*]has a non-Catholic as a sponsor
I didn’t know any Catholics who could sponsor me, so I just picked my friend Michael who comes to class with me on Tuesdays. The director doesn’t know he’s Jewish.
Speak with your pastor about this. You DESERVE a proper Sponsor so that you have someone to help you in deciding if you want to come into the Church. A good strong Catholic can help you by answering questions you have and help you discern if now is the proper time for you to enter or not.
*]had to pay a lot of money to prepare to be received into the Church
The parish that is offering RCIA made me pay $150 for class fees, books, and food.
Assuming this is true, I certainly don’t agree with the paying. But be that as it may, you need to learn about something in finance called “sunk cost”. If you have paid that money, it is gone. Don’t let it factor into your decision about continuing or not. MANY bad decisions have been made because people didn’t want to “lose” money they had already paid.
*]didn’t learn anything
The director teaches too fast and he tends to answer questions with questions. I try to follow along in the parts of the book he assigns for reading, but I don’t understand anything. Plus, I can’t ask Michael because he doesn’t know anything about Catholicism.
Then you need to speak with your pastor IMMEDIATELY. This is vital. You don’t know the faith, and deserve to have it explained to you so that you understand. This is also why it is vital that your Sponsor be a faithful Catholic who can answer your questions and help you to learn.
*]learned enough to know he doesn’t believe any of it
Many of the social teachings go against what I personally believe. Also, I’m not sure I’m buying the Eucharist thing.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. If you don’t understand or believe in the Eucharist, you shouldn’t come into the Church right now. Take time to learn, so that when you say yes, you actually mean it, and understand what you are saying yes to.
*]is willing to make a profession of faith and be confirmed anyway so people aren’t mad
I’ve told a lot of people I’m becoming Catholic. I don’t want to back out now and be a flake. Everyone will think I was too scared.
No they won’t. You just tell them that you weren’t ready at this time, and you are still studying and discerning the Church. No one will think less of you for being diligent and respectful of the Catholic faith.
*]says all this in the first post he’s ever made
I didn’t know this site existed. Otherwise, I would have asked a long time ago.
Well welcome, and read as much as you can.
Also, the RCIA director told me that it was okay that I go to Mass and take the Eucharist to see if I liked it. I’ve taken it a few times the last few Masses I attended. I thought that was disallowed, though. I just want to be a part of the group. I’ve never been a part of a church group before.
This is incorrect, and the RCIA director should know better. Do NOT partake of the Eucharist. Just stay in the pew during Communion, it’s not a big deal. That’s what I did while I was in RCIA.
You are most welcome, and we hope you keep coming to the Church, and eventually decide to join. But it must be an informed decision that you willlingly take. The Church is NOT a country club. It is make a vow before God, and becoming part of His Body and part of His Family. It is serious, and it is for life. So please do spend time learning and truly finding out if this is the right thing for you right now, or if you should learn more and perhaps come into the Church next year.
God bless.
