Any Updates from those in RCIA?

[mrsdizzyd]

I have not “learned” anything new in any of my RCIA classes, but I have gotten something out of each one. It is pride that tell us that we are too good for something or that they couldn’t possible have anything new to tell us.

 

[LisaB]

I mean this in charity but it will come out bluntly: if you believe that 8 months of RCIA, at the end of which you will be received into one TRUE Church, is not worth the trouble, you can benefit from more catechesis. We should be willing to jump through whatever hoops necessary to be part of the Church if we truly believe it’s the path to our salvation and to union with Christ on this earth. One can think, perhaps with merit, that RCIA is not the most efficient way for one to learn Catholicism, but to use that as a reason not to convert doesn’t make any sense.

 

[Dlee]

Just to add that it is much more than learning about Catholicism, it is about making it our daily thoughts and actions. Satan knows everything about the teachings of the Catholic Church, but does not worship God. I remember struggling with pride, also. I had all the book knowledge, but my heart needed to catch up. The real conversion comes when you realize that you have so much more to learn about loving and worshiping God.

 

[EricF]

Outstanding post! Thank you.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

I remember struggling with pride, also. I had all the book knowledge, but my heart needed to catch up. The real conversion comes when you realize that you have so much more to learn about loving and worshiping God.

Amen! This is my story and experience too. Pride had me feeling so much desolation when Father told me I had to wait until RCIA started and then had to wait to the following Easter. However, unlike the rich young man in today’s reading, I did not walk away. I prayed for humility, and said thy will be done.

 

[Horton]

Exactly! Those who say they already know what is being taught in RCIA are really missing the point. RCIA is a time to grow in spirituality. It is a time to practice virtues, amend one’s life to living a life of faith. It is a time to grow in humility, to throw out the arrogance of saying “I know it all already”, I won’t learn anything in RCIA. Going to class with the attitude of looking to find the instructor in error. That is all pride and pride is a root sin that causes so many to falter.

I think some of this comes from Protestantism. The belief system in many denominations is that a person alone is responsible for their salvation and .once they have it, boom - done, got it handled.

As Catholics we know salvation isn’t quite that simple. We receive so much grace to obtain salvation, God so wants us to just grab on, but we don’t always use the graces God gives us. So salvation is not a one & done thing for us. We must always be aware of our ability to lose our eternal life and must work on our spiritual lives continually.

That is what people must start to learn in RCIA, the living part of being Catholic. When you get to heaven God isn’t going to give you a written test, He’s going to judge you one how you behaved as a Catholic, did you live by the virtues or the vices?

 

[TC3033]

Replying to remind me to post when I can get off my phone, but everyone who says it’s pride and me saying I’m too good can’t be replying with charity.

It’s like say “no offense…but”, and sorry, I guess I don’t see why a baptized Christian, like myself, and one who is probably better cathecised than many a Catholic needs to go through 8 months of classes…sorry. I don’t understand and may never will.

 

[EricF]

I don’t believe that anyone is meaning to be uncharitable. Just be open to the process. It will likely be quite surprising.

 

[Dlee]

What I meant was that I thought I knew and understood all the Catholic teachings. What I found out was that the time in RCIA seemed long, yet it flew by. I was 60 years old, had gone to Sunday School, Church, Bible studies, Bible School, Youth Group, prayer meetings - studied the Bible my entire life. I thought I knew more than enough to become Catholic. In my second year as a catechist, I realize every day how much I don’t know. My pride was thinking I knew enough. Yes, I was probably better catechized than many Catholics and was even told that by many cradle Catholics. I do not regret or look back and think the time in RCIA was too long or unnecessary. I would have gone for a lifetime to finally be able to partake of the Eucharist.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

My journey into the church has been beautiful and challenging and rewarding. I am the most knowledgeable person in my RCIA cohort. That does not matter. The experience is beneficial and understanding hearing how Catholics understand the duties and responsibilities of Christians is always edifying.

Even St. Augustine, the intellectual giant that he was, had to spend time as a catechumen because he had never been baptisted. He considered it a personally beneficial opportunity to practice the virtue of humility.

 

[Horton]

I guess I don’t see why a baptized Christian, like myself, and one who is probably better cathecised than many a Catholic needs to go through 8 months of classes…sorry. I don’t understand and may never will.

This sentence here is exactly why you would need to go through RCIA.

 

[Convert3]

I was a baptized Christian, had been confirmed in the Lutheran church as a teen, attended Catholic, Nazarene, Baptist and nondenominational churches from College through adulthood. I had married a Catholic girl, she divorced me, and six years later married my wife who is Catholic. I thought I had known enough to become Catholic, but entered RCIA and filed for annulment of my first marriage two years ago. I entered RCIA with an open mind but had not committed to conversion, but wanted to get my wife back in good standing with the Catholic Church and our marriage convalidated by the church because I could see something was missing. By Christmas I had learned a great deal and my questions had been answered, my first marriage was annulled and my marriage convalidated. I did a lot more reading outside of the RCIA class and learned as much as I could. I also watched other RCIA classes on YouTube. By the time the Easter Vigil arrived, I was excited about joining the Catholic Faith. RCIA set the foundation for my spiritual growth and I don’t regret spending the time necessary to attend.

 

[CelticWarlord]

Interesting question. I have called the Parish office about RCIA, asked about it from some people, and left my name and number with a few from the prayer group. I was uncertain that I wanted to pursue this right now so asked God to guide things one way or the other. Since I’ve heard nothing from anyone I must assume that I was correct in feeling it was not the right time for me just now. So I have nothing to report.

 

[Dlee]

I (personally) would not leave this decision up to other people. I spoke with the priest after mass and called and scheduled a personal appointment. We’re all so busy, it’s easy to forget and/over misplace a message. Perhaps try again? Best wishes.

 

[CelticWarlord]

I’ve decided to leave it till next year. Or the year after. lol I wasn’t all that keen on it to begin with so am content to leave it alone. I’m also told by a Catholic friend that the parish I attend is very small and simply may not have any RCIA this year. Not a big deal, but thank you for your interest.

 

[Convert3]

I actually attended RCIA classes at two different parishes. We spend the winter in Florida since we’are retired. I had to contact three parishes in Florida before I could find one willing to let me into their class part time. It turned out to be a true blessing, learning between the two.

 

[TC3033]

This sentence here is exactly why you would need to go through RCIA.

Can you please expound? I just guess I don’t see why it needs to be 8 months long, seems overboard to me…especially for someone who basically lived at church growing up.

By the time the Easter Vigil arrived, I was excited about joining the Catholic Faith. RCIA set the foundation for my spiritual growth and I don’t regret spending the time necessary to attend.

I guess that’s one thing too. If it were something that I could do in a month or two and then on an arbitrary Sunday in August when we go to Mass the only thing that’s different is that I’m Catholic…I’d be more interested. I’m not really into needing to go to class for 8 months then be in front of the church at Easter and having to be received in front of everyone, going through scrutinizes, etc… and I’m not really interested (as an adult) needing to have a sponsor.

With my background of being brought up in church I don’t understand why the class HAS to be 8 months long.

Sorry, it just kind of “it is what it is” for me right now. Maybe that will change down the line (we’re actually looking at Lutheran right now though), who knows.

Anyway — I’m going to quit derailing the thread and continue to read about others experiences.

 

[SarahKate]

I think it’s interesting to hear different perspectives.

I was raised in a Protestant church my entire life. I felt pretty confident in knowing everything I should know about the faith. I knew all the correct responses to answers, lots of theology and apologetics, and did pretty well as a kid in my Bible drills.

And then I discovered the Liturgical Year. I’d NEVER heard anything having to do with a church calendar in the Protestant churches I attended, except for the one with annual board meetings, picnics, etc. on it. Church was to fit into my life and my schedule.

When I started studying the Liturgical Year I was blown away. Instead of Church fitting into my busy calendar, here was the idea that my life should fit around the celebration of Jesus throughout the entire year!

Then I started learning about the Saints. And the Early Church. And the Doctors of the Church. None of this was mentioned in my churches.

The vast richness of Catholicism leaves me breathless compared to the Protestant faith in which I grew up.

I’ve often told my husband that I’d need several lifetimes to simply scratch the surface of Catholic doctrine, teaching, the saints, and the liturgical year.

When we find the fullness of the truth, we realize that our previous knowledge was mere childishness compared to the wisdom that awaits us. Of course, that’s if we’re willing to admit it.

8 months is a long time to sit through boring classes on stuff we already know, if that’s how we choose to see it, or we can choose to see it as a way to revel in the riches the Church has to offer.

It’s up to each person to make the most of their interior life- whether it’s good enough as is, bare, or constantly enlarging through study and application.

Blessings on your journey.

 

[EricF]

Beautifully said!

 

[Convert3]

Can you please expound?

I suspect he may have been trying to tell you that maybe you do not know as much about the Catholic teachings as you think you do. I went in with an open mind and open heart. I learned a lot in class and I still have much to learn. But I know I may be wrong.