Called to schedule meeting with priest

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I am in the inquiry stage of rcia right now and I called my parish office to schedule a meeting with the priest to introduce myself and speak with him. The receptionist took my number and I haven’t received a call back to schedule. Is it normal for it to take some time to schedule meetings or could the message not have been delivered? Do I call back or wait? Not familiar with priests or their daily lives just wanted to get some info. Thanks!
 
I am in the inquiry stage of rcia right now and I called my parish office to schedule a meeting with the priest to introduce myself and speak with him. The receptionist took my number and I haven’t received a call back to schedule. Is it normal for it to take some time to schedule meetings or could the message not have been delivered? Do I call back or wait? Not familiar with priests or their daily lives just wanted to get some info. Thanks!
Yes it can take some time sometimes. I have experienced that too. Call back after a few days. Priests can get very busy with pastoral stuff.
 
Is it normal? Unfortunately. Its a waiting game. Call and wait a week. Catch the priest after mass and tell him you called. Call again. See if the priest has an email. Some of the younger ones do. Give it three weeks, then try another parish. I had better luck at an Eastern Catholic parish.
 
I’m gonna get flamed for this, but in general I don’t trust parish secretaries. In my experience they tend to see themselves as someone who has to defend the priest from outside contact, and usually not because the priest wants it that way.

This is, of course, only based on my limited experience. Your mileage may vary.

Find a way to contact Father directly. Go to daily Mass, approach him afterward. Find his email or direct office number. Don’t rely on a message left with the receptionist.
 
I am in the inquiry stage of rcia right now and I called my parish office to schedule a meeting with the priest to introduce myself and speak with him. The receptionist took my number and I haven’t received a call back to schedule. Is it normal for it to take some time to schedule meetings or could the message not have been delivered? Do I call back or wait? Not familiar with priests or their daily lives just wanted to get some info. Thanks!
I would call back on Monday and every subsequent Monday until you get a response.

Priests are very busy men with a lot of obligations. Like the other poster said, you could try and talk to him after mass or call back and ask the secretary if the priest has an email address where you can contact him directly or check the parish’s website to see if he has an email account.

God Bless
 
Call back or maybe you can find out who is the RCIA instructor and attend a meeting. I would give the church a call again if you want to meet with a priest first. Also, if you must leave a message, ask the receptionist if he will call you back today. Praying for your conversion.
 
Making a complete nuisance of yourself always has value in getting attention. Once you have gained attention, turn on the charm tap to decrease the likelihood of built up resentment in all you have irritated. Better to irritate then to waste time with your soul. You are more important than their convenience. To get around the door keepers, introduce yourself to the priest who at worst normally spends two minutes outside the door after Mass. Even if you have to swat some of the gushies that normally infest the personal space of the priest at this time. You can identify them by their official parish badges. ( To discourage any outrage, this scenario is complete fiction and is not based on decades of experience in parish life.)
 
Yes, as others have said this can take some time. Priests are incredibly busy men.

In addition to the advice already given, I would suggest you not attempt first contact via e-mail as these messages often get lost in a barrage of others clamoring for the priest’s attention - or, worse, may get caught in the spam filter so he never sees them. In person is best, for example after Mass, as there is no intermediary to deal with. Telephone is second best. Be persistent, particularly if you have to go through the secretary, but also patient. The suggestion to call on the same day every week until you get a response is a good one.

God bless! Praying for you in your spiritual journey.
 
I am in the inquiry stage of rcia right now and I called my parish office to schedule a meeting with the priest to introduce myself and speak with him. The receptionist took my number and I haven’t received a call back to schedule. Is it normal for it to take some time to schedule meetings or could the message not have been delivered? Do I call back or wait? Not familiar with priests or their daily lives just wanted to get some info. Thanks!
Check to see if there is a direct contact for RCIA. Are the parish bulletins online? Our RCIA is taught by our “senior priest”, but in other parishes, it’s conducted by either a layperson, deacon, or religious brother or sister. Actually showing up usually gets more results than emails or phone calls. As I was taught in retail sales, pay attention to the customer in front of you, not the one who is on the phone. The latter didn’t muster the wherewithal to come in.

HTH

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
I can’t add anymore to what others have said, but I just wanted to wish you a beautiful experience on your journey though the process. I have worked with RCIA candidates in the past and it is an amazing experience for them.

God bless!

John
 
I am in the inquiry stage of rcia right now and I called my parish office to schedule a meeting with the priest to introduce myself and speak with him. The receptionist took my number and I haven’t received a call back to schedule. Is it normal for it to take some time to schedule meetings or could the message not have been delivered? Do I call back or wait? Not familiar with priests or their daily lives just wanted to get some info. Thanks!
As others have suggested, contacting the RCIA coordinator is probably a good first step - the priest will probably want to meet with you to talk about where you’re at in your faith journey but initial contact with the co-ordinator will probably be the most helpful course of action.
I’m gonna get flamed for this, but in general I don’t trust parish secretaries. In my experience they tend to see themselves as someone who has to defend the priest from outside contact, and usually not because the priest wants it that way.
Like priests,and like just about like everyone really, parish secretaries come in all shades - some are more trouble than they’re worth and others (like ours) are invaluable in the efficient running of a large and busy parish. Priests are busy people but they are also human, so sometimes things do have a tendency do slip off of or under) the radar so to speak.
I would call back on Monday and every subsequent Monday until you get a response.
Monday is the single worst day to contact a priest (even worse than Sunday). Talking to him after mass has value but the difficulty with this is that it’s often difficult for a priest to give you too much attention given the number of other people waiting (almost everyone seems to want him for something).

Priests tend to delegate most day to day things in a parish (like running the RCIA group) simply in order to stop them from getting too bogged down in activities. So, if there isn’t an RCI coordinator then talk to the parish secretary again and explain the situation - they tend to see the priest several times a day (if not more) and so should be able to follow up.

Hope it all goes well and blessings on your journey.
 
Just to clarify i have already been attending rcia, I was just scheduling a meeting with the priest. He actually called me back today.
 
Oops. Sorry about that.

Regarding the priest returning your call, as the nuns all say, “WONDERFUL!”

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
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