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My parents were known and active in the church. They

were both in the small choir. My dad played the guitar, and
my mom was a vocalist. Everyone loved listening to her sing.
I loved the songs about God. Sometimes I would sit directly
behind the choir and would look around and watch the
congregation. I had heard it was a sin to miss Mass and

wondered if God noticed the people who weren’t paying
attention. I had wondered if He gave them credit. I didn’t
think credit should be given for only showing up. I was
baptized by a priest and received the sacrament of

Communion when I was 10 or 11 year's old.
I had believed Jesus Christ existed and that He is the

Son of God. I had also classified myself as a Christian. I had
heard that He had died for my sins. I didn’t understand what
all that entailed since I had venial and potential mortal sins
that would not be forgiven until I physically made it to a

confessional and completed my penance. I was taught that if
I committed a mortal sin and died before getting to a physical
confessional, I would go to Hell. What about the disabled?
What about people who are too poor to own a car and have
no gas money?

I had believed that God would understand if someone

could not physically make it to a church building and that we
are able to confess our sins directly to Him. However, I still
didn't take communion until confessing my sins to a priest.
During confession, the priest would tell me what prayers I
needed to say. He also told me how many times to repeat each

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