RCIA Basics please!

[cheezey]

Cheezey, I’m so sorry to hear about this. I hope things will start going better. Jesus did come for homelessness…and illness and suffering of all types. Even in his most painful moments he showed us what faithfulness means. He’s there with you now and will continue to be, no matter what. Hang in there and know that you have my prayers.

I just read someone’s signature of “starting RCIA January 27, 2013”

I don’t get it. I really don’t…
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I just read someone’s signature of “starting RCIA January 27, 2013”

I don’t get it. I really don’t…
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.

Are there other parishes close to you? If so, you could check to see if any of them do RCIA differently.

I live in an area with probably too many parishes. I could get to 7 of them within a 10-mile radius of my home. Most of them have a school-year model RCIA. One doesn’t have RCIA at all and sends their people to other parishes. One (mine) has year-round RCIA with people starting at different times throughout the year.

Maybe you have other options?

 

[cheezey]

Are there other parishes close to you? If so, you could check to see if any of them do RCIA differently.

I live in an area with probably too many parishes. I could get to 7 of them within a 10-mile radius of my home. Most of them have a school-year model RCIA. One doesn’t have RCIA at all and sends their people to other parishes. One (mine) has year-round RCIA with people starting at different times throughout the year.

Maybe you have other options?

Not many parishes around; the one not getting back to me I’ve been attending for two months.
And with a member, no less. This just doesn’t seem meant to be; doesn’t make sense.

 

[PJM]

=cheezey;10282175]I just read someone’s signature of “starting RCIA January 27, 2013”

I don’t get it. I really don’t…
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.

HERE’s why

If you go back to that post I THINK you’ll find that they will NOT enter the Church until Easter 2014.

God Bless,
pat/PJM

 

[ReddyFreddy]

HERE’s why

If you go back to that post I THINK you’ll find that they will NOT enter the Church until Easter 2014.

God Bless,
pat/PJM

This is very true! I have a whole year and then some to learn and live. I called the church and asked about attending RCIA and the woman on the phone encouraged me to start attending immediately even though I will not be baptized and confirmed this year. This made me very happy that the church would never turn me away due to timing.

ETA: I may edit my signature b/c I don’t want to confuse!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Not many parishes around; the one not getting back to me I’ve been attending for two months.
And with a member, no less. This just doesn’t seem meant to be; doesn’t make sense.

There’s the possibility that the RCIA director never got the message. Parish secretaries are not always as efficient as they should be. I don’t really have any advice except not to assume the worst!

 

[cheezey]

This is very true! I have a whole year and then some to learn and live. I called the church and asked about attending RCIA and the woman on the phone encouraged me to start attending immediately even though I will not be baptized and confirmed this year. This made me very happy that the church would never turn me away due to timing.

ETA: I may edit my signature b/c I don’t want to confuse!

Please don’t !!! I know the baptism and confirmation take time!! But you are getting in soon, (and that’s a great thing!! :extrahappy:And I am pleased for you, truly I am); and I am getting more and more baffled.
Please do not change your signature for this reason!! I think it’s great!!! I didn’t mean to sound otherwise, if I did, I am sorry. Please keep the date on here!!!

There’s the possibility that the RCIA director never got the message. Parish secretaries are not always as efficient as they should be. I don’t really have any advice except not to assume the worst!

Oh I am not assuming much. Just odd that two months of inquiry and nothing, no clues, no advice, no when, no call back, et al. Just baffled and anxious. I really feel as if time is short; the later they wait, the later I wait, and well, you know…I actually had someone tell me, “well, there’s always a deathbed conversion…” :bigyikes: Like I don’t have enough problems with which to be overwhelmed.

 

[MSSheBear]

Not many parishes around; the one not getting back to me I’ve been attending for two months.
And with a member, no less. This just doesn’t seem meant to be; doesn’t make sense.

I will give you my experience as a (former) Candidate. I attended my current parish one Sunday and that week emailed the DRE about RCIA. I received a response within hours. So your experience makes me confused Our bulletin has an ad now even for this year’s RCIA. Do you know if your current parish has an RCIA? Have you checked all the other parishes in the diocese? Sometimes leaving a phone message at the Parish Office is dropping something down a deep abyss. So I am not sure what is going on at your parish.

In my diocese most of the programs are August to June (sort of) with the candidates and catechumens and Catholics missing Sacraments all mixed together. So be prepared to wait until Easter Vigil 2014 to enter the Church. That should give you a few months to find the right RCIA. In the meantime keep attending Mass!

I will be praying for you:bowdown: I had some times during the last two years where I felt everyone was conspiring against me becoming a Catholic. It turned out in some respects I had amazing “luck.”

 

[cheezey]

Do you know if your current parish has an RCIA? Have you checked all the other parishes in the diocese? Sometimes leaving a phone message at the Parish Office is dropping something down a deep abyss. So I am not sure what is going on at your parish.

There are too few parishes; the one I’ve been attending is really the only choice unless I am blessed to move somewhere. I have a lot of other things going on, too, like homelessness. Another reason I wanted to belong somewhere where my faith resides as well.

So be prepared to wait until Easter Vigil 2014 to enter the Church. That should give you a few months to find the right RCIA.

I am prepared to wait for the finalities, just not the entry. I don’t get the no repsonse thing after two months of inquiries.

I will be praying for you:bowdown: I had some times during the last two years where I felt everyone was conspiring against me becoming a Catholic. It turned out in some respects I had amazing “luck.”

Thank you. I am so overwhelmed :bighanky:that I just figured this really should have easily been a yeah or nay deal to at least begin the process.

Thank you for you help.

Blessings

 

[PJM]

=SuscipeMeDomine;10283092]There’s the possibility that the RCIA director never got the message. Parish secretaries are not always as efficient as they should be. I don’t really have any advice except not to assume the worst!

AWESOME NAME my friend!

Don’t give up. Gods testing you and santan is yanking your chain

 

[Usige]

If it’s really a concern about not getting any response then I’d try contacting them again. You can also always try setting up a meeting with the pastor and talk with him. Ultimately he is responsible for educating those souls in his care and should be able to provide guidance on how to contact anyone he has delegated that task to.

 

[iloveangels]

There are too few parishes; the one I’ve been attending is really the only choice unless I am blessed to move somewhere. I have a lot of other things going on, too, like homelessness. Another reason I wanted to belong somewhere where my faith resides as well.

I am prepared to wait for the finalities, just not the entry. I don’t get the no repsonse thing after two months of inquiries.

Thank you. I am so overwhelmed :bighanky:that I just figured this really should have easily been a yeah or nay deal to at least begin the process.

Thank you for you help.

Blessings

Go talk to the priest and see what he says.

 

[cheezey]

If it’s really a concern about not getting any response then I’d try contacting them again. You can also always try setting up a meeting with the pastor and talk with him. Ultimately he is responsible for educating those souls in his care and should be able to provide guidance on how to contact anyone he has delegated that task to.

Actually, I spoke with all three. One told me to call the deacon. I did. Went to see him, not there, called and called and called, no return calls, and even had a member in good standing speak on my behalf. Nada. Maybe I just gotta wait; for what, though, I don’t know. This is unfortunate, somehow, though, too.

 

[cheezey]

Are there other parishes close to you? If so, you could check to see if any of them do RCIA differently.

I live in an area with probably too many parishes. I could get to 7 of them within a 10-mile radius of my home. Most of them have a school-year model RCIA. One doesn’t have RCIA at all and sends their people to other parishes. One (mine) has year-round RCIA with people starting at different times throughout the year.

Maybe you have other options?

Now that I think of it, I remember that now; I lived in the LA area. There were many…hmmmm

 

[ReddyFreddy]

Have you asked someone from hospitality after Mass? The lady I asked, ran and got a folder for me with all the info in it…of course that info had the phone number and e-mail which you are having difficulties with. At least you could inquire about getting an answer? Does the Church have a bulletin that says the time and place of the RCIA meetings? My parish just encourages people to simply show up. Apparently I didn’t even have to call.

Don’t worry about the siggie! I wasn’t going to take the date out. I just added my Confirmation!

 

[cheezey]

Have you asked someone from hospitality after Mass? The lady I asked, ran and got a folder for me with all the info in it…of course that info had the phone number and e-mail which you are having difficulties with. At least you could inquire about getting an answer? Does the Church have a bulletin that says the time and place of the RCIA meetings? My parish just encourages people to simply show up. Apparently I didn’t even have to call.

Don’t worry about the siggie! I wasn’t going to take the date out. I just added my Confirmation!

Thanks…
No notices that I noticed (HA!!) But I will check sat or sun. You are right, that will lead me to the phone of no end!!! But I will check.
I am baffled as to how my brother got this done so quickly…and baptized by the Bishop, no less…

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I just read someone’s signature of “starting RCIA January 27, 2013”

I don’t get it. I really don’t…
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.

I started RCIA in Septemeber, like most of the class did. There have been some people who have started later. We had 3 or 4 to start after the beginning of the year.

 

[iloveangels]

I started RCIA in Septemeber, like most of the class did. There have been some people who have started later. We had 3 or 4 to start after the beginning of the year.

Yes, they generally evaluate what people know and some, who have been practicing Christians from other denominations etc, or give other reason to believe they’re in pretty good shape Christianity-wise are allowed in later.
I went through RCIA many years ago, and having been a protestant minister’s grand-daughter, knew a lot of scripture and understood Christianity all right, just needed to learn about the Church and sacraments, so I was able to start in December and not wait another year. I was ready by Easter since I understood Christianity and had sorted out the differences between protestant and Catholic and committed myself to becoming Catholic by then, ready to live out the faith.

Some people come in with very little background and they are usually asked to do the full Sept-Easter, and of course, if a person has a show-stopper in their background, that can slow things up some. Things like previous marriages, co-habitating, and things like that.

All this said, this is something that should not be rushed. Getting as much RCIA in as possible is a good thing. A person should be good and ready, and know what they are getting into before they enter the Church. For both the good of the person and the good of the Church, people need to take the time to do this well and deeply. The time is not wasted; it’s precious as you’ll see later. Becoming Catholic is not just something to do and it’s not “flavor of the month.” It’s for the rest of your life.

For this reason, sometimes people who aren’t sure will take 2 years to come in. If there is any hesitation at all, this is what I highly recommend. I’ve seen people come into the Church after 2 years of preparation and prayer, and they are often more ready to BECOME Catholic. In my experience, they are less likely to come in and then drift off later, which happens fairly frequently with people who are in a big hurry.

 

[cheezey]

Yes, they generally evaluate what people know and some, who have been practicing Christians from other denominations etc, or give other reason to believe they’re in pretty good shape Christianity-wise are allowed in later.
I went through RCIA many years ago, and having been a protestant minister’s grand-daughter, knew a lot of scripture and understood Christianity all right, just needed to learn about the Church and sacraments, so I was able to start in December and not wait another year. I was ready by Easter since I understood Christianity and had sorted out the differences between protestant and Catholic and committed myself to becoming Catholic by then, ready to live out the faith.

I am in pretty good shape Christianity- wise, with scripture, Catholic sacraments, the CCC, even some history, though the ECF’s in detail are next on the list. And on my own.
My brother was raised Protestant, believed agnostically, and still, this whole process was done quickly. And secular history is his thing, not religious studies.

Some people come in with very little background and they are usually asked to do the full Sept-Easter, and of course, if a person has a show-stopper in their background, that can slow things up some. Things like previous marriages, co-habitating, and things like that.

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)

All this said, this is something that should not be rushed.

Nor should it, which is why I am guessing someone’s suggestion of a deathbed conversion. I am not well, hence some urgency, but I am not quite dead yet, either. Thankfully!! (I think)

Getting as much RCIA in as possible is a good thing. A person should be good and ready, and know what they are getting into before they enter the Church. For both the good of the person and the good of the Church, people need to take the time to do this well and deeply. The time is not wasted; it’s precious as you’ll see later. Becoming Catholic is not just something to do and it’s not “flavor of the month.” It’s for the rest of your life.

For Both the Church and myself, this is not to be taken lightly, absolutely But but what of the urgency? What of the need? I feel as if this parish is taking my faith lightly. Most likely that is not the case, of course, but they sure as heck make me feel this way. I admit, I am quite vulnerable right now; rejection of any kind does’t set well. Not that is ever does, but it’s especially difficult right now. God says yes, the parish, not so much.

For this reason, sometimes people who aren’t sure will take 2 years to come in. If there is any hesitation at all, this is what I highly recommend. I’ve seen people come into the Church after 2 years of preparation and prayer, and they are often more ready to BECOME Catholic. In my experience, they are less likely to come in and then drift off later, which happens fairly frequently with people who are in a big hurry.

I am trying to do this before drifting off to a deathbed conversion. If that’s what it takes, but, really???

Iloveangels, thank you. I understand your post and appreciate it greatly. I apologise for using your post to state my case; it just seemed to fit my thoughts and questions. It was a building block to what I tried to express.

Again, my sincerest apologies

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Yes, they generally evaluate what people know and some, who have been practicing Christians from other denominations etc, or give other reason to believe they’re in pretty good shape Christianity-wise are allowed in later.
I went through RCIA many years ago, and having been a protestant minister’s grand-daughter, knew a lot of scripture and understood Christianity all right, just needed to learn about the Church and sacraments, so I was able to start in December and not wait another year. I was ready by Easter since I understood Christianity and had sorted out the differences between protestant and Catholic and committed myself to becoming Catholic by then, ready to live out the faith.

Some people come in with very little background and they are usually asked to do the full Sept-Easter, and of course, if a person has a show-stopper in their background, that can slow things up some. Things like previous marriages, co-habitating, and things like that.

All this said, this is something that should not be rushed. Getting as much RCIA in as possible is a good thing. A person should be good and ready, and know what they are getting into before they enter the Church. For both the good of the person and the good of the Church, people need to take the time to do this well and deeply. The time is not wasted; it’s precious as you’ll see later. ** Becoming** Catholic is not just something to do and it’s not “flavor of the month.” It’s for the rest of your life.

For this reason, sometimes people who aren’t sure will take 2 years to come in. If there is any hesitation at all, this is what I highly recommend. I’ve seen people come into the Church after 2 years of preparation and prayer, and they are often more ready to BECOME Catholic. In my experience, they are less likely to come in and then drift off later, which happens fairly frequently with people who are in a big hurry.

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