RCIA - "do you know what you're signing up for" - to prevent dropouts later

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Going to a different parish may well be the key to continuing on your journey with more kindred spirits
Not all parishes meet everyone’s needs. Sometimes people and personalities just don’t mesh.

Hopefully, you’ll find the right teacher/situation sooner, rather than later. 👍
 
Not all parishes meet everyone’s needs. Sometimes people and personalities just don’t mesh.

Hopefully, you’ll find the right teacher/situation sooner, rather than later. 👍
I hope for a good move all the way around…
 
FWIW, I wish the RCIA program at my wife’s parish had been more substantial. It seemed like they were trying to tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. They told me plenty of falsehoods about Catholicism, which had the effect of making it more appealing to an Episcopalian. If I hadn’t done some research on my own, if I had just gone along with the group, I would have converted. It wouldn’t have been Catholicism I converted to, however, but a misrepresentation of Catholicism. Kinda like the famous Fulton Sheen quote.

May I ask a slightly off topic question? If a person converts because of falsehoods they were taught in RCIA, essentially theological malpractice, are they really Catholic?
 
FWIW, I wish the RCIA program at my wife’s parish had been more substantial. It seemed like they were trying to tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. They told me plenty of falsehoods about Catholicism, which had the effect of making it more appealing to an Episcopalian. If I hadn’t done some research on my own, if I had just gone along with the group, I would have converted. It wouldn’t have been Catholicism I converted to, however, but a misrepresentation of Catholicism. Kinda like the famous Fulton Sheen quote.

May I ask a slightly off topic question? If a person converts because of falsehoods they were taught in RCIA, essentially theological malpractice, are they really Catholic?
I’m curious what falsehoods you were taught. It’s surprising to hear this as the point of RCIA is not to lure in unsuspecting Protestants and then drop the net. I remember my ex husband being amazed at the RCIA process. He said won’t they “just take you…especially if you promise to donate money?” I explained that RCIA is a process to see if you are able to truly become Catholic. They don’t just want bodies in the pews each week or even regular tithing so much as having your entire heart.

During the years I’ve been on the RCIA Team, I’ve heard many questions and challenges, particularly from the Evangelicals. In no way did our Priest or RCIA Director water down their answers to “trick” anyone into joining.

As to converting with false information, where is your heart? What specifically would have lured you to convert? That your RCIA team was allegedly incompetent would not disqualify your conversion if you received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation in my experience. I assure you sometimes I wonder about the sincerity of our converts who might seem to be going through the motions to please a spouse or parent. However, going through the various Rites and Easter Vigil means you have been accepted into the Church. I hope you will reconsider your initial decision. The Church has such a rich tradition and the fullness of Truth.

BTW you have one of my favorite Catholic media personalities, Teresa Tomio, in your state. It sounds like there is a very active Catholic life in Michigan
Lisa

Lisa
 
I’m curious what falsehoods you were taught.
The RCIA team at that parish taught me that women would soon be priests, that use of condoms to limit family size was just being responsible, that a Catholic could receive communion at an Episcopal Church - indeed, the layman in charge said that a person could be both Catholic and Budhist. We were not taught about the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption, nor about many Catholic obligations, some of which I’m still learning about now.
 
During the years I’ve been on the RCIA Team, I’ve heard many questions and challenges, particularly from the Evangelicals. In no way did our Priest or RCIA Director water down their answers to “trick” anyone into joining.
Good, I’m glad to hear that.
 
The RCIA team at that parish taught me that women would soon be priests, that use of condoms to limit family size was just being responsible, that a Catholic could receive communion at an Episcopal Church - indeed, the layman in charge said that a person could be both Catholic and Budhist. We were not taught about the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption, nor about many Catholic obligations, some of which I’m still learning about now.
:eek::eek::eek:

Holy cow…I would have run for the door…quite honestly this should be reported to the Pastor of the Parish. Dare I suggest that these were females making the erroneous statements? It sounds as if you know more about the Church’s teaching than the RCIA team…

So sorry about this. I hope you will reconsider and find an orthodox Parish.

Lisa
 
Well, this was several years ago. I didn’t know much about Catholic teaching then.

No disrespect intended (and no debate wanted at this time, please, wouldn’t want to derail the thread), but I’ve studied the issue and choose to remain Episcopalian.
 
From my own personal experience, the “most challenging” person who shows up and says in effect, “I read the catechism, I read this work (fill in the blank), I have memorized the Creed, I’m not interested in community or sharing or works of mercy… when do I get baptized?”
That’s also my own experience. Those converting for all the “wrong” reasons (to get married, to get a job in a Catholic school, to get their kid into Catholic school) seem to stick with it, while those who “read their way in” also have a way of “reading their way out.”

Strong formation has to include community building.
 
The RCIA team at that parish taught me that women would soon be priests, that use of condoms to limit family size was just being responsible, that a Catholic could receive communion at an Episcopal Church - indeed, the layman in charge said that a person could be both Catholic and Budhist. We were not taught about the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption, nor about many Catholic obligations, some of which I’m still learning about now.
That’s incredibly unfortunate. I did run into people at an RCIA leaders’ retreat who actually thought that way, though, so I believe you, even though such a thing ought to be impossible. I expect they were probably the same people.
 
Well, this was several years ago. I didn’t know much about Catholic teaching then.

No disrespect intended (and no debate wanted at this time, please, wouldn’t want to derail the thread), but I’ve studied the issue and choose to remain Episcopalian.
Hi - I think you made a decision of integrity 🙂 As you may have noticed on other threads on CAF the Catholic Church has been having much difficulty in the past few decades with the issue of people - including public figures - being nominally or culturally Catholic while ignoring or even working against the Church’s teachings. 😦

It’s better not to misrepresent oneself; if you decide to pursue becoming Catholic at a later date and can really accept Catholicism without reservation that’s great, we’d love to have you. If you remain Episcopalian, then one knows you will believe and act as an Episcopalian will with your full heart and mind.

And though Catholics and Episcopalians or other Christian churches have differences, at least we will have the cards out on the table, and we can also seek and maximize our areas of agreement and do good in the world in those areas where doctrinal differences won’t be stumbling blocks.

God bless you and have a great weekend! 😉
 
Hi - I think you made a decision of integrity 🙂 As you may have noticed on other threads on CAF the Catholic Church has been having much difficulty in the past few decades with the issue of people - including public figures - being nominally or culturally Catholic while ignoring or even working against the Church’s teachings. 😦

It’s better not to misrepresent oneself; if you decide to pursue becoming Catholic at a later date and can really accept Catholicism without reservation that’s great, we’d love to have you. If you remain Episcopalian, then one knows you will believe and act as an Episcopalian will with your full heart and mind.

And though Catholics and Episcopalians or other Christian churches have differences, at least we will have the cards out on the table, and we can also seek and maximize our areas of agreement and do good in the world in those areas where doctrinal differences won’t be stumbling blocks.

God bless you and have a great weekend! 😉
nice…👍
 
Hi - I think you made a decision of integrity 🙂 As you may have noticed on other threads on CAF the Catholic Church has been having much difficulty in the past few decades with the issue of people - including public figures - being nominally or culturally Catholic while ignoring or even working against the Church’s teachings. 😦

It’s better not to misrepresent oneself; if you decide to pursue becoming Catholic at a later date and can really accept Catholicism without reservation that’s great, we’d love to have you. If you remain Episcopalian, then one knows you will believe and act as an Episcopalian will with your full heart and mind.

And though Catholics and Episcopalians or other Christian churches have differences, at least we will have the cards out on the table, and we can also seek and maximize our areas of agreement and do good in the world in those areas where doctrinal differences won’t be stumbling blocks.

God bless you and have a great weekend! 😉
Awesome post. 🙂
 
Thanks guys. 🙂 Cheezey, I will keep your situation in my prayers. Keep leaning on God - He knows your heart! ❤️ :blessyou:
 
The RCIA team at that parish taught me that women would soon be priests, that use of condoms to limit family size was just being responsible, that a Catholic could receive communion at an Episcopal Church - indeed, the layman in charge said that a person could be both Catholic and Budhist. We were not taught about the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption, nor about many Catholic obligations, some of which I’m still learning about now.
Sounds almost like my RCIA class. I thought mine was horrible. However, our director would always say that we were free to think that she was full of **** and agree w/ “the Company”. (i.e. the Official positions of the church)

Honestly, I learned a lot more about Catholicism on my own than through my RCIA class, but the RCIA class served its purpose. It was a good overview of Catholicism; however, a lot was left unsaid. She really wasn’t too worried about what we did or didn’t know because, “we’d pick stuff up a lot of this stuff as we teach our kids and they go through religious education - you’d both learn together.” :confused:
 
=3DOCTORS;11093110]I think every RCIA class should present several “tough dilemma” scenarios and emphasize what really committing to become Catholic entails. Maybe even role play a response. Examples:
  • You are on vacation and your non-Catholic family members present an item on the itinerary that would preclude Mass attendance on Sunday morning, and you also have something on Saturday evening you all are doing. Plus they look at you weird when you ask them for a phone book to look up Mass times, you don’t have your own vehicle or one to borrow . . . you get the picture.
  • You hear about a “tough case” of a married couple who has children and the pregnancies have been high risk, and all the “reasonable” people around them are advising - sometimes quite sternly - they use artificial birth control or sterilization. Or you might be part of the couple in question.
  • Your favorite niece is “marrying” her lesbian “partner” and wants you to attend the ceremony.
  • You really don’t get the whole veneration of the Blessed Mother thing, and one of your friends from your former Protestant congregation shows you a Bible verse that “proves” it’s wrong. Or one that proves you shouldn’t call your priest “Father.” Or any number of similar scenarios. Suddenly you are all twisted up inside.
  • There is another instance of scandal in the Church reported in the news media.
  • You have a personal life crisis where you question everything and whether you made the right decision to convert.
  • You feel lonely and adrift in your parish after the Easter Vigil is long past, no one seems to care whether you’re there or not, or you are even actively snubbed by one or more parishioners. Or you are the center of some controversy and very upset about it.
I’m sure many reading this could add their own items to the list. I’m a firm believer in “troubleshooting” - it can’t prevent every problem, but maybe it would help.
MY DEAR FRIEND IN CHRIST,

AS ONE WHO HAS [AND CONTINUES TO TEACH OUR FAITH] FOR 20+ YEARS INCLUDING 3 YEARS OF RCIA; I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.

RCIA is broken into two broad segments:
And introduction to what we believe and why with an opportunity to question and then decide for ones self if this is what God is calling them towards

Once the decisiion is made to continue; the topics are covered in greater depth.

You perhaps 🤷 are under estimating the the very powers of God’ grace to these people.?

God Bless you,
PJM
 
MY DEAR FRIEND IN CHRIST,

AS ONE WHO HAS [AND CONTINUES TO TEACH OUR FAITH] FOR 20+ YEARS INCLUDING 3 YEARS OF RCIA; I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.

RCIA is broken into two broad segments:
And introduction to what we believe and why with an opportunity to question and then decide for ones self if this is what God is calling them towards

Once the decisiion is made to continue; the topics are covered in greater depth.

You perhaps 🤷 are under estimating the the very powers of God’ grace to these people.?

God Bless you,
PJM
Hi PJM 👋 - what you describe sounds pretty good. It seems, though, from what I’ve known of people who later leave the Catholic Faith after converting, that not all RCIA programs are up to snuff. Assuming they’re teaching the doctrine correctly in the first phase you describe, for instance - well, to put it bluntly, that can’t be assumed in every place. There are a lot of “progressives” teaching RCIA and getting the bit in their teeth and misleading people.

Then in the discernment process phase, if there is one in every program’s structure, and that I’ve no way of knowing either, I’m just suggesting that perhaps not every candidate is able to imagine the scenarios in which they will be challenged and have a proactive strategy in place for meeting those challenges.

Are there ongoing meetings for neophytes, and are they effective and focused? That might be a big help for many.

It seems like the U.S. Bishops need to address the things that are going well with RCIA programs vs. the things that aren’t, on a broad scale, but that’s a topic for another thread.
 
Are there ongoing meetings for neophytes, and are they effective and focused? That might be a big help for many.

.
There are, but once people receive their Sacraments, they tend to drop out. We keep the doors open for them until Pentecost, but often it’s only the Catechists and sponsors who show up. 🤷
 
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