Harry's RCIA Progress

[Texas_Roofer]

…The RCIA Moderator made it clear that she was talking about salvation…getting to heaven. To her, all christian churches are valid paths to salvation and heaven

Now it just so happens that, for the last 3 weeks, our daily RCIA classes at catechismclass.com have opened with quotations from the current Official Catechism, back up by biblical passages, that no one gets to Heaven except through Jesus and the one and only Church he established, the Roman Catholic Church

Core team? First I’ve heard of such a thing, and certainly not a part of my Church’s RCIA program

Do non-Catholics go to heaven ?
We do not know who goes to heaven, God decides. What your catechism is referring to is Catholics can not turn away from the church and follow god’s commandments. I suspect your teacher was referring to those who know Jesus but not the Catholic Church. Many of these people know the name “Catholic Church” but were raised to believe untruths about the Church. So these people are not what the catechism is referring to. Same is true for people who know neither Jesus nor the church yet seek god, the catechism is not referring to them either.

“Core Team” is just another way to say the “Team” or group who runs your RCIA program. Often a combination of director, facilitators, catechists, general members, some sponsors. Depending on the format in use usually you will be given question and answer time in class. But when you have deep questions, unusual question or many questions, it often works best write the questions and turn them in. One of the members then answers the question in a manner which least disruptive manner. They may address the answers in teaching, or simple answer the questions out loud during Q&A or meet with you outside of class.

 

[Jeff_Hale]

Texas Roofer gives a good summary of how we also do the questions that may come up. With 25 candidates/catechumens and 25 sponsors, we have too many for one person to handle, so we have four facilitators and a co-ordinator, in addition to outside catechists who may be priests, deacons, and other qualified parish people. We facilitators take turns doing B.O.W. while the other three not facilitating that session help out in the small groups. Setting up the session and clean-up goes a lot faster with four of us rather than just one. We four try to be in the RCIA room by 7:30am and hope to be out by noon. We also have to attend a separate Mass because we come back after the homily with the candidates/catechumens. The word ‘Core’ is just what we’ve always called the facilitators.

 

[jmcrae]

Core team? First I’ve heard of such a thing, and certainly not a part of my Church’s RCIA program

Maybe your “core” consists of one volunteer and one priest - that does happen. Every parish has to have an RCIA, but not every parish has RCIA as its priority. I know at our parish, a lot of people don’t understand why we have to have an RCIA process, or why it would be important to be welcoming of converts. It’s not that they don’t think people should be Catholic, but they really have no concept that some people are actually brought up without any religion, or that people can go their whole lives in a Protestant church, and never hear of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

They are kind of under the impression (and this shows in some of the things that they say to the RCIA Inquirers) that everyone in the whole world goes to Catholic school, and that everyone already knows the teachings of the Church. It’s hard for them to conceptualize the idea of a “non-Catholic,” so RCIA is a really low priority in their minds - they are basically thinking, “Why don’t they just go to Confession and get it over with? What do they need all these classes for? Did they sleep through Religion class, or what?”

 

[Andruschak]

Maybe your “core” consists of one volunteer and one priest - that does happen. Every parish has to have an RCIA, but not every parish has RCIA as its priority. I know at our parish, a lot of people don’t understand why we have to have an RCIA process, or why it would be important to be welcoming of converts. It’s not that they don’t think people should be Catholic, but they really have no concept that some people are actually brought up without any religion, or that people can go their whole lives in a Protestant church, and never hear of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
?"

Well, I’ve spent most of my life as a Unitarian Universalist. Does thgat count?

But I have more then enough knowledge of the Catholic Church doctrines, catechism, and practices that RCIA is superfluous.

And people wonder why conversion to the Catholic Church is declining in numbers?

 

[Andruschak]

And that is why I ordered those Gregorian Masses for my biological father, who was Baptized and Confirmed in the Ukranian Orthodox Church, and died in the Lutheran Church.

As some of you know, I have nothing but good things to say about

catechismclass.com/

Classes are Monday through Friday. For the 10 days of 16 - 27 October, we are going through the Ten Commandments, with full bible passages and the complete official catechism on those passages. Today was Commandment #4

The Catholic Catechism seems to be silent on how to honor an abusive parent. I will probably need a lot of spiritual help in getting over this. I did not shed a tear for him at his death in 1963, nor have I shed a single tear since. Obviously, if I am to be a good Catholic, this must change. The Gregorian Masses are a start.

 

[jmcrae]

Well, I’ve spent most of my life as a Unitarian Universalist. Does thgat count?

You poor thing!!

But I have more then enough knowledge of the Catholic Church doctrines, catechism, and practices that RCIA is superfluous.

Ask for private instruction with a priest.

And people wonder why conversion to the Catholic Church is declining in numbers?

Not that I’m aware of.

When we first started RCIA in our Diocese (1981), they had five people at the Rite of Election. Last year, we packed the Cathedral (1500 seats) twice - they did half the parishes on the Saturday, and the other half on the Sunday. Granted, at least half that number is Sponsors, but still, it’s a definite increase.

 

[Andruschak]

Ask for private instruction with a priest.

Don’t really need it since catechismclass.com seems to be providing all I need, and much more.

 

[jmcrae]

Don’t really need it since catechismclass.com seems to be providing all I need, and much more.

Will they also give you your Sacraments at the end, then?

What you need the priest for is to witness that you actually did your Catechism, and that you are fully prepared to make your Profession of Faith and begin to receive the Sacraments.

 

[kage_ar]

And people wonder why conversion to the Catholic Church is declining in numbers?

Heavens, not around here! When DH was in RCIA 2 years ago, there were 10-12 coming into the Church. This year, there are over 20 coming in (and the weekly class attendance is 60, with Catholics coming to better learn the Faith).

Guess you need to move to Arkansas!

 

[Andruschak]

Will they also give you your Sacraments at the end, then?

What you need the priest for is to witness that you actually did your Catechism, and that you are fully prepared to make your Profession of Faith and begin to receive the Sacraments.

I was referring, obviously, to the learning progress. You seem to be referring to straw dummies

The US Conferance of Bishops asked that candidates, after the Priest is satisfied, on a Sunday NOT part of the Easter Vigil or other Sundays for the Catechumans, make the profession of faith, and the priest gives him confession, confirmation, and first Eucherist. In theory.

This may not happen in practice, but whose fault is that?

O yes, I am still trying to set up a one hour interview with one of the 4 priests at the church, but they are a busy lot, and so far I ahve not been able to connect via the Church Office. Will keep trying. May even try to find another church, no matter how far away

 

[jmcrae]

I was referring, obviously, to the learning progress. You seem to be referring to straw dummies.

No, I’m referring to becoming a Catholic (which is different than studying Catholic doctrine).

The US Conferance of Bishops asked that candidates, after the Priest is satisfied, on a Sunday NOT part of the Easter Vigil or other Sundays for the Catechumans, make the profession of faith, and the priest gives him confession, confirmation, and first Eucherist. In theory.

Yes - and I’m quite certain that they didn’t mean it to be just a theory.

This may not happen in practice, but whose fault is that?

Not yours, by any stretch.

O yes, I am still trying to set up a one hour interview with one of the 4 priests at the church, but they are a busy lot, and so far I ahve not been able to connect via the Church Office. Will keep trying. May even try to find another church, no matter how far away.

Persevere. I’m on your side, here.

I don’t think you should be in RCIA at all - what I think is that you should come into the Church (and not only study about the Church) via private instruction - that is, by having a priest witness what you are doing on Catechism.com, give you your exams when you’re ready for them (instead of waiting all the way until Easter), and bring you to the Sacraments. (That’s what I was trying to say, before - it didn’t come out very well, though.)

 

[Andruschak]

I don’t think you should be in RCIA at all - what I think is that you should come into the Church (and not only study about the Church) via private instruction - that is, by having a priest witness what you are doing on Catechism.com, give you your exams when you’re ready for them (instead of waiting all the way until Easter), and bring you to the Sacraments. (That’s what I was trying to say, before - it didn’t come out very well, though.)

I agree, which is why I have been trying to set up an interview with one of the Priests. But maybe it is time to find another Church, no matter how far away. Sundays are my only day off from work, so we shall see what I can do next Sunday. AFTER being a good boy and attending the RCIA Pre-Cats Class.

 

[Andruschak]

22 October 2006,

Pre-Cats Session #5

Another class based around people in the Bible being called,

One shock was when the topic of Purgatory came up, and I mentioned my daily prayers for the Church Suffering. The RCIA Instructor felt that the whole concept of Purgatory was going to be revised by the Church, so we didn’yt have to worry about it now. Just stick to our becoming Christians.

(Yes yes, I know I know…I am already a Christian. But this is an RCIA class, remember?)

We received a 2 page sheet titled DISCERNMENT For Candidates For Preparation Before The Rite Of Acceptance Into The Order Of Catechumens # 36, 37, & 42 - RCIA

This has 9 questions we are expected to answer, anonymously being OK. This is something we are supposed to go over with our sponsers. I still have not been assigned a sponser, maybe next week. I need to think about the 9 questions, and I’ll post my responses here in this thread

 

[Andruschak]

Sunday Evening of 22 October 2006

Whilst I have read and recited from Susan Tassone’s THE WAY OF THE CROSS FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, I had never gotten around to doing them in Church. So today I wanted to do them in Church, at 3 PM. The Church were I am RCIA has a Spanish mass in progress at 3 PM, so I went to another Catholic Church not too far away.

A very small church, only one other person there at 3 PM. Not sure how much in the way of indulgences, fruits, and merits I generated, but I gave them all to Mother Mary and we can only hope they helped out, if only a little.

After that I settled down for two Rosary sessions, The Glorious Mysteries and the Luminous. Then at 5 PM came the Mass. I stayed, and felt very much a part of the proceedings, even though I could not participate in the actual communion.

I met the Priest after the Mass to get my Green Scapular and cord Rosary blessed.

I need to check out the Church more. I could easily transfer to it after my RCIA purgatory is finished.

 

[Indyann]

22 October 2006,

Pre-Cats Session #5

Another class based around people in the Bible being called,

One shock was when the topic of Purgatory came up, and I mentioned my daily prayers for the Church Suffering. The RCIA Instructor felt that the whole concept of Purgatory was going to be revised by the Church, so we didn’yt have to worry about it now. Just stick to our becoming Christians.

(Yes yes, I know I know…I am already a Christian. But this is an RCIA class, remember?)

We received a 2 page sheet titled DISCERNMENT For Candidates For Preparation Before The Rite Of Acceptance Into The Order Of Catechumens # 36, 37, & 42 - RCIA

This has 9 questions we are expected to answer, anonymously being OK. This is something we are supposed to go over with our sponsers. I still have not been assigned a sponser, maybe next week. I need to think about the 9 questions, and I’ll post my responses here in this thread

The concept of Purgatory being revised? What in the world is she talking about? I hope you ask her to clarify this at some point. It sounds to me like she has Purgatory and limbo confused. Not a good thing for RCIA instuctor.
Keep us posted as I certainly want to be “in the know” on these “purgatory revisions”.

 

[Andruschak]

The concept of Purgatory being revised? What in the world is she talking about? I hope you ask her to clarify this at some point. It sounds to me like she has Purgatory and limbo confused. Not a good thing for RCIA instuctor.
Keep us posted as I certainly want to be “in the know” on these “purgatory revisions”.

No, I am not going to ask her where she got her information. I will not rock the boat. I just want to get through this RCIA class (which seems to be a modified Purgatory of its own to me) and be Confirmed. I don’t want to get kicked out of RCIA as an obnoxious know-it-all. The fact that I AM a more or less an obnoxious know-it-all doesn;t help. I haven’t learned squat in RCIA after 5 weeks, but…

“Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth” (Old AA slogan)

 

[Andruschak]

22 October 2006,

Pre-Cats Session #5
We received a 2 page sheet titled DISCERNMENT For Candidates For Preparation Before The Rite Of Acceptance Into The Order Of Catechumens # 36, 37, & 42 - RCIA

This has 9 questions we are expected to answer, anonymously being OK. This is something we are supposed to go over with our sponsers. I still have not been assigned a sponser, maybe next week. I need to think about the 9 questions, and I’ll post my responses here in this thread

QUESTION ONE: Is the Lord calling you to become a Catholic Christian at this time in your life? How do you know?

Know? Hmmmm, does a slight hunch count?

“Catholic Christian”? Why not just “Catholic” for those like me already Christian?

If I tell them the truth, that it started “accidentally” when, on The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, I came across this web site on this topic, the topic of the broen scapular, and how Mother Mary calls sinners into the Church, would they believe me?

Although I am not sure if I am being called, or being given a series of strong shoves from the back.

 

[blessedstar]

Did you meet with your Priest prior to commencing your RCIA class?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

QUESTION ONE: Is the Lord calling you to become a Catholic Christian at this time in your life? How do you know?

Know? Hmmmm, does a slight hunch count?

“Catholic Christian”? Why not just “Catholic” for those like me already Christian?

If I tell them the truth, that it started “accidentally” when, on The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, I came across this web site on this topic, the topic of the broen scapular, and how Mother Mary calls sinners into the Church, would they believe me?

Although I am not sure if I am being called, or being given a series of strong shoves from the back.

Tell them the Lord has always called. It is human who struggle with listening. Your in RCIA to listen better. And that is all you know now.

 

[Andruschak]

Tell them the Lord has always called. It is human who struggle with listening. Your in RCIA to listen better. And that is all you know now.

Thank you:bible1: