Could I still attend RCIA even though

[wjp984]

My family is Eastern Catholic so we were all confirmed as infants. While I don’t know about adults, I do know that although me and my brother did not want to be bothered with going through two years of a hassle like the other teens, my sister chose to go to the Confirmation program along with the rest of the people in her age group who had not yet been confirmed. She probably did this for social reasons as well as even I regret not doing it for that, however, the point is they allowed her to attend and learn about the faith and jsut get some sort of blessing at the actual confimation date. The adults probably have some sort of similar rules.

 

[Ex_Cathedra]

Thanks everyone for your answers and I went ahead and asked the Priest and he gave me an “AMEN TO THAT” heh heh heh. He said that would be great since I am bringing someone from a different denomination who happens to be interested in the Faith.

So I’ve signed up.

I also offered to help in whatever way I can with the Church. I feel I have a calling to the church more and more. Well… not to the priesthood, but as a volunteer, evangelist etc…

I feel It will also help me deal with my **anger **and social skills (im an introvert).

Thanks people.
God Bless

 

[Brian_C]

Great! I hope you learn something and I hope your GF comes into the faith if God wills it.

 

[1ke]

Those parishes that are not meeting the Bishops mandate for Adult Catechesis established in 1999 by the USCCB need to put their full attention into getting there ASAP. ( they have had 7 years)

Easier said than done in a small, rural parish whose priest has 3 parishes under his care, and few resources-- monetary or otherwise.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Easier said than done in a small, rural parish whose priest has 3 parishes under his care, and few resources-- monetary or otherwise.

I would like to second this, my parent’s parish is at least that small, with 4 churches sharing a priest who struggles with english and no deacon. Our parish is probably 1200 active families, our RCIA class is the only thing available over the age of 17 and it is one group per year. Last year zero Priest visits, usually we get one or two 5-10 minute visits per year. During our 2 trips to the Diocese (one for baptized, one for non-baptized) we see the Bishop from 30 yards, -stand when your name is called. Typically 1-2 classes are taught by a Deacon, a second Deacon stops in for introductions, and the third does not meet the RCIA group. These are not lazy people - exhausted but not lazy. I do not see closing shop as a better option, and waiting for money and volunteers would be closing shop. We have an understaffed school operating which needs all the help the parish can provide. We make do, and that is about all we can do, no pity pool needed we are just fine. I do appreciate all the posts and learn from them please lets keep it positive everybody on our team wants to do a better job, so suggestions are greatly appreciated.

BTW - I went to ccd in the 60’s and barely remember the play ground. It turns out the same is true for other cradle Catholics I know

 

[1ke]

What many pastors do not realize is that the RCIA is an official Liturgical Rite of the Catholic Church and therfore CANNOT be modified to personal or parish taste. It must be followed to the letter for the purpose it was intended, the wording, the actions and form CANNOT be changed even by the pastor from what is published in the official liturgical books.

You are correct that the rites themselves-- the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Sending, the Rite of Election, the Scrutinies-- are an official liturgical rite of the church and cannot be modified nor is anyone suggesting that the OP participate in such rites.

However, the catechism class attended weekly by these people is not a rite of the Church and can be attended by any and all as the parish pastor deems appropriate. And, in many parishes the catechism class is a mixture of those who are going through the RCIA process and others who also need catechesis.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

You are correct that the rites themselves-- the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Sending, the Rite of Election, the Scrutinies-- are an official liturgical rite of the church and cannot be modified nor is anyone suggesting that the OP participate in such rites.

However, the catechism class attended weekly by these people is not a rite of the Church and can be attended by any and all as the parish pastor deems appropriate. And, in many parishes the catechism class is a mixture of those who are going through the RCIA process and others who also need catechesis.

Some Pastors, DRE’s RCIA directors do send Candidates through the Rite of Acceptance, drop the Rite of Acceptance, pass over the Inquiry stage.

That is correct that the RCIA does not specify specifically what is contained in the Catechesis. The Catechetical documents of the Church cover this. However there are some broad statements in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults that make it clear that the Baptized are to be always distinct from the non-Baptized. The Baptized are NOT to be dismissed with the Catechumens from Mass. That Candidates are not to be put through any more than is necessary to prepare them for Confession, Confirmation and Eucharist. They are not preparing for Baptism or Christianity, they are preparing for living the Catholic life. Catholic in there are not preparing for receiving any Sacraments. I personally feel that it is very difficult to present to a mixed group requiring different levels of Catechesis. It becomes the “one room schoolhouse” model.