Harry's RCIA Progress

[Lydilos]

whenever I have a candidate, usually from one of the mainstream Protestant bodies, who is wavering, can’t decide whether to proceed with RCIA, has problems with one or more areas of doctrine (purgatory, Eucharist, confession etc.) I warn them seriously: whatever you else you do, never pick up a rosary and start praying with it. In 22 years of work with RCIA I have seen this time and time again. …once, they start with it, Mary has them firmly by the hand, all their difficulties resolve themselves, and they are on the fast track to full communion.
… The Rosary is the NASCAR version, the high road, Mary’s way to conversion and communion. We have had people fence-sitting for years even decades (hah) make their decision literally overnight once they take up the rosary. It is our secret weapon.

Ha!!! That explains my progression into the Catholic faith. I prayed it in hiding–from whom? Myself… and I only prayed the first part cuz that was all I knew. Following that, I was on a Catholic mission trip and on the bus the prayed the rosary. I became a Candidate and joined the Church Easter Vigil 2002.

And I was just searching for information on the Green Scapular… LOL.

 

[jmcrae]

Andruschak;

My wearing the large Rosary (and also using it for Rosary prayers and the Chaplet Of The Divine Mercy) is non-negotiable.

A few years ago, didn’t Pope John Paul II forbid the decorative wearing of Rosaries? I’m not sure where I’d look that up at, but I do remember it coming up on a Forum one time, with a link to the official document.

We (lay people) are now supposed to keep them in our pockets or purses (other than when we are actually praying on them), rather than wearing them on our clothing or around our neck.

 

[Andruschak]

Andruschak;

A few years ago, didn’t Pope John Paul II forbid the decorative wearing of Rosaries? I’m not sure where I’d look that up at, but I do remember it coming up on a Forum one time, with a link to the official document.

We (lay people) are now supposed to keep them in our pockets or purses (other than when we are actually praying on them), rather than wearing them on our clothing or around our neck.

I’d appreciate that link to the official document

 

[jmcrae]

I’d appreciate that link to the official document

I’ll do my best to find it.

It seems to me that it was some time during the summer of 2001 - some rock star had been flaunting away with a big huge Rosary around her neck (and not much else) and singing about sex, so the Pope came out and said that wearing a Rosary is forbidden or strongly discouraged for Catholics - pray it, carry it in your pocket, treat it with respect, but it isn’t jewelry and it isn’t clothing, and should not be treated as a fashion accessory.

 

[Andruschak]

I’ll do my best to find it.

It seems to me that it was some time during the summer of 2001 - some rock star had been flaunting away with a big huge Rosary around her neck (and not much else) and singing about sex, so the Pope came out and said that wearing a Rosary is forbidden or strongly discouraged for Catholics - pray it, carry it in your pocket, treat it with respect, but it isn’t jewelry and it isn’t clothing, and should not be treated as a fashion accessory.

Forbidden OR strongly discouraged. Noted. Not to be treated as a fashion accessory. Noted.

But when a male like myself wears the rosary on his belt, is that a fashion statement, or a profession of faith? I ask because about 2 hours ago, at the apartment complex where I live, one of the ladies came up to me, pointed at the rosary on my belt, and asked if I was a catholic. I answered yes, and her face went into a huge smile of satisfaction.

And wearing the Rosary IN CHURCH? As part of the Rite of Acceptance?

Well, I shall be talking to my RCIA Sponser this Sunady, and can run this and a few other questions concerning politeness by her.

 

[jmcrae]

Forbidden OR strongly discouraged. Noted. Not to be treated as a fashion accessory. Noted.

But when a male like myself wears the rosary on his belt, is that a fashion statement, or a profession of faith? I ask because about 2 hours ago, at the apartment complex where I live, one of the ladies came up to me, pointed at the rosary on my belt, and asked if I was a catholic. I answered yes, and her face went into a huge smile of satisfaction.

That’s really nice.

And wearing the Rosary IN CHURCH? As part of the Rite of Acceptance?

Well, for the Rite of Acceptance or Rite of Welcome, the only requirement I know of is that the participant be decently dressed.

It kind of comes across as “show-off-y” to wear a big Rosary, unless you are a actually a professed Dominican, in full habit - I’m sure it was not your intent to “show off,” though, since that would be tacky.

Well, I shall be talking to my RCIA Sponser this Sunady, and can run this and a few other questions concerning politeness by her.

Yes, and she’ll know what’s considered “normal” in your area - in some places, they do wear their Rosaries around their neck (under their clothes, though) because they don’t have clean pockets or nice purses to put them in.

 

[havemercy]

I also noted that I kept calling him “Sir” when I should be calling him “FATHER”. One of those Protestant things

You too huh? I hate it when I do that, IN THE CONFESSIONAL!

 

[Andruschak]

We need to remember that the purpose of the cord, rosary, scapular is personal devotion and should not be used to draw attention to ourselves. What is important is that God knows what our intention is, what other people think is not revelant.

Update on 16 November. You may be right. I am looking into two penitential groups, and both would require me to wear a small cross or crucifix, but not a gaudy one.

Have you knowledge of the Confraternity of Penitents?

 

[puzzleannie]

every time I see the title to this thread I think it is another Harry Potter thread and I do a double-take until I remember it is our resident RCIA candidate and cat-lover. The candidates are hardly responsible for how RCIA is “done” in their parish. It has only been 30 yrs since the RCIA was restored and it sometimes takes centuries for these things to gel in the Catholic Church. there is a learning curve, and it is a long one. the best thing the candidate can do is be like Harry and go with the flow, and when egregious errors are taught, speak up and ask for clarification based on the CCC and bible.

you knowledgeable Christians coming into the fold are also there to help and witness to the catechumens and also to be a light for non-practicing Catholics so please be willing to share your own rich knowledge of scripture and devotional life, and thanks for being there. welcome home

 

[Andruschak]

every time I see the title to this thread I think it is another Harry Potter thread and I do a double-take until I remember it is our resident RCIA candidate and cat-lover. The candidates are hardly responsible for how RCIA is “done” in their parish. It has only been 30 yrs since the RCIA was restored and it sometimes takes centuries for these things to gel in the Catholic Church. there is a learning curve, and it is a long one. the best thing the candidate can do is be like Harry and go with the flow, and when egregious errors are taught, speak up and ask for clarification based on the CCC and bible.

you knowledgeable Christians coming into the fold are also there to help and witness to the catechumens and also to be a light for non-practicing Catholics so please be willing to share your own rich knowledge of scripture and devotional life, and thanks for being there. welcome home

Today we had another of those mixups. Sunday Dismissal. Priest has not done the 11 AM mass before to include the dismissal. Ooops.

IHe should have asked the cadidates and catechumans to stand. Instead he asked the whole congreegation to stand. Ooops

He should have waited for someone to reverently take up the Gospel and lead us out. Instead he motioned me (at the head of the line) to start leaving. Ooops.

Our RCIA Instructor shouted out to me to STOP!

Then the altar boy with the Gospel book got in front of me, and we proceeded out.

No dismissal next Sunday due to the holidays. Hopefully the dismissal of 3 Decembber will go a little more smoothly

 

[Andruschak]

No dismissal next Sunday due to the holidays. Hopefully the dismissal of 3 Decembber will go a little more smoothly

And indeed, all went well today, 26 November 2006, the last Sunday of the old liturgical year.

Question: I notice some web sites sell fonts and bottles for Holy Water at home. What is the correct procedure for obtaining the Holy Water for these fonts and bottles?

 

[Pug]

Your parish most likely has one of these:

http://www.autom.com/images/regular/63108.JPG
fill your bottle here.

 

[jmcrae]

Your parish most likely has one of these:

http://www.autom.com/images/regular/63108.JPG
fill your bottle here.

It’s most likely located in the Sacristy - the little room just next to the Church where the priest gets ready for Mass.

 

[Andruschak]

It’s most likely located in the Sacristy - the little room just next to the Church where the priest gets ready for Mass.

Thank you, I’ll ask around next Sunday

Nothing to do with the above, but I got a private message with a link to that document on indulgences…

hismercy.ca/content/ebooks/The.Enchiridion.of.Indulgences.pdf

 

[Andruschak]

Sunday, 10 December 2006

Same old routine. 11 AM mass. Dismissal. Procession out of Church and to the classroom. But today I was allowed to skip class. I have to work overtime at the Post Office today. The RCIA Teachers are aware of my daily lessons at catechismclass.com, daily scripture readings, The Little Office Of Mary, and my interest in the CFP.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Sunday, 10 December 2006

**Same old routine. **11 AM mass. Dismissal. Procession out of Church and to the classroom. But today I was allowed to skip class. I have to work overtime at the Post Office today. The RCIA Teachers are aware of my daily lessons at catechismclass.com, daily scripture readings, The Little Office Of Mary, and my interest in the CFP.

Maybe that did not come off as intended? I hope you see a great Midnight Mass

 

[Andruschak]

Maybe that did not come off as intended? I hope you see a great Midnight Mass

Um, maybe I said something wrong? I am not sure what I “intended”

No midnight masses I know of today/tonight. If I do not have to work overtime, I get off work at 11:30 PM, and could, I suppose, get to the church at 12:05

Once I am confirmed, I may give thought to trying to get to bed by 12:30 and up at 7:30 AM to attend the 8 AM mass, which is preceded at 7:45 AM by the reading of the Morning Office

 

[jmcrae]

You will have to make sure to get to some Sunday Mass, every Sunday. Perhaps you can reorganize your shifts so that you will have time on Sundays to go to Mass.

Technically, according to the letter of the law, we aren’t actually supposed to do any work at all on Sundays, but in our culture, it’s difficult to avoid it.

 

[Andruschak]

You will have to make sure to get to some Sunday Mass, every Sunday. Perhaps you can reorganize your shifts so that you will have time on Sundays to go to Mass.

Technically, according to the letter of the law, we aren’t actually supposed to do any work at all on Sundays, but in our culture, it’s difficult to avoid it.

My scheduled days off are Sundays and Mondays. I am working this Sunday (and perhaps next Sunday) because of the huge amount of Christmas mail. After that things will be OK for another 11 months.

But, I do wonder, what about those poor Catholics who really have no choice? Work Sundays or get fired and try to find another job?

Even if I work Sundays, once I am confirmed at the next easter Vigil, I should have no problems attending the 11 AM mass every Sunday morning.

Getting up for the 8 AM mass Mondays through Saturdays will be a problem

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Sunday, 10 December 2006

Same old routine. 11 AM mass. Dismissal. Procession out of Church and to the classroom. But today I was allowed to skip class. I have to work overtime at the Post Office today. The RCIA Teachers are aware of my daily lessons at catechismclass.com, daily scripture readings, The Little Office Of Mary, and my interest in the CFP.

Um, maybe I said something wrong? I am not sure what I “intended”

No midnight masses I know of today/tonight. If I do not have to work overtime, I get off work at 11:30 PM, and could, I suppose, get to the church at 12:05

Once I am confirmed, I may give thought to trying to get to bed by 12:30 and up at 7:30 AM to attend the 8 AM mass, which is preceded at 7:45 AM by the reading of the Morning Office

uh? I am a little concerned about the comment of the “same old routine” Midnight Mass is the night of Christmas Eve/Morning of Christmas. If not well celebrated at the local parish drive to the cathedral, I hope that breaks the “same old routine” feeling.