Doubts about doing the RCIA

  • Thread starter Thread starter Inbetweener
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Inbetweener

Guest
Invited to do the RCIA next week and having doubts already. The course which will last to next year is at the same time as the Charismatic Catholic prayer service I go to and I won’t be able to do this. Everyone is encouraging me to go but I told them it’s because I won’t be a good traditional Catholic and here is the reasons.

I am charismatic and can feel at home at any Holy Spirit meeting.

I am unable to go to church due to work and don’t consider it a sin. I already go to 3 services in the week.

Protestants and Catholics both go to heaven. Too many NDE (some I know) confirms this.

If offered bread at a Protestant service I will take it as a memorial and for unity. But I believe in real presence.

I made these points know but they tell me to go to RCIA
 
Dear Inbetweener,

Sounds like you have a lot you are thinking about! I might just say that it is okay to try RCIA to learn, and not for sure to join the Church this year. I tried and quit 2 different RCIA programs (in two different parishes), before I finally joined, about 8 years after I first tried an RCIA program. Maybe there is a different parish where you would feel more at home? Sometimes I think it is still possible to take instruction privately from a priest - - maybe someone at the Charismatic prayer service you go to, would have some helpful ideas. God bless!
 
Two years ago I had opportunity to take it with a more liberal priest who will allow me to go on Sunday to protestant service with my wife and kids (protestant) and mass in midweek. I feel that maybe the priest doing it is a ‘good’ priest and there isn’t any leeway. I am only considering this ‘good’ priest as there is a chance I can be confirmed at the same time and church as my friends.

Also I feel that the long course does not bear in mind your personal experiences in the faith, it’s like you have a petrol car but you got to do your driving lessons again to drive a diesel car.
 
If you are interested, I think you should certainly look into it! Go for a month or so and see if it still draws you. As for Sundays, Many parishes provide multiple Mass times too, so you may be able to do both work and honoring the Sabbath. Although there are many Chreasters that don’t go to Mass weekly either, if you are dedicated to becoming closer to God, why not sacrifice some of your time? If a parish offers at 6:30, 9:00, and noon and you are only able to make it to 6:30, give God that time. Some hold Masses Saturday evenings as well, so I suppose it depends on your area.

Don’t let that be your biggest setback. Like I aid, if you really are interested, give RCIA a shot. If you find yourself wanting continue or commit, then try finding a way to be able to honor the Lord’s day. it’s unfortunate that you are missing out on the prayer services :(. I can’t really help you out there. Maybe you can discuss this dilemma with those who do the prayer service regularly and see what they think? Maybe they can adjust the time for that?
 
Thanks for your encouragement. On Tuesday I go to a Sr prayer group at the convent, on Thursday night originally I go to a Charismatic Catholic prayer meeting, worship healing service whilst earlier at Thursday lunch time I go to a mass at a different church, so it 3 services already a week along with working 5-6 days a week and having two young kids. My wife and kids is protestant and although they are ok with me to become Catholic it does feel stupid to go to separate churches on Sunday so I stopped going. Plus being friends and taking part in so many Catholic linked meetings have ruined my leadership/preaching opportunities now, I am last choice now in Pentecostal churches and ex communicated by friends and sometimes Catholics don’t appreciate the cost and price.
 
I would say that if you have any interest at all, go to RCIA. Especially right now at the beginning, it’s all about inquiring. You don’t have to have already decided to become Catholic. That’s part of the reason you go: to figure that out.

Yes, some other things you like to do may have to be put on hold temporarily. That’s okay. Anything worth doing usually entails some sort of sacrifice. It’s not as though you’ll never be able to return to your prayer groups once RCIA is over (or you have decided now is not the time to proceed).

God bless you on your journey. 👍
 
I know couples who aren’t the same faith. One will go to the Catholic Mass first to fulfill the obligation, and then go to church with their family. It’s possible to do so yourself if you really wanted to work around it. That way you can still live out as a Catholic and be with your family.

It’s great that your family is supportive of you! That will make it easier if you desire to become Catholic, sorry about being given the cold shoulder by some of your other friends (that’s what I’m reading it as, anyways. maybe that’s not the case). That makes it harder on you. I’ve always thought that was harsh responses of others but I suppose if one of my Catholic friends strayed away, while I may not shun them or anything, I’d probably get upset somewhat in some way.

Can you clarify what you mean by
sometimes Catholics don’t appreciate the cost and price
Click to expand...
 
It just means that to be baptised as s child it can be done at anytime - even a separate service after the mass. Whilst those coming from the other denominations as an adult this type of service isn’t available. I know a child the same age of my son who goes to a Catholic school getting baptised and there is no way he can understand what I do as he is too young. But it seems the confirmation that I need is via a bishop which is only at Easter once a year whilst the baptism (for school kids) is available every week!
 
The reason you are invited to RCIA is to learn the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Church. If after you are still adamant that you can’t assent to all the teachings of Jesus than you do not have to enter Christ’s Church. In fact, you shouldn’t.
 
The requirements are generally different prior to age 7 than they are after age 7. In my parish, even for a 6 year old, we will want them to have at least some formation. For those older than 7, we also have a period of formation for them.
 
Thinking about it an adult has gathered a lot of luggage and thinking whether right or wrong through other Christian beliefs compared to a child so I now understand it needs a lot more unravelling , unlearning and putting in the truth.
 
RCIA is the usual route for adults into the Church, but one does not have to enter that way. Sometimes people already know a lot, sometimes people have a situation which precludes RCIA, and a priest can receive the person differently.

However, you do not seem quite onboard with becoming Catholic. Maybe now is not the right time to go to RCIA for you.

At the same time, you also have unanswered questions. Maybe grapple with these questions individually before you make a decision?

For example, you might ask how the Church views Catholics with situation X which makes it difficult to attend Sunday Mass (since part of the problem for you seems to be work and the other part family).

Another area you seem to lack understanding of is reception of communion at non-Catholic services by Catholics.
 
I don’t even know where to start with this one. Catholics should never use the term “service” to refer to the Sacrifice of the Mass. This is protestant terminology. We are NOT Protestants. They don’t believe in the real presence because there is no real presence in their bread. You should not be participating in their “services.” Bad Protestants won’t make it to heaven any sooner than bad Catholics will.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top