In RCIA, losing interest

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FormerWarrior said:
Good luck in your search.

It is true that the Church is having a very difficult time these days. It holds out the promise of a coherent moral theory, which people usually find to be less than advertised, once they understand it.
Look at it this way, you have at least learned enough to make an informed decision as to what is right for you. Otherwise, you would not have known. In that your experience clarified your moral values, you are a better person for it.
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fall fox

When we receive our Confirmation we are called Warriors of Christ, Is that what your name is alluding to? I suspect that you were school age in the 1970’s when the caticesis was to say the least, not the best. I suspect that in reality you were never really Catholic because through no fault of your own you never got it, never understood it.
Now, I’m hoping that since you have found this web site, you may be in search of your way back to the Faith. If someone really understands the Catholic Faith, and they really believe that the Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus the Christ, how can they leave the Catholic Faith? Where can you go? Just like
St. Peter said in John 6 " to whom shall I go?".
" What is right for you " what does that mean? You are to base the church you choose on what you think is right? Are you sure you are versed enough to make that decision? If you were and you understood, truly understood the choice could only be the Catholic Faith.
 
+The below is the first lesson from the beautifully designed . . . Baltimore Catechism . . . a quite marvelously user friendly teaching aid . . . user friendly for both teachers and students seeking the **Lord **and interested in learning more about Christ and His beautiful Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic Church . . . and truly wonderful spiritual nourishment for a beginning RCIA student . . .

The Purpose of Man’s Existence

Lesson 1 from the Baltimore Cathechism

1. Who made us?
God made us.

:bible1: In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. (Genesis 1:1)

2. Who is God?
God is the Supreme Being, infinitely perfect, who made all things and keeps them in existence.

:bible1: In him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

3. Why did God make us?
God made us to show forth His goodness and to share with us His everlasting happiness in heaven.

:bible1: Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love him. (I Corinthians 2:9)

4. What must we do to gain the happiness of heaven?
To gain the happiness of heaven we must KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE God in this world.

:bible1: Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth; where the rust and moth consume and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

5. From whom do we learn to know, love, and serve God?
We learn to KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE God from Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who teaches us through the Catholic Church.

:bible1: I have come a light into the world that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)

6. Where do we find the chief truths taught by Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church?
We find the chief truths taught by Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church in the Apostles’ Creed.

:bible1: He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (Luke 10:16)

7. Say the Apostles’ :signofcross:Creed.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Link to Baltimore Catechism: catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson01.html​
 
To the OP:

Has your RCIA leader merely stated that abortion and same-sex civil unions are immoral, or have they fully explained why? If you haven’t yet explored the reasons behind the Church’s teachings on these issues, why don’t you hang around for a while to learn?

To learn more about the Church’s teachings on marriage, I recommend these sites:

(1) Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan (A Pastoral Letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/love-and-life/upload/pastoral-letter-marriage-love-and-life-in-the-divine-plan.pdf

(2) Frequently Asked Questions on Defense of Marriage
usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/frequently-asked-questions-on-defense-of-marriage.cfm

As for abortion, did you know that until the last century, all Christian churches taught that abortion is inherently evil? In other words, many churches VOTED to change Christ’s teachings. Example: The change of mind of the Episcopalians (the U.S. offshoot of the Anglicans) about abortion: ** walkingapart.us/tiki-index.php?page=Abortion**

Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Truth is immutable – unchangeable – but human beings have voted to change what Christ has taught. The Catholic Church, which was founded by Jesus, has not changed any of our Lord’s teachings. The Church is not a democracy, she is our Lord’s Kingdom and He is the King.

May our Father’s will be done.
 
puzzleannie said:
just offering observations after reading the discussion and responses.

OP says he is losing interest in RCIA, yet continues to ask questions that are properly answered during the RCIA process, especially questions about specific Church teachings which should be explained during RCIA. So why, this RCIA catechist asks herself, is someone who has RCIA - type questions not interested in participating to learn the answers? That is why I ask, what else is going on with RCIA in your parish that turns you off? If it is a matter of rejecting specific Church teachings, or the way they are being presented, is it not premature to do so without first learning the teaching in more depth?
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And the “wife submission” question from the OP - that sounds so fundie protestant. Is there a troll in town, I wonder?
 
The Catholic teaching are difficult to digest and it is ok to not agree with everything. RCIA is a journey and it takes a while to discern and decide if it is the right denomination for you. That is why RCIA is so long, it gives people a chance to decide if it is the right place for them. When I did it the first time, I was told that I had every right even when my name was called to back out if I felt like it was not right for me. If you are having doubts, about certain subjects, I suggest that you speak with your priest, take out some books from the library (use interlibrary loans if you need to), research the net for the answers to your questions. Not all websites provide accurate information so I suggest that you are careful with which one you decide to base your information on. The welcome home network was super awesome to me. They gave me a mentor who answered my questions and helped me through the discernment period. We are now friends btw.

I did a lot of research so I can recommend some good resources if you wish. I think you also need to put some time into prayer and seriously ask God and I mean constantly as a couple and individually if Catholicism is the direction God is calling. Doubt can be a good and bad thing. Good because it causes you to ask questions, bad because sometimes Satan puts doubt into your heart because he is trying to take you away from the calling god has planned. The more you ask questions, the more spiritual battles you’ll also win.

As for having a Catholic wedding, you can either book a Catholic wedding despite your present doubts or simply book one in a protestant church if that is what you are originally and get married there. You can always join the church sometime after that date. Generally people join the church at Easter but it’s also possible to join at other times as well. So in theory, you could get married in August and join the church in September. Once you are married, you can always have a small wedding mass afterwords.

I think in cases where one person isn’t Catholic but one is, generally the mass isn’t celebrated but instead there is a small ceremony that isn’t a mass. I suggest that you ask your priest about it. It could also be another option. Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful as well as discerning whether or not Catholicism is for them. I hate to say this: but Catholicism isn’t for everyone and especially when you are making wedding plans, the last added stress you need is to have the question of your joining the Catholic church dictate your wedding venue.

If you aren’t enjoying RCIA, pray and consider trying it somewhere else. Or you can stick with it and start doing your own research because it will help you to make up your own informed decision. If your fiance is considering it, or if she is already Catholic, include her in your research because this exploring could also bring you two closer.

Whatever you decide, please know that discerning can take years. It’s ok to also attend a good established protestant denomination as you discern. It took me two years to decide to become Catholic and I am glad that I took my time and took the plunge when I was ready. It means more to me to day than it would have if I joined after only a year.

If you need some suggestions regarding books or internet websites, send me a line and I’ll be more than happy to help you in anyway I can.

Good luck,

SG
 
SecretGarden said:
The Catholic teaching are difficult to digest and it is ok to not agree with everything.

fall fox

You must be careful here, It depends on what you do with your areas of disagreements. For example, the Church’s stand on abortion, it you were to have one, or advised someone else to have one, that is very problematic for the health of your soul. This was a very strong example, but there are other situations less dramatic that can be just as damaging to your soul if you THINK something just isn’t so bad, it can’t really be a sin but the Church says it is a sin.
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May I suggest you take a more active role during this process? Read something solid about the Catholic faith. Learn the facts, familiarise yourself with what it means to be Catholic in all areas of life, this kind of thing. It sounds like there are many things you don’t understand, which is completely normal at this stage of your journey. RCIA can be poorly run (mine was pretty bad, didn’t learn much except that I should love Jesus) and sometimes people don’t understand what it is all about. I don’t know what yours is like, if it is not done well, or if it is a case of you not liking what you hear. In either case, learn about the faith and ask questions. CAF is a great place to do that and people are always happy to give answers and explain why we believe what we believe.
And most importantly: pray. Have you tried the rosary yet? It is a wonderful prayer, very powerful.
 
+Deep within the tender and loving heart ❤️ of our Holy Mother Catholic Church . . . centuries upon centuries ago through the Blessed St. Ambrose . . . the Sweet Spirit of our Holy God . . . graced Christ’s Church with the . . . Apostles Creed . . . which contains a profound . . . thorough . . . prayer:gopray2:ful . . . revelation . . . of the fundamental basics of the truths of the very essence of our Christian Catholic Faith . . . it is contained as the beginning of each of the four (4) sections of the beautiful Holy Rosary Meditational Pray:gopray2:er . . . a selected mystery of which multitudes of Catholics pray each day around the world . . . to read, memorize and regularly pray this beautiful devotional prayer of the Apostles Creed is a marvelous introduction and beginning for a soul sincerely desiring to learn of and follow our Lord . . . Jesus . . . **the Blessed Christ of God **. . . our Savioiur . . . and it will greatly strengthen and encourage faith in God during times of dryness and doubt . . . as you learn of God and His truly holy ways for mankind . . .

. . . :coffeeread: . . .
The Apostles Creed

I believe in **
God,**
the Father Almighty,
Creator
of heaven and earth,
and in ***
Jesus Christ, ***
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the **
Holy Spirit,**
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of **
God the Father Almighty;
from there he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the **
Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Precious Saviour+
. . . thank you Blessed Virgin Mary our Mother+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
. . . thank you Blessed St. Ambrose+​
 
I’m a RCIA teacher, and I’m ranting too…

I am pro-life and pro-marriage in the sense that Jesus speaks of it, but those issues haven’t come up yet.

We’ve spoken on conversion, Who God Is, and tonight we’ll be talking about the Fall and Salvation History through Jesus Christ.

My rant is that people phone me, saying they will come and then they do not, others don’t even bother and the one who has been faithful isn’t showing up tonight, so there’s a possibility there’ll be no one.

We spend hours and hours putting together a teaching using materials, the bible and the catechism. We bake cookies and make coffee to prepare. We have our overheads and our sacred space made ready an hour before. Three people go out of their way every week to be there.

I’ve done this for years and normally I have a reasonably sized class with people who are faithful, but this year… it sucks. I’m sorry. I don’t know if God is calling me to another ministry, to be quiet, and still even if. Mother Teresa said (“I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” … “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”)

But my main concern is, years from now, when these poorly catechized Catholics have a problem with the faith, might it be because they weren’t there when the classes were??? Arrgh.
 
marlap2 said:
I’m a RCIA teacher, and I’m ranting too…

I am pro-life and pro-marriage in the sense that Jesus speaks of it, but those issues haven’t come up yet.

We’ve spoken on conversion, Who God Is, and tonight we’ll be talking about the Fall and Salvation History through Jesus Christ.

My rant is that people phone me, saying they will come and then they do not, others don’t even bother and the one who has been faithful isn’t showing up tonight, so there’s a possibility there’ll be no one.

We spend hours and hours putting together a teaching using materials, the bible and the catechism. We bake cookies and make coffee to prepare. We have our overheads and our sacred space made ready an hour before. Three people go out of their way every week to be there.

I’ve done this for years and normally I have a reasonably sized class with people who are faithful, but this year… it sucks. I’m sorry. I don’t know if God is calling me to another ministry, to be quiet, and still even if. Mother Teresa said (“I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” … “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”)
**
But my main concern is, years from now, when these poorly catechized Catholics have a problem with the faith, might it be because they weren’t there when the classes were??? Arrgh.**
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If these students aren’t showing up to the classes (and aren’t making up the material) they should not be allowed to enter the Church. Then you won’t have to worry about poorly catechized Catholics having problems with the faith later on. The point of RCIA classes is so there aren’t a bunch of poorly catechized Catholics wandering around. There are too many of those as it is! 😦
 
Hi
I am in RCIA too and read your post with interest. On basis of what we are learning in our classes so far, I believe that it is too early to make any definate decision about the church on your part until you truly understand everything and begin to try to live according to what you are learning. Becoming a Catholic is a gradual process. One of learning and at the same time doing. I believe that receiving the Eucharist at the end is like the final stone of a structure that we have begun to build 4 weeks ago.

One thing that has disturbed me with your intended marriage…not once have you mentioned your fiance. Is he attending RCIA as well? Are you planning on joining the Church alone? Doesn’t the marriage within the Church effect him? Your decision will affect him in the future too…Just asking. Also…don’t you have a sponsor yet who can answer questions and provide a firm example for you and your future husband?
 
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