Need Advice

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Adam14

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Hi, I’m not sure if this is the correct forum for this, so moderators, feel free to move as needed…

I’m a bit lost. First, I’m Lutheran currently, but over the last few months I’ve felt as if I’m being called to become Catholic. I started checking out when the next RCIA classes were offered in my area, and one started in September. I had all intentions to start attending, and begin my journey. Not making excuses at all, but I have not attended once! Reasons being, travel, helping my wife(who’s back in school) around the house, and other reasons. I’m now very frustrated with myself. I feel like I’d be unfair the rest of the RCIA class who has been attending, if I showed up now expecting to be accepted right away. I’m thinking about seeing when the next classes start up, and starting then.

All of that is pretty straight forward and not too difficult…want to start RCIA, hadn’t done it yet, no “good” excuses…frustrated with myself. Here’s where I need advice. I’m going through some stressful times in my life right now. I’m certainly not asking for pitty, because my tough times are nowhere near as bad as some people, so I’m very thankful for what I have. I pray to God everyday. Lately, though, I feel like my prayers are mundane and that I’m just going through the motions. Of course, the simple answer is for me to “stop doing that”. But I’m struggling with it. I don’t feel the connection to God that I’ve had before. Could it be that I’m being “punished” for not following through on my RCIA intentions? Maybe God IS answering my prayers, but the answer is simply “No” or “Not yet”. Sometimes I pray and ask specifically for what I’m wanting (job), but often I just ask for guidance and patience. I can see that God may not think it’s the time to just drop a job on me because I ask…but the guidance and patience? If I’m waiting on His timing, I need the guidance and patience!

Please tell me your thoughts and/or advise. I used to be much more active on this site, as it was one of the tools God used to guide me to want to attend RCIA. I know there’s ups and downs along the way, and I’m certainly willing to accept that this may be a bumpy part, but I just feel like something isn’t there, and I’m having trouble hearing what God wants me to do.

Thanks so much and please pray for me, as I will also pray for you!

Adam
 
Maybe you should talk with your priest about this. I’m sure he could give you answers a lot better than we can. Of course, we can offer moral support and lift you up in our prayers. 🙂
 
Christy_Beth said:
Maybe you should talk with your priest about this. I’m sure he could give you answers a lot better than we can. Of course, we can offer moral support and lift you up in our prayers. 🙂
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Thanks! I probably should speak to a priest. I have a hard time even explaining what’s going on. I know I should have patience, but the bottom line is I don’t.

Thanks again for your prayers!
 
Adam14 said:
Hi. I feel like I’d be unfair the rest of the RCIA class who has been attending, if I showed up now expecting to be accepted right away. I’m thinking about seeing when the next classes start up, and starting then.
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hey and welcome home!
if you came to this parish I would invite you to join the group any time of year and continue while you went through the initial process of discerning whether or not you are ready to take the next steps in the journey. This discernment seems to be much easier and more straightforward when you have the spiritual support of the group, our weekly reflection and study of the gospel and prayer, while you are also in venue where you can ask questions and get answers to issues specific to you.

We explain, many times during the process, that the progress of each individual in the class is an individual thing, depends on many factors, and that one candidate should not judge their progress and timing of when they receive the initial rites and the sacraments against the experience of others in the group.

my assumption is that your initial impulse to look into the Catholic Church is in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and that of course the enemy will do all in his power to prevent you from following that impulse.
 
Adam14 said:
Hi, I’m not sure if this is the correct forum for this, so moderators, feel free to move as needed…

I’m a bit lost. First, I’m Lutheran currently, but over the last few months I’ve felt as if I’m being called to become Catholic. I started checking out when the next RCIA classes were offered in my area, and one started in September. I had all intentions to start attending, and begin my journey. Not making excuses at all, but I have not attended once! Reasons being, travel, helping my wife(who’s back in school) around the house, and other reasons. I’m now very frustrated with myself. I feel like I’d be unfair the rest of the RCIA class who has been attending, if I showed up now expecting to be accepted right away. I’m thinking about seeing when the next classes start up, and starting then.

All of that is pretty straight forward and not too difficult…want to start RCIA, hadn’t done it yet, no “good” excuses…frustrated with myself. Here’s where I need advice. I’m going through some stressful times in my life right now. I’m certainly not asking for pitty, because my tough times are nowhere near as bad as some people, so I’m very thankful for what I have. I pray to God everyday. Lately, though, I feel like my prayers are mundane and that I’m just going through the motions. Of course, the simple answer is for me to “stop doing that”. But I’m struggling with it. I don’t feel the connection to God that I’ve had before. Could it be that I’m being “punished” for not following through on my RCIA intentions? Maybe God IS answering my prayers, but the answer is simply “No” or “Not yet”. Sometimes I pray and ask specifically for what I’m wanting (job), but often I just ask for guidance and patience. I can see that God may not think it’s the time to just drop a job on me because I ask…but the guidance and patience? If I’m waiting on His timing, I need the guidance and patience!

Please tell me your thoughts and/or advise. I used to be much more active on this site, as it was one of the tools God used to guide me to want to attend RCIA. I know there’s ups and downs along the way, and I’m certainly willing to accept that this may be a bumpy part, but I just feel like something isn’t there, and I’m having trouble hearing what God wants me to do.

Thanks so much and please pray for me, as I will also pray for you!

Adam
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The RCIA program at our parish is also year round, so inquire, and see if you can start up now. When I inquired at my parish it was Feb. and I started RCIA, when the Easter Vigil came, some of the others who were in the class ahead of me were received into the Church, and I continued on untill the next Easter Vigil and was received into the Church. So inquire. And keep on praying, we all go through times were we feel sometimes we are going through the motions in our prayer life. Change things up, get a book of Catholic prayers, but keep praying continually, God will hear you and direct you. I’ll pray for your journey!!
 
Hi!

I started taking RCIA classes in September. I too am Lutheran and upon ALOT of thought have decided to convert. Please, don’t feel like it is too late to attend. That is the devil getting to you…he will do whatever he can to keep you from truth and God’s love. GO!! you may not be recieved into the church at the Easter Vigil(you’ll have to talk to the coordinator), but by all means, go! keep the fire going. That is God. your making excuses-that is the devil.

Start reading books. I am a mother of a 10 year old, a 7 year old and an 8 month old. I am a full time student, share one reliable car with my husband, do not have babysitters(my husband and I are the sole caretakers of the kids) My schedule is jam-packed! I read any book I can get my hands on. I borrow them from Catholic friends…I don’t have much money to go out and buy books. The local parish should have it’s own library. I read after everyone has gone to bed. Pick up a bible. start reading through it. every night-just a little bit, maybe a half an hour. Nothing will make sense at first, but pray for clarity and it will come! I promise.

Where are you from? Maybe we can exchange emails. The most important thing is to keep your fire going. Don’t let it burn out. you’d be amazed how much time you really do have for the Lord when you make a truly conscience effort to make Him a priority. He gives you time you need for your family if you go to Him first. But you have to do the work. He will provide the rest.

I’m excited for you and would love to help any way I can. My email is drmg79@yahoo.com(maybe not a smart idea to post that, but am willing to do so for you)

God Bless!!
 
Are you attending Mass? Even if you can’t join the RCIA group this year, you can still go to Mass (though of course, you cannot receive Communion) if you feel called to be a Catholic. Then you can join the RCIA group when it begins again next year.

Good luck! 🙂 🙂
*Stella
 
Our classes and many parishes are open to any and every one at any time. Your theological knowledge is a major factor on whether you are offered sacraments this Easter. If not you can be received at a later date or next Easter. The key is you have to show a desire by either attending classes, or a series of meeting with a Priest* or Deacon*. Let me give you an example, often poeple are in RCIA & annulment process at the same time. So often they complete class then wait weeks, months, even years before the annulment is complete. Then they enter the Church, (they do not repeat RCIA)
  • many parishes cannot offer direct teaching with the Priest or Deacon
 
Adam14 said:
I feel like I’d be unfair the rest of the RCIA class who has been attending, if I showed up now expecting to be accepted right away
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Adam, I think if your read Matthew 20:1-16 your worries will be resolved and you will join the class.

May God bless you
 
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