RCIA -- help!

[Steadfast_love]

What I learned last night in my first RCIA class:

• Abortion is licit.
• People pray the “Hail Holy Queen” because they believe that Mary is the greatest person in the four person Trinity.
• People meditate on the Rosary because their faith is too weak. They don’t believe Jesus can save them. This is known as the sin of despair.
• Vatican II was a a series of misguided mistakes.
• Nuns have fallen on hard times financially which “Serves 'em right!”

That is not the sort of thing I wanted to learn!!!

I’ve been a Christian my whole life, I know the Bible well, I’ve studied church history, I’ve read the Catechism. I could see staying in this loony bin for a year for the sake of joining the CC officially but…

…After reviewing my case the head of the RCIA program insists that I wait TWO YEARS to be baptized.

Why not try a different parish? I’ve called the 30 parishes closest to me, and this one is the only one that works with my schedule. I can’t take RCIA anywhere else unless I quit my job.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m an odd duck – unbaptized and Christian for 30 years (my parents didn’t tell me until now.) But it seems like that’s all the more reason to be baptized since I’m married to a baptized woman and my daughter can’t be baptized until I am.

So here’s my question. I really want to be baptised in the Church, but even more than that I want my daughter to be baptized ASAP. Is there some other way to cut through the red tape?

 

[carol_marie]

Could you find a new job? One that would allow you to take RCIA in a different parish?

OK, so I’m kidding. Don’t quit your job. Seriously, I am SO SORRY you are having such trouble. Your RCIA class sounds like a joke. Where do they get that nonsense? I wish I knew what to tell you, other than stick it out. Two years seems like a ridiculously long time to wait to be baptized… but, if that’s what it takes … honestly, it is so worth it. All the hoops you have to jump through… the crazy class… the “red tape” (and I agree with you… it all seems so difficult) but if you hang in there, you won’t regret it.

I will pray for you. I really will.

One more thought… who is this “head” of the RCIA program? Could you talk to the Priest instead? Explain your situation? At the very least, ask that your daughter be baptized?

 

[Atk_Aheeni]

What I learned last night in my first RCIA class:

• Abortion is licit.
• People pray the “Hail Holy Queen” because they believe that Mary is the greatest person in the four person Trinity.
• People meditate on the Rosary because their faith is too weak. They don’t believe Jesus can save them. This is known as the sin of despair.
• Vatican II was a a series of misguided mistakes.
• Nuns have fallen on hard times financially which “Serves 'em right!”

That is not the sort of thing I wanted to learn!!!

I’ve been a Christian my whole life, I know the Bible well, I’ve studied church history, I’ve read the Catechism. I could see staying in this loony bin for a year for the sake of joining the CC officially but…

…After reviewing my case the head of the RCIA program insists that I wait TWO YEARS to be baptized.

Why not try a different parish? I’ve called the 30 parishes closest to me, and this one is the only one that works with my schedule. I can’t take RCIA anywhere else unless I quit my job.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m an odd duck – unbaptized and Christian for 30 years (my parents didn’t tell me until now.) But it seems like that’s all the more reason to be baptized since I’m married to a baptized woman and my daughter can’t be baptized until I am.

So here’s my question. I really want to be baptised in the Church, but even more than that I want my daughter to be baptized ASAP. Is there some other way to cut through the red tape?

man that sounds like a strange RCIA class haha actually im not finding your problem amusing but more like who ever is teaching you all this is dumping there problems on you it sounds like.

 

[rosarywarrior]

If what you say about that church is true, then you MUST find another church where you can learn the truth. Most churches will work with your schedule. I am surprised at the comments you stated and am wondering if you heard them correctly.

 

[Atk_Aheeni]

If you look on the bright side you found out you really wasnt baptised and that may have been a suprise although all them years of sin will be washed away like i think the old christian days were everyone did questionable things in there life and was all disolved at there baptism…they waited for it. Well not everyone and I bet not you as well but think about it. Dont anyone shoot me for saying this but didnt Byzantine do this or one the Roman emperors I believe. I think Byzantine. Like i said i might be wrong.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What I learned last night in my first RCIA class:

• Abortion is licit.
• People pray the “Hail Holy Queen” because they believe that Mary is the greatest person in the four person Trinity.
• People meditate on the Rosary because their faith is too weak. They don’t believe Jesus can save them. This is known as the sin of despair.
• Vatican II was a a series of misguided mistakes.
• Nuns have fallen on hard times financially which “Serves 'em right!”

That is not the sort of thing I wanted to learn!!!

So here’s my question. I really want to be baptised in the Church, but even more than that I want my daughter to be baptized ASAP. Is there some other way to cut through the red tape?

There is no reason why if your wife is Catholic that your child can’t be Baptized ASAP.

You need to speak directly with the pastor.

I would also take your RCIA list with you and speak with him about it. If you get no response, You do need to write the Bishop. The Bishop is the one who is in charge of Catechumens inhis diocese.

 

[Trelow]

Take a tape recorder next them, mail a copy of the tape to the Bishop.

As long as your wife is a practical catholic, and you agree to raise your child in the faith, then there is no reason for her baptism to be denied. If your wife doesn’t practice her faith, then I could understand the priest refusing to baptise the child until such time.

 

[Truthstalker]

The RCIA instructor I’ve got is an out and out heretic. He doesn’t seem to believe in the Trinity. He seems to believe Islam is legit. He passed out the “99 names of God” the Muslims use for our use and thinks thinking of God as Mother is as legitimate as Father, Son or Holy Spirit - it doesn’t matter how we image God, because God is all things. I think he is also a universalist. The priest was present when he said some of this stuff but said nothing. He explained the Trinity using modalist examples.

I wrote him an angry e-mail. I’m staying away from the Catholic church for now. I think the Catholic church should teach Catholicism. This is ridiculous.

 

[Truthstalker]

Take a tape recorder next them, mail a copy of the tape to the Bishop.

Why should people learning about Catholicism be put in the position of defending the Church’s teachings against those who are supposed to be teaching the Church’s teachings? The Church should clean its own house first, without candidates being required to do the dirty work for it before entering the Catholic Church.

 

[jmcrae]

Why should people learning about Catholicism be put in the position of defending the Church’s teachings against those who are supposed to be teaching the Church’s teachings? The Church should clean its own house first, without candidates being required to do the dirty work for it before entering the Catholic Church.

I agree.

In our Diocese, we are required to use approved materials - we can’t just do our own thing in RCIA. We are also required to attend Diocescan training classes.

It seems to me as though some parishes are just grabbing anybody off the street who is willing to show up to the RCIA class to be the “catechist.” It doesn’t sound as though they are working from any sort of a curriculum, or any background materials at all.

(At my parish, as Inquiry Coordinator, I have the opposite problem of extremely orthodox Catholics coming in and dropping the entire Catechism and all of the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas on top of people’s heads on their very first day of Inquiry. Needless to say, only the truly committed ever return!! )

 

[JCPhoenix]

I am so sorry you’re going through this! Please don’t give up on the Catholic Church as a whole, but do walk away from the heresy-teaching “Catholic Church” and shake the dust from your shoes. They are not worth YOUR time! Do pray for them, however. God converted Saul…He can deal with them, too.

As far as the other parishes in the area…have you inquired whether any of them can work with you? I know my parish had an announcement in the bulletin stating that if someone wanted to become Catholic but the class time didn’t work for them, to contact X and they would schedule a time to provide the same info to them, on an individual basis if needed.

Check into that option, calling all the parishes directly if needed. And bypass the Faith formation people if you’re desperate…go right to the priest and explain your problem. My guess is that someone will step up and be ready to help you.

God bless you!

 

[Atk_Aheeni]

The RCIA instructor I’ve got is an out and out heretic. He doesn’t seem to believe in the Trinity. He seems to believe Islam is legit. He passed out the “99 names of God” the Muslims use for our use and thinks thinking of God as Mother is as legitimate as Father, Son or Holy Spirit - it doesn’t matter how we image God, because God is all things. I think he is also a universalist. The priest was present when he said some of this stuff but said nothing. He explained the Trinity using modalist examples.

I wrote him an angry e-mail. I’m staying away from the Catholic church for now. I think the Catholic church should teach Catholicism. This is ridiculous.

I am sure if you told another parish about your experience of this RCIA program they would be sympathetic to your experiences and I am sure will help you find a way to go to a appropiate RCIA with in your times of availability. You have been wronged like i said earlier sounds like this person is dumping there personal problems on you.

 

[steve_green_2]

"

• Abortion is licit.
• People pray the “Hail Holy Queen” because they believe that Mary is the greatest person in the four person Trinity.
• People meditate on the Rosary because their faith is too weak. They don’t believe Jesus can save them. This is known as the sin of despair.
• Vatican II was a a series of misguided mistakes.
• Nuns have fallen on hard times financially which “Serves 'em right!”

That is not the sort of thing I wanted to learn!!! "

Now this is interesting ?

If I were you I wouldn’t know whether to laugh or run. Perhaps both are in order. Sounds like you may have stumbled into The Liberal Catholic Church of America meeting (yes there is an actual “church” by that name.

Do not despair, never. Speak to the pastor about the specific issues or points you brought up. If no satisfactory answer take them to the bishop.

Perhaps PM a poster on here in your city and ask for an orthodox parish to actually learn something.

 

[Trelow]

Why should people learning about Catholicism be put in the position of defending the Church’s teachings against those who are supposed to be teaching the Church’s teachings? The Church should clean its own house first, without candidates being required to do the dirty work for it before entering the Catholic Church.

Oh I agree. But whomever knows about it is responsible for it if they don’t whatever they can to stop it, or bring it to the attention of those who can.

 

[jaz1976]

Why should people learning about Catholicism be put in the position of defending the Church’s teachings against those who are supposed to be teaching the Church’s teachings? The Church should clean its own house first, without candidates being required to do the dirty work for it before entering the Catholic Church.

Truthstalker,

I agree with you: we need to stop the clown acts from running the circus. However, you know the Truth. Now you have a tough task: either defend that Truth with whatever means necessary, or wait for someone else to. It is up to you. The ball is in your court.

I personally like a good fight with heretics. You have the Truth on your side, you cannot lose.

 

[Atk_Aheeni]

If you look on the bright side you found out you really wasnt baptised and that may have been a suprise although all them years of sin will be washed away like i think the old christian days were everyone did questionable things in there life and was all disolved at there baptism…they waited for it. Well not everyone and I bet not you as well but think about it. Dont anyone shoot me for saying this but didnt Byzantine do this or one the Roman emperors I believe. I think Byzantine. Like i said i might be wrong.

I shouldnt have wrote that as late as it was i didnt meen byzantine what i meant was constantine but like i said maybe im thinking of another roman emperor. Geez sorry for the typo wich im not able to edit as at the moment haha embarassing

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Hi Steadfast love
Before we all over react did I miss the part where you wrote the Priest, RCIA Leader, or Catechist taught this? As opposed to a group discussion of these issues in this manner. The two year issue probably is not about you but a Church push on non baptized people. But is not a fixed requirement so asked to be allowed to complete your entrance into the church this year. I also did not see the issue concerning whether your wife was Catholic or non-Catholic nor the part where you mentioned if your marriage was recognized by the church. All of these relate to clearing up the issues in your initial post.

I hope patience and peace remain with you.

 

[puzzleannie]

What I learned last night in my first RCIA class:

I’ll be the first to admit I’m an odd duck – unbaptized and Christian for 30 years (my parents didn’t tell me until now.) But it seems like that’s all the more reason to be baptized since I’m married to a baptized woman and my daughter can’t be baptized until I am.

So here’s my question. I really want to be baptised in the Church, but even more than that I want my daughter to be baptized ASAP. Is there some other way to cut through the red tape?

if you were told this you were told wrong
please contact the chancery of your diocese and ask to speak to the priest in charge of liturgy and sacraments, and explain your dilemma to him. First with regard to your daughter’s baptism, then with regard to RCIA. Please be very explicit and exact on the anti-Catholic comments, who made them, when, in what context.

you have the right to sound Catholic teaching, you are being denied your right, and a sincere Catholic parent–your wife–is being denied the sacraments for her child. These are both grave abuses under canon law and you have the right to remedy. If they can’t give you this person’s name ask for the chancellor or the vicar general.

 

[Truthstalker]

I am so sorry you’re going through this! Please don’t give up on the Catholic Church as a whole, but do walk away from the heresy-teaching “Catholic Church” and shake the dust from your shoes. They are not worth YOUR time! Do pray for them, however. God converted Saul…He can deal with them, too.

As far as the other parishes in the area…have you inquired whether any of them can work with you? I know my parish had an announcement in the bulletin stating that if someone wanted to become Catholic but the class time didn’t work for them, to contact X and they would schedule a time to provide the same info to them, on an individual basis if needed.

Check into that option, calling all the parishes directly if needed. And bypass the Faith formation people if you’re desperate…go right to the priest and explain your problem. My guess is that someone will step up and be ready to help you.

God bless you!

I attended 5:00 Mass at another church. I may make a lot of noise at the diocese level about being required to attend RCIA when I am a baptized, practicing Christian if I can’t find a church that will work wth me. I think I have some rights here. This probably isn’t the best way to enter the church but oh, well. And I will pursue the issue with the first church: is that what he meant? Is the priest aware of it? Does the diocese know about this stuff going on? Is there approved material they should be using?

Roar.

 

[Trelow]

I attended 5:00 Mass at another church. I may make a lot of noise at the diocese level about being required to attend RCIA when I am a baptized, practicing Christian if I can’t find a church that will work wth me. I think I have some rights here. This probably isn’t the best way to enter the church but oh, well. And I will pursue the issue with the first church: is that what he meant? Is the priest aware of it? Does the diocese know about this stuff going on? Is there approved material they should be using?

Roar.

Your diocese would LOVE to hear from you. He’s a great bishop and is trying to cut this cancer out.