Looking to start RCIA

[lizds]

I really want to start RCIA, but because of work I wont be able to attend Mass for the first time until Aug 23. Would it be strange of me to ask my friend about getting information about the RCIA at his Parish? My fear is that it will be starting up soon and I will miss out completely.

Also I have a few questions about Godparents/Sponsers and Baptism. I was baptized Protestant when I was fourteen, but my life took a turn for the worse and I fell away from the church. I don’t really view my own baptisim as valid, nor do I have any form of proof. Would/should I be baptized again when I choose to convert?

I also don’t have any family that supports my decision to convert. The only person that is supporting me is my friend, whom is some what of a boyfriend. (Confusing story behind that.) Would it be weird to select him as a godparent/sponser? If so… How should I go about selecting one if I don’t have any one else to turn to?

 

[ausculta]

I really want to start RCIA, but because of work I wont be able to attend Mass for the first time until Aug 23. Would it be strange of me to ask my friend about getting information about the RCIA at his Parish? My fear is that it will be starting up soon and I will miss out completely.

Most RCIA programs have just begun and are still in the “Inquiry” period, which usually lasts until the end of the year. You can usually enter the program at any time during the inquiry period. Call your target parish for details but don’t delay too long.

Also I have a few questions about Godparents/Sponsers and Baptism. I was baptized Protestant when I was fourteen, but my life took a turn for the worse and I fell away from the church. I don’t really view my own baptisim as valid, nor do I have any form of proof. Would/should I be baptized again when I choose to convert?

The validity of your baptism will be worked out by the pastor during the process. You will be interviewed and all attempts will be made to verify that a valid baptism occurred. There are normally two outcomes: 1) The baptism was trinitarian and is documented and/or witnessed by an adult, so it won’t be repeated or 2) in the absence of evidence a “conditional” baptism will be done.

I also don’t have any family that supports my decision to convert. The only person that is supporting me is my friend, whom is some what of a boyfriend. (Confusing story behind that.) Would it be weird to select him as a godparent/sponser? If so… How should I go about selecting one if I don’t have any one else to turn to?

Your sponsor must a be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church. If you can’t find one the parish will usually assign you a volunteer to fill this important role. Your “friend” may or may not qualify due to the nature of your relationship. I could not sponsor my wife when she was brought into the Church.

I hope this helps.

God’s peace and all good,

A

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I really want to start RCIA, but because of work I wont be able to attend Mass for the first time until Aug 23. Would it be strange of me to ask my friend about getting information about the RCIA at his Parish? My fear is that it will be starting up soon and I will miss out completely.

Why don’t you call your parish and get the info yourself? You’re going to need to talk with the RCIA director anyway so this is your chance to make an appointment. (I assume that other parishes do what I do – meet with inquirers individually first to tell them about RCIA and start gathering info from them about whether they’ve been baptized, whether there are any marriage issues, whether they have children that we also need to consider, etc.)

Also I have a few questions about Godparents/Sponsers and Baptism. I was baptized Protestant when I was fourteen, but my life took a turn for the worse and I fell away from the church. I don’t really view my own baptisim as valid, nor do I have any form of proof. Would/should I be baptized again when I choose to convert?

If you’ve been baptized with a trinitarian formula and water then you’ve been baptized. You won’t be baptized again. If there’s some doubt about whether it was done correctly then you would be conditionally baptized. “Proof” doesn’t have to be a baptismal certificate (which would be required if you were baptized Catholic; Catholics are very good about maintaining sacramental records). Since you were 14 you presumably remember it and you probably have other witnesses who could attest to it.

I also don’t have any family that supports my decision to convert. The only person that is supporting me is my friend, whom is some what of a boyfriend. (Confusing story behind that.) Would it be weird to select him as a godparent/sponser? If so… How should I go about selecting one if I don’t have any one else to turn to?

Your RCIA folks will help you find a sponsor.

 

[lizds]

I actually have no witnesses of my baptisim. The Pastor that baptized me was let go from the Church and moved out of state. I have no way of contacting him and haven’t spoke with him in about eight years. I also didn’t have any family or friends present at the time, for I went on a retreat alone. The only family I have is my Mother and Brother, whom are both Atheist.

 

[MercyMia]

lizds - Don’t worry about getting a baptism record. For my husband, who was baptized in a church of Christ denomination, the priest asked if for documentation of a baptism but took my husband at his word. My husband was baptized by a very brain-washy, outspoken preacher and he did not want the drama of asking for a baptism record for the Catholic Church because you can imagine how that would go. So, the priest merely asked by husband if he had been baptized in the name of “the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” My husband said yes, and that was as good as gold.
IF you don’t remember whether or not you were baptized in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - a priest can do what is a “conditional” baptism, where they re-baptize you, but since we recognize only ONE baptism, if your original baptism was in fact valid, that is still when you were baptized, this one is just a back-up.