RCIA- Is it absolutely necessary?

[Verita]

I am currently participating in an RCIA program and finding it very difficult. It’s not problems with Catholicism. Far from it. I am excited and anxious to join the Church and I’m at the point where I don’t think anything could change my mind.

However, I’m finding RCIA a phenomenal waste of my time and a huge disappointment. There are more RCIA team members than catechumens and none of them seem to really know anything about Catholic teaching. They are all mostl people who have already gone through teh RCIA program and have nothing to offer except their person interpretation of the weekly readings and their own faith experiences.

I guess when I first heard about RCIA I thought it was about teaching. I figured since every Catholic is supposed to agree with and believe everything the Church teaches then before you join you need to learn exactly what that is and that would be what RCIA is for. I already know a significant ammount of Church teaching but I figured it would be fun to discuss it with other people and stuff. RCIA is turning out to be nothing like that. Little actual teaching has gone on so far.

The second major problem I’m having is that the little teaching we have received from our Deacon is just… wrong. I won’t go into detail now but I can tell I’ll have a full year of correcting his teaching.

Anyway, my point is, what’s the point of this class? I’m learning absolutely nothing except that our Deacon is bordering on heresy and our parish seems to be pretty liberal. The more I go the more distaste I gain for this parish and it’s leaders. I know everything I need to know to be a Catholic. I don’t need this. Why do I have to go through an entire year of this to become a Catholic? If I were a less determined person I would have already given up and said “If the Church wants to make it so hard for me to join her then why in the world should I?”

Isn’t there some way to get around it?

 

[mercygate]

I am currently participating in an RCIA program and finding it very difficult. It’s not problems with Catholicism. Far from it. I am excited and anxious to join the Church and I’m at the point where I don’t think anything could change my mind.

However, I’m finding RCIA a phenomenal waste of my time and a huge disappointment. There are more RCIA team members than catechumens and none of them seem to really know anything about Catholic teaching. They are all mostl people who have already gone through teh RCIA program and have nothing to offer except their person interpretation of the weekly readings and their own faith experiences.

I guess when I first heard about RCIA I thought it was about teaching. I figured since every Catholic is supposed to agree with and believe everything the Church teaches then before you join you need to learn exactly what that is and that would be what RCIA is for. I already know a significant ammount of Church teaching but I figured it would be fun to discuss it with other people and stuff. RCIA is turning out to be nothing like that. Little actual teaching has gone on so far.

The second major problem I’m having is that the little teaching we have received from our Deacon is just… wrong. I won’t go into detail now but I can tell I’ll have a full year of correcting his teaching.

Anyway, my point is, what’s the point of this class? I’m learning absolutely nothing except that our Deacon is bordering on heresy and our parish seems to be pretty liberal. The more I go the more distaste I gain for this parish and it’s leaders. I know everything I need to know to be a Catholic. I don’t need this. Why do I have to go through an entire year of this to become a Catholic? If I were a less determined person I would have already given up and said “If the Church wants to make it so hard for me to join her then why in the world should I?”

Isn’t there some way to get around it?

Sometimes in SOME places SOME people can get around it. Sounds like you need to find another parish in any event. One thing you DO learn (in spades) by sitting through RCIA, is patience and humility. You can also be helpful to others. The difficulty with RCIA is that no two participants are in the same place. And frankly, some of the stuff they put you through id downright embarrassing (to the Church), if you ask me. But it’s worth it.

 

[Teakafrog]

When I was preparing to join the Church, after talking with the priest, he knew that I knew everything needed. But he still asked me to take RCIA and wait until the Easter vigil to formally be confirmed. You know what? That was my very first chance to be obedient to the Church! It drove me crazy that year, knowing that I was so close to receiving our Lord, but couldn’t yet. RCIA taught me nothing that I had not studied and worked through on my own. But I went, because I was joining a Church that required obedience, and since the priest was the representative of God on earth, I did what he asked me to do. Do I regret it? No. It taught me a wonderful lesson that I needed to help me grow spiritually. So try to look at it in that manner, and see it as a chance to grow, not a waste of time.

 

[demerzel85]

There is no problem in going for RCIA in another Parish. And well if you live on the borderline between dioceses, it should be fine as well.

 

[Verita]

But what is the point of RCIA anyway? I’ve seen it said that it’s not really to teach. What else would it be fore? I see absolutely no reason to go through this. It is a waste of my time. Thank God I do know Catholic teaching or I would be completely misled by now.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am currently participating in an RCIA program and finding it very difficult. It’s not problems with Catholicism. Far from it. I am excited and anxious to join the Church and I’m at the point where I don’t think anything could change my mind.

However, I’m finding RCIA a phenomenal waste of my time and a huge disappointment. There are more RCIA team members than catechumens and none of them seem to really know anything about Catholic teaching. They are all mostl people who have already gone through teh RCIA program and have nothing to offer except their person interpretation of the weekly readings and their own faith experiences.

I guess when I first heard about RCIA I thought it was about teaching. I figured since every Catholic is supposed to agree with and believe everything the Church teaches then before you join you need to learn exactly what that is and that would be what RCIA is for. I already know a significant ammount of Church teaching but I figured it would be fun to discuss it with other people and stuff. RCIA is turning out to be nothing like that. Little actual teaching has gone on so far.

The second major problem I’m having is that the little teaching we have received from our Deacon is just… wrong. I won’t go into detail now but I can tell I’ll have a full year of correcting his teaching.

Anyway, my point is, what’s the point of this class? I’m learning absolutely nothing except that our Deacon is bordering on heresy and our parish seems to be pretty liberal. The more I go the more distaste I gain for this parish and it’s leaders. I know everything I need to know to be a Catholic. I don’t need this. Why do I have to go through an entire year of this to become a Catholic? If I were a less determined person I would have already given up and said “If the Church wants to make it so hard for me to join her then why in the world should I?”

Isn’t there some way to get around it?

If you are not validly Baptized or were Baptized but never learned the Christian faith, RCIA is the only process. RCIA is NOT for those who are Baptized and have lived as Christians, just not as Catholic Christians. A short adult catechetical process is what is needed before full reception into the Church, not RCIA.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

But what is the point of RCIA anyway? I’ve seen it said that it’s not really to teach. What else would it be fore? I see absolutely no reason to go through this. It is a waste of my time. Thank God I do know Catholic teaching or I would be completely misled by now.

The main purpose of RCIA is to present the Gospel to those who have just been Evangelized. Those who have just heard the Christian Gospel . In the first year it should teach them Christianity, in the second year how to live out that Christianity in the Catholic way.

 

[Verita]

If you are not validly Baptized or were Baptized but never learned the Christian faith, RCIA is the only process. RCIA is NOT for those who are Baptized and have lived as Christians, just not as Catholic Christians. A short adult catechetical process is what is needed before full reception into the Church, not RCIA.

But isn’t RCIA required of every adult entering the Catholic Church? I was unaware that there was anything else. I think everyone in my class is a Baptized Christian and just switching from different Protestant denominations.

 

[tcraig]

Many people have joined the Church without attending RCIA. My husband and I joined in the NO without going through it; a few years later our son was confirmed in the TLM without attending RCIA (actually, this doesn’t exist in traditional parishes).

A lot depends on your priest. In the parish where my husband and I joined, there was a large military population which made attending RCIA difficult for many, so he was fine with individual study/meetings. We were confirmed in November during a regularly scheduled Wednesday evening Mass; I can recall people being confirmed in the Church on Wednesday evenings off and on throughout the year. Our parish still had RCIA, but our priest was flexible.

I understand about feeling like RCIA is a waste of your time. My husband and I had studied the Catholic faith for nearly six months before we even attended Mass. By the time we did attend a Mass, we already knew that we were committed. We explained this to our priest, and luckily he was okay with that.

My only advice, really, is talk to your priest to see if you can join sooner. At the least, change parishes if you feel that erroneous info is being taught at your current RCIA.

 

[tracydaisy]

But what is the point of RCIA anyway? I’ve seen it said that it’s not really to teach. What else would it be fore? I see absolutely no reason to go through this. It is a waste of my time. Thank God I do know Catholic teaching or I would be completely misled by now.

Verita,

My first question to you is how many sessions have you attended?

I teach RCIA and the begining is basic stuff. I notice that some students in RCIA are in a hurry to get to the important doctrines but the foundation has to be laid first. Be patient.

You may also be in the part of the RCIA process that is called Precatechumenate. This is part focuses on inquiry and evangelization. You sound as though you are hungry for the catechumenate part, and this is where you will find the doctrines of the Church. Give RCIA a chance.

The concern I have about what you said earlier is what the Deacon is teaching is wrong. If this is true, ask the Deacon a question about what he said. Don’t be afraid. A question may clear up a misunderstanding. The Deacon maybe allowing the thoughts of other forms of Christianity to be expressed by participants. It is a difficult process for a student who doesn’t like the affection Catholics show to Mary and then the RCIA director starts throughing doctrine at him or her. Many times a person may have deep seeded anti- catholic beliefs that take a process to uncover and guide the student through. However the RCIA teachers should never misstate doctrine to appease a student, but they can be compassionate and understanding.

If you are at a Church where they are teaching that which is opposed to Church doctrine, then withdraw from the class. I would first be sure this is the case, by talking privately with the Deacon. An RCIA class where the teaching isn’t coming from the Church isn’t Catholic.

Because there are several different students at different levels it makes the journey you are have a slow beginning, but it is well worth it.

Why should you attend RCIA if you already know eveything?

Because RCIA is the process with which the Church prepares her members. It is out of obedience that you should go to RCIA, but this doesn’t mean you must attend the RCIA process at a particular Church. Often I have members from other Catholic Churches attending the RCIA class at my parish.

I have found and have been told many times that we will always be students. I am still learning about the faith, and I will be learning until I die. The Catholic faith is rich and many layered. You have only uncovered the first layer, you’re still young yet, like a teenager, there’s always a lot more to learn. Be patient.

There are cases where the RCIA classes are skipped due to significant reason. But I don’t know all the information on this. I believe it may be the case when some one is dying, and wants to become Catholic, they still are taught the basics though.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

But isn’t RCIA required of every adult entering the Catholic Church? I was unaware that there was anything else. I think everyone in my class is a Baptized Christian and just switching from different Protestant denominations.

Of course, I am going back 43 years and I don’t even know if they had RCIA back then and I was from a small town and so the priest himself instructed me.

I am glad that he did too because he was strict and i had to know about the Church. He demanded it and would have it no other way.

:heart:Blyss

 

[mercygate]

But what is the point of RCIA anyway? I’ve seen it said that it’s not really to teach. What else would it be fore? I see absolutely no reason to go through this. It is a waste of my time. Thank God I do know Catholic teaching or I would be completely misled by now.

When I begged shamelessly to be exempted from RCIA (because I had the education of a priest), I added - belatedly - but I’ll do whatever it takes.

RCIA is part of “whatever it takes.”

 

[drforjc]

My personal opinion is that validly baptized non-catholic Christians should be interviewed prior to RCIA to sort out those who really are “ready” from those who need RCIA. Yah, it would be a somewhat subjective judgement but it really would eliminate some situations where the candidate would be wasting his time in RCIA.

 

[tracydaisy]

My personal opinion is that validly baptized non-catholic Christians should be interviewed prior to RCIA to sort out those who really are “ready” from those who need RCIA. Yah, it would be a somewhat subjective judgement but it really would eliminate some situations where the candidate would be wasting his time in RCIA.

Woe, I hope I didn’t use the term “wasting time”. RCIA is never a waste of time. It may seem slow at times but the faith needs a foundation. Someone could say that God wasted time getting the Israelites ready for Jesus, of course this is not true. God works with us in this way to prepare us. To make ready our hearts to receive the Good News.

When you come to RCIA, with the mind set of “I’m wasting my time”, it will be a slow and boring lesson for you. Some feel this way about the mass, because they come preset with the idea they could be doing something more productive.

It is hard to teach RCIA. I find the weight of teaching RCIA a heavy burden that I gladly carry, because I love Jesus. It breaks my heart to hear this comment. “wasting time”. I spend days preparing for a lesson, and I pray to God for help, so that something I say may inspire you, the student, to accept Jesus into your heart.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

But isn’t RCIA required of every adult entering the Catholic Church? I was unaware that there was anything else. I think everyone in my class is a Baptized Christian and just switching from different Protestant denominations.

No that is not the main purpose of RCIA. However many if not most parishes adapt it for that purpose. Technically a person “converting” from a practicing protestant background should spend a few months (depending on their specific situation) after the Rite of Welcome learning how to practice the Catholic faith. And then should be recieved into full communion. Those who are already Christian by valid Baptism are not to be dismissed for BOW, or required to attend a full RCIA process, or be brought in at the Easter Vigil, but at some other time.

 

[TimOliv]

When I begged shamelessly to be exempted from RCIA (because I had the education of a priest), I added - belatedly - but I’ll do whatever it takes.

RCIA is part of “whatever it takes.”

Education of a priest? Tim is intrigued…

 

[mabowden]

However, I’m finding RCIA a phenomenal waste of my time and a huge disappointment. There are more RCIA team members than catechumens and none of them seem to really know anything about Catholic teaching.

The second major problem I’m having is that the little teaching we have received from our Deacon is just… wrong. I won’t go into detail now but I can tell I’ll have a full year of correcting his teaching.

Maybe you can use this as an opportunity to fast-track yourself onto this parish’s RCIA team. If you have already covered most, if not all of the topics in your personal study, perhaps you can use that information, coupled with what this parish could do better, and bring others into the fold.

 

[dljl]

If you are lucky enough to have a FSSP church in your area with the TLM, I don’t believe RCIA is required. Instead you meet with the priest.

 

[USMC]

I am currently participating in an RCIA program and finding it very difficult. It’s not problems with Catholicism. Far from it. I am excited and anxious to join the Church and I’m at the point where I don’t think anything could change my mind.

However, I’m finding RCIA a phenomenal waste of my time and a huge disappointment.

Isn’t there some way to get around it?

When I was converting, I attended orientation class for an RCIA program at a local Church. I was completely unimpressed with what I heard and never went back.

I picked up the yellow pages and called around until I found a priest who would give me one-on-one Catechism classes. As luck would have it (actually answered prayers), I found an absolutely exceptional priest, who was brilliant and also extremely holy and humble. Not only did I receive a great formation from a holy Priest, but I was able to entere the Church in less than three months.

If you have a FSSP Church in your area, you might call the Priest and ask if he will give you one-on-one Catechism classes. Sometime Traditional Priests are willing to do this.

Good luck.

 

[Birdysboy]

If you think the teaching is wrong, ask enough questions in class with love and respect to bring the teacher in line with the Church.

If you are bored, start doing your own education, bring it to class and help bring structure and interest to yourself and the others.

If you still need a way to make it more enjoyable, find a friend ot two in the class and meet at a different time to discuss things you want to.

In other words, I think you can positively add to your own education and to others. Realize that if you ask a question, someone else may be too shy to ask. You may make a positive influence on another, and that may be why you are there.