RCIA Hopping

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I’m considering getting baptized into the Catholic faith, and I’d like to try enrolling in an RCIA program (most of which start around now). However, these programs are a year long, and right now, my life is not stable enough that I can really stay in one place for a year. I just got out of college and am move to different cities every few months. Would it be possible to get started in an RCIA program in one place, then get some sort of documentation that I completed “X” amount of time, and then continue the RCIA program somewhere else and so on until I finish?

Other questions I had…
  • Are RCIA meetings usually every week?
  • If I miss mass on Sunday too many times, will they refuse to baptize me?
  • If I finish the RCIA program but hold off on baptism for a year or longer, would I need to redo the RCIA program, or can I just jump straight to baptism?
 
Would it be possible to get started in an RCIA program in one place, then get some sort of documentation that I completed “X” amount of time, and then continue the RCIA program somewhere else and so on until I finish?
Well… it’s not easy to compartmentalize it like that – after all, it’s not like a degree program – but if you’re thinking of it in those terms, then one analogy might be that “credit” doesn’t transfer easily from one program to the next… 😉
  • Are RCIA meetings usually every week?
Typically, yes.
  • If I miss mass on Sunday too many times, will they refuse to baptize me?
I think that if you express a desire to join the Church, but don’t demonstrate that desire by your presence at Mass, an RCIA team might reasonably ask, “is this guy sincere and committed to becoming a member of the Church?”. On the other hand, if there are extenuating circumstances, then it’s reasonable to talk with your RCIA leader about them…
  • If I finish the RCIA program but hold off on baptism for a year or longer, would I need to redo the RCIA program, or can I just jump straight to baptism?
You’re still talking about going from one program in one city to another one in a different city, right? Chances are, they’ll want to get to know you first, in that new parish, before they’ll be willing to baptize you.

It sounds like a difficult situation, but just do the best that you can, and see what your parish(es) can do to work with your limitations…!
 
Any parish with a time requirement as a primary prerequisite for entry into the faith is failing miserably at catechising and evangelizing.
 
If you find a parish you’d like to attend RCIA at, please speak with the priest and RCIA director. Let them know what the issues are that you are having and any questions that you have (the RCIA director will usually meet with you before signing you up for classes just to find out some basic information about where you are in your journey and answer any questions that you have). They may have options for you if you are unable to stay in one place due to work or whatever. There were a couple of gentlemen in my RCIA classes who were able to use workbooks and have the instructors “grade” their process because they were unable to attend RCIA on a regular basis because of work.

As for the question about missing too much Mass… at one some in the RCIA program, they will decide if you seem committed to joining the Catholic Church (and Sunday Mass is something you are definitely supposed to attend once you are Catholic). If you’re missing just because you don’t feel like going, that’s a problem. (There is also a Saturday vigil Mass that you can attend if you cannot make it on Sunday.) If you’re missing Sunday Mass a lot because of a legitimate reason, speak to the parish priest about it and he may be able to help you. Best of luck to you! 🙂
 
Personally, I believe that if this is truly what you have been called to do there will be a way to make it work. One of the issues that would be a problem is the material used in the classes and the order of presentation. Parishes have choices in the books they present from and so you could begin with one manual and move to a church using a different one. Why not make see if you can discuss this with your current parish and see what they suggest. May God bless this journey.
 
Any parish with a time requirement as a primary prerequisite for entry into the faith is failing miserably at catechising and evangelizing.
I would think that’s not the way they’re looking at it: it’s not a “time requirement” in the sense that someone’s punching a clock when you enter Church and punching it again when you leave… instead, it’s a way of getting a sense for whether you’re committed to the goal of joining the Church. As Delaine mentioned, if Sunday mornings are bad, there are always Saturday evening Masses, and in some parishes, Sunday evening Masses. It’s all about discerning whether the person is growing in their faith and yearning for the practice of it…! 😉
 
I’m considering getting baptized into the Catholic faith, and I’d like to try enrolling in an RCIA program (most of which start around now). However, these programs are a year long, and right now, my life is not stable enough that I can really stay in one place for a year. I just got out of college and am move to different cities every few months. Would it be possible to get started in an RCIA program in one place, then get some sort of documentation that I completed “X” amount of time, and then continue the RCIA program somewhere else and so on until I finish?

Other questions I had…
  • Are RCIA meetings usually every week?
  • If I miss mass on Sunday too many times, will they refuse to baptize me?
  • If I finish the RCIA program but hold off on baptism for a year or longer, would I need to redo the RCIA program, or can I just jump straight to baptism?
If your reasons for moving from city to city are genuine, then I don’t see why the current parish you are in could not accommodate you.

My suggestion is that you explain the difficulty to your current priest or RCIA leader, and ask him to write a letter which confirms your attendance up to that date. You could then show this to the next RCIA leader or priest. You might accumulate a few of these, if your moves are forced, and you can’t do much about them.

I did find this online RCIA course, but you’d need to ensure the parishes you attend will accept this.

catechismclass.com/post/online-rcia-program
 
You need to understand that RCIA is not a class where you cover certain material, perhaps take a test, and get a diploma.

The most basic question is what is RCIA meant to accomplish? See paragraph 75 of the Rite:
  1. The catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life. In this way, the dispositions manifested at their acceptance into the catechumenate are brought to maturity. This is achieved in four ways.
1. A suitable catechesis is provided by priests or deacons, or by catechists and others of the faithful, planned to be gradual and complete in coverage, accommodated to the liturgical year and solidly supported by celebrations of the word. This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate.
  1. As they become familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, and in all things to set their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration n their deeds and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation. Thus formed, "the newly converted set out on a spiritual journey. Already sharing through faith in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, they pass from the old to a new nature made perfect in Christ. Since this transition brings with it a progressive change of outlook and conduct, it should become manifest by means of its social consequences and it should develop gradually during the period of the catechumenate. Since the Lord in whom they believe is a sign of contradiction, the newly converted often experience divisions and separations, but they also taste the joy that God gives without measure.
  2. The Church, like a mother, helps the catechumens on their journey by means of suitable liturgical rites, which purify the catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God’s blessing. Celebrations of the word of God are arranged for their benefit, and at Mass they may also take part with the faithful in the liturgy of the word, thus better preparing themselves for their eventual participation in the liturgy of the eucharist. Ordinarily, however, when they are present in the assembly of the faithful they should be kindly dismissed before the liturgy of the eucharist begins (unless their dismissal would present practical or pastoral problems). For they must await their baptism, which will join them to God’s priestly people and empower them to participate in Christ’s new worship.
  3. Since the Church’s life is apostolic, catechumens should also learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith.
Read through that and it is very clear that RCIA is not a class, it’s an introduction to a way of life. Going from one parish to another to another may be possible, but it’s definitely not ideal.

Perhaps it would be best to wait until your life is more stable and you’re not moving around every few months. For now, you can certainly attend Mass in whatever place you’re living. Take advantage of anything the parish in your area has to offer in the way of lectures, short-term classes, service activities, etc.

Or, depending on how far these various moves will take you, perhaps you could select one parish as your home and commit to participating in RCIA at that parish. You might have to drive a few miles to stay at the same parish, but it would give you some stability during what sounds like a somewhat chaotic period of time.
 
Communication! Talk to the RCIA director and/or a priest. If you really want to enter the Church a way will be found.
We had a candidate last year who worked every Sunday. One of the team members did a one on one RCIA process with him to the best of their ability. God has a way for it to happen,
 
Communication! Talk to the RCIA director and/or a priest. If you really want to enter the Church a way will be found. …]
^ this.

You should speak to your RCIA director and/or a priest and let them know your situation. The fact that your life situation requires you to move shouldn’t be an impediment to your reception of the Sacraments, but it does introduce some extra difficulty/complexity. If you came to me in my capacity as RCIA coordinator for my parish, I would do my best to work with you and our priests to make it work.

To answer your specific questions:
  • Are RCIA meetings usually every week?
At my parish, and most of our neighboring parishes, yes. It certainly seems to be the norm.
  • If I miss mass on Sunday too many times, will they refuse to baptize me?
Well, the Sunday Mass obligation is only binding on Catholics. But we expect our catechumens and candidates to begin living the faith, and attending Mass is part of that. But it’s not something we police. For example, I go to Mass every Sunday…but not always at my home parish, since I’m traveling or sometimes a neighboring parish’s schedule works better for me on a particular weekend. There’s no way for somebody at my home parish to know with any certainty whether I’m attending Mass weekly or not, aside from asking me.

The only time we would refuse the sacraments to somebody is they clearly weren’t serious about the faith…missing Mass sometimes when you’re not even really obligated to attend would not qualify as a reason.
  • If I finish the RCIA program but hold off on baptism for a year or longer, would I need to redo the RCIA program, or can I just jump straight to baptism?
You will need to communicate with your RCIA director(s) and priest(s) about this. There’s no ‘hard and fast’ rule. But if somebody completed our RCIA classes, decided not to receive the Sacraments, and then came back next year we likely would not expect them to go through the whole program again unless they really wanted to. We might do a few one-on-one refreshers, at pastor’s discretion, depending on their individual level of knowledge and dedication.

You may also be able to coordinate between parishes to complete RCIA at one and receive the Sacraments at another. This came up last year in my parish; a gentleman stationed locally with the military went through RCIA classes with us, but actually received the Sacraments at his own home parish. Usually in those cases the ‘RCIA parish’ sends a letter, signed by the RCIA director or pastor (depending on what the ‘sacrament parish’ wants), certifying that the person went through the program.

You might notice that a lot of this is pastor’s discretion 😉 so it can differ a lot from parish to parish. But I wanted to give you an idea of what you might expect.

God bless!
 
=michaelnrdx;9800205]I’m considering getting baptized into the Catholic faith, and I’d like to try enrolling in an RCIA program (most of which start around now). However, these programs are a year long, and right now, my life is not stable enough that I can really stay in one place for a year. I just got out of college and am move to different cities every few months. Would it be possible to get started in an RCIA program in one place, then get some sort of documentation that I completed “X” amount of time, and then continue the RCIA program somewhere else and so on until I finish?
Your in a difficult situation that has no easy or simple solution.

RCIA Programs are organized by the Local Bishop who can delegate to the local priest what their RCIA program will be in time and content. Or the Bishop can require a “standard” program throughour his Diosease [territorty]. This is rather unual. The most common format has some suggestions and guidelines from the Bishop and a great deal of flexibility by the pastor.

Program most often vary GREATLY depending on the quality of the folks the Pastor assigns the task of teaching thre RCIA Program.

Because of these two FACTS: differing Diocease / Bishops and differing programs the likelyhood of class-material transfere seems extremely unlikely.:o

PLEASE look for a private message from me and I’ll share some further advice.
Other questions I had…
  • Are RCIA meetings usually every week?
That’s been my experience, even though I do know of ONE case where it is every two weeks. *
If I miss mass on Sunday too many times, will they refuse to baptize me?
That is the Pastors call as he is charged both by his Bishop and GOD* to insure that you know what we believe sufficiently to be able to freely decide to [or not to] join the CC and live FULLY all that we believe, hold as thee singular truth and practice. Confirmation creates a personal Covenant relationship with the Confirmed; the CC and God. It’s a most serious committment that cannot be made without sufficient faith knowedge and understanding.

I have seen times when a person was asked to repeat the RCIA program because of excessive missed classes.
If I finish the RCIA program but hold off on baptism for a year or longer, would I need to redo the RCIA program, or can I just jump straight to baptism?
THAT my friend is a STRAGE question:) and here’s WHY.

Jesus Personally has taught, explained and commanded that Christian Baptism is an ESSENTAIL requirement of attaining ones salvation. This means that under **“normal” **circumstances without Christian Baptism ONE WILL NOT BE ABEL TO ACCESS HEAVEN; period.

This is a VERY GRAVE ISSUE and ought to be personally and privately discussed with a priest. Understanding the critical importance of baptism, postponement would seem to be reckless and, as you explained it, and unnecessary risk by not doing it ASAP.👍

I hope this fills in some of the answers your seeking? If NOT PLEASE let me know.
 
You need to understand that RCIA is not a class where you cover certain material, perhaps take a test, and get a diploma.

The most basic question is what is RCIA meant to accomplish? See paragraph 75 of the Rite:
  1. The catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life. In this way, the dispositions manifested at their acceptance into the catechumenate are brought to maturity. This is achieved in four ways.
1. A suitable catechesis is provided by priests or deacons, or by catechists and others of the faithful, planned to be gradual and complete in coverage, accommodated to the liturgical year and solidly supported by celebrations of the word. This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate.
  1. As they become familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, and in all things to set their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration n their deeds and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation. Thus formed, "the newly converted set out on a spiritual journey. Already sharing through faith in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, they pass from the old to a new nature made perfect in Christ. Since this transition brings with it a progressive change of outlook and conduct, it should become manifest by means of its social consequences and it should develop gradually during the period of the catechumenate. Since the Lord in whom they believe is a sign of contradiction, the newly converted often experience divisions and separations, but they also taste the joy that God gives without measure.
  2. The Church, like a mother, helps the catechumens on their journey by means of suitable liturgical rites, which purify the catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God’s blessing. Celebrations of the word of God are arranged for their benefit, and at Mass they may also take part with the faithful in the liturgy of the word, thus better preparing themselves for their eventual participation in the liturgy of the eucharist. Ordinarily, however, when they are present in the assembly of the faithful they should be kindly dismissed before the liturgy of the eucharist begins (unless their dismissal would present practical or pastoral problems). For they must await their baptism, which will join them to God’s priestly people and empower them to participate in Christ’s new worship.
  3. Since the Church’s life is apostolic, catechumens should also learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith.
Read through that and it is very clear that RCIA is not a class, it’s an introduction to a way of life. Going from one parish to another to another may be possible, but it’s definitely not ideal.

Perhaps it would be best to wait until your life is more stable and you’re not moving around every few months. For now, you can certainly attend Mass in whatever place you’re living. Take advantage of anything the parish in your area has to offer in the way of lectures, short-term classes, service activities, etc.

Or, depending on how far these various moves will take you, perhaps you could select one parish as your home and commit to participating in RCIA at that parish. You might have to drive a few miles to stay at the same parish, but it would give you some stability during what sounds like a somewhat chaotic period of time.
👍 I agree.
Attend mass when ever you can (or where ever you are), and when your life settles down, commit to a parish and their RCIA program.
 
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