Not sure who to ask?

[FMLJoliecouer]

Our priest is away for quite some time and I’m a little lost. I do have a spiritual director, within the church, but I need an answer on something.

My son who is going into Grade 3, and is 8 years old goes to a regular school…
I have been told by my spiritual director I am already a member of the church, by virtue of my baptism…although I found out in my 20’s, as I was not told by my adoptive parents. I was not raised in any faith…I began attending this church over a year ago…and am starting the RCIA classes again this fall, since I came into the church with no knowledge of the Catholic faith. THis was under my priests’ guidance. I have no problem with that. Now I wish to have my 8 year old attend classes to see if he wants to be Catholic, which I’m sure he will…since he wont know any different anyway. He has been going out for children’s liturgy of the word for the past year on Sundays and very much likes it. I still dont know how things work and the person I spoke to on the phone just made me more confused than ever…

WHat is the usual course of action?

I am certainly not qualified to teach me son everything he would get taught that most kids learn by his age.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Why don’t you go to a Catholic bookstore and buy Catechism books for your son? Read them together and learn together. Ask your parish if there are any recommended books they would have. Usually a diocese would have a list of recommended books they use in their PREP/CCD program

 

[Snerticus]

I would probably try to rephrase the question and ask it in the “Ask an Apologist” section. Hopefully they will answer your question to your satisfaction or at least point you in the right direction…

God Bless,
Snert

 

[Gem]

I would call your Director of Religious Education if you have one - barring that, your RCIA instructor - and ask what is normal for the preparation of children.

If your son was already baptised, then he could go to normal First Reconciliation/Communion prep classes (he is the right age). If not, he may require extra preparation and this would probably be done best in a class for children.

But in any case, I imagine he could be baptised and receive the sacraments along with you at Easter vigil (maybe next year, if not this year). How beautiful that would be!

 

[HCC]

Dear FML JolieCouer,

What a beautiful name. Don’t let Parish bureaucrats confuse you. Sigh, this is happening all over the place.

Go to a good Catholic bookstore (or order online) and get:

adoremusbooks.com/thenewstjosephfirstcommunioncatechism.aspx?zmam=46742494&zmas=1&zmac=2&zmap=90260

That is a start anyway. Begin praying a decade of the rosary with him everyday to teach him some prayers and go through one mystery a day.

Do it at his level and have fun with it.

Learn about a saint each day through a Lives of The Saints book.

Call your chancery office and explain your situation. Better yet, if you have access to one of the more traditional Catholic religious communities in your area, (eg, Institute of Christ the King, FSSP, etc…) bring your situation to them.

Remember, Faith building begins at home, so start there.

 

[SonCatcher]

The process and classes he would take are very similar to yours. The exception is that while you are taking RCIA in order to be confirmed and normalize your relationship with the Church, he would be taking a similar course with the goal of baptism.

Your RCIA director likely knows what to do.

…since he wont know any different anyway

The thing is, since he has attained the age of reason, he will know different. That is why we don’t just baptize older children (if he were 5, you could do that). He needs to choose Christ of his own volition.

 

[thomas_jd]

Our priest is away for quite some time and I’m a little lost. I do have a spiritual director, within the church, but I need an answer on something.

My son who is going into Grade 3, and is 8 years old goes to a regular school…
I have been told by my spiritual director I am already a member of the church, by virtue of my baptism…although I found out in my 20’s, as I was not told by my adoptive parents. I was not raised in any faith…I began attending this church over a year ago…and am starting the RCIA classes again this fall, since I came into the church with no knowledge of the Catholic faith. THis was under my priests’ guidance. I have no problem with that. Now I wish to have my 8 year old attend classes to see if he wants to be Catholic, which I’m sure he will…since he wont know any different anyway. He has been going out for children’s liturgy of the word for the past year on Sundays and very much likes it. I still dont know how things work and the person I spoke to on the phone just made me more confused than ever…

WHat is the usual course of action?

I am certainly not qualified to teach me son everything he would get taught that most kids learn by his age.

The best way to learn something is to teach. Purchase the old Baltimore Cathechism and both study the books. This will give you a head start on RICA and a firm foundation.