Finally brave enough to start

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shutterbugmom27

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Hello to all.
I joined this site a couple of months ago or so. I introduced myself but have been a lurker since. i just wanted to share something. As I stated in my intro, I was baptised Catholic, but that was all. No first communion or confirmation or anything. My mother died when I was a little girl so life was not easy and I was shipped around alot, so never continued with any religious education. Well, I am mid thirties now and have 4 children ranging in ages from 11 all the way to 17. My husband was not raised with any religion and has only stepped foot in one church to attend a wedding.He is not really interested in becoming religious, but he supports me.
I am very nervous when it comes to new situations and being around new people. I am feeling in my life now that I want to be back in the Catholic church and finish what my mom started when she had me baptised 😛 So after many weeks pondering contacting the local Parish, I finally emailed someone. Nobody responded at first. I continued reading the bulletin from the church on their website to see what was going on there. Finally about a week ago, there was a snippet in bulletin saying if you interested in the next RCIA class, contact so and so. So I did. It took alot for me to send that email. And somebody responded. We arranged to meet at the church and she also invited me to an inquiry class and the easter vigil. I tried to go to the easter vigil, I just got overwhelmed and couldn’t do it.😦 But tonight I went to the inquiry meeting. My husband went with me. He has agreed to go with me to at least check it out a bit. He is very supportive of me.
The inquiry meeting was interesting. Very casual. I liked it. I was a little uncomfortable, but it helped having my husband with me. I don’t know if he will continue to go, but it helped having him there the first time. They are having another meeting in a couple of week that I plan on attending. RCIA classes will start later in the year. I am very excited to have made the first step.
Tomorrow we are meeting with one of the ladies with the faith formation ministry. She is going to show us around the church to help me get comfortable and I hope to attend my first Mass this coming Sunday. Please pray for me if you will that I can do this.

Thank you for sharing my excitement :extrahappy:

Heather
 
Heather,

Welcome Home! I am very excited for you. This will be a real adventure. Keep an open mind and let us know how you’re doing.

A prayer of thanksgiving for your homecoming!
 
Best of luck and happiness to you Heather! I’ve been meeting with the local priest in my area for over a month and we talk about everything Catholic. I am a Muslim, or some may say apostate since I am inquiring into Catholicism. The Priest is a good man and has been most generous with his time, I know he has a busy schedule yet we meet weekly. We’ve no RCIA class formally since my area is small and not to many people come asking about Catholicism so nothing happening until the Fall. One of the first things the Priest told me was it goes at my pace, no need to rush. That put me at ease. I’m not baptized so I’ve much to consider and I’ve some fears too. My wife is supportive and inquiring as well.
I hope your inquiry settles your heart and opens great happiness in the Church for you. Awesome your husband is supportive, may God bless you both. 👍
 
Hi Heather,
I was baptised 2 Easters ago. The RCIA process is a really wonderful journey. A friendship with God is not built overnight, so although the programme is nearly a year long, it’s well worth the effort. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to confirmation and the Eucharist.

My advice is to always keep an open heart (as well as an open mind). Faith is a gift from God, so it helps to have a heart of a child - trusting and open. Heart speaks to heart.
God bless 👍
 
God bless you and your husband! Your entire family is in my prayers. 👍
 
shutterbugmom27 said:
Hello to all.
I joined this site a couple of months ago or so. I introduced myself but have been a lurker since. i just wanted to share something. As I stated in my intro, I was baptised Catholic, but that was all. No first communion or confirmation or anything. My mother died when I was a little girl so life was not easy and I was shipped around alot, so never continued with any religious education. Well, I am mid thirties now and have 4 children ranging in ages from 11 all the way to 17. My husband was not raised with any religion and has only stepped foot in one church to attend a wedding.He is not really interested in becoming religious, but he supports me.
I am very nervous when it comes to new situations and being around new people. I am feeling in my life now that I want to be back in the Catholic church and finish what my mom started when she had me baptised 😛 So after many weeks pondering contacting the local Parish, I finally emailed someone. Nobody responded at first. I continued reading the bulletin from the church on their website to see what was going on there. Finally about a week ago, there was a snippet in bulletin saying if you interested in the next RCIA class, contact so and so. So I did. It took alot for me to send that email. And somebody responded. We arranged to meet at the church and she also invited me to an inquiry class and the easter vigil. I tried to go to the easter vigil, I just got overwhelmed and couldn’t do it.😦 But tonight I went to the inquiry meeting. My husband went with me. He has agreed to go with me to at least check it out a bit. He is very supportive of me.
The inquiry meeting was interesting. Very casual. I liked it. I was a little uncomfortable, but it helped having my husband with me. I don’t know if he will continue to go, but it helped having him there the first time. They are having another meeting in a couple of week that I plan on attending. RCIA classes will start later in the year. I am very excited to have made the first step.
Tomorrow we are meeting with one of the ladies with the faith formation ministry. She is going to show us around the church to help me get comfortable and I hope to attend my first Mass this coming Sunday. Please pray for me if you will that I can do this.

Thank you for sharing my excitement :extrahappy:

Heather
Click to expand...
God bless you, Heather. Welcome home, we’re all praying for you. :’)
 
Relax dear friend…we don’t bite. 😃 (Well I guess we could, but why?)

RCIA was great for my wife and I and we love being Catholic.

Know that you will be in my prayers from now on.
 
I’m very happy for you and know you will be thrilled at who you find. I will certainly pray for you.
 
Thank you all!! I feel very welcome. I look forward to participating here and at my Parish. I am very excited. My husband said he plans on attending the next meeting with me. YAY! 😃

Heather
 
shutterbugmom27 said:
Thank you all!! I feel very welcome. I look forward to participating here and at my Parish. I am very excited. My husband said he plans on attending the next meeting with me. YAY! 😃

Heather
Click to expand...
I am glad your husband supports you. There will be bumps in the road so hold on and God bless you on your journey.
 
Small_Fish said:
Best of luck and happiness to you Heather! I’ve been meeting with the local priest in my area for over a month and we talk about everything Catholic. I am a Muslim, or some may say apostate since I am inquiring into Catholicism. The Priest is a good man and has been most generous with his time, I know he has a busy schedule yet we meet weekly. We’ve no RCIA class formally since my area is small and not to many people come asking about Catholicism so nothing happening until the Fall. One of the first things the Priest told me was it goes at my pace, no need to rush. That put me at ease. I’m not baptized so I’ve much to consider and I’ve some fears too. My wife is supportive and inquiring as well.
I hope your inquiry settles your heart and opens great happiness in the Church for you. Awesome your husband is supportive, may God bless you both. 👍
Click to expand...
My prayers to you and your wife, as well as the OP. You are most welcome, and may the Lord guide you in your journey!🙂
 
shutterbugmom27 said:
Thank you all!! I feel very welcome. I look forward to participating here and at my Parish. I am very excited. My husband said he plans on attending the next meeting with me. YAY! 😃

Heather
Click to expand...
That’s great Heather! Let him know that it’s simply a series of classes to inform people about the Catholic faith and prepare them, if they choose, to enter the Church and receive the sacraments. Again, we don’t bite. 🙂
 
Small_Fish said:
Best of luck and happiness to you Heather! I’ve been meeting with the local priest in my area for over a month and we talk about everything Catholic. I am a Muslim, or some may say apostate since I am inquiring into Catholicism. The Priest is a good man and has been most generous with his time, I know he has a busy schedule yet we meet weekly. We’ve no RCIA class formally since my area is small and not to many people come asking about Catholicism so nothing happening until the Fall. One of the first things the Priest told me was it goes at my pace, no need to rush. That put me at ease. I’m not baptized so I’ve much to consider and I’ve some fears too. My wife is supportive and inquiring as well.
I hope your inquiry settles your heart and opens great happiness in the Church for you. Awesome your husband is supportive, may God bless you both. 👍
Click to expand...
Know that you will now be in all my prayers. may all that you need for this gift of faith be yours in abundance.
 
Yesterday I went with my husband and all 4 of my children to the church to meet with the faith formation director. We all sat and chatted. She talked to the kids about what they already knew. Which is nothing, as they have never had any religious education or been to church. Only my 17 year old and my almost 13 year old are interested. So she had them fill out forms with basic information, as did I. She talked to us about the classes for the children as well as RCIA and such. Afterwards she excused my family and just chatted with me about RCIA and getting my marriage convalidated.
So now she wants me to make an appointment to meet with the Monsignor to discuss the marriage convalidation. I am very nervous about that. There has been some major sinning my life and knowing I will eventually have to put it all out there is hard to think about. I am afraid I will be rejected for the things I have done. 😦

But I am happy I am doing this.

Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and support!!😃

Heather
 
shutterbugmom27 said:
Hello to all.
I joined this site a couple of months ago or so. I introduced myself but have been a lurker since. i just wanted to share something. As I stated in my intro, I was baptised Catholic, but that was all. No first communion or confirmation or anything. My mother died when I was a little girl so life was not easy and I was shipped around alot, so never continued with any religious education. Well, I am mid thirties now and have 4 children ranging in ages from 11 all the way to 17. My husband was not raised with any religion and has only stepped foot in one church to attend a wedding.He is not really interested in becoming religious, but he supports me.
I am very nervous when it comes to new situations and being around new people. I am feeling in my life now that I want to be back in the Catholic church and finish what my mom started when she had me baptised 😛 So after many weeks pondering contacting the local Parish, I finally emailed someone. Nobody responded at first. I continued reading the bulletin from the church on their website to see what was going on there. Finally about a week ago, there was a snippet in bulletin saying if you interested in the next RCIA class, contact so and so. So I did. It took alot for me to send that email. And somebody responded. We arranged to meet at the church and she also invited me to an inquiry class and the easter vigil. I tried to go to the easter vigil, I just got overwhelmed and couldn’t do it.😦 But tonight I went to the inquiry meeting. My husband went with me. He has agreed to go with me to at least check it out a bit. He is very supportive of me.
The inquiry meeting was interesting. Very casual. I liked it. I was a little uncomfortable, but it helped having my husband with me. I don’t know if he will continue to go, but it helped having him there the first time. They are having another meeting in a couple of week that I plan on attending. RCIA classes will start later in the year. I am very excited to have made the first step.
Tomorrow we are meeting with one of the ladies with the faith formation ministry. She is going to show us around the church to help me get comfortable and I hope to attend my first Mass this coming Sunday. Please pray for me if you will that I can do this.

Thank you for sharing my excitement :extrahappy:

Heather
Click to expand...
I’m very happy for you!! May God bless you!

:angel1:
 
I started RICA classes last December. My husband wasn’t interested in being confirmed, (he was baptized in a Catholic church as a child, but that was all) but he decided to attend the classes with me so he could learn more about the faith he had been baptized into. He was mostly being very supportive of my decision. To make a long story short, he, too, decided to be confirmed within a month of the beginning of our classes! We had our marriage convalidated in February with our three children in attendance…it was a wonderful moment. We were both confirmed at Easter Vigil just two weeks ago and we couldn’t be any happier. Our three children weren’t interested when we began, but now our oldest is showing signs of interest, and we are praying our other two in!
Enjoy the journey! RICA classes are truly an amazing experience…it will help you tremendously! God Bless!
 
shutterbugmom
So now she wants me to make an appointment to meet with the Monsignor to discuss the marriage convalidation. I am very nervous about that. There has been some major sinning my life and knowing I will eventually have to put it all out there is hard to think about. I am afraid I will be rejected for the things I have done. 😦

Please don’t worry about your past. This is what makes Reconciliation so wonderful. We are all sinners. But, our God is a merciful God.

You’re not alone on this journey. God has brought you to this point, and he will see you through it all.

God Bless you and your family.
 
shutterbugmom27 said:
Hello to all.
I joined this site a couple of months ago or so. I introduced myself but have been a lurker since. i just wanted to share something. As I stated in my intro, I was baptised Catholic, but that was all. No first communion or confirmation or anything. My mother died when I was a little girl so life was not easy and I was shipped around alot, so never continued with any religious education. Well, I am mid thirties now and have 4 children ranging in ages from 11 all the way to 17. My husband was not raised with any religion and has only stepped foot in one church to attend a wedding.He is not really interested in becoming religious, but he supports me.
I am very nervous when it comes to new situations and being around new people. I am feeling in my life now that I want to be back in the Catholic church and finish what my mom started when she had me baptised 😛 So after many weeks pondering contacting the local Parish, I finally emailed someone. Nobody responded at first. I continued reading the bulletin from the church on their website to see what was going on there. Finally about a week ago, there was a snippet in bulletin saying if you interested in the next RCIA class, contact so and so. So I did. It took alot for me to send that email. And somebody responded. We arranged to meet at the church and she also invited me to an inquiry class and the easter vigil. I tried to go to the easter vigil, I just got overwhelmed and couldn’t do it.😦 But tonight I went to the inquiry meeting. My husband went with me. He has agreed to go with me to at least check it out a bit. He is very supportive of me.
The inquiry meeting was interesting. Very casual. I liked it. I was a little uncomfortable, but it helped having my husband with me. I don’t know if he will continue to go, but it helped having him there the first time. They are having another meeting in a couple of week that I plan on attending. RCIA classes will start later in the year. I am very excited to have made the first step.
Tomorrow we are meeting with one of the ladies with the faith formation ministry. She is going to show us around the church to help me get comfortable and I hope to attend my first Mass this coming Sunday. Please pray for me if you will that I can do this.

Thank you for sharing my excitement :extrahappy:

Heather
Click to expand...
Hi there!

You remind me a bit of myself - I too was baptised as a Catholic, but that was all. I received an Anglican school education, but my family are agnostic/ atheist. Another thing that we are unfortunately similar about is that my mother died when I was young, too 😦

Just this past week I went to the weekday Mass at my local Catholic church and afterwards I met the priest who had conducted it. I told him that I was interested in Catholicism and he said there is a class called ‘About Becoming Catholic’ beginning in September. I think he might have said there are other classes inbetween, I can’t remember now. He invited me to come to Sunday Mass, so I’m looking forward to that, even though I’m quite sure I’ll have no idea what is happening, the same as I was during the weekday Mass … but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.

Apparently though, as we are not ‘offically’ Catholics, we cannot receive Communion. When people went up to receive it when I was there, I stayed in my seat.
 
Welcome home!

Praying for you.

Don’t worry about these future meetings. The church has to sort out a few ‘techincal’ things. As for confession, nobody can reject a repentant sinner. You’ll be fine 👍
 
SilverCamellia said:
Hi there!

You remind me a bit of myself - I too was baptised as a Catholic, but that was all. I received an Anglican school education, but my family are agnostic/ atheist. Another thing that we are unfortunately similar about is that my mother died when I was young, too 😦

Just this past week I went to the weekday Mass at my local Catholic church and afterwards I met the priest who had conducted it. I told him that I was interested in Catholicism and he said there is a class called ‘About Becoming Catholic’ beginning in September. I think he might have said there are other classes inbetween, I can’t remember now. He invited me to come to Sunday Mass, so I’m looking forward to that, even though I’m quite sure I’ll have no idea what is happening, the same as I was during the weekday Mass … but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.

Apparently though, as we are not ‘offically’ Catholics, we cannot receive Communion. When people went up to receive it when I was there, I stayed in my seat.
Click to expand...
I am attending meetings they are having now that are discussing Catholicism. At our Parish, apparently if you go up and cross your arms, the Monsignor will bless you. I have read that some Parishes don’t do that. But ours does. This Sunday will be my first Mass. We will see if I am brave enough to head up for a blessing. I may just keep my rear planted in the pew for my first Mass. LOL!

I am excited though. Nervous but excited. I will be interested to hear about your journey as you proceed as well. It is great to have people to share with 🙂

Heather
 
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