RCIA Basics please!

[iloveangels]

What did I say to give you the impression that converting is a “flavor of the month” type thing?

Kendra, this isn’t about you. If your parish is happy, I’m happy. No worries.
It’s about RCIA in general, and cheezey’s desire to find an RCIA class to get into.

 

[Usige]

There is a divorce, granted, so a lengthy anullment may be in order, though most are saying no; that it’s probably invalid anyway. (Different faiths, neither Catholic)

It’s unclear if you are divorced and remarried. If you are divorced but not remarried then reception into the Church would not require a declaration of nullity. Generally the only reason a decleration of nullity is required would be to resolve any issues with an irregular/invalid marriage. Divorce in of itself is not an impediment to be received.

One other option if you can’t get a response from the parish is to see if the diocese has an Office for Catechesis (might also be part of an office for evangelization). I know when I was having issues at the parish level that the diocesan office was able to help. I also exchanged a couple emails with our Archbishop when the parish couldn’t give me coherent answers. Ultimately its the bishop that is responsible for receiving those already baptized in his diocese so they might have other options for you if your health and parish situation cannot be reconciled.

 

[cheezey]

It’s unclear if you are divorced and remarried. If you are divorced but not remarried then reception into the Church would not require a declaration of nullity. Generally the only reason a decleration of nullity is required would be to resolve any issues with an irregular/invalid marriage. Divorce in of itself is not an impediment to be received.

One other option if you can’t get a response from the parish is to see if the diocese has an Office for Catechesis (might also be part of an office for evangelization). I know when I was having issues at the parish level that the diocesan office was able to help. I also exchanged a couple emails with our Archbishop when the parish couldn’t give me coherent answers. Ultimately its the bishop that is responsible for receiving those already baptized in his diocese so they might have other options for you if your health and parish situation cannot be reconciled.

[SIGN]A HA!!![/SIGN]
THAT may be why bro received this quickly!! The priest was transitioning at the time; hence, by bro’s completion, he had been elevated to Bishop, but still performed the baptism. Well then!!
Thank you for the suggestion. That is next. Thank you.
I am divorced, not remarried, BTW.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

It’s unclear if you are divorced and remarried. If you are divorced but not remarried then reception into the Church would not require a declaration of nullity. Generally the only reason a decleration of nullity is required would be to resolve any issues with an irregular/invalid marriage. Divorce in of itself is not an impediment to be received.

I encourage people to apply for a declaration of nullity even if they are not remarried. It’s good to know your status before you’re received into the Church. Then you know if a future marriage is possible or not. It won’t come as a surprise later.

 

[cheezey]

I encourage people to apply for a declaration of nullity even if they are not remarried. It’s good to know your status before you’re received into the Church. Then you know if a future marriage is possible or not. It won’t come as a surprise later.

Thank you for that information. Yes, that has been suggested before and for the same reason.Lengthy process, too. One shouldn’t rule out remarriage.
Time’s a wastin’…

 

[Usige]

I encourage people to apply for a declaration of nullity even if they are not remarried. It’s good to know your status before you’re received into the Church. Then you know if a future marriage is possible or not. It won’t come as a surprise later.

I don’t necessarily disagree, I was merely pointing out that one shouldn’t assume that they must receive a positive declaration before they are received into the Church.

That being said I also don’t universally suggest that people seek a declaration unless they truly believe they were in an invalid marriage. I do know several people that are divorced and hold that their marriage was valid, but that for health and safety reasons they could not stay legally married. I try to make sure that people don’t automatically associate divorce and declaration of nullity since they are two completely separate things. Too often I see people assume that if they got a divorce then a declaration is assured.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thank you for that information. Yes, that has been suggested before and for the same reason.Lengthy process, too. One shouldn’t rule out remarriage.
Time’s a wastin’…

There would be nothing stopping you from starting the nullity process now. Make an appointment with the pastor. In your meeting (meet in person, don’t do this by phone) you can explain that you want to start RCIA (and that you haven’t been contacted by the RCIA director even though you’ve tried to make contact) and that you want to start an investigation of your prior marriage. Even if the marriage situation takes time, time is what you’ve got right now. Then when you move forward to RCIA you won’t have to worry about it. That seems like a positive step forward. It also means the pastor will know you and be looking out for your interests in terms of RCIA.

 

[cheezey]

There would be nothing stopping you from starting the nullity process now. Make an appointment with the pastor. In your meeting (meet in person, don’t do this by phone) you can explain that you want to start RCIA (and that you haven’t been contacted by the RCIA director even though you’ve tried to make contact) and that you want to start an investigation of your prior marriage. Even if the marriage situation takes time, time is what you’ve got right now. Then when you move forward to RCIA you won’t have to worry about it. That seems like a positive step forward. It also means the pastor will know you and be looking out for your interests in terms of RCIA.

Thank you for the information. It has been a circuitous attempt; calling the Deacon, who refers me to the priest, who refers me to the deacon, who tells me call, who got the message and never called back. So the idea below may be good…Time is not really plentiful, but I think your words were understood. Thanks.

One other option if you can’t get a response from the parish is to **see if the diocese has an Office for Catechesis **(might also be part of an office for evangelization). I know when I was having issues at the parish level that the diocesan office was able to help. I also **exchanged a couple emails with our Archbishop when the parish couldn’t give me coherent answers. **Ultimately its the bishop that is responsible for receiving those already baptized in his diocese so they might have other options for you if your health and parish situation cannot be reconciled.

 

[ReddyFreddy]

Not that the “flavor of the month” comment was really aimed at anyone here but I know kind of that thinking. A lot of the time it seems like I jump into things and then I’m onto the next thing. It’s hard for me to stick to something for very long (I suppose you can count my marriage as an exception!).
I haven’t told many people IRL about attending Mass and taking RCIA b/c I assume there will be comments and assumptions that I’ll get tired of it and move onto something else. Of course these could be poor assumptions of my own.
I actually take great comfort that I won’t be confirmed for a good while. Lots of time for prayer and reflection.

To the OP, I’m sorry to hear of your failing health. I’ll pray that God provides a way.

 

[cheezey]

Not that the “flavor of the month” comment was really aimed at anyone here but I know kind of that thinking. A lot of the time it seems like I jump into things and then I’m onto the next thing. It’s hard for me to stick to something for very long (I suppose you can count my marriage as an exception!).
I haven’t told many people IRL about attending Mass and taking RCIA b/c I assume there will be comments and assumptions that I’ll get tired of it and move onto something else. Of course these could be poor assumptions of my own.
I actually take great comfort that I won’t be confirmed for a good while. Lots of time for prayer and reflection.

To the OP, I’m sorry to hear of your failing health. I’ll pray that God provides a way.

Thank you; FYI: not quite at failing, just scared to know what’s going on because I don’t know yet. It is psychologically messin’ with me. Thus, I want to take communion just once before, whenever it is…it just seems urgent to me.
Thank you…

 

[Jkita]

Could someone give me a basic rundown? How long it takes on average? Is Easter the only time for completion? Do they run certain times in a year? Is every diocese radically different?

Sorry to ask a a super basic, but these questions have been unanswered since late November/early December. Really would like to know…

thank you!
hopefully, this was the place to post, also.

(I ask while listening to Johnny Cash singing 'He Turned the Water into Wine")

I started my RCIA class September 2012 and I will be Baptized in March 2013.

 

[cheezey]

I started my RCIA class September 2012 and I will be Baptized in March 2013.

[SIGN]Praise!![/SIGN]

 

[Ginkgo100]

Could someone give me a basic rundown? How long it takes on average? Is Easter the only time for completion? Do they run certain times in a year? Is every diocese radically different?

Sorry to ask a a super basic, but these questions have been unanswered since late November/early December. Really would like to know…

thank you!
hopefully, this was the place to post, also.

(I ask while listening to Johnny Cash singing 'He Turned the Water into Wine")

I’m a new RCIA catechist. Here are the answers I can give you, at the risk of repeating what others have said:

How long does it take? Depends very much on the individual, assuming there are no marriage issues. (Marriage issues usually make it a long process while annulments are sought.) RCIA is a spiritual formation program, not an academic course. I’d say though that there is a minimum of a few months for a candidate (already baptized). I think it’s closer to a year minimum for a catechumen (not baptized).

Is Easter the only time? For candidates, no. At the discretion of the RCIA director, candidates who do not need baptism can be received into the Church at other times. This is the ideal and is practiced at my parish, but unfortunately not everywhere; your parish may only receive candidates at Easter Vigil. For catechumens, except in case of very extraordinary circumstances, Easter Vigil is the only time to receive the sacraments.

Do they run at certain times during the year? Depends on your parish. Again, the ideal is no. Candidates and catechumens should be able to join the program according to their spiritual needs. In reality, in some parishes yes.

Is every diocese different? I think every parish is different and there may be differences between the dioceses. But RCIA is actually a thick ritual book with its own “rules” as well as “best practices.” So many things are universal.

Hope that helped!