Question on joining the church

  • Thread starter Thread starter AKKnitter
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AKKnitter

Guest
What actually happens when one is “officially introduced into the
church?” Are you standing in up in front of everyone? Are you then asked questions? I’m just wondering. If I continue I’ll join not this Easter but next. I have to wait till the classes start in
September.

Thank you
 
Easter Vigil
Celebrating The Sacraments
The RCIA Process
This is the Easter vigil service. Usually you and your family are close to the front of the church. Then begins the service. The service of light is generally done outside. The congregation returns to their seats following the priest.

***“Called By Name”***A wonderful transformation has taken place in your life this past year; you have been guided by the Holy Spirit to know Jesus Christ in a more personal relationship than ever before. Looking back upon this process, you now see the footprints you have left upon the road you have traveled on this long journey. Your footprints are joined by other sets of footprints in various areas, some of which go off in different directions. God has called you by name and has given you a unique path to follow. How wonderful, that our paths have met here for a short time.

***“The Service of Light”***The church is shrouded in darkness as we move from the somber services of Good Friday into the dawning light of the Risen Christ on this holiest of nights.

The new fire is lit and you follow the light bearer to the sanctuary of the church. As you approach the altar the new light is shared with those gathered to illuminate the church. “ This is the night”, the words which echo throughout the holy temple, adorned for the King for whom she now waits. Her beauty and splendor are ornamented for His triumphant return!

***“The Story of God and His Children”***This is the night we share the chronicles of our ancestry. God has provided us with a rich history and abundant family tree. We sit and listen now to the story of our ancestors and their journeys, as they lived according to God’s law. It was a hard for our ancestors to stay on the path of righteousness as much as it is and will be for us.

Our story begins with creation and moved into the future thousands of years, where God entered history and became man. It was through His birth, life, death and resurrection that He shared His plan of salvation with us, His sacrifice of body and blood has covered and blotted out our sins forever! Jesus has overcome death-and became our life and our light in the darkness that surrounds us in our world.
continued.
 
***“Come to the Water”***Jesus began his public ministry with His baptism, in much the same way you will be doing. On this night you will step into the waters of baptism, with others who spent time preparing for this moment with you. Just as Jesus showed you the way, now you shall “know” the way and follow Him. When time for baptism arrives, you will go to the baptismal font. (Some churches will have immersion for the baptism and others will pour water over your heads, according to local customs). While the priest is baptizing you he will say: “ I baptize you In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.” The next thing that will happen is the confirmation and the presentation of the baptismal garment. God asks you to bring it “unstained to the judgement seat of our Lord, Jesus Christ. May His flame never be extinguished from your heart.” (The people who were immersed will leave here to change into their dry clothes). The candidates will now come forward for Confirmation. If there was not an immersion type baptism in your church, you might be called up for Confirmation, with the newly baptized. You will make your profession of faith with the assembly, and renew your baptismal vows. When you do this you are reminded to renounce Satan and his empty promises and to renew your commitment to Christ. You will profess that you believe in God, our source of all mercy and salvation. Then, Father; will sprinkle the congregation with the waters of baptism.

“One Bread, One Body”
******Having returned to your place among those assembled, you are reminded of the Paschal Mystery as we pray in preparation for the Eucharist. We have celebrated “new life” in Christ through baptism, now we are reminded thathttp://www.ecatholic2000.com/pics/cupcrossbread.gif “Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again”. We lift high our hands, hearts and voices in prayer as we thank God for this most holy sacrifice we are about to take part in - the paschal feast. For the first time you will come forward, born again through the water and the Spirit, as you join the ‘Body of Christ’ for the first time in the divine feast.
We have become ‘one body’ through the power of the Holy Spirit. We share ‘one bread’ that has become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is present to us and within us. Our Communion time with our God.

“The Mass Never Ends…”
******The Easter Vigil is nearing a close. We are all sent forth to love and serve the Lord. Therefore, we are asked to take what we have received here this night or day, and share it with those we meet. We will assemble once more at the next Mass to be fed and nurtured through God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: so that we may, “Go forth to love and serve the Lord…”

May God be with you as you continue.🙂
 
At my parish, the RCIA group was called to the front and we introduced ourselves by first name and then Father blessed each one of us and the entire parish prayed for us during our exploration of the faith. This was back in December which now seems like ages ago! Things move fast. I am terribly shy, but everyone was supportive and then we were dismissed for class. Our class started in August and we are to be Confirmed this Easter Vigil. The months preceding our introduction into the Church was called the Inquiry.

BTW, does Easter Vigil satisfy the Sunday obligation for Easter Sunday?

EDIT: Wow! Thanks for the post, Toni! 👍
 
Welcome, AKKnitter! 🙂 At one time catechumens and candidates did answer questions in front of everyone, but now days that is no longer done (in most places). All those being received into the Church stand in front of the congregation while the bishop lays hands on each one’s head and anoints each one with oil (a simple cross on the forehead). If you have not yet been baptized, you will be considered a catechumen, and will probably be baptized at the same ceremony. If you have been baptized, you will be considered a candidate and will only have the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil. You may also choose a patron saint’s name for your confirmation, but all this will be discussed in RCIA.

September may seem a long way off, but in the meantime you can attend Mass, read the daily Mass readings, go to the Liturgy of the Hours (if you parish offers it) or pray some form of it on your own (there are several simple versions of it for lay people). You can also pray the rosary, read any of the saints, read up on the teachings of the Church in the Catechism. And even join small groups and lay ministries your parish or diocese may offer. In a word, get involved now and you will find the RCIA experience more enriching. God bless you!
 
40.png
AKKnitter:
What actually happens when one is “officially introduced into the
church?” Are you standing in up in front of everyone? Are you then asked questions?
Click to expand...
Yes, that’s how it was for us, Easter 05. We were all up at the front and there were some questions and responses. Of course it was all very exciting for us.
 
Thank you all for your responses. I have been reading a lot and have gone to mass a few times. I like the richness of the service. Currently I am Methodist.
 
40.png
AKKnitter:
What actually happens when one is “officially introduced into the
church?” Are you standing in up in front of everyone? Are you then asked questions? I’m just wondering. If I continue I’ll join not this Easter but next. I have to wait till the classes start in
September.

Thank you
Click to expand...
MY GOODNESS no one should have to “wait until September” for classes to begin. If you do not have any other Catholic churches near you. Go to a local bookstore and get Why do Catholics Do That? or Catholic and Christian or *What is Catholicism? *and start reading.
 
40.png
Steve-o:
At my parish, the RCIA group was called to the front and we introduced ourselves by first name and then Father blessed each one of us and the entire parish prayed for us during our exploration of the faith. This was back in December which now seems like ages ago! Things move fast. I am terribly shy, but everyone was supportive and then we were dismissed for class. Our class started in August and we are to be Confirmed this Easter Vigil. The months preceding our introduction into the Church was called the Inquiry.

BTW, does Easter Vigil satisfy the Sunday obligation for Easter Sunday?

EDIT: Wow! Thanks for the post, Toni! 👍
Click to expand...
Yes, but remember that Easter Sunday is your first opportunity to come to Mass as an individual member of the Catholic Church. It is so to speak the first day of the rest of your Catholic life!
 
40.png
AKKnitter:
Thank you all for your responses. I have been reading a lot and have gone to mass a few times. I like the richness of the service. Currently I am Methodist.
Click to expand...
That’s great! If you’re curious what actually happens, you would certainly be welcome to attend an Easter vigil service as well as any Mass.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
MY GOODNESS no one should have to “wait until September” for classes to begin. If you do not have any other Catholic churches near you. Go to a local bookstore and get Why do Catholics Do That? or Catholic and Christian or *What is Catholicism? *and start reading.
Click to expand...
When I inquired about RCIA, I was told the same thing… Kind of turned me off from the whole idea of going.
(guess that is off topic…sorry) At least I know it isn’t just the parish near me that does that… I still think its odd. If that Catholic church wants you to “come home” so bad, why make you wait over a year before they will let you?
 
RyanL's Wife:
When I inquired about RCIA, I was told the same thing… Kind of turned me off from the whole idea of going.
(guess that is off topic…sorry) At least I know it isn’t just the parish near me that does that… I still think its odd. If that Catholic church wants you to “come home” so bad, why make you wait over a year before they will let you?
Click to expand...
You are welcome to attend church and participate in parish life.

Religious instruction is required because the church wants people to make an informed choice and know and embrace all the Church teaches before the person makes a profession of faith. How can you do so if you don’t even know what the Church teaches? The Catholic Church has a huge amount of teaching to impart-- and as a former RCIA candidate I know it’s hard to wait, but I also think one year doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface in retrospect.

The class format is used because it’s logistically difficult ot offer private instruction. Confirmation is scheduled only at certain times because the bishop cannot travel all over the place confirming individual people-- too resource intensive, one bishop many converts. Baptism of catechumens is always at the Easter Vigil, except in danger of death.
 
RyanL's Wife:
When I inquired about RCIA, I was told the same thing… Kind of turned me off from the whole idea of going.
(guess that is off topic…sorry) At least I know it isn’t just the parish near me that does that… I still think its odd. If that Catholic church wants you to “come home” so bad, why make you wait over a year before they will let you?
Click to expand...
Well, I think that 1ke answered your question thoroughly—thank you, 1ke. I would only add that I am very involved in our parish in a number of areas, and in addition I sub for the parish secretary from time to time. I’m also good friends with our priest. All of this is to say that my eyes have been opened and I can’t imagine how a parish could possibly have any kind of coherent program with people coming in for instruction at all times of the year. Sometimes, and especially if a person is already very knowledgeable, a person can make arrangements for private instruction, but sometimes that’s simply not going to fit in with a priest’s schedule. Our priest is amazingly busy, and I don’t think that those on the “outside”, so to speak, really understand just how much gets done (and by how few) at your basic parish. Please don’t assume incompetence or indifference on the part of your parish.
 
40.png
Sherlock:
Well, I think that 1ke answered your question thoroughly—thank you, 1ke. I would only add that I am very involved in our parish in a number of areas, and in addition I sub for the parish secretary from time to time. I’m also good friends with our priest. All of this is to say that my eyes have been opened and I can’t imagine how a parish could possibly have any kind of coherent program with people coming in for instruction at all times of the year. Sometimes, and especially if a person is already very knowledgeable, a person can make arrangements for private instruction, but sometimes that’s simply not going to fit in with a priest’s schedule. Our priest is amazingly busy, and I don’t think that those on the “outside”, so to speak, really understand just how much gets done (and by how few) at your basic parish. Please don’t assume incompetence or indifference on the part of your parish.
Click to expand...
Here is how it’s done:

The priests do not do everything but they do have to support those that do.
wfu.edu/wfunews/2006/021406y.html
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top