Good RCIA Experience(s)

[Figment713]

I really didn’t want to start a controversy on the other RCIA threads, so I thought I’d just start what I am hoping will be a more positive thread.

I, too, am involved in RCIA. After thinking about it for quite literally years, I decided to take that step this year. I can’t even express what a sense of peace and well being this has brought to me. (Probably because the Holy Spirit isn’t having to kick my butt regularly about doing it!)

Anyway, my Parish (or the one which will be mine when I am finally Catholic) has gone into a cooperative venture with a neighboring Parish for purpose of the RCIA program. This gives us access to 4 priests and a deacon to teach the sessions. (We have, to date, had classes with three of the four priests, the pastor of “my” Parish being in Rome for a semester of study).

In addition to the priests and deacon who are instructing the class, there are a number of people from the neighboring parish who comprise the “team”. To date, other than making coffee and passing out name tags, I’m not terribly sure of their function. They mostly sit at a table all together and whisper…kind of distracting at times, but I’m generally at the far side of the room from them.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I LOVE RCIA! You see, you have your “reverts” (coming back to the Church), and your “converts” (coming in from some other Church) and then you have folks like me (non-verts?), who have never really been a part of any religion…who kind of losely identified themselves as Christian, but didn’t really attend, practice, or hold specific loyalty and belief in anything much beyond the existence of the Trinity. RCIA gives us the opportunity to determine the rightness of this religion and way of live. (I mean, I, for one, was fairly solidly convinced this was what I wanted when I signed up for RCIA, but the class does give opportunity to others to learn what Catholics really believe about things.)

I know RCIA is a sacrifice for all those who work so hard to make it a meaningful experience for such as I. I do give thanks for and to them.

I feel so sorry for those for whom RCIA is an ordeal…something which must be gotten through to “get the prize”. (I know we have some like that in the class.) I only hope they can learn to look upon it as probably the only/best time in their life that they’ll have to get their questions answered.

 

[Lorrie]

What a wonderful thread, thank you for bringing it up! I often feel like I don’t have too much to say on the other threads concerning negative experiences with the RCIA because 98% of my time in the classes was positive.

There were things here and there that irritated me, but all in all I felt like you do, completely at peace and totally excited and happy. The hardest thing for me was going to the classes week after week, i.e. having to wait for what seemed like an eternity to join the Church. At the time I didn’t see why all of it was neccessary, now that I look back on it I can see why every single class was of the utmost importance.

As with every situation there are both positives and negatives, but when it comes to going through the process of joining the Catholic Church nothing but positive things come out of it!

Thank you for shedding a most happy light on a topic that is usually discussed in a negative way here.

 

[puzzleannie]

The RCIA process is NOT primarily about what goes on in class. It is a process of conversion, it is interior, and it happens through the action of the Holy Spirit. The class provides the framework and imparts the message, proclaims the gospel and helps break it open for you, explains the ramifications of accepting the gospel and all it demands, prepares you for significant milestones in the process, provides witness of committed Catholics and integrates you into the community, and provides a support system for yo while you are undergoing the discernment and spiritual growth demanded.

What goes on in class has value only to the extent that you interiorize what you hear, meditate and reflect on it, seek further enlightenment from the Bible, prayer and outside reading of CCC or other recommended sources. This includes the “handouts” which many people criticize, but which very few read in a slow, contemplative, prayerful way.

 

[tamie]

I too love RCIA. I have had some concerns about my sponsor, but I talked to her today and everything is good. I find myself looking forward to going to the first half of Mass and then going to RCIA. (we meet on Sunday morning). I am very happy with where I am in this church. My only regret is that I did not convert sooner! (I guess God wasn’t ready for me to convert yet!

Tamie Walcott

 

[system]

I loved my RCIA class. At first (for the first 4 months) I hated it. I couldn’t stand the priest and I wanted nothing to do with Catholisism. Don’t ask me why I kept going back every week, I don’t know. It was only by the power of the Holy Spirit. After I learned more about the church, I loved it. The priest, Father D, is my most favorite priest. Some of the laity that were helping with the class have said that my class was the most holy class they have ever been to. That was very uplifting. God wanted me there, and boy, did I ever learn. I love RCIA