RCIA - Logistical Question

[peter26]

I’m an Anglican strongly considering becoming a Catholic. This is something I’m been contemplating for around three years now, and while there are still a couple of doctrines I am unsure about, I understand its not expected to be able to assent to everything in order to start RCIA.

A number of local parishes have courses starting in the next 2 weeks. My local parish however does not. I guess they must have a process for bringing people into the Church, but there is nothing on their website and nothing on this week’s newsletter either.

Three other local parishes however have classes starting soon (I’ve been on all their websites checking). Two of these are churches I sometimes go to for Mass. However the days they are going to have their classes are days I sometimes have commitments (say about one week in three). The third parish is a little further to get to, and I’ve never actually been there before. But they have a class on a day I can make, and it seems its run by the priest, which I understand from this forum is a plus?

There is also a local group of the Personal Ordinature of Our Lady of Walsingham. I suppose another option would be to ask them what they offer.

I’m just a little unsure of the right approach here and I’d appreciate some guidance. The priest at my local parish is just going on holiday for a month so making an appointment with him to talk about it is not an option. Thanks is advance for any (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[exnihilo]

I understand your parish may not be making public info on RCIA, but I’d call the church to check. I’d call today. Ideally you could speak to the priest, but if he has already left for vacation the church secretary should be able to at least tell you about any classes.

Assuming you are baptized you don’t actually have to go through RCIA, although many churches will have you to. RCIA can be a great opportunity to meet others who are entering the church. But this may be of less value if you went to a RCIA class at a different parish. If your local church does not have RCIA the priest could give you private instruction. You can ask him to if there is no program. I would think they have to have some way to bring people into the church.

The Ordinariate is definitely an option. It is fully Catholic while having the Anglican patrimony.

 

[Catholic1954]

You may attend any parish where you feel comfortable for RCIA. Start with calling your local parish and then try the next one.

 

[Casilda]

From my own experience in the Roman Catholic diocese (I have to make that distinction because I am now in a totally different diocese, Eastern Catholic) where I live, it is best to simply start by actually making an appointment and talking to a priest directly. Do not talk to a secretary or anyone else in the church office, trust me, I have been derailed too many times. Talk to a priest. Don’t count on websites or email communications. I was finally able to revert simultaneously with my converting husband, who is now active in an evangelizing ministry worldwide.

Anyone who works for their church or diocese has to go to work everyday in prayer, you may meet someone that day and you may be their last contact with the church. Do you want that on your conscience?

Ideally, you will want to meet with a priest one on one.

 

[Joe_5859]

I agree with exnihilo that you should start with a phone call to your local parish (i.e. the parish you would like to be a part of—God willing) and see if the secretary has any information to share that didn’t make it into the bulletin or the website. If she doesn’t know, then you can ask if she can point you to someone who might. There might be some member of the parish who works with the pastor on RCIA.

If nothing comes from that or it seems like you won’t get any further information until the pastor returns from his trip, you could contact any of the other parishes, explain your situation, and see what they suggest. Even if you can only sit in on 2 out of every 3 sessions while things get sorted out with your local parish, that would at least be something.

I know in my parish, we want to be able to work with people as much as possible. It is rare that someone would not miss a single session. There are always things that come up. So we try to make up for that in other ways.

I guess the bottom line is that you need to talk to some people in these parishes. The internet and bulletins are great for info at-a-glance, but speaking with someone in person will provide information for situations that don’t go according to schedule (which happens more often than you might think ).

God bless you in your journey! I will say a prayer for you.

 

[AKDee]

I went through RCIA 2014-2015 and was baptized/confirmed at Easter 2015. This may vary by parish, but at my parish we had people who missed a number of the classes (due to other commitments- three of them were military and duty requirements sometimes made them unavailable, for example) and it was not an impediment to their confirmation.

I do suggest that you study on your own whether you make all the classes or not. RCIA simply cannot cover everything, although they try. This website is great and I’m glad I found it because it helps me with some of my questions. I also read Peter Kreef’s book “Catholic Christianity” (a good summary of the CCC) and a couple of Scott Hahn’s books. Lighthouse Catholic Media puts out some great and inexpensive recordings that you can get on MP3 or CD on numerous topics that are edifying. The “Catholicism” DVD series by Bishop-Elect Robert Barron is very good- it’s expensive so I’d ask if the parish has a copy you can borrow.

May God bless you on your Faith journey.

 

[Joe_5859]

I went through RCIA 2014-2015 and was baptized/confirmed at Easter 2015. This may vary by parish, but at my parish we had people who missed a number of the classes (due to other commitments- three of them were military and duty requirements sometimes made them unavailable, for example) and it was not an impediment to their confirmation.

I do suggest that you study on your own whether you make all the classes or not. RCIA simply cannot cover everything, although they try. This website is great and I’m glad I found it because it helps me with some of my questions. I also read Peter Kreef’s book “Catholic Christianity” (a good summary of the CCC) and a couple of Scott Hahn’s books. Lighthouse Catholic Media puts out some great and inexpensive recordings that you can get on MP3 or CD on numerous topics that are edifying. The “Catholicism” DVD series by Bishop-Elect Robert Barron is very good- it’s expensive so I’d ask if the parish has a copy you can borrow.

May God bless you on your Faith journey.

My parish is going to be subscribing to formed.org, which will allow anyone in the parish a password to stream for free the Catholicism series, the Symbolon series, and more. It’s going to make it much easier for helping people make up for missed sessions this year.

 

[peter26]

Thanks for all your (name removed by moderator)ut and advice, its been helpful. I’ll let you know what I find out!

 

[peter26]

Update - I decided I’d get in touch with the Ordinature and got a prompt response inviting me to a daily mass today. Afterwards, I had a chat with the priest. He thinks RCIA would be a waste of time for me and he’s going to give me private instruction instead. So three years after I first started to contemplate it, it looks like I’m finally on my way home. I’m feeling very happy and a little overwhelmed right now, but I’m glad I’ve finally taken that first step. And, quite astonishingly when I think about it, one of the first things Father started talking about (without promoting) was one of my major areas of doubt, papal infallibility, which is maybe starting to fall into place for me. Anyway, I look forward to coming home.

 

[AKDee]

Update - I decided I’d get in touch with the Ordinature and got a prompt response inviting me to a daily mass today. Afterwards, I had a chat with the priest. He thinks RCIA would be a waste of time for me and he’s going to give me private instruction instead. So three years after I first started to contemplate it, it looks like I’m finally on my way home. I’m feeling very happy and a little overwhelmed right now, but I’m glad I’ve finally taken that first step. And, quite astonishingly when I think about it, one of the first things Father started talking about (without promoting) was one of my major areas of doubt, papal infallibility, which is maybe starting to fall into place for me. Anyway, I look forward to coming home.

That’s fantastic news! Congratulations!

 

[Joe_5859]

Update - I decided I’d get in touch with the Ordinature and got a prompt response inviting me to a daily mass today. Afterwards, I had a chat with the priest. He thinks RCIA would be a waste of time for me and he’s going to give me private instruction instead. So three years after I first started to contemplate it, it looks like I’m finally on my way home. I’m feeling very happy and a little overwhelmed right now, but I’m glad I’ve finally taken that first step. And, quite astonishingly when I think about it, one of the first things Father started talking about (without promoting) was one of my major areas of doubt, papal infallibility, which is maybe starting to fall into place for me. Anyway, I look forward to coming home.

Awesome news! Good to hear. I am glad you were able to connect with a priest who can give you private instruction. God is good!

 

[exnihilo]

Update - I decided I’d get in touch with the Ordinature and got a prompt response inviting me to a daily mass today. Afterwards, I had a chat with the priest. He thinks RCIA would be a waste of time for me and he’s going to give me private instruction instead. So three years after I first started to contemplate it, it looks like I’m finally on my way home. I’m feeling very happy and a little overwhelmed right now, but I’m glad I’ve finally taken that first step. And, quite astonishingly when I think about it, one of the first things Father started talking about (without promoting) was one of my major areas of doubt, papal infallibility, which is maybe starting to fall into place for me. Anyway, I look forward to coming home.

Glad to hear. I was lucky enough to have private instruction myself. What a blessing it was for me. I hope it is for you as well.

 

[Casilda]

Update - I decided I’d get in touch with the Ordinature and got a prompt response inviting me to a daily mass today. Afterwards, I had a chat with the priest. He thinks RCIA would be a waste of time for me and he’s going to give me private instruction instead. So three years after I first started to contemplate it, it looks like I’m finally on my way home. I’m feeling very happy and a little overwhelmed right now, but I’m glad I’ve finally taken that first step. And, quite astonishingly when I think about it, one of the first things Father started talking about (without promoting) was one of my major areas of doubt, papal infallibility, which is maybe starting to fall into place for me. Anyway, I look forward to coming home.

Praise the Lord! Thank you for mentioning that Ordinariate. Would they assist an Episcopalian? I have a few friends who left that church years ago.

 

[peter26]

Would they assist an Episcopalian? I have a few friends who left that church years ago.

Are you/your friends in America?

The Ordinature of the Chair of St Peter says this about eligibility for membership:

To belong to the Personal Ordinariate, a person or family must be eligible. A person is eligible for membership if they, their spouse, or any member of their family is or ever has been Anglican, Episcopalian, Methodist, or AME. This applies even if the person or their spouse has already become a Roman Catholic. Catholics who are reconciled to the Church and those Catholics who will be completing their sacraments of initiation in an Ordinariate community are also eligible for membership.