Questions from a seeker - jumping rites, RCIA, etc

[DRGinLES]

I am getting ready to join the Catholic Church and want to join an Eastern rite church. But I have some questions.

I (obviously) was not raised Catholic, but both my parents were (sadly, they both became Marxists before I was born and came to hate the Church). Now, I found out what Church my father received first communion in, and I am seriously in love with the idea of joining that church, so as to also received first communion there.

The problem is that it is a Latin church. That is not a problem in itself, but it is in conflict with my intention to joint an Eastern rite church. So my first question is: how easy would it be to change rites if I started in a Latin church but then switched to an Eastern rite? More importantly, is it disrespectful to intentionally join a Latin church only for having a first communion in the same place as my father only to jump ship to another rite afterwards? Would that be insulting to that particular church? Would such an action be dishonorable? I’m seriously worried about this…

My second question has to do with a situation where I decide joining a Latin church just to have first communion in the same church as my father and then jump ship would be too dishonorable or disrespectful. If I were to join an Eastern rite church from the beginning (not first stop in a Latin church), do they also provide RCIA or some equivalent? What exactly is the process?

 

[Woodstock]

Welcome! I think you need to separate these issues.

I assume that you’ve studied, you’ve been active in an Eastern parish or are intending to begin doing so, and you plan to live your life in the Eastern Church. If that’s where you’ll called to be, you need to go there!

A separate issue is that you would like to receive your first communion in the same parish as your father. There is NO reason to join the Latin Church for this sentimental attachment alone. So if you are called to be Eastern, you start looking for ways to fill this emotional need within that framework.

It could be possible if this is that important to you to baptize you if needed and chrismate you in the eastern parish, and you not receive communion at the same time. You could then go to your father’s parish that week to receive your first communion and then return to the Eastern parish for your regular sacramental life.

A less extreme response would be to baptize you if needed, chrismate and commune you, then you go to your first liturgy in which you walk through the doors and fully participate as a Christian/Catholic at your father’s parish and receive communion there.

 

[Woodstock]

I just noticed your last question asking what the RCIA process is in the east.

Totally different, because of the numbers difference between an average western and eastern parish. You and the priest will probably work out an agreeable schedule for your instruction including readings you’ll do on your own, meetings with him or another person like a deacon to discuss the readings, and spiritual direction. If the parish offers them, he might want you to participate in a Bible study or other adult catechesis program, too.

 

[Edmac]

Not to offend, but I’d like to be sure that there is a particular
Eastern Catholic parish or at least Church to which you
wish to belong and with which you have become familiar.

Edmac