Alternatives to RCIA?

[Just_wondering]

So I went to Church for the first time today, alone. My three objectives for the day were to go to Mass, buy a rosary, and ask about RCIA. Well, there was only one English-language Mass, and I missed it! I found a nice rosary, though.

I asked about RCIA and they said it’s only available in Korean, which I speak but not nearly well enough for that. This is the only Church with English Mass in Seoul, so I’m not sure where to go from here. I know there’s an English-speaking priest at the Filipino Church that my boyfriend attends (although services are only in Tagalog), so I’m going to go there and ask him for advice, but I thought I’d pump the forums for information first.

What happens to would-be converts who can’t get instruction in the Faith in their own language? I’m planning to move back to Canada next year or so, so I could wait until 2010 to enter the Church - but that seems a little excessive. Have you heard of any alternatives to RCIA? Would a priest let me study the Faith on my own? Could I do RCIA long-distance through a parish in another country? Where do I go from here?

 

[Joannm]

I would go talk to a priest. Perhaps you can begin lessons with him or he can put you in touch with a catechist who speaks English. They can get you started reading, watching videos that explain the faith, answering questions, etc. and then when you move to Canada they can write you a letter to give to the parish that explains how far you have come in your catechesis. That would proabaly be the the best course of action right now. Although it is ideal to be able to share this expereince with others in a faith community, the language barrier makes this next to impossible.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

So I went to Church for the first time today, alone. My three objectives for the day were to go to Mass, buy a rosary, and ask about RCIA. Well, there was only one English-language Mass, and I missed it! I found a nice rosary, though.

I asked about RCIA and they said it’s only available in Korean, which I speak but not nearly well enough for that. This is the only Church with English Mass in Seoul, so I’m not sure where to go from here. I know there’s an English-speaking priest at the Filipino Church that my boyfriend attends (although services are only in Tagalog), so I’m going to go there and ask him for advice, but I thought I’d pump the forums for information first.

What happens to would-be converts who can’t get instruction in the Faith in their own language? I’m planning to move back to Canada next year or so, so I could wait until 2010 to enter the Church - but that seems a little excessive. Have you heard of any alternatives to RCIA? Would a priest let me study the Faith on my own? Could I do RCIA long-distance through a parish in another country? Where do I go from here?

In this case private instruction by the English speaking priest, or at least attending RCIA in Korean and tutoring sessions in English would work. Obtain a Catechism in English.

 

[puzzleannie]

we have offered this option in a couple of cases, one was a man working on the oil rigs, one was a college student finishing a year of foreign study, was choice of on-line study or home-study kit from Kof C (kit contains CCC study materials from Liguori) with monthly e-discussions with me or pastor or both. they both completed the rites and joined regular class when they got home and did not have to wait for Easter for the sacraments. We also are flexible with someone being deployed in the military and encourage them to communicate with their chaplain so we can send a letter describing their progress.

You would arrange this with your priest at home, or a sympathetic English speaking priest, but if you are unbaptized you would still need to work with a local priest for the actual rites at the appropriate time, or wait until you get home for the sacraments. It is not ideal because you are supposed to be joining a community, so I think the underlying question is what does a Christian do in a place where they cannot find a community in which to worship and study in their own language.

is there a college, military base, school for dependents serving the English speaking community where there might be a Catholic chaplain? ask at the new church if there is an English speaking interpreter who could be your sponsor in the classes and group meetings, and do your actual learning in private study, but still be with the community for the rites etc.

 

[Just_wondering]

Thanks for your insight. I’ll look into this some more this coming Sunday. I’m sure there’s a large enough English-speaking population here that somebody offers RCIA in English. I just have to find out who.

 

[Just_wondering]

Well, I finally went to Mass for the first time - alone, too! I tried to go last week, but arrived too late, and didn’t have the courage to go in. Despite reading a lot about it on here, I didn’t really know what to expect. I arrived early, but there weren’t many people there so I just kind of sat down and waited, feeling very alone and exposed. By the time Mass started, though, there were about 300 people there, I’d guess.

I didn’t feel as nervous during Mass as I thought I would - I fumbled along trying to follow what other people were doing, but nobody gave me funny looks, so it was okay. I had wanted to stick around after Mass to try to talk to the priest, but ended up going outside instead.

Outside Mass a woman approached me and asked if I’d like to do a Bible study with her - but she wanted me to lead it! I told her this was my first Mass ever and I didn’t feel qualified. She told me that she wanted me to do it because I spoke English and she wanted to understand the Bible in English. I told her I had absolutely no qualifications to explain the Bible. She kept trying to insist, so I got out of there fast!

On the way home, I recognized a woman on the subway that I’d seen at Mass. She waved me over, asked me if I was new, and invited me for cake and coffee with some other women from the parish next Sunday after Mass. I wish I’d stuck around after Mass to talk to somebody this week, so I think I’ll accept her invitation next week.

Mass was good. I thought I would feel more comfortable with it since I’d read up on it on the internet, but it felt different being there in person. I felt welcome at Church, but I didn’t feel like I belonged there… no, that’s not exactly the feeling; I can’t explain it. I guess it just felt alien to me. I’m not explaining it right.

I’m not certain yet whether I’ll continue going to Mass at this parish. They don’t offer RCIA in English, but they do have an English Mass and some English-speaking parishoners. On the other hand, my boyfriend goes to a different parish, which doesn’t have Mass in English but I know a lot of people who go there. Both parishes are about an hour from where I live now, and both will be about an hour from where I’m moving in August.

 

[Marysann]

I have lived many years overseas so I understand your problems in finding an English language RCIA program. Are you already a baptized Christian? If so then you are not required to attend an RCIA program. If you can find a priest who speaks English, he can assess your current knowledge, and provide instruction to fill in the blanks. Most parish use the RCIA program for all who wish to join the Catholic Church because they don’t have the resources to run two separate programs for true catechumens and those who are already Christians. While you are looking for a priest to help you, I would advise you to be increasing your knowledge of the Catholic faith on your own. I would suggest that you get copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and also the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Read the Compendium for an overview of Catholic teachings, and the Catechism itself for a more in depth treatment if you need more help in understanding a particular teaching. The book Catholicism for Dummies has good sections on Catholic customs and practices as well as good explanations of Catholic teachings. Books from Ignatius Press, TAN Press, Sophia Institute Press and other orthodox Catholic publishers are available on-line. Dr. Scott Hahn has a good Catholic bible study on-line and there are others. Since you are on this forums, you know about the Catholic Answers website. Have you looked at their radio programs? I have them podcasted to my computer because here in Israel there is no Catholic radio. You can also listen to individual programs. They have been on the radio for ten years, and have programs on virtually any subject even remotely connected to Catholicism so you should be able to find something of interest to you. This Rock magazine is also on-line. Now is the time to prepare for coming into full communion with the Catholic so that you will be ready to meet with the priest when our Lord sends him to you. If you are already baptized, you might be able to come into full communion with us on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful Christmas present that would be! Please keep us informed of your progress so that we can pray along with you.