Becoming a catholic

[Grandpa_B]

My grandson is attending a catholic school for the first time. He is in the 8th grade and is asking me how he can become a catholic. He has been raised thus-far with no religious up bringing. His mother and father have no religious affiliation. His stepmother is my daughter (raised catholic). The school he is attending evidently has not been much help with this matter. He goes to religion classes with the rest of his class but feels somewhat left out, especially in church where his peers participate in the mass and receive communion. How can I help him ?

 

[FrDavid96]

My grandson is attending a catholic school for the first time. He is in the 8th grade and is asking me how he can become a catholic. He has been raised thus-far with no religious up bringing. His mother and father have no religious affiliation. His stepmother is my daughter (raised catholic). The school he is attending evidently has not been much help with this matter. He goes to religion classes with the rest of his class but feels somewhat left out, especially in church where his peers participate in the mass and receive communion. How can I help him ?

First, help him by your example and continue to foster this great sign of hope in him! Encourage him!

As for the practical side of things:

The program that would apply to him is RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

Generally, that’s not done in a school setting. It could be, but it usually is not. That’s why it might seem like the school isn’t being much help—simply because this isn’t a school function. His Catholic schooling will certainly help him.

What he needs to do is to contact the Catholic pastor of the place where he actually lives. That might or might not be the pastor at the school, or even your own pastor. What matters is where he actually lives.

His own pastor can help him in enrolling in RCIA and eventually becoming Catholic. Given his age, he might not feel comfortable being in classes with adults, or it might not be practical. Whatever needs to be modified to suit his particular circumstances can be arranged by his pastor.

I have an obligation to mention to you that since he is a minor, be sure that at least one of his parents consents to him doing this.

 

[tawny]

First, help him by your example and continue to foster this great sign of hope in him! Encourage him!

As for the practical side of things:

The program that would apply to him is RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

Generally, that’s not done in a school setting. It could be, but it usually is not. That’s why it might seem like the school isn’t being much help—simply because this isn’t a school function. His Catholic schooling will certainly help him.

What he needs to do is to contact the Catholic pastor of the place where he actually lives. That might or might not be the pastor at the school, or even your own pastor. What matters is where he actually lives.

His own pastor can help him in enrolling in RCIA and eventually becoming Catholic. Given his age, he might not feel comfortable being in classes with adults, or it might not be practical. Whatever needs to be modified to suit his particular circumstances can be arranged by his pastor.

I have an obligation to mention to you that since he is a minor, be sure that at least one of his parents consents to him doing this.

Agree.

 

[petra22]

I’d like to offer some prayers.
Dear Lord, hold out your arms and bless this young man who feels drawn to your church. Guide him on the path that leads to you. Give him and his family strength, faith, peace, hope and love.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Amen to everything Fr. David said.

If you are close by, you’ll be in a great position to take him to Mass and support him through the RCIA process.

But this really is something that happens in the parish rather than the school.

 

[Grandpa_B]

Thanks to all who responded to my question regarding my grandsons desire to become a catholic. I will contact the church near his home to try to get him enrolled in this program.
I am sure I will return here with more questions as you have been very kind and helpful.
Thanks again,
Grandpa B

 

[cararolen]

Just as a little support, like everyone else has said, obviously consult the parish priest and go from there.

Depending on his maturity, RCIA could be appropriate but I would let the priest advice you there. I personally went through RCIA at 16 and it was a rewarding experience for me, I’m now 27.

Prayers for you and your grandson, hope everything works out very well!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Depending on his maturity, RCIA could be appropriate but I would let the priest advice you there. I personally went through RCIA at 16 and it was a rewarding experience for me, I’m now 27.

Just to be clear, RCIA for children does not mean dumping an 8-year-old into a class with adults. That wouldn’t be good for anyone involved.

A child will be taught with peers and treated appropriately, but will go through the various rites with others coming into the Church.

When we’ve had children or teens, the RCIA coordinator works with the children’s or youth religious education folks. The child goes to class with peers and gets additional sacramental preparation as needed. But when it’s time for any of the rites, both the children/teens and adults participate. By the time you add in their parents and godparents, the kids have a whole host of adults standing behind them.

 

[rfournier103]

I am going to echo everyone else here and suggest that he (or maybe both of you together) go and speak to the local parish priest. If he wants to become Catholic, the priest is going to have to get involved at some point. Why not now? He will give him the best possible guidance.

God bless.