Help rcia

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Imcatholic7

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So for 8+ years I have practiced the Catholic Faith and gone to Mass, never being able to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. I have tried numerous RCIA’s but none of them worked out for various reasons. I know it is Lent and probably too late. I know everything I could possibly learn in an RCIA class (along with the community side of a Parish). I consider myself a Catholic by heart. I am extremely frustrated because I know I will most likely have to wait ANOTHER YEAR before finally being able to receive the Sacraments. Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
 
Make an appointment with your Priest. You don’t have to go through RCIA to join the Church. If your Priest sees that you have the knowledge and faith in line with the teachings of the Church you can receive the Sacraments.
 
This is relevant to me as well. I haven’t been interested in the Catholic Church for as long but long enough that I believe I know everything a new Catholic should know. Is it true RCIA is not necessary? What if you haven’t been baptized? I had been wondering this myself since RCIA is about instruction of adults. If you’ve already been instructed then what would I been learning through the year?

Also since its so close to Easter I thought it might be too short of notice. Doesn’t the bishop have to be informed first?
 
maltmom said:
Make an appointment with your Priest. You don’t have to go through RCIA to join the Church. If your Priest sees that you have the knowledge and faith in line with the teachings of the Church you can receive the Sacraments.
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I agree with this. The church does not want to withhold the sacraments. Talk to your priest.

My priest met with me a few times, had me read some books, asked me a few questions and then heard my confession and I was able to receive the Eucharist. (I had been baptised already as a youth in the Methodist church). A while later I was Confimed.

But my priest also knew that I lived the last 25 years with a devoutly Catholic wife - so I probably knew as much as the average Catholic.

Peace,
John
 
I thought the same thing before I went to RCIA. I had been studying the Catholic faith for YEARS, attending Mass, learned prayers, etc. However, at my parish, we HAD to attend RCIA to become confirmed into the Church (even if I thought I knew most of it already). I was glad I did because during the question-and-answer sessions during class, I learned a lot more than what I thought I knew. Please speak to a priest and try to find a RCIA class (they’ll probably start up again in the Fall) – sometimes it’s more than just “textbook” learning. You will really gain a much better understanding of the Catholic faith and have people to guide you if you have questions about something (I didn’t realize I had any questions until I was taking the classes, LOL!). Best of luck to you!
 
RCIA is the approved method for adults to come into communion with the Catholic Church. There are exceptions and not every one has to attend. It is really up to the local Bishop or the Priest at your Parish.

I would say though that if you haven’t made it into the Church yet it would appear that something just isn’t right. Without knowing the details of course there is no way to tell, but I would venture to say that the Priest or Bishop would definitely want to know what transpired that kept you from entering the Church on those previous occasions…

Best wishes.
 
Thank you so much! I emailed a few days ago but I am going to call Tuesday to make an appointment with Father.
 
As others have said, one need not go to RCIA to become a Catholic. When I came into the Church, I just met one-on-one with a priest 1-2 times a week for a few months. If you can find a good priest, I highly recommend this method as RCIA programs around the country can be hit-and-miss regarding orthodoxy.

Good luck to you, and may God bless you in your journey!! :crossrc:
 
Yes, talk to your pastor. He is the one with the final say on how you should proceed. If you are known to him, and he feels you are indeed ready (that is a judgement call reserved to him, not you), he can have you be received sooner.

Good luck.
 
I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful answers! It isn’t too late in Lent to talk to my Priest, is it? I know Scott Hahn asked to be received during Holy Week. Are there any other examples? Thanks.
 
Imcatholic7 said:
I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful answers! It isn’t too late in Lent to talk to my Priest, is it? I know Scott Hahn asked to be received during Holy Week. Are there any other examples? Thanks.
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Just talk to him and see.

AFA Scott Hahn, remember this was a man who is and was at the time, highly educated considering his background.

If I am not mistaken you are a teenager? Do your parents have any objections. If so, your pastor may take this into consideration.

God bless!
 
ImCatholic7,

Hi again. Now I remember more clearly who you are 🙂

Because of your Mormon background, you would need to be baptized since LDS baptism is not valid. That would require a very different path that say someone like Scott Hahn (and never mind his educational background) would need, since he has already had been validly baptized.

I can hear and feel your excitement to be Catholic! Thats wonderful! 👍
But you can’t short circuit the path you need to go thru in order to come into the Church.

And if you are still a minor, Im not sure this can happen w/o the consent of your parents or guardian.

You really need to talk to your pastor, get on a program that works and is acceptable, and stay with that program.

God Bless and will pray for you! 🙂
 
Marie5890 said:
ImCatholic7,

Hi again. Now I remember more clearly who you are 🙂

Because of your Mormon background, you would need to be baptized since LDS baptism is not valid. That would require a very different path that say someone like Scott Hahn (and never mind his educational background) would need, since he has already had been validly baptized.

I can hear and feel your excitement to be Catholic! Thats wonderful! 👍
But you can’t short circuit the path you need to go thru in order to come into the Church.

And if you are still a minor, Im not sure this can happen w/o the consent of your parents or guardian.

You really need to talk to your pastor, get on a program that works and is acceptable, and stay with that program.

God Bless and will pray for you! 🙂
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I feel (again it is not my decision) I understand the Sacrament of Baptism. Catholicism was and always has been a much larger part of my life than Mormonism. Also, I have full consent. Mormonism was a mistake I should have never made but I feel it has deepened my belief in the One Holy Catholic Church. Thank you for your answers
 
Imcatholic7 said:
I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful answers! It isn’t too late in Lent to talk to my Priest, is it? I know Scott Hahn asked to be received during Holy Week. Are there any other examples? Thanks.
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I’m not Scott Hahn by any means, but I’m another example. I spoke to my Priest 2 weeks before Easter and was received during Holy Week.
 
Imcatholic7 said:
I feel (again it is not my decision) I understand the Sacrament of Baptism. Catholicism was and always has been a much larger part of my life than Mormonism. Also, I have full consent. Mormonism was a mistake I should have never made but I feel it has deepened my belief in the One Holy Catholic Church. Thank you for your answers
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You are welcome. 🙂

Im sure you know that baptisms are to occur at the Easter Vigil. Prior to that happening, as you go thru RCIA, you are a catechumen. And that is significant. Im not sure how much your RCIA director(s) have told you, but when Lent starts, that first Sunday, you go to the Cathedral and are presented to the (Arch)bishop and you would be accompanied by your sponsor, and possible your God mother/father.

That is an important step, to be part of the Elect being presented to bishop and signing your name in the book of the Elect.

If you havent already done this (this step would have happened this past Sunday, the 1st Sunday in Lent) you will have to wait until next Easter.

This is the norm and I have rarely seen in departed from. Esp since baptism is needed. It would be extra-ordinary circumstance to do it differently (ie you were near death would be extra-ordinary)

Im sure your pastor will explain this all to you if the RCIA director(s) you have dealt with have not.

Prayers and God Bless! 🙂
 
Even though technically I could have sidestepped RCIA, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a great group. We have persons of all ages, ranging from 12 years old to 70+ and they are very precious to me now. Some in the group won’t be able to be confirmed at this year’s Easter Vigil for one reason or another, so it is my privilege to pray for their continuing journey, however long it takes.
 
How does it work out for the people who asked to be received weeks before Easter vigil?
 
Imcatholic7 said:
How does it work out for the people who asked to be received weeks before Easter vigil?
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I have never known it to happen if baptism is required.

Perhaps some pastors allow it, though.
Is there any reason why your RCIA path was derailed? Do you have a sponor? Have you talked with them about it? How about your God parent? Have you have a chance to talk with them about your situation? Perhaps you can get some insight from them?

Ask your sponor and/or your God parent to meet with your pastor about this and so all of you can have a good discussion and have everyone on the same page. 🙂
 
Hoo(name removed by moderator)mie said:
Even though technically I could have sidestepped RCIA, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a great group. We have persons of all ages, ranging from 12 years old to 70+ and they are very precious to me now. Some in the group won’t be able to be confirmed at this year’s Easter Vigil for one reason or another, so it is my privilege to pray for their continuing journey, however long it takes.
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Hey COOL Hoo(name removed by moderator)mie, the fact that you had a 12 y/o in your group!!. 🙂
 
My RCIA director has an “open door” policy. We had an older couple join our group the week after we did our Rite of Welcome and they will be confirmed at Easter Vigil w/the rest of us.

We also have one person who’s going to be away during Easter Vigil, so they are going to get Baptized and confirmed after their once-in-a-lifetime vacation, but before Pentecost ends.

We also have one person who hasn’t been in the class, but is going through the rites w/our group and is going to be confirmed at Easter Vigil. I think they were instructed by father, but I’m not sure.

Our class is really small, so we know everyone’s status and who’s doing what at Easter.

Last week, we did the Rite of Election in class and completely confused our guest leader (a Deacon) because some people weren’t there or weren’t on the list and we had to pause to change the script and give status updates for everyone in the room. It was truly a ‘comedy of errors’ situation.

Talk to Father or the Religious Ed director. It really depends on your specific parish and situation.
 
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