Correct way to come into full communion

[tampasteve]

I have been attending Mass with my wife for 5 years. She is a cradle Catholic. Recently I made the decision to come into communion with The Church. I contacted the Priest at our parish and he said I should talk with the RCIA director. I did so and she said that I should attend Mass on Sundays with the RCIA group and be dismissed with the catechumenates rather than stay in the Mass. I should also come to class during the week in the evenings, which is fine by me. She said I would be a part of the Rite of Welcoming in January and then if I am ready come into full communion in Easter.

Now, if I have to wait until Easter that is fine. However, it was my understanding that Baptized Christians, like me should not be received in Easter. Also, I truly am ready to be received. I have been attending Mass weekly for 5 years and know “what I am getting into” as she put it.

So, what I am getting at is, do I really have to wait until Easter? If not then how should I approach the situation? I am not a usual candidate. I have studied the church for years, attended every week for 5 years, brought up in a Christian home, and attended a Christian school through 8th grade.

Thank you for any direction that anyone can give to me!

Steve

 

[OldRedleg]

Tampasteve,

You are a smarter guy than me. I held out almost 13 years after I married my wife before I converted.

Your understanding that a baptized Christian, who already is familiar with the teachings of the faith, is not required to go through the complete RCIA process is correct. The problem is that most RCIA programs do not have enough volunteers to tailor their programs for partially catechized and uncatechized groups.

I recommend that you discuss this with your parish priest. He can waive the complete RCIA attendance requirement and may be able to meet with you one of one. I have seen this done before.

However, I would encourage you not to fight the requirement to attend the complete RCIA program. As Will Rogers once said, “It’s not what you know that you don’t know that gets you in trouble. It’s what you think you know…that you don’t know…that does.”

Congratulations and welcome home!

 

[maryjk]

I don’t really have an answer for you, but you do my heart good.

I have been married to a non-believer for 16 years, I am a cradle Catholic. And I pray, for his eyes to be open, every day.

Welcome home, to both of you.

 

[Light_Seeker]

I have been attending Mass with my wife for 5 years.

OldRedLeg:

You are a smarter guy than me. I held out almost 13 years after I married my wife before I converted.

maryjk:

I have been married to a non-believer for 16 years, I am a cradle Catholic. And I pray, for his eyes to be open, every day.

5, 13, 16 years. Weenies. I went with my cradle Catholic wife for 20 years before I converted. Makes me the most stupid hard head, dontcha think?

TampaSteve, I understand what you’re saying. In fact, I said the same thing too - figured I knew just about everything I needed to know about Catholicism after spending 20 years of Sundays at Mass.

And I couldn’t have been more wrong.

We all want everything now. But hang in there. This is a period of catechism for you. And strengthening your faith. Some topics you may have enough knowledge to teach the class. But on others, with an open mind, you just may pick up a thing or two. Most RCIA converts know more about Catholicism than Cradle Catholics when their RCIA period is over. And, as a bonus, you get to know very well, & bond with your fellow candidates & catechumens.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have been attending Mass with my wife for 5 years. She is a cradle Catholic. Recently I made the decision to come into communion with The Church. I contacted the Priest at our parish and he said I should talk with the RCIA director. I did so and she said that I should attend Mass on Sundays with the RCIA group and be dismissed with the catechumenates rather than stay in the Mass. I should also come to class during the week in the evenings, which is fine by me. She said I would be a part of the Rite of Welcoming in January and then if I am ready come into full communion in Easter.

Now, if I have to wait until Easter that is fine. However, it was my understanding that Baptized Christians, like me should not be received in Easter. Also, I truly am ready to be received. I have been attending Mass weekly for 5 years and know “what I am getting into” as she put it.

So, what I am getting at is, do I really have to wait until Easter? If not then how should I approach the situation? I am not a usual candidate. I have studied the church for years, attended every week for 5 years, brought up in a Christian home, and attended a Christian school through 8th grade.

Thank you for any direction that anyone can give to me!

Steve

Attending the Catechetical sessions for a few months and participating in them will show that you do know what the Church believes and teaches. Leaving Mass with the Catechumens is up to you. You have a right to remain if you wish. I would after being there for 6 to 8 sessions, discuss with your sponsor your readiness and visit the RCIA director again together, then maybe ask to speak with the pastor. The Rite says that you should not me made to wait any longer than necessary to be received. Sometime just before Easter could make sense.

 

[maryjk]

5, 13, 16 years. Weenies. I went with my cradle Catholic wife for 20 years before I converted. Makes me the most stupid hard head, dontcha think?

TampaSteve, I understand what you’re saying. In fact, I said the same thing too - figured I knew just about everything I needed to know about Catholicism after spending 20 years of Sundays at Mass.

And I couldn’t have been more wrong.

We all want everything now. But hang in there. This is a period of catechism for you. And strengthening your faith. Some topics you may have enough knowledge to teach the class. But on others, with an open mind, you just may pick up a thing or two. Most RCIA converts know more about Catholicism than Cradle Catholics when their RCIA period is over. And, as a bonus, you get to know very well, & bond with your fellow candidates & catechumens.

Please God, I know your time, not mine. But he isn’t even going to Mass yet.

Okay, guys, totally off topic…
How long until you started to attend Mass, and how long after that did you join RCIA? Were you Protestant or nothing?

 

[Light_Seeker]

Please God, I know your time, not mine. But he isn’t even going to Mass yet.

Okay, guys, totally off topic…
How long until you started to attend Mass, and how long after that did you join RCIA? Were you Protestant or nothing?

Was always going to Mass with DW, but not regularly. Promised her to raise any kids Catholic, so several years after we were married, & blessed with our first, made it a Sunday thing. Don’t misunderstand, I didn’t enjoy it, got nothing out of it, and tried to find every reason not to go … yardwork, football game, have to go to hardware store, etc. I went because of kids. I was raised Presbyterian, but abanded it during college, becoming agnostic/skeptic.

All in all, best thing DW ever did was never ever once pressure me. Told her 3 years ago on a Thursday night I needed to go to a meeting. She asked where. Told her RCIA, her mouth hit the floor. When I returned 3 hours later, she was still standing in the kitchen, mouth wide open.

Never shared with her the literal ‘soul searching’ I did before starting RCIA. Or the studying of apologetics convincing me Catholicism is THE Church. Or reading the bible, catechism, and several other theology books. I didn’t want to get her hopes up if I found it wasn’t for me. Or maybe return to my church of my childhood. But I didn’t convert for her. Or the kids.

It was for me.

 

[tampasteve]

Thanks for the guidance everyone! So I will just keep on keeping on with the program as it is at this point. I am just anxious to fully participate. After so many years of only attending I know I am ready and now that I have fully made that decision I cannot wait!

Steve

 

[tampasteve]

Okay, guys, totally off topic…
How long until you started to attend Mass, and how long after that did you join RCIA? Were you Protestant or nothing?

I suppose that it is self evident from my OP, but I have been going to Mass for 5 years with my wife. Before that I went to a Baptist school, but attended a Methodist church for years.

Steve

 

[Seatuck]

Thanks for the guidance everyone! So I will just keep on keeping on with the program as it is at this point. I am just anxious to fully participate. After so many years of only attending I know I am ready and now that I have fully made that decision I cannot wait!

Steve

Great, Steve.

I guess the thing to know is that there is a whole lot more to being a Catholic than the Mass. There are serious theological differences from you past faith tradition that most likely don’t ever get touched on in Mass. We have Rights and Responsibilites as Catholics. We even have Rites but that’s another thread. Even the best RCIA programs won’t cover half of it.

Have you any other resources books on Catholic teachings?Here’s a few recommendations. You can find the linked ones in book form.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Catholicism for Dummies

Some Convert stories-
Surprised by Truth Series
Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray
Rome Swee Home by the Hahns

Prayers for the Journey!

 

[tampasteve]

Great, Steve.

I guess the thing to know is that there is a whole lot more to being a Catholic than the Mass. There are serious theological differences from you past faith tradition that most likely don’t ever get touched on in Mass. We have Rights and Responsibilites as Catholics. We even have Rites but that’s another thread. Even the best RCIA programs won’t cover half of it.

Have you any other resources books on Catholic teachings?Here’s a few recommendations. You can find the linked ones in book form.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Catholicism for Dummies

Some Convert stories-
Surprised by Truth Series
Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray
Rome Sweet Home by the Hahns

Prayers for the Journey!

Thanks for your kind words! I actually own the Catechism already and have read a fair amount of it (certainly not all yet…it is long! ) I also have read and own Catholicism for Dummies, various works by the Church Fathers (St. Augustine, etc…) and other books on the subject.

I am quite familiar with the differences between the Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, and of course the Eastern Catholic Church Rites. I took several courses in Theology in university along with copious amounts of personal study.

This is not a decision I have come to lightly. There was a time in my life when I most identified with the Oriental Orthodox, particularly the Coptic Church, but in the end I have come to the Catholic Church. While I have been attending the Catholic Mass for 5 years, this has been a journey of 15 years to get to the point where I am ready to make a life long commitment in the Catholic Church.

Steve

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Just a quick observation. Easter is closer than you think. I can also promise you that you WILL learn something. Also, you will meet many fine people that you will not otherwise get to know. Lastly, WELCOME HOME.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B