Now I'm worried

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George_C

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As you may or may not know, I am in the midst of an RCIA course.

Fr. Terry is beginning to speak to us one-on-one. I don’t know why, but I’m a little freaked out over it.

One of the other guys likened it to getting called to the principal’s office. :eek:
 
I can understand your nervousness, however I think it may well be simply to let you know of your pastor’s concern and care - letting it be more personal. I doubt very strongly that it is for any rebuke or graded testing. He may well be also concerned that some of what has been taught to you in class may not have come across clearly and wants to ensure that you know just what is meant.
I haven’t heard of this being done before and am intrigued by this. I think it may well be a very good thing to do! Keep us updated as to your assessment of this!
 
How fortunate you are that he is taking the time to get to know you individually! Sounds like a good pastor. He probably also wants to know that nothing has been overlooked (paperwork, prior marriage issues, etc.) as you prepare for initiation into the Church.
 
PhilotheaZ said:
How fortunate you are that he is taking the time to get to know you individually! Sounds like a good pastor. He probably also wants to know that nothing has been overlooked (paperwork, prior marriage issues, etc.) as you prepare for initiation into the Church.
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GAH! You just reminded me I have to call them about my baptism in a Baptist church in 1978. :eek:
 
lucky you
this is supposed to happen with each and every RCIA candidate, that they have an initial interview with the pastor when the begin the process, or shortly after, and periodically during the process especially before moving into the next period or phase. My bet is in 90% of parishes candidates never even meet the priest until it is time for sacraments at Easter. A crime and a shame.
 
I hope everyone’s right. I think you are…

Fr. Terry’s a really nice man; I don’t think this is a discipline thing.

:o
 
If this helps, I did RCIA 16 years ago and teach 7th grade CCD in my parish. I tell my kids everyone thinks priests are like talking to cops, there to enforce and punish. Its not true! The relationship isn’t adversarial, rather its advisory. Priests are there to help us deepen faith, understand more… and as guides. Nothing to fear at all.
 
CCDMark said:
If this helps, I did RCIA 16 years ago and teach 7th grade CCD in my parish. I tell my kids everyone thinks priests are like talking to cops, there to enforce and punish. Its not true! The relationship isn’t adversarial, rather its advisory. Priests are there to help us deepen faith, understand more… and as guides. Nothing to fear at all.
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Thanks for the response and welcome to the CA forums. 🙂
 
I used to have each of our participants talk to the priest during Lent. It wasn’t intended as a pass/fail type of thing. It was an opportunity to discuss why they were becoming Catholic and bring out any misunderstandings or omissions. I thought it very important that the candidate be sure why they were becoming Catholic. Unfortunately, the current priests do not have time for this.
 
George_C said:
As you may or may not know, I am in the midst of an RCIA course.

Fr. Terry is beginning to speak to us one-on-one. I don’t know why, but I’m a little freaked out over it.

One of the other guys likened it to getting called to the principal’s office. :eek:
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You and your sponsor should have several interviews with the RCIA team leader(s) and or the Pastor during the RCIA process, it’s actually required.
 
Noooooooo not harsh…I am in RCIA also and will be talking with our parish Priest soon also. It will be a good thing.

We will keep you in our prayers that your anxiety will decrease.

I just think of it as going through the process. God knows our heart, and his Church has a mechanism – RCIA – to get us to baptism, confirmation, Communion, each person’s need is different. Ask questions to your RCIA leader(s) (mine are exception – I wish everyone would have accesss to leaders like mine). I don’t always understand everything about the mechanical process, in fact, last week there was a mix-up on my first confession appointment and I took a different route and got it done in a confessional in another parish (first opportunity in this town last Saturday morning for a confession to be heard). While I didn’t understand the mechanicsd of everything, I know God is directing the Church, my Priest, my RCIA leaders for my good – and to enter into the Church and full communion with our Lord.

God Bless You. Be patient with the process, Don’t worry, it will be all right.
 
Junebug999 said:
Noooooooo not harsh…I am in RCIA also and will be talking with our parish Priest soon also. It will be a good thing.
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Actually, I was responding only to Br. Rich. 😉
Junebug999 said:
We will keep you in our prayers that your anxiety will decrease.
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Than you. 🙂 I hate to sound paranoid, but I absolutely detest private chats with people in authority as the instigator. It’s happened a few times to me and nothing good’s come out of it. The last time I had to threaten to call the cops because I was being ganged up on by management jerks at Domino’s. They’re darn lucky I didn’t file a lawsuit against them.

Confession is something I know needs to happen, but I still dread it.
Junebug999 said:
God Bless You. Be patient with the process, Don’t worry, it will be all right.
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Thank you. 🙂
 
George_C said:
Sponsor? :confused: I have no sponsor.

The lady running the RCIA class (her title is “Pastoral Assistant,” I believe,) said that it’s not a priority at the moment.

I have a feeling your response is going to be harsh. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b94/BengalsManiac/nervous.gif
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Don’t worry! A number of RCIA programs I’ve known didn’t appoint sponsors until the Rite of Election. Some I’ve heard of didn’t have enough response for sponsors from their congregations. Essentially, your sponsor is a practicing Catholic that goes through the RCIA with you, kind of like an older brother or sister, making sure you know when to do what, when not to worry 😃 , explaining things you don’t understand (or getting explanations for you from others, if they can’t explain it), going with you to the different Rites, etc. Your sponsor will be appointed for you. It’s not your responsibility to get one. Plus, you have us at CAF as your helpers also!
 
Wow, you are very lucky!

George, please pray for God to help you overcome the dread of confession.

I will pray for you.

Dana
 
brigid12 said:
Don’t worry! A number of RCIA programs I’ve known didn’t appoint sponsors until the Rite of Election. Some I’ve heard of didn’t have enough response for sponsors from their congregations. Essentially, your sponsor is a practicing Catholic that goes through the RCIA with you, kind of like an older brother or sister, making sure you know when to do what, when not to worry 😃 , explaining things you don’t understand (or getting explanations for you from others, if they can’t explain it), going with you to the different Rites, etc. Your sponsor will be appointed for you. It’s not your responsibility to get one. Plus, you have us at CAF as your helpers also!
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And for that I am eternally grateful.
 
George_C said:
Sponsor? :confused: I have no sponsor.

The lady running the RCIA class (her title is “Pastoral Assistant,” I believe,) said that it’s not a priority at the moment.

I have a feeling your response is going to be harsh. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b94/BengalsManiac/nervous.gif
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See #10 of the Rite, a person should be assigned or have a Sponsor within a few weeks of joining the Inquiry phase, the phase prior to the Rite of Acceptance or Welcome. The Inquiry phase usually should last 6 to 12 weeks.

Don’t worry about it, take the opportunity to let him know that you do not have a Sponsor, or that you have someone in mind if you do.
 
brigid12 said:
Don’t worry! A number of RCIA programs I’ve known didn’t appoint sponsors until the Rite of Election. Some I’ve heard of didn’t have enough response for sponsors from their congregations. Essentially, your sponsor is a practicing Catholic that goes through the RCIA with you, kind of like an older brother or sister, making sure you know when to do what, when not to worry 😃 , explaining things you don’t understand (or getting explanations for you from others, if they can’t explain it), going with you to the different Rites, etc. Your sponsor will be appointed for you. It’s not your responsibility to get one. Plus, you have us at CAF as your helpers also!
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In the RCIA program I went through, everyones sponsor was a practicing friend or relative.
 
George C

Please remember that while going to confession can be difficult (see my confession question post), it is worth it. There is NOTHING like the feeling you receive knowing that your sins are forgiven. I think the most beautiful words that I have ever heard are the ones the priest says during absolution…

Best of luck to you!!!
 
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