My atheistic friend as agreed to attend RCIA with me... Now WHAT?

[PJM]

=knotanes;8298191]I’ve been casually inviting her to come check out Catholicism (because she’s only ever experienced fundamentalist protestant Christianity and feels very strongly opposed to Christianity as a whole as a result). It’s been about a decade since she last set foot in a church of any sort.

Any advice on how to help her out? I take it as very encouraging that she’s even willing to come one day with us. And I’ve stressed that… whatever she feels, asks, etc. won’t bother me and won’t change where I’m headed or our friendship.

I’ve got a lot of goals. Ideally, I’d like to see all of my family and extended family and close friends converted (and anyone else I can pick up along the way ).

In addition to all of my children, myself and my husband.

It’s a big goal, but I feel so strongly about the Church and the good it brings to a life/the world, that I want to share with everyone else that I care about.

Any suggestions you have would be

MAKE 100% SURE THAT YOUR PASTOR AND WHO EVER IS TEACHING IS AWARE THAT THIS PERSON IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED ATHEIST:thumbsup:

There are other impressionable minds present and things cannot be permitted [your great intensions accepted] to get out of hand. Please encourage her to ask questions BUT no heated debates.

God Bless you,

Pat

 

[Jocko_VT]

MAKE 100% SURE THAT YOUR PASTOR AND WHO EVER IS TEACHING IS AWARE THAT THIS PERSON IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED ATHEIST:thumbsup:

…BUT no heated debates.

Has this really been a problem in that past? And has it been specific to atheists (as opposed as, say, self-proclaimed Lutherans)?

Also, PJM, what does “informed” mean (i.e., in your “informed, practicing Catholic”)? Just curious. Is it just the obvious, or is there more to it? What proportion of Catholics would you say qualify as either “informed” or as “practicing,” just out of curiosity. I’ve only recently began taking note, but I’d say pretty low on both counts!

 

[PJM]

=Jocko_VT;8419206]Has this really been a problem in that past? And has it been specific to atheists (as opposed as, say, self-proclaimed Lutherans)?

Also, PJM, what does “informed” mean (i.e., in your “informed, practicing Catholic”)? Just curious. Is it just the obvious, or is there more to it? What proportion of Catholics would you say qualify as either “informed” or as “practicing,” just out of curiosity. I’ve only recently began taking note, but I’d say pretty low on both counts!

I’m in agreement wth your final statement.

I’m a Certified Marian Catecheist; a Lay Apostolate approved by Rome. We are recertified every year. In addition to the prescribed studies required by the MC’s; Father Hardon had has study the Bible, the Catechisms, Vatican II and Trent; Canon Law, Church and Bible History, and some of the Early Fathers. And I continue as required by the MC’s to add to my knowledge on an on-going basis.

To the degree that Sooooo many have brought into the changes in the Sacred Liturgy and have assumed [usurped actually] priestly duties as a perceived “right”; the degree of understanding or even a dsire to learn seems dangerously low.

The warning I shared is based on many years of teaching experiece; including 3 years of RCIA. These classes tend to attract a varity of backgrounds, and many come in with a lot of misinformation. I was primarily hoping to head off possible and unnecessary problems.
Grand daddy used to say “you’ll find less trouble if you aren’t looking for it.”

But I’m delighted [and prayerfully thankful] to see new folks comming into thee Church and wanting to evangualize! No doubt God IS in charge and has a plan! Amen!

God Bless,
I hope I answered your questions? If not, let me know,

Pat