Growing in spirituality after RCIA

[MirandaRiver]

Hi everyone…
As I come from a spiritual path that is always offering guidance and more things to work on and spiritually develop myself - I was wondering if Catholics after conversion feel that after they have completed RCIA?
I know that through my own spiritual practice through reflection and meditation I become aware of aspects of myself that I need to work on, or get guidance on where I need to change or move my energies into - for the betterment of myself and those around me. Often these are tough challenges and important to help me grow as a person - but do Catholics feel the same? Or is it just you do as your told and turn up to Mass?

A lot of ‘cradle catholics’ that I know seem to just go through the motions of Mass when they have to, and they talk about the stories of Easter and Christmas, but without that ‘glow’ that converts seem to.
But I was wondering if the glow and the personal development of the self and your faith continues to do that after the honeymoon period of being in the Church?

 

[luvbp681]

“it takes endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised” Hebrews 10:36
I have memorized this scripture,because it reminds me that it is difficult to be a Christian in today’s world. To continue to have that “mountain top” experience would mean you would have to be in communion with God 24/7. Not possible if you are a working person with family demands or outside interests. So as a cradle Catholic, I have learned that I need to “seek first” the relationship with God everyday. And it is not easy. but It is my goal to seek him and love him and want to be with him… he will bring me that peace and Joy

 

[martininthefiel]

It is difficult to ‘keep the momentum’ after Easter Vigil. If possible, it helps to establish a relationship with a spiritual director, and to become as involved in parish life as your time permits.

I try to go to mass once or twice a week, in addition to my Sunday obligation. Sometimes it’s not easy to work that in. I volunteer as a lector and EEM, as well.

I find that the times i feel least like praying are the very times I am most in need of prayer. Establishing a regular discipline of daily prayer and reflection is essential, as is affording oneself ample opportunity to experience God in in moments of silence, and internal stillness–not easy in the modern world.

 

[phoooiee]

What I have noticed is that while a lot of other paths may tell you specific things to work on, when I became Catholic, this process became unnecessary- as God makes it known in more subtle ways what I need to work on.

My best advice to you- spend an hour or more per week in Eucharistic Adoration. That changes me every single time.

I have grown a lot more in just one hour of Adoration than I did with years of human guidance.

 

[OneSheep]

Hi

Here are some suggestions (in addition to the posts above):

Go to a nursing home and listen to people. Make crafts and donate them to a silent auction for a good cause. Get on a call-in radio talkshow where everyone is spewing negative stuff and talk about forgiveness. Bring communion to shut-ins. Read books to little children. Pray for world reconciliation. Organize a group to beautify God’s Kingdom with plants. Volunteer for a hotline for those with “unwanted pregnancies”. Read your favorite spiritual person’s works, especially the Gospels. Become a eucharistic minister, lector, or other position. Ask your local Priest or Catechetical ministries person what you can do to help out. Teach RCIA. Go on a Cursillo, marriage encounter, or other spiritual retreat. Serve at a soup kitchen. Write letters to your local and national politicians concerning important issues. Do something nice for a coworker, like buying them a coffee.

Sorry, got off track a little. I just keep doing stuff. I am too busy to think about whether my faith is going to wane. It really helps to join a group of people who do stuff like the above together, a group who shares their faith experiences.