Can I take RCIA at another parish?

[Chris-WA]

The purpose of the process of RCIA is not specifically aimed at “teaching” (which is why the term “classes” is avoided in the context of the RCIA). Rather, it is about enculturation – of bringing those who seek to join the Church into the culture of the Church. This certainly does involve “teaching” – but more in the sense of “catechesis” which is a “sharing of faith.” A major part of this is to bring the catechumen into contact with the parish so that the individual becomes a part of the parish and is able to select a way in which he or she can live out the call to service that is a part of our baptism.

Boy I tell ya, I think this approach has done harm to the Church. It sounds great on paper, but practically what if often means is that little or no solid instruction in the Catholic faith is provided. What you end up with is touchy-feely RCIA program that never really tells the catechumen what the church teaches on many things they need to know. I’ve witnessed this in my own parish. Everyone was sharing what they believe about this or that, but at no time did the instructor clarify the official teaching of the Catholic Church, so it turned into one of those ‘I’m OK you’re OK’ nonsense situations. People leave those classes thinking whatever they believe is OK, I don’t really have to listen to the Pope, confession is optional, birth control is OK depending on your point of view, etc. You get my drift.

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks I did not know that. But what prevents transferring if you can go wherever you want to begin with?

In the Catholic Church, it’s not like other organizations, where you join XYZ chapter of the Owls, and if you don’t like them, then you join ABC chapter of the Owls, and then everything you did at XYZ gets lost. As a Catholic, you “belong to” every parish in the whole world, really, but your membership records (baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc.) is all kept at the parish that you live in.

For example, if you got married in a parish across the city, they would have asked for your address, and they would have gotten your baptism information from your local parish, and then after the wedding, they would have sent all of your marriage information to your local parish. That way, after you die, if someone wants to find out about your Catholic life, all they have to do is give your address to the local Diocese, they look up the parish where the person lived, and all the records are there. They don’t have to hunt all over the city to find out where you were actually married, or where you were actually Confirmed, etc.

If you take RCIA at a different parish, then when you get Confirmed at the end of RCIA, they would send your record of Confirmation to your local parish. This all happens behind the scenes - you wouldn’t be aware of it, necessarily. But when your great grandchildren come looking for you, all they’ll have to do is look up your local parish, and everything will be there.

 

[Damascus]

Well, thanks for the info. I have to ask: can I get permission to change from a parish to another if I can not tithe to 2 parishes? Could they just forward all my stuff to the “new” parish- of course in the same diosesce.

There may be a good reason for someone wanting to leave a parish for good.
Like a victim of abuse or something else. Surely I do not suggest nor ever would say parish shopping or switching should be done lightly when one is a Chatholic.

 

[jmcrae]

Well, thanks for the info. I have to ask: can I get permission to change from a parish to another if I can not tithe to 2 parishes? Could they just forward all my stuff to the “new” parish- of course in the same diosesce.

You can attend any parish you want to. But no, they can’t “forward” your stuff to a parish where you don’t actually live.

There may be a good reason for someone wanting to leave a parish for good.
Like a victim of abuse or something else. Surely I do not suggest nor ever would say parish shopping or switching should be done lightly when one is a Chatholic.

Your records are kept at your local parish, even if you never step foot through the door even once in your whole life. You can go to the parish across town for your whole life, and no one will mind at all.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

The hurdle is the hospital and the parish that serves it are in Germany.

If it would have been a military hospital the DRE told me he would have contacted them. (He has books with addresses and phone numbers.) Once he found out it was a civilian hospital…the church would also be off of a military installation…he told me he couldn’t help.

It had become so frustrating and disappointing to hit walls everywhere I turned that I just backed off for a while. I could feel myself getting very resentful.

I plan to remind my mom about the notorized letter. I’ll attach my baptism pictures & see what happens from there.

Honestly, if it’s another brick wall, I still wouldn’t walk away.

In my parish I will accept photos and testimony that the baptism took place and proceed from there. Germany is a fairly civilized country. Perhaps if you tell me which hospital and city you were baptized in I can be of some help. You can PM that to me if you wish. I did live in Germany for four years (Wiesbaden) and may be able to contact some friends who are still over there.

Deacon Ed

 

[RCCDefender]

.

One thing you should know is that not all RCIA classes are created equal. Sadly, the quality of RCIA varies greatly from parish to parish because the church doesn’t have a universal syllabus and depends mostly on local volunteers to do the teaching. Often what you cover is up to their own whims (by the way, I think this a terrible way to go about it but without more concrete guidance from the Magisterium, we’re unfortunately stuck with it for the time being). If your RCIA program is not teaching you the official teachings of the Catholic Church, it is doing you and the church a disservice. As an adult, you need to know what the church really teaches before you agree to baptism and/or confirmation, otherwise you are making an uninformed decision that affects the rest of your life. More than ever, we need informed Catholics. Far too many are not and are therefore quite unaware of the church’s teachings on many important life issues.

By all means, if your parish RCIA program is weak, find a better one! And when you finish, go back to your own parish and volunteer to help make their RCIA program better!

I second that advice!!

 

[Maria3m]

An update --

Yesterday, there was an announcement & a handout in the bulletin about an upcoming class at my parish. (no need to go anywhere else, thankfully.) It’s a 6 week class, and hopefully there will be a great turnout so more classes will be offered.

This is the first adult education class I’ve seen offered in the year I’ve attended this church. After overhearing conversations after mass, there is a large interest. I’m really excited. (Even though I haven’t rec’d all the sacraments…I plan to attend.)

The handout reads:

*Catholicism 101: Refreshing Waters

So you have received all of your sacraments…now what? Attended Catholic school, went through parish Religious Education, and don’t remember much? Want help to approach your faith as an adult Christian?

Then Join us for a study of Catholic doctrine, lively discussion, and a renewal of our baptismal commitment to lifelong formation in our faith.*

Can you tell I’m excited?!

 

[RCCDefender]

That’s wonderful!! It sounds like it might be a great class. I hope it is!

 

[Trident59]

Sounds like you need some of the Scott Hahn tapes. They are available at any number of sites and well worth the investment.