I have a side question regarding the wine during communion: in German RC churches, only the priest drinks from the cup. He does so representatively for all others. The churchgoers only get a wafer, but no wine. Is this different in the US (and other countries)?
Like David, I was also a Catholic altar boy. In our parish, only the priest drank from the cup. However, I have been to other Catholic churches where the wine is offered, with a little wipe in between. This was called "receiving both species". I noticed this was more popular during the 70s when there were so-called "folk masses" with guitars and hand-holding and such.
I don't go to Mass at all now, except funerals. I recently attended a Catholic funeral where the priest made it very clear that if you were not Catholic, you could
under no circumstance, receive communion. He did, however, suggest that non-Catholics could get in line with everyone else. But, instead of putting out thier hands to receive communion, non-Catholics could put their cross their hands over their chest, and the priest would give them a special blessing. I decided to stay seated, and risk being awkward.
I remember that one was supposed to go to confession before receiving communion. I thought it odd that children get their First Communion at age 6 and their First Confession at age 9??
First Confession was a bizarre thing: I couldn't think of what to say. Someone said think of the ten commandments. So, I said: "Forgive me Father for I have sinned. I didn't pick up my towel in the bathroom, I fought with my brother, and I coveted my sister's Barbie."