RCIA is driving me nuts!

[Lurch104]

MarthaMartha:

Examples of typical Catholics, or typical idiots?

Our OP apparently needs to pay more attention to the lessons on CHARITY.

From the book p. 309: “Ten Famous Catholics”…“In this chapter you get to see our picks for the ten most famous Catholics, beginning with the most famous. But take heed: just baptized Catholic doesen’t mean a person is a good Catholic.”

The list begins with Mother Teresa, Pope JPII, Fulton Sheen, Mother Angelica, Then JFK.

From the JFK paragraph…“Historians are still debating whether JFK was a devout or practicing Catholic…”

I was not able to quickly find the references to Madonna (pop star) and Ted Kennedy, but IIRC, it was a statement in passing that they both consider themselves Catholic.

I am an RCIA coordinator, and am considering using this book along with “This is Our Faith”, and the CCC next year. I keep a few copies around the house to lend out when some marginal Catholics have questions. I find it to be a marvelous evangalizing and apologetic tool.

 

[Lurch104]

What a bonehead I am. I did not realize that there are TWO books. IE dumnies and Idiots guide. While quoting I did not even check the cover. After reading the rest of the posts, I realized my EXTREME error. Mea Culpa.

An easy way to get my dander up is to attack an orthodox priest.

 

[Scotty_PGH]

Find the closest Traditional parish and RUN to it!

ecclesiadei.org/direct00.htm

 

[MistyF]

Wow, so I’m not the only one, huh? Long story short here, but my background is as a Jehovah’s Witness, so prior to going to RCIA, or even Mass, I did my homework. I knew what I beleived, and why. And I knew what I was taking on faith until I could get around to either proving it to myself, or acknowledging it as a faith-only belief. And so…upon going to RCIA, everything was great! But there were things that weren’t right, such as being told that getting my annullment would be easy, because that’s how things worked there, and there were some other things that just weren’t right. I kept going to RCIA, but sometimes visted other parishes, in search of the one that felt right. I planned on joining another RCIA program by September.

Well, I’m still at the same parish. I came away last week from listening to the Father give incorrect answers at the Q&A, and was fairly angry. But, somewhere along the way, I figured out that I’m supposed to be right here, right now. I might be happier in another parish where everything is done right, but then how am I putting myself in a position for God to use me to the fullest?

It’s sometimes tough to accept, but the actual RCIA team is so wonderful that I realize that I can take the rough times, and maybe someday help fix them.

Anyway - just wanted to post my own sympathy to your situation, and say - I plan on doing the same as you - if they’ll have me, I want to be part of the RCIA team next year.

Marana Tha!

 

[CatQuilt]

Lurch104:

What a bonehead I am. I did not realize that there are TWO books. IE dumnies and Idiots guide. While quoting I did not even check the cover. After reading the rest of the posts, I realized my EXTREME error. Mea Culpa.

An easy way to get my dander up is to attack an orthodox priest.

Not to worry, Lurch104… I’m just glad you’re on our side!!!

I’ve got the Dummies’ Guide too…

 

[ChristianWAB]

Jon_S:

Another of the teachers in the class said he did not beleive that Mary was a perpetual virgin. I told him to read passages 499-501 of the Catholic Catechism. That did not sway him.

I’ve seen that topic come up quite a bit (in these forums as well). It’s one of those church teachings that seems to clash with the Gospels, which is why so many people aren’t buying the “perpetual virgin” belief. These Mary beliefs are also relatively new with regards to the Roman Catholic Church. The Doctrine of Immaculate Conception is just a little over 150 years old and the “Assumption of Mary” Doctrine is even newer, only dating back about 55 years (declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius XII in November, 1950).

 

[mercygate]

ChristianWAB:

I’ve seen that topic come up quite a bit (in these forums as well). It’s one of those church teachings that seems to clash with the Gospels, which is why so many people aren’t buying the “perpetual virgin” belief. These Mary beliefs are also relatively new with regards to the Roman Catholic Church. The Doctrine of Immaculate Conception is just a little over 150 years old and the “Assumption of Mary” Doctrine is even newer, only dating back about 55 years (declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius XII in November, 1950).

WAB, you are aware, are you not, that the date of the official dogmatic promulgation of a dogma does not have anything to do with the longevity of the belief? The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption are dogmas that go waaayyyyy back to the early Church, they didn’t just pop up in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

 

[netmilsmom]

mercygate:

WAB, you are aware, are you not, that the date of the official dogmatic promulgation of a dogma does not have anything to do with the longevity of the belief? The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption are dogmas that go waaayyyyy back to the early Church, they didn’t just pop up in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Backing you up,…

catholic.com/library/Mary_Ever_Virgin.asp

As explained in the Catholic Answers tract Brethren of the Lord, neither the Gospel accounts nor the early Christians attest to the notion that Mary bore other children besides Jesus. The faithful knew, through the witness of Scripture and Tradition, that Jesus was Mary’s only child and that she remained a lifelong virgin.

An important historical document which supports the teaching of Mary’s perpetual virginity is the Protoevangelium of James, which was written probably less than sixty years after the conclusion of Mary’s earthly life (around A.D. 120), when memories of her life were still vivid in the minds of many.

According to the world-renowned patristics scholar, Johannes Quasten: “The principal aim of the whole writing *Protoevangelium of James] *is to prove the perpetual and inviolate virginity of Mary before, in, and after the birth of Christ” (Patrology, 1:120–1).

To begin with, the Protoevangelium records that when Mary’s birth was prophesied…(con’t at above link)

Also
catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp

The Immaculate Conception

It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.

When discussing the Immaculate Conception…(cont on link above)

 

[BayCityRickL]

My dilemma is that my pastor is teaching things that contradict the catechism. I left the church.

Before I left, I tried to get him to put his money where his mouth is, so to speak. I walked in to join the parish with a gift of several thousand dollars, and my willingness to start up a bible reading and discussion group. (time, treasure, talent)

What do you think he took? Well, sure, the money, of course.

But, he slammed the door in my face on the bible reading. The local bishop acts like he didn’t hear what I said about this priest. The priest NEVER mentions the Bible or the Catechism, per se.

The people who say “go there and take over RCIA” may be just dreaming. Our DRE is the min-inquisition, embodied. She tested me to make sure I was politically correct with her own views, before I could be her aide to carry on a bible group. Needless to say, I didn’t pass.

the Mass is supposed to express a “unity of faith” – but not in my former parish. I don’t know how anybody can stay in a parish or diocese where the truth is not taught – not somebody’s truth, the Church’s truth. Best wishes.

 

[Jon_S]

I would like to thank all of you that posted. There is some great advice here and that is why I appreciate this forum. I did make one “slip of the toungue” mistake in one of my posts that I would like to clarify. I said that I was waiting until I felt I was worthy of receiving communion. One of the posts mentioned that one is really never “worthy.” What I meant by that was simply that I was into illegal substances and drinking with my freinds and religion was not a priority. Analogy time!.. I watch football on Sundays, but I don’t play the game, therefore I do not make it a point to tell people I am a football player…If that makes sense.

I would also like to add that I love the Catholic faith! It has always been my road home.

Again, thanks for all the great advice.

 

[Jon_S]

ChristianWAB:

I’ve seen that topic come up quite a bit (in these forums as well). It’s one of those church teachings that seems to clash with the Gospels, which is why so many people aren’t buying the “perpetual virgin” belief. These Mary beliefs are also relatively new with regards to the Roman Catholic Church. The Doctrine of Immaculate Conception is just a little over 150 years old and the “Assumption of Mary” Doctrine is even newer, only dating back about 55 years (declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius XII in November, 1950).

Protevengelum of James was written 60 years after Mary died. You should check that out. Also, where does this teaching clash with the gospels?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

ChristianWAB:

I’ve seen that topic come up quite a bit (in these forums as well). It’s one of those church teachings that seems to clash with the Gospels, which is why so many people aren’t buying the “perpetual virgin” belief. These Mary beliefs are also relatively new with regards to the Roman Catholic Church. The Doctrine of Immaculate Conception is just a little over 150 years old and the “Assumption of Mary” Doctrine is even newer, only dating back about 55 years (declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius XII in November, 1950).

You obviously do not know your Catholic Church history. Especially your liturgical history when it comes to Marion feasts.