HELP! RCIA/PSR question

[bapcath]

I am in the process of joining the church. I start RCIA in the fall. My question is this… I have a teenage daughter (16 years old - 10th grade) who has also decided to join. What does she have to do? Adult RCIA?

Also. If “cradle catholic” children can take communion when they are kids, many years before they are confirmed… why would a teenager have to go through full confirmation before she could take communion? Couldn’t she do whatever the little second graders do in the meantime?

 

[Titus]

I am in the process of joining the church. I start RCIA in the fall. My question is this… I have a teenage daughter (16 years old - 10th grade) who has also decided to join. What does she have to do? Adult RCIA?

**She has to join the RCIA programme as she has passed by the age of reason, I believe. **

Also. If “cradle catholic” children can take communion when they are kids, many years before they are confirmed… why would a teenager have to go through full confirmation before she could take communion? Couldn’t she do whatever the little second graders do in the meantime?

Your daughter is not part of the Church. As we have closed communion, she needs to make the Profession of Faith. Confirmation occurs at the same time but is not what is necessary.

 

[puzzleannie]

a child or youth over the age of discretion (about age 7) is considered an adult for the purposes of the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. The RCIA is adapted for children and they will probably be in a class with others of their age who are either unbaptized, or baptized in another Christian denomination, or possible, baptized Catholic but uncatechized and in need of the other sacraments of initiation.

Both the children and adults will probably celebrate the various rites at the same time, although some dioceses do have separate ceremonies for children, depending on pastoral considerations.

Talk to your RCIA director about this child and any other family members in need of preparation for sacraments.

The actual class placement will depend on the parish, what other adults, youth and children are in the RCIA program, and the parish resources in terms of space, catechists, volunteers etc. An older teen could very well prepare with the other adults if there are no other youth of her age group. That would be more appealing to most teens than taking part with much younger children.

A youth who is already baptized in another faith may also prepare for Confirmation and first communion with the other Catholic children in her parish Confirmation class. This has the benefit of placing her with her friends and peers.

younger children can be brought to the sacraments on the faith of their parents and sponsors, but older children and youth must be permitted to make this choice on their own, and have the proper preparation to make an informed decision. The conversion aspects of the RCIA process must also be respected and discerned.

 

[bapcath]

You said “also prepare for confirmation” with other catholic kids her age. Is that a separate class from RCIA?

 

[puzzleannie]

RCIA is the process. The actual class and the make-up of the class is only one part of the process, the catechetical (teaching) portion. As I said, it depends on the parish, the needs of the youth preparing to enter the Church, and the resources of the parish, what class she would be placed in for that component.

RCIA means Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. That refers to a process of conversion, formation, catechesis and discernment, carried out over distinct periods with specific purposes, punctuated by certain minor rites and assist the process, and ending in the Rites of the actual Sacraments of Initiation – baptism (for those not already baptized), confirmation and first communion.

For instance, in this diocese the normal age for confirming Catholic youth is 16, so high school youth in RCIA prepare with their peers in the Confirmation class, since they are studying essentially the same things. Those in RCIA celebrate the various rites along with children and adults also in RCIA process. The timing of the sacraments also depends on several factors. The normal time for baptism of adults (who are confirmed and make first communion at the same time) is at the Easter Vigil. Those who are already baptized may be received into the Church at Easter, or at another time designated by the bishop or pastor.

again, please talk to your RCIA director and get the info for your own parish and family situation.

PSR means Parish School of Religion, and the same person in charge of that (religious instruction for Catholic children and youth, including sacramental preparation) may or may not also direct the RCIA process.

 

[Mommyof02green]

I am in the process of joining the church. I start RCIA in the fall. My question is this… I have a teenage daughter (16 years old - 10th grade) who has also decided to join. What does she have to do? Adult RCIA?

Also. If “cradle catholic” children can take communion when they are kids, many years before they are confirmed… why would a teenager have to go through full confirmation before she could take communion? Couldn’t she do whatever the little second graders do in the meantime?

I believe that she would because of her age she would have to do the RCIA program.

Her not being able to recieve communion is really the same reasons why you can’t recieve communion.

Now, if she was younger say 9 then she most likely after you were recieved into the church, would to special “first communion and first confession class” so she could recieve communion and then later be confirmed with her peers.

At least that is what happened with myself, brother and sisters.
We were 12, 11, 9 and 8 when our Mom reverted back to Catholicism. We recieved ‘special classes’ on communion/confession and attended regular CCD with our peers (i.e. school-mates)

I recieved communion at the age of 12.

We then all recieved confirmation with our peers (i.e. school-mates)

God-Bless

 

[puzzleannie]

I

Now, if she was younger say 9 then she most likely after you were recieved into the church, would to special “first communion and first confession class” so she could recieve communion and then later be confirmed with her peers.

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please check with your pastor or parish RCIA director. this scenario is NOT what is prescribed in the RCIA ritual, despite what some parishes may do. Adults (over age 7) received into the church are expected to celebrate baptism, confirmation and first communion at the same time, at Easter. This topic has been addressed many times here, search on the evangelization forum.

Please check with your own parish for the info that pertains to your own family.

 

[BR549]

In RCIA you will need a sponsor of whom would be a Catholic in good standing, RCIA may assign someone to you. It is like a spiritual journey to know this faith and understand what it teaches, if someone cannot endorse what is being taught you have the option of walking away (not recommended though), so people whom are even ‘looking it over for personal discernment of this faith’ should consider joining the group. Catholics within a parish, volunteer your time it would be very nice to offer up as sponsors, as they are needed. It is also very rewarding and exciting to see what happens throught the various Rites that are given and then at Easter Vigil the actual coming full into the church. In you and your daughters case if not baptized, you would receive the grand slam: baptism, confirmation, communion-eucharist all that night. It is awesome to be part of or witness. Go for it and daughter too.
(this is from a guy too)

 

[Mommyof02green]

please check with your pastor or parish RCIA director. this scenario is NOT what is prescribed in the RCIA ritual, despite what some parishes may do. Adults (over age 7) received into the church are expected to celebrate baptism, confirmation and first communion at the same time, at Easter. This topic has been addressed many times here, search on the evangelization forum.

Please check with your own parish for the info that pertains to your own family.

This “scenario” may not what is prescribed in the RCIA ritual, however it is what happened and does still happen in my local parish.

It may be done this way because of the volunteers we have etc.
It may be done because of each individual family needs etc.

The best advice here in my opinion is

check with your pastor or parish RCIA director

They are the ones that will be able to help you the best!

God Bless

 

[marvi43]

In my RCIA class we have a mother and daughter. The daughter, I believe, is 16 years old. So bring her along!!!

 

[GreatFaith]

My oldest daughter, 12, and I began our RCIA journey together, 16 months ago and will receive our sacraments together at this coming Easter Vigil! We have been richly blessed with a pair of mother/ daughter sponsors! What a wonderful journey it has been! My middle daughter will receive her First Holy Communion with her religious ed. class (she is grade 3 in religious ed. & grade 4 at school- because we started late) and making a Profession of Faith at the same time. My baby, 2 and one half, will be baptized Catholic, this Sunday:bounce: ! All roads to Rome are individual! We have a wonderful RCIA facilitator who helped to find the best path for me and each member of my family. There is a new RCIC (RCIA for children) at my parish, but my daughter was given the choice to go through with Mom in the RCIA or through the RCIC. She chose the RCIA and I can’t say enough how great it has been for us both to do it together. I realize all parishes have different routes, but with your daughter being 16, I am pretty sure she will be given the option to go through the RCIA with you. God bless you both in your journey!