2 Questions About Confirmation

[Semper_Zelare]

Hi, I’m 18 and currently attending college, and I haven’t yet been confirmed even though I was baptized Catholic and have always been a practicing Catholic. I was only a year away from being confirmed, but the Church I went to moved the RCIA classes from 9:00 to 7:00am, which was too early for my family lol.

So, anyways, both of my questions are both generally related to being confirmed at the Church here at the university. First, I don’t really know anyone to be the person you need to be confirmed. Like most people have a friend that’s already been confirmed that guides them through the process or w/e, but I could count the number of Catholics I know really well at college on one hand, and none of them are really practicing.

Secondly, does it matter to anyone else if they like/ respect the priest who leads the RCIA classes? Its not like the priest here has ever done anything wrong during the mass or anything, but he seems to take a minimalist approach to the mass. His homilies only last for about 5 minutes, and if it weren’t for the 15 or 20 minutes of music I’m sure the mass would take even less than the 45ish minutes it currently does. And then as soon as the mass ends, he immediately takes his vestments off and will greet you when you walk out in just a suit.

SO… does it matter about feeling comfortable at the Church you get confirmed at? Should I wait for potentially 4 years until I’m out of college and attend a different Church; or should I just be confirmed at this Church?

P.S.
I’m definitely at the point where I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of what the Church teaches, and I feel I’m more than ready to be confirmed. These are just the only holdups keeping me from doing it. Oh, and sadly I missed the RCIA classes that will finished this year (bc they started only a few weeks after I got here), so I’d be starting RCIA sometime this fall.

Thanks,
David

 

[joandarc2008]

Hi, I’m 18 and currently attending college, and I haven’t yet been confirmed even though I was baptized Catholic and have always been a practicing Catholic. I was only a year away from being confirmed, but the Church I went to moved the RCIA classes from 9:00 to 7:00am, which was too early for my family lol.

So, anyways, both of my questions are both generally related to being confirmed at the Church here at the university. First, I don’t really know anyone to be the person you need to be confirmed. Like most people have a friend that’s already been confirmed that guides them through the process or w/e, but I could count the number of Catholics I know really well at college on one hand, and none of them are really practicing.

Secondly, does it matter to anyone else if they like/ respect the priest who leads the RCIA classes? Its not like the priest here has ever done anything wrong during the mass or anything, but he seems to take a minimalist approach to the mass. His homilies only last for about 5 minutes, and if it weren’t for the 15 or 20 minutes of music I’m sure the mass would take even less than the 45ish minutes it currently does. And then as soon as the mass ends, he immediately takes his vestments off and will greet you when you walk out in just a suit.

SO… does it matter about feeling comfortable at the Church you get confirmed at? Should I wait for potentially 4 years until I’m out of college and attend a different Church; or should I just be confirmed at this Church?

P.S.
I’m definitely at the point where I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of what the Church teaches, and I feel I’m more than ready to be confirmed. These are just the only holdups keeping me from doing it. Oh, and sadly I missed the RCIA classes that will finished this year (bc they started only a few weeks after I got here), so I’d be starting RCIA sometime this fall.

Thanks,
David

I would worry less about judging the priest and worry more about getting your own house in order. Often times certain masses are kept shorter so that working people are able to attend them as well as college students - these can include daily masses. Also you don’t know if that priest is headed out to teach a class at the University or visit the sick or is a priest at multiple Churches. There are a number of reasons for any of these things. A priest does far more than the mass and you will learn all of this in your confirmation class.

 

[Spirithound]

Hi David, why not find a new parish now?

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi, I’m 18 and currently attending college, and I haven’t yet been confirmed even though I was baptized Catholic and have always been a practicing Catholic. I was only a year away from being confirmed, but the Church I went to moved the RCIA classes from 9:00 to 7:00am, which was too early for my family lol.
David

RCIA is not the process for baptized Catholic adults who are preparing for Confirmation, the process is a Confirmation program for adults. You can contact the nearest parish, or go through the program with your Catholic campus ministry, if they have it. “A year away from confirmation” means the entire program in this diocese so not sure what that means for you. It might be fruitful to get a letter from the former parish where you participated, so you don’t have to repeat the entire program.

No it is not necessary to like the people running the program or doing the teaching.No it is not necessary to be enamored of the parish where you are being prepared. As long as they can help you get where you need to be go with the program that meets your needs and schedule.

If you feel you have a good understanding of what the Church teaches, continue building on that knowledge by practice of the faith, frequent prayer and reception of the sacraments and so forth, and do what is required to prepare for Confirmation. A wise parish accepts new candidates year round, but do the best you can to grow your faith in the meantime if you must wait until autumn.

Finally neither is it required for you to find your own Confirmation sponsor, the pastor can appoint one if you don’t know anyone to ask.

 

[jmcrae]

Hi, I’m 18 and currently attending college, and I haven’t yet been confirmed even though I was baptized Catholic and have always been a practicing Catholic. I was only a year away from being confirmed, but the Church I went to moved the RCIA classes from 9:00 to 7:00am, which was too early for my family lol.

Why would you be in RCIA? You are only about a year older than most of the other people in a regular 6-week or 9-week Confirmation class in most areas of the United States, as I understand it; why can’t you attend one of those?

So, anyways, both of my questions are both generally related to being confirmed at the Church here at the university. First, I don’t really know anyone to be the person you need to be confirmed. Like most people have a friend that’s already been confirmed that guides them through the process or w/e, but I could count the number of Catholics I know really well at college on one hand, and none of them are really practicing.

Do you have a relative who can be your Confirmation sponsor? What about your god parent from baptism - is that person still part of your life and still a practicing Catholic? Those would be the first places to look, IMHO.

Secondly, does it matter to anyone else if they like/ respect the priest who leads the RCIA classes?

No, this is a total non-issue. It’s exactly like any other class, in that regard - the teachers don’t care if you like them; they just care that you learn what you are supposed to be learning.

 

[Gem]

David,

Good for you for growing your faith while in college - not an easy thing!

I think the on-campus RCIA would be fine, even if you don’t find the classes ideal. The main thing for you would be to prepare well, and you can always double-check things you’re taught in class here at CAF.

As far as a sponsor goes, parishoners often volunteer for this purpose. Check with your RCIA director to see if he knows of someone.

Good luck and God bless you!
Gem

P.S. Many parishes combine RCIA and Confirmation classes, though the different groups within it may not cover all the same topics.

 

[Spirithound]

Another question: Do you plan on being on campus for Easter? (last week in April this year). Might it be possible to be confirmed in your home parish? It would take some planning, but I’m sure the two pastors could manage to communicate. I’m sure your family would love to be there with you.

 

[amerrychase]

SO… does it matter about feeling comfortable at the Church you get confirmed at? Should I wait for potentially 4 years until I’m out of college and attend a different Church; or should I just be confirmed at this Church?

I switched parishes so I could go through a “better” RCIA. It’s still a year long, which is a long time to just get confirmed . I didn’t feel good about school parish’s class format, teachers, or material (a little fast n’ loose with doctrine, y’know). I don’t think there’s anything wrong with switching- the process is supposed to bring you closer to the Church, right? Not make you uncomfortable from the start.

As for the priest, I like the blink-and-you-miss-it style sometimes.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the responses.

I I’ll start the process to confirmation this fall. Even though there are a lot of students that go to the church here, and the Sunday masses are also packed I guess its still a little too small for year-round confirmation classes. About 200 or 25- ppl will pile into mass on Sundays.

Yeah, I don’t think I was in RCIA classes. I was going to be confirmed when I was around 13 or 14. And then I really stopped going to Church throughout high school (sans Christmas and Easter), until my senior year in high school. So, I’m really taking the opportunity in college to grow in my faith. I also go to a non-denominational Bible Study once a week.

Yeah, so my home parish would really have to dig through their records if they wanted to communicate with the campus ministry. It’d be easier to just start anew and take the September- April course. Oh, and I can’t find a new parish now because I am limited by those that are within bicycle distance lol

And its good news that someone could volunteer if I don’t know anyone to help me through confirmation. My parents are kind of far away from where I go to college, but I may get them to come here for my confirmation. I’ll see.

Thanks again to all the responses. I guess I’m just a little anxious/ apprehensive about it, and I’m just trying to make excuses.

 

[Spirithound]

Yeah, so my home parish would really have to dig through their records if they wanted to communicate with the campus ministry. It’d be easier to just start anew and take the September- April course.

Bad news-- your home parish is going to have to dig through their records anyways because you’ll need your sacramental record to show you’ve been baptized in order to be confirmed.

 

[Vince1022]

Hi, I’m 18 and currently attending college, and I haven’t yet been confirmed even though I was baptized Catholic and have always been a practicing Catholic. I was only a year away from being confirmed, but the Church I went to moved the RCIA classes from 9:00 to 7:00am, which was too early for my family lol.

So, anyways, both of my questions are both generally related to being confirmed at the Church here at the university. First, I don’t really know anyone to be the person you need to be confirmed. Like most people have a friend that’s already been confirmed that guides them through the process or w/e, but I could count the number of Catholics I know really well at college on one hand, and none of them are really practicing.

Secondly, does it matter to anyone else if they like/ respect the priest who leads the RCIA classes? Its not like the priest here has ever done anything wrong during the mass or anything, but he seems to take a minimalist approach to the mass. His homilies only last for about 5 minutes, and if it weren’t for the 15 or 20 minutes of music I’m sure the mass would take even less than the 45ish minutes it currently does. And then as soon as the mass ends, he immediately takes his vestments off and will greet you when you walk out in just a suit.

SO… does it matter about feeling comfortable at the Church you get confirmed at? Should I wait for potentially 4 years until I’m out of college and attend a different Church; or should I just be confirmed at this Church?

P.S.
I’m definitely at the point where I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of what the Church teaches, and I feel I’m more than ready to be confirmed. These are just the only holdups keeping me from doing it. Oh, and sadly I missed the RCIA classes that will finished this year (bc they started only a few weeks after I got here), so I’d be starting RCIA sometime this fall.

Thanks,
David

If you feel ready there is no reason to wait.

 

[joandarc2008]

If you feel ready there is no reason to wait.

It sounds like his parish just told him the next class available is the Fall and he was away from the Church at 13-14 when he was able to get Confirmed and has now been attending a non-denominational Bible study. This is not a good candidate to skip some type of prep classes whether he feels ready or not.

To the OP - I would strongly advise you stop attending the non-denominational Bible study as the way they read the Bible is quite different. I would suggest if you want to do some reading you find a good Catholic BIble study - maybe even one that focuses on the OT role as this is something that non-doms tend to overlook in their literal interpretation of the Bible. God bless.

 

[Vince1022]

It sounds like his parish just told him the next class available is the Fall and he was away from the Church at 13-14 when he was able to get Confirmed and has now been attending a non-denominational Bible study. This is not a good candidate to skip some type of prep classes whether he feels ready or not.

To the OP - I would strongly advise you stop attending the non-denominational Bible study as the way they read the Bible is quite different. I would suggest if you want to do some reading you find a good Catholic BIble study - maybe even one that focuses on the OT role as this is something that non-doms tend to overlook in their literal interpretation of the Bible. God bless.

If one feel ready, why should one delay the process of becoming Catholic?

 

[puzzleannie]

Bad news-- your home parish is going to have to dig through their records anyways because you’ll need your sacramental record to show you’ve been baptized in order to be confirmed.

there is nothing to dig through, his baptism parish simply has to go to the book for the year he was baptized and make a record of all his sacraments and send it to the pastor where he is preparing for confirmation, something they do all the time. relax

but no, preparation class several years ago is not going to “count” now as he is so much older, OP sounded like he left RCIA a few months ago, not years. And as he left the practice of the faith for many years he is ready for a “refresher course” and and adult instruction in the faith. For that reason alone he may very well be placed in an RCIA class for a longer, more systematic instruction, although the timing of his sacraments may be different, and he will not participate in the rites for the unbaptized. It depends on where he is, what are their resources in terms of time, space and catechists.

 

[jmcrae]

If one feel ready, why should one delay the process of becoming Catholic?

He is already Catholic.

But he needs to understand what the duties of an adult Catholic are, (ie: not to attend functions at non-Catholic churches, other than occasional visits that don’t violate ecumenical principles) before he can be Confirmed. He will learn these things in the classes.

 

[joandarc2008]

If one feel ready, why should one delay the process of becoming Catholic?

Because one needs to understand the solemn promises and responsibilities they are undertaking since it is a Sacrament that leaves an indellible mark on the soul. It is ultimately the Bishop’s responsibility to make sure anyone he confers the Sacrament on understands these - but in his stead since the Bishop cannot be there 24/7/365 the priest does this in his stead - and it sounds in this case as the priest has spoken.

 

[Vince1022]

Because one needs to understand the solemn promises and responsibilities they are undertaking since it is a Sacrament that leaves an indellible mark on the soul. It is ultimately the Bishop’s responsibility to make sure anyone he confers the Sacrament on understands these - but in his stead since the Bishop cannot be there 24/7/365 the priest does this in his stead - and it sounds in this case as the priest has spoken.

As Confirmation is typically celebrated for Catholics when they are in junior high or high school, how could this possibly apply to the OP? Again, why wait?

 

[joandarc2008]

As Confirmation is typically celebrated for Catholics when they are in junior high or high school, how could this possibly apply to the OP? Again, why wait?

Because the OP rejected the Sacrament at the point in the OP’s life - that changes everything. The OP then left the Church for a period of time and yes does need recatechesis to make sure that the OP understands what the OP is partaking and there is no point in arguing as it is not your decision or mine - it is the pastor and the Bishops and that decision clearly has already been made.

The two actions in red show the OP never had a full understanding of Baptismal promises much less Confirmation promises.

I am not meaning to be harsh to the OP -I am trying to get my point across to the poster that does not understand why don’t throw Sacraments of Initiation at people willy-nilly.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Because the OP rejected the Sacrament at the point in the OP’s life - that changes everything. The OP then left the Church for a period of time and yes does need recatechesis to make sure that the OP understands what the OP is partaking and there is no point in arguing as it is not your decision or mine

The two actions in red show the OP never had a full understanding of Baptismal promises much less Confirmation promises.

I am not meaning to be harsh to the OP -I

That’s really a poor understanding of what I’ve posted here. I never rejected the sacrament of confirmation. I was 14 when my parents stopped taking me to Church and Sunday School. So, I was unable to attend Church for 4 years because my family stopped going to Church. So, now that I’m in control of my own life here at college I’m interested in being Confirmed. But the priest is pretty liberal and I thought that I needed to personally know a practicing Catholic to be my catechuman, so I made this thread.

You’ve actually tied my actions to my mind. Which is inadmissible in court legally. It is impossible for someone to know someone else’s thoughts or state of mind with such circumstantial evidence as you’re using. You’re assuming that OBVIOUSLY anyone who had a good understanding of Church teaching would attend Church and Sunday school. That is not true for people who aren’t capable of doing so.

I take offense to false accusations.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

It sounds like his parish just told him the next class available is the Fall and he was away from the Church at 13-14 when he was able to get Confirmed and has now been attending a non-denominational Bible study. This is not a good candidate to skip some type of prep classes whether he feels ready or not.

To the OP - I would strongly advise you stop attending the non-denominational Bible study as the way they read the Bible is quite different. I would suggest if you want to do some reading you find a good Catholic BIble study - maybe even one that focuses on the OT role as this is something that non-doms tend to overlook in their literal interpretation of the Bible. God bless.

Even though it may sound like I fell away from the Church when I WAS ABLE to be confirmed, I was actually UNABLE to be confirmed at the time.

And, as for the non-denomination Bible study I attend, I could send you a link of this one protestant fundamentalist just bashing them for explicitly being inclusive of Catholics, and also even doing joint mission work with Catholic dioceses… leading to several positive statements from Bishops about the group.

Not everyone has a Catholic Bible Study in their area. Alabama is statistically the least Catholic state in the U.S.