RCIA Paperwork battle

[Francis_C_1]

I am not involved with RCIA but I am guessing the church would require proof of previous baptism from people wanting to join the church. We can only be baptised once, so if coming into the church you will only require confirmation and first communion. If you have not been previously baptised (trinitarian form) then you will need to be baptised as well. If there is doubt about a previous baptism then a “conditional baptism” would be performed.

Sorry was getting mixed up with baptismal and birth certificates. I reading the question as why you require to submit a baptismal certificate when in fact the question was asking about birth certificates

 

[whatsmyname]

The deacon at the first Inquiry I went to handed out a list of paperwork needed and a worksheet with about 2 pages of questions phrased in different ways to determine your marital status. I laughed at the marriage questionnaire and he explained that they’d had some unfortunate issues arise by just asking a simple question about that so now they had the long form asking it in every conceivable way possible. I was told to bring the information back the next week and I did. It was my understanding that all paperwork was to be completed in Inquiry, not RCIA.

I was not asked for a birth certificate, but was told they often did require it for children because in our state, the courts sometimes use baptismal records to determine U.S. citizenship if no other paperwork is available.

 

[bwhite06517]

When I converted (seventeen years ago), it was a spiritual struggle - should I? Shouldn’t I? Satan was trying to stop me. I didn’t want to contact the church where I was baptized - as they might pass the information that “Bruce wants his baptismal record” on to my parents - and I didn’t want to cause a barrier between myself and them.

So, in my thoughts, patience, compassion, understanding. Some of the people converting are making a huge decision (hopefully one they will look back on later with great joy), but one that is very stressful for some. “Am I doing the right thing to become Catholic?” “I don’t want to hurt my family and friends by becoming a Catholic”.

My suggestions are to come along side, sit with them, counsel with them, help them across that barrier, show them love and compassion, pray with them, hold their hands. It is NOT a paperwork battle, it is a Spiritual battle. They are climbing a spiritual mountain and some may become frustrated and drop out if nagged and pushed too hard.

My opinions of course

 

[z_0101]

When I converted (seventeen years ago), it was a spiritual struggle - should I? Shouldn’t I? Satan was trying to stop me. I didn’t want to contact the church where I was baptized - as they might pass the information that “Bruce wants his baptismal record” on to my parents - and I didn’t want to cause a barrier between myself and them.

So, in my thoughts, patience, compassion, understanding. Some of the people converting are making a huge decision (hopefully one they will look back on later with great joy), but one that is very stressful for some. “Am I doing the right thing to become Catholic?” “I don’t want to hurt my family and friends by becoming a Catholic”.

My suggestions are to come along side, sit with them, counsel with them, help them across that barrier, show them love and compassion, pray with them, hold their hands. It is NOT a paperwork battle, it is a Spiritual battle. They are climbing a spiritual mountain and some may become frustrated and drop out if nagged and pushed too hard.

My opinions of course

We’ve had that fear arise, “But then they will know.”

Some of the paperwork that is suggested that one keep available in case of disaster (here in the Midwest, that would be flood or tornado ) are birth -certificates, marriage liscence, will, POA, etc…
((+ texashelp.tamu.edu/002-protect/pdf/evacuation-grab-box.pdf

• emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/ ))
  and we just add baptismal record to the list…
  Now our enquirer has a convenient truth in that by gathering all of these documents they are preparing for something to occur where having this information available is the best advice.

 

[coachdennis]

When I converted (seventeen years ago), it was a spiritual struggle - should I? Shouldn’t I? Satan was trying to stop me. I didn’t want to contact the church where I was baptized - as they might pass the information that “Bruce wants his baptismal record” on to my parents - and I didn’t want to cause a barrier between myself and them.

So, in my thoughts, patience, compassion, understanding. Some of the people converting are making a huge decision (hopefully one they will look back on later with great joy), but one that is very stressful for some. “Am I doing the right thing to become Catholic?” “I don’t want to hurt my family and friends by becoming a Catholic”.

My suggestions are to come along side, sit with them, counsel with them, help them across that barrier, show them love and compassion, pray with them, hold their hands. It is NOT a paperwork battle, it is a Spiritual battle. They are climbing a spiritual mountain and some may become frustrated and drop out if nagged and pushed too hard.

My opinions of course

All true, but… there ARE people who are procrastinators, will use any excuse possible not to do what is requested, and basically go through life never able to get their act together. Sometimes people need to know that actions or inactions have consequences.

I have to counsel people who were in your situation. I have heard their pain and understand their anguish. However painful, I have had to remind individuals if a person is not ready to “come out” Catholic, then perhaps this is not the right time. If an adult chooses not to be honest with family members, there are other “issues” going on that need resolution.

As you say, my opinion.