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palmas85
Guest
Thats right, I didn’t think of that. Priests must be incredibly overworked these days. Does anyone have any idea exactly what they are usually invoved in during the week? I’d be interested in knowing.
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Akanke
Guest
As of late, my priest seems to be doing an awful lot of funerals. Last week he had one where the deceased died in a skydiving accident–his parachute didn’t open. He said the person had not made any funeral arrangements because they were so young, and so his family chose some things. After singing “On Eagle’s Wings” (or something like that) they sang The Irish Blessing…let me sing a few bars for you (clears throat) “May the road rise up to meet you, the wind be always at your back…”
(I wonder if my priest was being serious)
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mattrue
Guest
you may gain more patience in this class, i hope it gets better for you. God Bless
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Eileen_T
Guest
“May the road rise up to meet you, the wind be always at your back…”
A major blooper!
I haven’t done RCIA but intend to offer my services to our priest. What I have experienced is a similar situation in regards to my children, who did not attend a Cathlic school.
RE was in the Church once a week and was taken by a couple of nuns and some lay people, one of whom was not a Catholic.
It took some time before I came to realise, from things my children said in passing, that they were being taught some very strange things.
Moving to another parish shortly after I looked at their RE program and volunteered to take a class. One of the other ‘teachers’ and I used the Faith and Life series as well as a small Q&A catechism.
They learned about the sacraments, the commandments, the various parts of the Mass and the Rosary, including all the mysteries. We also took them around the Church and into the sacristy and explained what everything was.
This continued until a new PP was appointed. He chose new ‘teachers’ who were more ‘up-to-date’ with their Faith, including a non-Catholic spouse who also did readings at Mass and received Communion.
The lack of knowledge of some of those who are teaching our children and catechumens is appalling.
STEVE - Have you thought of taking that 15 year-old out for a burger after sessions and try to light a fire in him by telling him some of what makes the Catholic Faith so exciting?
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mommyaprilj
Guest
Continue with your class and for supplemental try this
amm.org/chss.htm
Their free correspondence courses are as follows:
"We Believe…" A Survey of the Catholic Faith - (an explanation of the teachings of the Catholic Church)
We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass - (how to understand, pray, and live the Mass) *The Search for Happiness *- (explains the four levels of happiness) A Catholic Guide to the Bible - (an introduction to the books of the Bible) The Privilege of Being Catholic - (the distinguishing features of Catholicism) Christ’s Mother and Ours - (Catholic devotion to Mary) The Catechism Handbook - (a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a study of its content)
The first one is a book that my last priest told me would be perfect for an RCIA class. He took the course himself once. This group is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and they will send you the materials free, you even get certificates when you complete the course. I’ve only got one more to go.
amm.org/chss.htm
Their free correspondence courses are as follows:
"We Believe…" A Survey of the Catholic Faith - (an explanation of the teachings of the Catholic Church)
We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass - (how to understand, pray, and live the Mass) *The Search for Happiness *- (explains the four levels of happiness) A Catholic Guide to the Bible - (an introduction to the books of the Bible) The Privilege of Being Catholic - (the distinguishing features of Catholicism) Christ’s Mother and Ours - (Catholic devotion to Mary) The Catechism Handbook - (a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a study of its content)
The first one is a book that my last priest told me would be perfect for an RCIA class. He took the course himself once. This group is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and they will send you the materials free, you even get certificates when you complete the course. I’ve only got one more to go.
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slewi
Guest
Thanks Mommy, that looks kind of promising. What I have decided to do is stay in RCIA, come here to vent to you all, supplement whatever materials they give me with some traditional catechisms, and try both the online and CHSS stuff. That should be more than enough to get me through to Easter and my confirmation. Then I am going to volunteer to teach for next years class!
Eileen - Perhaps I shall try your recommendation and try to light a fire in that boy. My fiance is kind of blowing him off, but I think I will talk to him about why he is there and how he could benefit if he applied himself. I did speak to him last week a bit, and playing basketball is all consuming for him. I asked him why he hadn’t finished his assignment and he said because basketball is more important. I don’t really think he wants to be there, but I will try.
Steve
Eileen - Perhaps I shall try your recommendation and try to light a fire in that boy. My fiance is kind of blowing him off, but I think I will talk to him about why he is there and how he could benefit if he applied himself. I did speak to him last week a bit, and playing basketball is all consuming for him. I asked him why he hadn’t finished his assignment and he said because basketball is more important. I don’t really think he wants to be there, but I will try.
Steve
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palmas85
Guest
Just a thought, is the old Baltimore Catechism still considered valid for instructional purposes? While not writrten in any great intellectual style it did present the faith in a remarkably well structured, simple and coherent fashion. Very easy to read and understand. I don’t think the teachings of the Church have changed to the degree that it would be completely irrelevent, and if someone going through RCIA wanted more information there are ample other instructional materials available.
It was also remarkable in the sense that almost anyone could teach from it as it was not difficult to understand at all.
I ask because I recently saw copies for sale at a local Catholic book store.
It was also remarkable in the sense that almost anyone could teach from it as it was not difficult to understand at all.
I ask because I recently saw copies for sale at a local Catholic book store.
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Lurch104:
Then the Priests have to prioritize and then delegate the things they can’t do that still need to be done, and hope they find Godly and trustworthy individuals to run those things they can’t.
What happened to Akante and Steve was that they found themselves in a class where the task of instruction had been delegated to the wrong person, and the priest seemed unable or unwilling to correct the mistake.
It sounds to me as if you are running parishes RCIA program the way I would run mine if I were allowed to do so. and, It does sound like how I tried to do the Confirmation class some 25 years ago (before I left the Church)…
Lurch104:
Most of us here tried to let them know that they weren’t alone on this and to tried to question and advise them as best as we could. I’m sorry if you thought that charitable response towards them wasn’t the right one.
How many of us do you believe live in Steve’s and Akante’s Diocese and could have any chance of volunteering to take over that class? Did you really think that was a serious possibility for anyone here? or, Was that just some offhand sarcastic remark?
And, Even if we did, what do you think the chances would be that the pastor, who chose this person to teach the class, would allow some firebrand conservative from Catholic Answers to take the class over and to teach the Faith? Esp. since he kept her on after she taught that Abortion was OK?
And, do you have any idea what the posters here do in their home parishes? or, What they’ve asked their pastors to let them do but been refused? or, What disabilities they’re dealing with that prevent them from contributing in all but the most miniscule of ways?
In Christ, Michael
Then the Priests have to prioritize and then delegate the things they can’t do that still need to be done, and hope they find Godly and trustworthy individuals to run those things they can’t.
What happened to Akante and Steve was that they found themselves in a class where the task of instruction had been delegated to the wrong person, and the priest seemed unable or unwilling to correct the mistake.
It sounds to me as if you are running parishes RCIA program the way I would run mine if I were allowed to do so. and, It does sound like how I tried to do the Confirmation class some 25 years ago (before I left the Church)…
…I think you forgot that the two people who came here with problems were CATECHUMENS in that they were Candidates for Confirmation, and were only trying to have a safe place to talk about what was happening so that they could keep from harrassing the instructor who was teaching heresy in the class.
Most of us here tried to let them know that they weren’t alone on this and to tried to question and advise them as best as we could. I’m sorry if you thought that charitable response towards them wasn’t the right one.
How many of us do you believe live in Steve’s and Akante’s Diocese and could have any chance of volunteering to take over that class? Did you really think that was a serious possibility for anyone here? or, Was that just some offhand sarcastic remark?
And, Even if we did, what do you think the chances would be that the pastor, who chose this person to teach the class, would allow some firebrand conservative from Catholic Answers to take the class over and to teach the Faith? Esp. since he kept her on after she taught that Abortion was OK?
And, do you have any idea what the posters here do in their home parishes? or, What they’ve asked their pastors to let them do but been refused? or, What disabilities they’re dealing with that prevent them from contributing in all but the most miniscule of ways?
In Christ, Michael
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Steve:
You might give him some of “Mommy’s” reading list (one book at a time. There’s also “The Rock” and “Backstage Pass” on EWTN which are slanted to people his age - He might like them.
If you’re real careful, there’s a lot of very good Christian Rock music out there that glorifies our Lord. and, Then there are groups such as “Supertramp” and “U-2” which often put Christian themes in their lyrics.
I would start with the readings and with “The Rock” and “Backstage Pass” (both EWTN) and work my way out.
You could also might ask if he would want to try reading a daily bit of Scripture - My Daily Catholic Bible, and RSV-CE broken up into 20-25 minute bites. Dare him to do it and see what happens…
Same with Daily Mass…
May the Lord help you in helping this kid catch fire for him.
In Christ, Michael
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David123
Guest
Hello,
I am very happy to have found this thread! I am currently in RCIA and will be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church this coming Easter. However, and I believe somebody mentioned in another post, RCIA can be quite the cross to bear, and I am experiencing this first hand.
I was forced to switch parishes because my own didn’t have an RCIA program and the new parish I’m at is very modern and I’m not a huge fan of it. I’m a candidate (i.e. I’ve been baptized) and therefore am already a Christian. I’ve been studying the Catholic faith for about three years and I know it very well. I’m really frustrated with my RCIA because it seems really “touchy-feely” and doesn’t really teach anything specific about Catholicism. Furthermore, it seems that I know Scripture better than they do, including where to find certain books without using the table of contents.
I’m also annoyed by the common “buzzwords” that I hear so often. For example, calling the altar a “table,” the sacrifice a “meal,” and the priest a “presider.” It just reminds me too much of the religion I just left (Baptist).
Anyway, perhaps I’ll join your ranting.
I fully intend to complete RCIA because I am fully convinced that the Catholic Church is true on every account.David
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This morning, I was given a reminder of why we the Catechsesis in our church is so important. It was also a reminder of why it is so important that our conversations be carried out with the utmost charity and concern for each other.
This morning, the women who does my hair, Smilka, informed me that her sister in law, Diane, who was 52 years old had just died from stomach cancer early this morning.
Diane leaves behind a shocked husband and 3 very frightened children.
Smilka will be flying to Milwaukee to be with her family and to assist in finalizing the funeral arrangements.
I ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Diane, and that God would comfort Smilka and the rest of her Family, who are all Serbian Orthodox.
Thank you.
In Christ, Michael
This morning, I was given a reminder of why we the Catechsesis in our church is so important. It was also a reminder of why it is so important that our conversations be carried out with the utmost charity and concern for each other.
This morning, the women who does my hair, Smilka, informed me that her sister in law, Diane, who was 52 years old had just died from stomach cancer early this morning.
Diane leaves behind a shocked husband and 3 very frightened children.
Smilka will be flying to Milwaukee to be with her family and to assist in finalizing the funeral arrangements.
I ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Diane, and that God would comfort Smilka and the rest of her Family, who are all Serbian Orthodox.
Thank you.
In Christ, Michael
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Akanke
Guest
So glad to read that. I also persist for that exact same reason. I hope our fellow journeymen will do the same for the same reason. Truth. It cannot be overcome. Let us press on, doing everything in our own power to be sure we truly know the doctrine…dogma…Traditions…all of the teachings of the Catholic Church for what they really are. Let us not be lazy; instead, let us research and stimulate our minds with prayer, meditation, and intellectual reading about theology and Scripture.
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scared
Guest
Hi All:
RCIA seems to be much differnet than when I went. Our Priest was always there, but others ran the program. If there was a problem the priest jumped right in and corrected anything. If someone was troubled he took extra time throughout the week to help the person. Our parish was brand new and many things where not the same, no alter rails, chairs instead of pews. However, the chalise was always veiled, and in any parish I have been in always have been.
The teaching where very orthodox and if the priest had even the slightest feeling anyone was considering leaving he did everything in his power. Including fighting me (not literally) every step of the way to keep me there. Up to and including the Easter vigil. He even after doing the whole ball of wax, offered to marry my now husband and I that night.
In our region all RCIA classes must be lead by the Priest, the only exception is if a snow storm keeps him away and he has 3 parishes.
I wish all of you the best in RCIA just like schools all classes obviously are not created equally.
scared
RCIA seems to be much differnet than when I went. Our Priest was always there, but others ran the program. If there was a problem the priest jumped right in and corrected anything. If someone was troubled he took extra time throughout the week to help the person. Our parish was brand new and many things where not the same, no alter rails, chairs instead of pews. However, the chalise was always veiled, and in any parish I have been in always have been.
The teaching where very orthodox and if the priest had even the slightest feeling anyone was considering leaving he did everything in his power. Including fighting me (not literally) every step of the way to keep me there. Up to and including the Easter vigil. He even after doing the whole ball of wax, offered to marry my now husband and I that night.
In our region all RCIA classes must be lead by the Priest, the only exception is if a snow storm keeps him away and he has 3 parishes.
I wish all of you the best in RCIA just like schools all classes obviously are not created equally.
scared
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Pug
Guest
They may be like me (who can find the books easily), but I explain to the RCIA class how to use the table of contents (and demonstrate by doing it myself) so that if anyone is slow, it will be hidden by all the page-turning.Furthermore, it seems that I know Scripture better than they do, including where to find certain books without using the table of contents.
Some folks have no clue that there is a John, 1John, 2John, and 3John, etc. I try to make them quite comfortable.
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Rebecca_New
Guest
Steve, people that complain can not really appreciate what is happening. Stop finding fault and find joy. It sounds like the evil one is oppressing your finding the truth. Don’t let it happen. Pray to find the truth in a loving way-not complaining.
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slewi
Guest
Complaining? Actually, people come to these forums to look for guidance and to share similar experiences. If you read the other posts, you would find my experiences sadly are becoming more and more commomplace.
I have more joy about being brought into the Church than you know.
Actually, I do know the truth. It is being concealed in lieu of the touchy-feely, out of control notions of Vatican II. If I wanted to be Episcopalian, then I’d go to an Episcopalian church.
Thank goodness more people understand the difficulties I and others on this board are going through than are telling me not to be concerned by the modernist teachings that reek of protestantism we catechumens must endure!
Have you actually read the other posts? How about posts in other threads? Did you tell them not to complain too? You should be more concerned about what continues to happen in our church. It sounds like the evil one is oppressing your seeing what is happening around you.
Steve
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David123
Guest
I meant that some of the RCIA teachers (or catechists) themselves do not know how to find books of the Bible without asking for page numbers or looking up the table of contents. It is rather shocking that these are the people supposed to be teaching me the Catholic faith and yet they themselves cannot find the book of Isaiah in the Bible.
David
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Pug
Guest
That is so sad! I think the best way for the RCIA leader to promote bible study is to do it himself and be enthusiastic about it.
When I went through RCIA, they gave us each a bible, and I read it, but on my own. I don’t recall using it in class.I feel so helpless when I hear the RCIA stories that happen to some people. It should be better!
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Al_Masetti
Guest
When I was taking flying lessons many years ago, and after studying and practice and taking tests, got my license, the FAA examiner said:“Congratulations, you now have a license to learn.”
The studies we do (in any field) enable us to know what questions to ask, to be aware of some of the areas where we are ignorant, to have some notion of where to go to get the answers.
This is not to say that we are going on to earn a PhD in any particular subject. Or that we would be motivated to go out and research and write a book.
But the courses of study we engage in can do no more, really, than to whet our appetites… to learn more.
The studies we do (in any field) enable us to know what questions to ask, to be aware of some of the areas where we are ignorant, to have some notion of where to go to get the answers.
This is not to say that we are going on to earn a PhD in any particular subject. Or that we would be motivated to go out and research and write a book.
But the courses of study we engage in can do no more, really, than to whet our appetites… to learn more.
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LindaS
Guest
Hey, Pug!
Do you ever suggest to people that they get “Tabbies” for their Bibles? Wonderful little markers you stick on the first page of each Book and they stick out so you can easily find the book.
Karin, sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. We were in NC for the Thanksgiving holiday. I live near Exit 2 of the Turnpike. Sorry I don’t know of any faithful churches in North Jersey, but I’m sure there must be some. Keep looking!
Peace,
Linda
Do you ever suggest to people that they get “Tabbies” for their Bibles? Wonderful little markers you stick on the first page of each Book and they stick out so you can easily find the book.
Karin, sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. We were in NC for the Thanksgiving holiday. I live near Exit 2 of the Turnpike. Sorry I don’t know of any faithful churches in North Jersey, but I’m sure there must be some. Keep looking!
Peace,
Linda
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