RCIA -- help!

[JKirkLVNV]

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?

Talk to the pastor. Then, if you have to, talk to the diocesan chancellor IF that person happens to be a priest. No joy? Make an appointment to see the Bishop. 2 years is absurd!

 

[netmilsmom]

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? .

Because we all have to help with this.

My hubby and another poster here ran into problems in RCIA last year, but it was the other end of the spectrum.

Yapping about Medjudgore, Conyers, GA and other unapproved apparitions and devotions. I about flipped when I heard they were talking about the “Three Days of Darkness”.
It’s nice to say that the Catholics have to clean it up, but how do we know at all what is going on in RCIA? It’s only the converts who hear it. Luckily some have Catholic spouses who can set them straight.

 

[Truthstalker]

Because we all have to help with this.

My hubby and another poster here ran into problems in RCIA last year, but it was the other end of the spectrum.

Yapping about Medjudgore, Conyers, GA and other unapproved apparitions and devotions. I about flipped when I heard they were talking about the “Three Days of Darkness”.
It’s nice to say that the Catholics have to clean it up, but how do we know at all what is going on in RCIA? It’s only the converts who hear it. Luckily some have Catholic spouses who can set them straight.

Yeah and I was hoping for training in how to be a good do-nothing pew-sitter. I’ve had battles with churches before over issues. I’ve got a mouth.

I would think that everyone in a parish would have an interest in RCIA because the grads are what shows up everywhere else in the church for service and teaching, etc. Attitudes and beliefs formed in RCIA carry over - you wanna spend all your time untangling the messes you are stuck with for Sunday school teachers or whatever? Nip it in the bud and make sure your parish RCIA program is kosher. Orthodox. Catholic. Whatever (I don’t have the terms down yet ).

I ain’t gonna reform the Catholic Church by myself. Who is with me? Let’s rock and roll, people, and uncage that lion Bishop Sheen was always talking about.

 

[Jeff_Hale]

I think Texas Roofer asks a valid question - were these actual teachings from an RCIA facilitator, or ideas just tossed around within a group of inquirers? That’s an extremely random list of topics for any session Steadfast Love says were discussed, much less a first session.

I’ve been an RCIA facilitator at our parish for over four years, and never in a million years would we schedule such a list of topics, unless this was some kind of question and answer session. A couple times a year we facilitators meet to discuss appropriate topics, based upon the readings for upcoming Sundays, with an emphasis in the beginning on general Christian concepts, and gradually emphasizing Catholic topics as the months roll on. Yesterday was perfect for the Sacrament of Marriage, given the readings concerning marriage. One of our deacons and his wife who is involved in annulments came in and talked to our group of 25 candidates/catechumens for an hour.

Any facilitator ''dissin the Rosary, Vatican II and nuns, and promoting abortion and a four-person Trinity (Quadinity?) is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

[jmcrae]

I think Texas Roofer asks a valid question - were these actual teachings from an RCIA facilitator, or ideas just tossed around within a group of inquirers? That’s an extremely random list of topics for any session Steadfast Love says were discussed, much less a first session.

True - it would be good to make sure that the person who said those things was actually the Facilitator, and not one of your fellow Inquirers.

Maybe the facilitator was the person staying quiet in the back, taking notes on the current status of the Inquirers, and what topics are going to need to be addressed first (my list would include the Trinity, the role of Mary, and the Religious life after Vatican II - each treated in separate sessions, of course).

The first RCIA I attended, which was in 1985, I thought it very odd that someone in an illicit marriage would be the “teacher” - it was only much later that I found out that part of this man’s journey toward reconciliation with the Church included time spent in RCIA - he was just a loud-mouthed participant; he wasn’t one of the teachers, at all.

 

[CatholicSam]

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.

Yes, people used to wait to be Baptized until they were on their deathbeds. It was a horrible heresy :nope: Chances are we won’t be meeting in Heaven those who died suddenly before the priest could get there!

 

[Lissla_Lissar]

You win. We’re just about to go in to talk with our pastor about the horrible priest who’s running the RCIA we’re in, but you have it worse. Our RCIAer is just a terrible speaker and thinks we should both quit our jobs if we are truly committed to becoming Catholic, and defined ‘Messiah’ as ‘A really big king’.

 

[Dorothy]

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.

How sad. However, I consider it a blessing that you do recognize that all this shouldn’t be! We need those who recognize such untruths, as yourself, to be in the Church. I hope and pray you will continue to study on your own, and maybe find another parish. We all need to build up the Body of Christ together. We are His hands, feet, eyes, etc.

This is something your pastor needs to know about, and if he is indifferent the bishop needs to know about it.

 

[CRW]

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?

Please notify you Bishop immediately if your priests will not respond. IMHO, this RCIA class is in serious trouble.

 

[McKevin]

Feel free to send me a private message with the name, location, and contact information for the parish. These are things of the Kingdom and I will absolutely call them or fly over there and knock on their door for you and your family! Until then, research and share with your family the concept of baptism by desire. The thief on the cross was saved and so are you!!!

Peace and Prayers,

Mick

 

[mark_a]

four person Trinity.

 

[Steadfast_love]

Thanks everyone for your help and prayers. I’m back on track to be Baptized this Easter. My wife will be confirmed shortly thereafter and my daughter baptized in the spring.

I went to the Cathedral and spoke with the RCIA people there, and they’re helping me through the process. We’ll still be attending RCIA at the other parish, but we’ll take the sacrements at the Cathedral which suits us fine.

They think that what I heard was just the first stage: “being all things to all people.” but they’re still going to look into it anyway. (And hey, if they don’t stop being all things to all people, I’ll rat 'em out! :getholy: )

Oh, and Atk Aheeni, the Roman Emperor you’re thinking about was Contsantine. His deathbed baptism is often cited as “proof” that he wasn’t Christian until he was on his deathbed. I’m looking forward to Baptism, but I wouldn’t recomend it to anyone – especialy anyone with less than 2 years to live!

 

[hockey1982]

That is garbage what the RCIA class is saying. I will do to my best to remember you in my prayers. I can feel your frustration.
I have found the RCIA experience to be the biggest joke myself.
What gets me is I don’t understand why converts like us who have as much of a Bible background as ourselves have to even go through RCIA. I wish the we could meet with the priest privately. Apparently that is the way that the church used to do it.
But anyways, all that I can is if it is the Lord’s will for you to convert, He will make it happen. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Keep Jesus first!!

 

[Becky42]

oh my gosh!! your RCIA programme sounds just as crazy and ridiculous as the one at my church!!!
as the sponsor of our 15 and 16 year old candidates just a month ago, i spent almost every meeting fighting with the perosn running cos what they said was so ridiclous it made me want to scream and pull my hair out…possibly also throw chairs…eep!!!
AND I FELT LIKE THE BAD GUY!!
the lady who ran it badmouthed so many things about the church’s teachings and was trying to tell these youngins that certain rules and certain things in the bible werent true and you didnt really need to listen to them and also that she had no problem with priests getting married having kids and females preists in the future! i was totally gobsmacked cos i could think of about a million reasons why our church says she is wrong!

anyway, just letting you know you are not the only one out there, stick it out, get through it cos you have to and then take joy in the fact that you know you will be living your faith out correctly and the way it is intended and reaping the benefits of it!

Keeping you strongly in my prayers!!

Becky

 

[Becky42]

sorry to continue, but i must re-rant!!!
we are using an approved RCIA text ,

HOWEVER…HOWEVER…HOWEVER…
all the quiet reflection and prayer and some scripture reading is constantly skipped in our meetings, she just is like, ‘oh, you can do that in your own time, it takes up too much time here, we’ll just do the important stuf’

OH MY GOSH!! what kind of example is being set for these two young people (who might i add are converting to catholicism despite having a father that has been excommunicated for divorcing and remarrying (though he is lovely and drives them to church and sometimes comes to church anyway) and a mother who doesnt believe at all!!) These guys are amazing!! they are so strong to even be coming to church and doing RCIA without having to deal with people in the actual church not teaching properly!! gah…sorry…i must stop ranting…it just gets me so crazy angry…

 

[jmcrae]

I’m looking forward to Baptism, but I wouldn’t recomend it to anyone – especialy anyone with less than 2 years to live!

If you were to become seriously ill or injured, they would baptize you right away, with all of your Initiation Sacraments. RCIA is for people who are going to have to live the Catholic life for the rest of their lives afterwards.

i’m sorry that your experience of RCIA is not very good, so far. Keep in mind, the leaders have been Catholic themselves for less than a year, and it will be you up there in front next year. Give them the forgiveness that you hope to receive for yourself, when it’s your turn.

 

[jwashu]

My RCIA Class has been such wonderful and moving spiritual experience. I’ve already said a prayer that things continue to get better for you and your family regarding this.

I would definitely watch for the heretical stuff, not everyone who volunteers to lead something is capible or the right choice. Hopefully that Parish will get things worked out.

On the other note we shouldn’t forget that confession was much different back then and penance was harsh. It wasn’t outside the norm for someone to have to wait 10 years to be fully absolved. Remember confession was done at Mass, not in private. There were actually many converts early on that didn’t get baptized until late in life “just in case.” It wasn’t right but it shows how serious most people took their religion and the commandments of God.

Joe

 

[rpp]

My RCIA class was dismal. On the rare occasions when the leader actually remembered to open the class with a prayer, she sometimes had us pray to the spirits of the four winds, or some other Native American spirit. We once spent three sessions in a row meditating in an effort to discern our “animal spirit guide”. Utter tripe.

As a contrast, we talked about confession for exactly 3 and one-half minutes on precisely one occasion.

Most of the 17 months were spent “faith sharing”, there was simply no instruction at all. The only thing I learned in my RCIA class was that not everyone who called him or herself a Catholic appeared to actually be Catholic.

To make for it, I hit the books. I read everything I could get my hands on.