest, the bread and wine become the “Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity” of Jesus Christ.  Reception of communion represents not only one’s belief in this truth but also that one is “in communion” with the Church.  Therefore, those who are not baptized Catholics should not receive communion in the Catholic Church.  By refraining, you are respecting both your beliefs and ours.  At communion, you are welcome to remain in your seat or come forward for a blessing.  It is best to go to the priest for this and let him know you want a blessing by crossing your arms across your chest in the shape of an X and slightly bowing your head.

Will I be judged?  Will I be respected?

You know, I can’t guarantee that people won’t look at you funny.  People are curious.  But don’t worry about them.  Props to you for wanting to come to Church!  We don’t do anything weird like single people out or shame you for not doing stuff.  

What will be expected of me?

Well… not much.  Some of us come every Sunday and manage to sleep the whole time… so I think you’ll be safe!  After Mass, someone might want to talk to you or invite you to an event.  I hope that’s cool with you. They’re just excited that you’re here.


What should I wear?

There's no particular dress code or policy.  You're welcome to dress however you want (within reason, of course).  You'll probably see all kinds, from pretty formal to rather casual.  

Can I just sit here and watch?

Sure.  You don’t have to sing, say the responses, come up at communion, or put money in the collection.  You don’t even have to sit, stand, kneel, etc.

What if I want to participate?

Great! The Source and Summit Missal can be found underneath your seat. I'd also recommend getting either a printed Missalette (like the Magnificat or Give Us This Day, both published monthly) or an app for your phone like iMissal ($4.99), Laudate (free) or New Missal (free).  Or you could ask a Catholic to sit with you and teach you.  

Can I become Catholic?

You bet.  Please check out this page for more information, or just e-mail me.

What if I’m not Catholic and don’t want to be… can I still hang out?

Yup, that’s cool too.  

Please introduce yourself to me when you come by,
Fr. Ian Bordenave