Can't join the RCIA near my residence

[amrin]

I’m not sure this is the right forum for this question so move if necessary

So, I want to join the RCIA for a while, but I haven’t been able to for various reasons. One of the reasons is that, every time I try to contact the two nearest churches (2 miles radius) and which I’m assuming are my “home” parish, I never get a response. I’ve even scheduled appointments with the priest but I believe he was busy so he never showed up.

So, what I’m wanting to ask is, since I can’t manage to do it in my small town, should I try to contact further way parishes? I’m not baptized and would very much like to be catholic, but will they take someone who is from out of town? And if so will that parish where I’m baptized become my “home” parish or my geographical parish will always be the considered the home one?

Thank you!

 

[GEddie]

I’m not sure this is the right forum for this question so move if necessary

So, I want to join the RCIA for a while, but I haven’t been able to for various reasons. One of the reasons is that, every time I try to contact the two nearest churches (2 miles radius) and which I’m assuming are my “home” parish, I never get a response. I’ve even scheduled appointments with the priest but I believe he was busy so he never showed up.

So, what I’m wanting to ask is, since I can’t manage to do it in my small town, should I try to contact further way parishes? I’m not baptized and would very much like to be catholic, but will they take someone who is from out of town? And if so will that parish where I’m baptized become my “home” parish or my geographical parish will always be the considered the home one?

Thank you!

There is no requirement that you go to RCIA in your home parish, or for that matter town.

The parish of your residence will always be your “home parish.” Many people, including me, live hundreds or more miles from their place of baptism.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Catholic1954]

You may attend RCIA wherever you wish. I live in a HUGE diocese and some people go to RCIA near their work because they can’t make it home in time to go to their local parishes. After you have gone through the process, you may attend Mass on Sunday wherever you wish.

 

[Casilda]

So, I want to join the RCIA for a while, but I haven’t been able to for various reasons. One of the reasons is that, every time I try to contact the two nearest churches (2 miles radius) and which I’m assuming are my “home” parish, I never get a response. I’ve even scheduled appointments with the priest but I believe he was busy so he never showed up.

…should I try to contact further way parishes?

Thank you!

The same happened to me. I tried six parishes, each farther and farther away. They were all too large (2500-6000 families) with just one priest. I finally found a healthier, smaller parish of just a few hundred families. I now travel almost an hour to my home parish.

 

[book_and_bead]

Same thing happened to me! I live in a semi-rural area of northern NJ and sent an application to a church that wasn’t my home parish, but still close to me. I added a note with my application that stated I was already baptized and confirmed Russian Orthodox as a child but now wanted to become Catholic. I already had some background in Catholicism because my dad’s side of the family is Catholic. I never heard back, and when I called after several months had passed I was told that their religious director would have to contact me. I left my number and no one ever called back. I was beginning to think that I wasn’t meant to be Catholic.

Fast forward, a friend suggested I go to a parish a bit further from my home. I met the pastor and discussed my situation. After meeting him and taking a tour of the church, I knew that this was it. That was March 2014. I learned that my baptism and confirmation were valid; we met for a few months on a regular basis. He had me do some study and I took my profession of faith on July 20, a day after my first confession. I couldn’t be happier. Pray for a direction and He will lead you to where you are meant to be.

 

[Usige]

I was received in another parish in a different diocese. There were actually 5 or 6 parishes closer, but the one I chose was the only one that had a year round program and set a path based on where each person was rather than shoving everyone through the same scholastic year “program”.