Nervous about RCIA meeting

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lufty

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I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
 
I can fully understand about having to explain to family things that you have no knowledge about. Same happened to me.

They basically will want to know what led you to the church. I do not think you will be turned away based on any of the things you have mentioned.

You’ve been led to the church. Attend Mass on Sundays (can’t partake in Communion as of yet). Don’t cancel your interview. It can be scary going into the unknown. Take that first step of faith, Christ is there holding your hand. Go and begin your new journey.

Love in Christ
Kathy
 
I can’t tell you not to be nervous, because if you are… well then you are.

But I can tell you that my experience in RCIA has not only been very pleasant and very informative; it has never been anything to be nervous about. Nothing but a whole lot of things I could only assess with words like “nice”, “good”, “welcoming”, “comfortable”.

As the above poster said, just trust that Jesus is there with you.

Best,

-nt
 
lufty said:
I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
Click to expand...
I have an idea. Buy Scott Hahn’s Conversion Story on DVD and sit around with the family and watch it. This video, maybe more than any other, is responsible for many a protestant entering the Church in recent times. I HIGHLY recommend it.

LINK
catholicfamilycatalog.com/scott-hahn-conversion-story-dvd-video.htm

ALSO:
Here are two brief excerpts from the video:

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5663804471958730074#

vodpod.com/watch/459813-scott-hahn-conversion-sample
 
lufty said:
I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
Click to expand...
I think it would be a shame to cancle this appointment. Your posts indicates fear of being rejected. I doubt that would occur. The Church wishes to encourage you not discourage you.
If you still feel uncomfortable after the interview, then you might consider waiting another year, but personally I think it is just “ol’ scratch” trying to keep you from the Church by wispering doubts and fears into your ear.

As to explaining things to family, just do the best you can and don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know but I’ll ask.” I’m a cradle catholic revert and I still have to say this.

Peace
James
 
I was terrified for my meeting earlier this year as well. It turned out to be such a wonderful experience. Everything about RCIA is fantastic! And I was atheist/agnostic for years and said and did many things against Christ, and they still let me in. I pray for His forgiveness regularly, and I truly feel like I have it. Stick with it, it is worth the rewards!
 
Don’t be worried about being rejected for RCIA. The priest will not reject you. He will access your faith journey so that he may better help you with the RCIA process. You will be asked if you have been baptized, for instance. Why you are interested in the Catholic Church, but your lifestyle will not come into it unless you are living in a state of mortal sin and have no intention of rectifying it. There are always solutions to any situation you are now in.

About telling your family. It’s hard for them because they haven’t been on the same journey of discovery you have. For them this is out of the blue. If they have misconceptions about the Church and its teachings, they are wondering why you would be attracted to something they can’t agree with. You don’t have to be a great apologist, you only have to allay their fears for you. You can tell them the good things you’ve learned about the Church and what is attracting you to it. And you can keep them updated as you go through RCIA if they are interested. Otherwise, what you decide to do is entirely up to you. They can’t make you do anything you wish to do, but it will help them if they can see that what you are doing is good for you.

It is natural to be nervous when in the exploratory stage of considering becoming Catholic. I certainly was because I’d heard all sort of bad things about the Church, and even though I’d learned they weren’t true, the old fears clung to me until I actually started RCIA and found it informative, open, welcoming, but not pushy, and fairly simple. Each week I grew more and more happy with my decision to become a Catholic. I advise prayer and trust in God. You can’t go wrong as long as you let the Holy Spirit guide you.
 
lufty said:
I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
Click to expand...
It’s not a tough interview, and we’re not looking for reasons to reject people. Just relax, it’ll be fine 👍
 
My advise is to take a friend with you to the interview. It always helps to have a friend with you if you are the nervous type.

There is nothing to be afraid of. At our church our RCIA teacher is the one who interviews the people coming in and she always tries her best to bring in everybody. It is up to the person to choose to attend or not. She never denies anyone from joining.
The more the merrier.

I am already Catholic and some of us like to attend the RCIA meetings to learn new things and also help out. We have a lot of fun at our RCIA meetings. We take snacks and drink coffee or tea during our sessions because some people show up right after work without eating dinner. We have one member who likes to bring us sandwiches made at a deli.

Please… don’t let fear keep you away. You will be missing out if you do.
 
I could say don’t be nervous, but if you are nervous that is your own personal reaction. When I first met with the nearby parish priest to talk I was calm, almost at peace. That first step is a big one so nervousness can be expected.
When I go to mass and leave after the homily for RCIA I’m never nervous and feel like it’s right. Everyone has always been nice and welcoming.

As far as family goes, my family has no idea I have been going to RCIA yet…all protestants… and I’m certain my Grandfather was a Shriner. I’m 33yo and I live 3 hours away from my closest family. I’m living my own life. Where faith has taken me is the Catholic Church.

When my family learns of my decision I hope they will learn what the Catholic faith is in truth, hopefully your family will do the same.

16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16:16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

16:17Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

16:18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
 
lufty said:
I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
Click to expand...
Lufty,

I am an RCIA Coordinator. The initial interview is to help “us” understand where you are at in your relationship to Christ. Many types come to the Catholic Church, wanting to become Catholic. Some are Catholic and have not received all their sacraments, others are Protestant and desire to become Catholic, still others are non-Christian and have not been baptized. It is a chance for us to see what exactly you want from the Church!

It is CERTAINLY NOT an opportunity to judge you or to even reject you. That is patently ridiculous. The Church is open to anyone seeking God. The interview helps us to discover where you are currently at in your walk with Christ. We gather contact information. We also ask about your current marital status. In addition, we open ourselves to any sort of questions you may have. We explain the process, as well.

There is nothing to be worried about. This is not a test, we are here to serve you and to make your transistion into the Church as easy as possible. It certainly may require rooting out particular behavior - and that is always painful - but there is nothing to fear from the interview…

Take care and God bless,

Fdesales
 
Lufty, let me clarify my post (below). I was addressing the part of your post where you said, “…It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about. In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.”
Irish_Catholic said:
I have an idea. Buy Scott Hahn’s Conversion Story on DVD and sit around with the family and watch it. This video, maybe more than any other, is responsible for many a protestant entering the Church in recent times. I HIGHLY recommend it.

LINK
catholicfamilycatalog.com/scott-hahn-conversion-story-dvd-video.htm

ALSO:
Here are two brief excerpts from the video:

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5663804471958730074#

vodpod.com/watch/459813-scott-hahn-conversion-sample
Click to expand...
 
lufty said:
I’m feeling really nervous about my initial interview this week for RCIA. I’m considering cancelling. It was difficult explaining to my family this week about looking into the Catholic Church, and I had to try to explain many things I have no real knowledge about.
In the end, my interested was accepted, although I feel the popularity of my decision is limited within the family.

I’m curious what this interview will entail…can I be rejected in exploring and accepting Christ with the Catholic Church? Can I be denied access into an RCIA program based on my answers, lifestyle, thoughts on Christ?

Perhaps it’s not time for me. I’m unsure.
Click to expand...
When I meet with inquirers there are several purposes.

One is that I want to tell them about RCIA, what is involved in it, what they can expect from it, etc. I tell them about the rites they’ll go through. I tell them what our sessions are like. Often they’re encouraged when they find out it’s not a long lecture each night but that there’s time for discussion, questions, prayer, etc. We talk about going to Mass each Sunday and I invite them to join us in the “RCIA section” even before they start Inquiry so that they can meet the other people involved and become comfortable.

One of the things I want to make sure people understand is that there is no pressure on them to become Catholic. Starting Inquiry doesn’t mean that they are committing to anything more than being open and exploring the possibilities. At each step in the process a person can decide to move forward, stay where they are for a longer time, or stop.

I ask them about their story. Were they baptized, did they grow up in a church, did they pray as they were growing up? And what are they looking for now? What has brought them to the point of wanting to become Catholic?

And then there are some practical issues. Are they married? If so, is it the first marriage for both the inquirer and spouse, or will we need to work on marriage issues? Do they have children? Are the children baptized and do we need to make sure that they are involved in religious education?

I make sure they have my phone number and e-mail in case they have questions after we meet.

Mostly I want people to feel welcome and (hopefully) looking forward to joining with us.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
When I meet with inquirers there are several purposes.

And then there are some practical issues. Are they married? If so, is it the first marriage for both the inquirer and spouse, or will we need to work on marriage issues? us.
Click to expand...
This was the only reason I had to turn someone away. The woman wanted so much to be a Catholic but she was married before and so was her present husband. While she was willing to go through an annulment her husband was not (he was a Catholic married in a Catholic ceremony). I also think there were more complications but it was long ago and I don’t remember. I do remember calling the chancery to find out if anything could be done but unless the husband was willing there was nothing we could do. I told her she could come to RCIA as long as she wanted but until her husband was willing to go through the annulment we could not bring her into the Church. It was the hardest thing I had to do, but marriage issues are the most difficult things I have to deal with.
 
Joannm said:
This was the only reason I had to turn someone away. The woman wanted so much to be a Catholic but she was married before and so was her present husband. While she was willing to go through an annulment her husband was not (he was a Catholic married in a Catholic ceremony). I also think there were more complications but it was long ago and I don’t remember. I do remember calling the chancery to find out if anything could be done but unless the husband was willing there was nothing we could do. I told her she could come to RCIA as long as she wanted but until her husband was willing to go through the annulment we could not bring her into the Church. It was the hardest thing I had to do, but marriage issues are the most difficult things I have to deal with.
Click to expand...
Indeed, they are… Telling someone they cannot enter is very difficult. One time a few years ago, I had to tell someone they were not ready yet (it was quite obvious, no point on detailing that.) He didn’t seem to care much, but the wife was quite upset and emailed me and the priest several times. “HOW dare you…”

It was quite apparent where the “motivation” for the husband to become Catholic was coming from. But after exchanging emails a number of times, she finally gave in. It is difficult explaining the Church’s reasoning when they clash with a person’s preconceived way of how things should be.

Regards
 
Joannm said:
This was the only reason I had to turn someone away. The woman wanted so much to be a Catholic but she was married before and so was her present husband. While she was willing to go through an annulment her husband was not (he was a Catholic married in a Catholic ceremony). I also think there were more complications but it was long ago and I don’t remember. I do remember calling the chancery to find out if anything could be done but unless the husband was willing there was nothing we could do. I told her she could come to RCIA as long as she wanted but until her husband was willing to go through the annulment we could not bring her into the Church. It was the hardest thing I had to do, but marriage issues are the most difficult things I have to deal with.
Click to expand...
Which is why the motto I sometimes see associated with the Catholic church “All are welcome” doesn’t actually apply. 😉
 
Thank you so much everyone for your helpful responses! I really appreciate your concern, praise, and informative thoughts.
I just got home from my 1st meeting, and although I was incredibly nervous, once I sat down in the church office, it all that nervousness dissipated. The meeting itself was wonderful, and many of my concerns were lifted off me. Many of my initial questions were answered, and on leaving, I found myself thinking about Christ’s path for me and am excited about this journey I’m just begining.
I’m really looking forward to Mass this Saturday, and my next meeting at RCIA.

Again, thank all of you for your support.

Enoch
 
glenconnor said:
I was terrified for my meeting earlier this year as well. It turned out to be such a wonderful experience. Everything about RCIA is fantastic! And I was atheist/agnostic for years and said and did many things against Christ, and they still let me in. I pray for His forgiveness regularly, and I truly feel like I have it. Stick with it, it is worth the rewards!
Click to expand...
Thank you Glen. You statement here in this forum, I could identify with, and gives me a sense of community…funny, being a silly Celt for so many years, the welcoming I’ve experienced is just awesome.
 
Della said:
Don’t be worried about being rejected for RCIA. The priest will not reject you. He will access your faith journey so that he may better help you with the RCIA process. You will be asked if you have been baptized, for instance. Why you are interested in the Catholic Church, but your lifestyle will not come into it unless you are living in a state of mortal sin and have no intention of rectifying it. There are always solutions to any situation you are now in.

About telling your family. It’s hard for them because they haven’t been on the same journey of discovery you have. For them this is out of the blue. If they have misconceptions about the Church and its teachings, they are wondering why you would be attracted to something they can’t agree with. You don’t have to be a great apologist, you only have to allay their fears for you. You can tell them the good things you’ve learned about the Church and what is attracting you to it. And you can keep them updated as you go through RCIA if they are interested. Otherwise, what you decide to do is entirely up to you. They can’t make you do anything you wish to do, but it will help them if they can see that what you are doing is good for you.

It is natural to be nervous when in the exploratory stage of considering becoming Catholic. I certainly was because I’d heard all sort of bad things about the Church, and even though I’d learned they weren’t true, the old fears clung to me until I actually started RCIA and found it informative, open, welcoming, but not pushy, and fairly simple. Each week I grew more and more happy with my decision to become a Catholic. I advise prayer and trust in God. You can’t go wrong as long as you let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Click to expand...
Thank you Della,

I needed this explination, and your thoughts and experiences regarding RCIA. It is so much bigger then the meeting, and I feel blessed that you, and others here have given me information, and your thoughts/prayers. Thank you!
 
crazzeto said:
It’s not a tough interview, and we’re not looking for reasons to reject people. Just relax, it’ll be fine 👍
Click to expand...
Thank you crezzeto. Your no nonsense answer to my fears, was perfect. You are so right. It’s just hard to see that point of view initially…but regardless, you are correct. Thanks!
I hope that someone like me has the chance to read this thread.
 
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