How is this fair?

[MarianD]

You must have overlooked my original response, so I’ll repeat it. If the only time you brought this up to the priest was in confession, I suggest calling and making an appointment with the pastor. He might be willing to meet with you privately and then receive you into full Communion. However, if you have a large RCIA group this might be difficult as then everyone will expect this same treatment.

Believe me, I understand. I was not baptized before I converted, and I constantly wondered if my desire would be strong enough for a baptism of desire should something awful happen to me.

Yeah I’m sorry, I must’ve.

My RCIA class is only 5 people (one revert who previously left the Church but was baptized as a Catholic), so I could try that.

 

[KarenElissa]

I guess the most frustrating part is that I’ve felt like I’ve made such strides over the past 3 months. I’ve done a lot spiritually and I’ve changed my life through the grace and help of God and through the prayers of Mary.

Then I get told, when I’m at a spiritual highpoint (so to speak), that in reality I haven’t moved an inch from my former ways and that I’m just as good as the billions of non-Catholics to the Church. No sacraments, no journey, no growth until a waiting period of 6 months.

Here’s the thing though, who says you can’t grow while you are waiting? Just because you can’t receive the sacraments yet doesn’t mean you can’t grow closer to God. We receive grace simply by attending Mass and actively participating (paying attention, praying, etc), we receive grace through sacramentals like blessing ourselves with holy water, praying the rosary, blessed medals, and plenty of other things. Are they the same as receiving the sacraments, no, but they still help us to grow closer to God.

So go to Mass whenever you can. Read your Bible. Go to Adoration, or simply sit in front of the tabernacle and pray. Pray the Rosary. Pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Participate in parish life. Read about the Saints.

There are a TON of things that we can do to grow closer to God that anyone can do, without being officially Catholic. Use this time to do those things. And ask God what he wants you to learn through all of this. He does have a plan!

 

[HCC]

I’m sorry but I’m still going to Confession. I’m not comfortable with the fact that if (or rather when) I sin, I can’t get my sins absolved even if I’m repentant. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and dying in a state of sin and not being able to see God and enjoy Heaven with Mary is not an option. Even if it means disobeying the Church, the eternal absence of God is not something I’ll risk.

Plus, even though I’ve explained to the priest my situation, he still allowed me to confess and still absolved me of my sins.

MarianD, I hear what you are saying, but why are you having this conversation here and not with your RCIA director and/or pastor? Obedience is a very important component to living a truly Catholic life. Why not bring all of these questions to your pastor to get clarification and do whatever he tells you.

As of April 24 2011 you will have all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of being a Catholic. That is six months from now and will be here before you know it. Why not relax a little? Enjoy this time getting a refresher with concepts you are familiar with already and maybe learning something you didn’t know in the process? Grow in your love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and get comfortable with the liturgy, devotions and traditions of the Church. Grow in your prayer life.

In the meantime, be sure to bring all of your concerns to your pastor. This is very important. As another poster mentioned, we Catholics do not go off and do our own thing, it isn’t just about Jesus and me. We live our faith lives in community both with the Church militant (those of us living) and the Communion of Saints (a wonderful gift).

Time to put this thread and your anxieties to rest and call and make an appointment with your pastor. You have no business making these decisions for yourself. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but no one else seems to be saying it outright.

 

[Jea9]

How large is “large”? I would hope that most pastors would talk to you. But to that point, RCIA is also likely a good place to get to know your pastor better. Worked that way for me.

I didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to talk to him, I meant he might not allow him to make his profession earlier. The pastor may not feel it is a good idea to let him go outside the norms. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.

 

[Spirithound]

I guess the most frustrating part is that I’ve felt like I’ve made such strides over the past 3 months. I’ve done a lot spiritually and I’ve changed my life through the grace and help of God and through the prayers of Mary.

Then I get told, when I’m at a spiritual highpoint (so to speak), that in reality I haven’t moved an inch from my former ways and that I’m just as good as the billions of non-Catholics to the Church. No sacraments, no journey, no growth until a waiting period of 6 months.

It’s frustrating how I have to wait until April to move from Day One (the official longest day in my life) to my spiritual journey towards God. Don’t get me wrong—I love my Parish’s Catechists even though I’ve only known them for a month or so. They’re great people, they have diverse backgrounds, different takes they offer us, and they all are extremely intelligent and welcoming individuals. My problem isn’t “I have to spend 7 months with these people?”, it’s “You mean even though I thought I traveled around the world, the truth is I’m still in the same spot?”

Perhaps this trial is just God testing my level of commitment? Perhaps He’s helping me see that now, He’s allowed me to settle down on the religion that pleases Him, after giving me 3 years to discover why I should believe (and this isn’t just the religion of the month, I really am deep down in my heart committed to being a Catholic for the rest of my days on Earth in a way that only God and myself can understand)? This is a test I’m certain I’ll pass, God-willing, but it’s not a test that I’ll like taking.

Hey brother, I’m sure that you HAVE made great strides in the last 3 months, and I hope that you make even greater strides in the next several months, and for the rest of your life too! Please don’t despair in thinking that you haven’t moved an inch, because you have moved. You have moved, and you’re at a spiritual high right now, but there are heights to come that you can’t even see yet. But there is a Rite to follow. It will educate you, and more importantly, give you the special graces to continue. God bless

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I guess the most frustrating part is that I’ve felt like I’ve made such strides over the past 3 months. I’ve done a lot spiritually and I’ve changed my life through the grace and help of God and through the prayers of Mary.

Then I get told, when I’m at a spiritual highpoint (so to speak), that in reality I haven’t moved an inch from my former ways and that I’m just as good as the billions of non-Catholics to the Church. No sacraments, no journey, no growth until a waiting period of 6 months.

It’s frustrating how I have to wait until April to move from Day One (the official longest day in my life) to my spiritual journey towards God. Don’t get me wrong—I love my Parish’s Catechists even though I’ve only known them for a month or so. They’re great people, they have diverse backgrounds, different takes they offer us, and they all are extremely intelligent and welcoming individuals. My problem isn’t “I have to spend 7 months with these people?”, it’s “You mean even though I thought I traveled around the world, the truth is I’m still in the same spot?”

Perhaps this trial is just God testing my level of commitment? Perhaps He’s helping me see that now, He’s allowed me to settle down on the religion that pleases Him, after giving me 3 years to discover why I should believe (and this isn’t just the religion of the month, I really am deep down in my heart committed to being a Catholic for the rest of my days on Earth in a way that only God and myself can understand)? This is a test I’m certain I’ll pass, God-willing, but it’s not a test that I’ll like taking.

But again, I’d just like to say that I had no clue about the way Catholics use the term “convert”. In all the ways everyone of every religion, political ideology, and various beliefs use the word, it means whenever you start believing in what that specific religion/ideology/etc. believes. I had no clue that in Catholicism it meant the whole formal process of being received in the Church. I’m not a liar, I was simply ignorant of the way the term is used among Catholics. To call me a “lying little kid” was extremely offensive, rude, un-Christian, and I at least deserve an apology for that.

What do you mean you can have no growth? You can’t read the Catechism while you are waiting? No one is saying that you aren’t committed to being Catholic or that you don’t know some of what it means to be Catholic. But how are you any different from my husband? He knows a lot about the church from me…goes to adoration. He’s always read his bible…reads the divine office, takes the Sunday obligation VERY seriously. He watches me go to confession and receive communion but understands that the waiting is a purpose. We Catholics understand the discipline of waiting. It’s your time to really work it our with God…being a Catholic is not a one time thing but a lifetime of growth. This time is no different for you…use it wisely. Because there will be those dry periods where you may not feel like you are going anywhere even when you go to Mass every Sunday…even after you are received into the church…what will you do then? Every test is an opportunity to grow your faith. The Lord only does that for those he loves.

 

[tafan]

What do you mean you can have no growth? You can’t read the Catechism while you are waiting? No one is saying that you aren’t committed to being Catholic or that you don’t know some of what it means to be Catholic. But how are you any different from my husband? He knows a lot about the church from me…goes to adoration. He’s always read his bible…reads the divine office, takes the Sunday obligation VERY seriously. He watches me go to confession and receive communion but understands that the waiting is a purpose. We Catholics understand the discipline of waiting. It’s your time to really work it our with God…being a Catholic is not a one time thing but a lifetime of growth. This time is no different for you…use it wisely. Because there will be those dry periods where you may not feel like you are going anywhere even when you go to Mass every Sunday…even after you are received into the church…what will you do then? Every test is an opportunity to grow your faith. The Lord only does that for those he loves.

Assuming your husband is baptized, I have a difficult time with someone like him being forced to wait for the sacrament of reconciliation. It makes absolutely zero sense to me. I cannot get past it. If your husband falls into mortal sin during this period, would you not be concerned for his soul? Yep, being out of the state of grace until next Easter Vigil is quite a “dry period”. I have a hard time seeing how that potentiality helps him grow in the faith. It is presumptuous of the Church to just trust in God’s mercy for all of these people instead of formulating the program to allow them to avail them to the sacrament instituted by Jesus for this very purpose.