Growing up, I never really understood what the big deal was about going to my Catholic church or visiting a friend's church instead. Now that I am older and have claimed my Catholic faith as my own, I still forget that there people who don't understand the traditions of the church as I do. As I have grown in my faith, here is a list of 10 common things that I have experienced.

1. "Oh my gosh, does this mean you have to be a nun?!"

I can't even begin to count how many times I have heard this. I remember one day in the high school locker room, somehow my Catholic faith came up. The locker room became absolutely silent. Finally, an underclassman finally blurted out, "Delanie, does this mean that you have to be a nun?!" Her eyes were huge and all of the other girls nodded in agreement. The question that had been on all of their minds was finally out in the open. I laughed immediately, but then realized they were all serious.

2. Inviting friends to "mass" and they have no idea what you're talking about.

Mass is to church as homily is to sermon. After inviting a friend to mass one day, I asked her what she thought of the homily. I got the blankest stare. "What is that?" she asked. Confusing the terminology between protestant and Catholic religions happens all of the time between me and my circle of friends. We have a wide range of denominations and many times the terminologies between them get blurred.

3. "When I go up to communion, do I cross my arms or say a prayer or take that circle thing or what?!"

Bringing protestant friends to mass, you'll know that getting ready for communion is the most intimidating thing for them. No matter how many times you assure them that they actually don't stick out by not taking communion, they don't seem to believe you.

4. When the priest brings holy water.

My senior year of high school, my family moved into a new house. I invited my priest to my graduation party. He walked into the backyard, gave me a congratulatory hug and pulled out a rosary blessed by the pope and holy water. "Let me bless your new home," he said. Honestly, it was probably my favorite graduation gift.

5. First Holy Communion is actually a huge deal.

I still remember my dress for First Communion. The rest of that day is a blur, but I stared at that white dress and veil in my closet for weeks until it was finally time to wear it. It literally reminded me of a wedding dress, but for a nine-year-old girl. (Of course, that's not the most important part of finally receiving communion.)

6. Finding Catholic friends and being so ecstatic.

When I found out that my future roommate was also Catholic, I actually did a celebration dance. Now I knew I would have someone to remind me not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent.

7. Making up every excuse to avoid going to confession.

For some reason, when I was younger, I absolutely despised going to confession. When your sins every week consist of you telling Father that you are mean to your younger siblings, it starts to feel a bit repetitive. Eventually, my parents began to use going to confession as a "punishment" when we misbehaved.

8. Wondering why you don't go to confession more often.

Even if it is intimidating while waiting for your turn to confess, afterwards, the world literally feels as if it has been lifted off of your shoulders. You find yourself wondering why you don't go to confession every day.

9. Memorizing prayers for every situation you find yourself in.

I'm a huge scaredy-cat. Huge. I absolutely hate scary movies, haunted houses, roller coasters, heights... you get it. Whenever I go to amusement parks and am dragged onto a roller coaster with friends, I shut my eyes and start screaming the Hail Mary during our downward descent. It is absolutely terrifying, but it helps to calm my nerves.

10. Regardless of faith background, loving all denominations and enjoying worship together.

Though this list is humorous to me and my other Catholic friends, I love spending time with people of all faith backgrounds. I think there is nothing more beautiful than people gathered together to worship, regardless of if they are Catholic or not. Everyone, everyone, is a child of God, and spending time with my brothers and sisters in Christ is always an honor.