I dropped in at the local parish about 2 months ago and spoke to a priest about converting. We talked for about 10 min. He said that he was leaving in a few days for a vacation. He gave me a book to read and asked that I get in touch with him during the 1st week of May. Well thats where Iām having problemsā¦I have called several times and left messages, I have even stopped back by the parish and spoke to the associate pastor who said he would pass along the message. I told him that I have unyielding passion to do Godās work and I just wanted information on becoming Catholic. It has been over a week and still no phone call.
Simply said, Iām almost heart broken. I have spent alot of time working out my conversion, this is a big deal to me.
It seems for them, they are in no rush for me to join the Church at all.
What can I do. I hate to keep bothering them. It seems that if they wanted to call me back, they would.
Well I feel for you, Converting to the Catholic Faith is a pretty big deal. I for one am not a convert I was born and raised Catholic from Birth! Becoming a Catholic, while a weighty decision, is easy in practice, although it will take time. Itās easy to take your first step into joining the oldest Christian institution in the world. Take heart! Converts to Catholicism are among the strongest in their faith in all of Christianity.
1.Read the Bible often, and pray often.
2.Find a local Catholic church. Itās not too hard - just look under the yellow pages of the phone book under āChurches.ā Alternatively, the website Mass Times allows you to search for churches based on parameters such city, zip code, phone number, or country. Look into the traditions and teachings of the Church, and see how Catholics defend them. It is important to know why you are converting.
- Attend a Mass or two, preferably with a Catholic friend who can explain when to do things and what they mean. Donāt let a particular mass or church influence your decision. Most churches have had a fair amount of variation in services. There are often āteen massesā or āguitar massesā as well as languages corresponding to the local minority community. Additionally, your enjoyment of the sermon may depend on the priest who is celebrating that particular mass. Remember, however, that you are not allowed to receive the Eucharistāsee āWarnings.ā
- Once you find a church you like, contact the Parish Office and inform them of your desire to convert. There are group classes, called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), for all people wishing to convert within a period, giving you a social framework for assimilating the experience. You will be asked to talk to a priest or deacon, or perhaps to a layperson who is experienced in the conversion process. He will ask you why you wish to become Catholic and in general, talk to you to be sure you are sincere in your desire and are aware of the conditions of being Catholic.
5.If you continue on in the process, youāll start taking Catholic education classes, also known as RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. You will learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of celebration of Mass. During this stage, many classes have you attending Mass for only part of the time, leaving before communion, as you may not receive Eucharist until you have entered the Church.
6.If youāre lucky enough to become Catholic around Easter, youāll get to be baptized (if you havenāt been baptized before), receive your first communion, and be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, the special Mass held the evening before Easter Sunday (your first reconciliation will be held sometime before).
7.If you have been baptized before into a church recognized by Catholics as a Christian one (Mormons and Jehovahās Witnesses are examples of those not considered Christians by the Church), your baptism is valid and you do not have to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized, or been baptized into a non-Christian Church you will be baptized in a Catholic Church.
- The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (available on Amazon, with a red cover) is an excellent introduction to the doctrine and prayer of the church. It also is a fairly easy read. Catholicism for Dummies is also useful. Even if you are just asking questions, but not sure that you want to become Catholic, you can approach a priest, deacon or parish staff member to answer your questions. They will probably be more than glad to set up a time to talk with you.
There are many excellent web sites that can help you plug into the daily prayer tradition of the church. Check out
www.universalis.com,
www.sacredspace.ie, or
www.pray-as-you-go.org.
Many missals have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back.
Many Parishes have Missalettes in the pews or at the back for use during Mass, these have the readings and prayers, as well as instructions about standing, sitting.
also go to 
