RCIA process - feels overwhelmingly long!

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crystal16

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Hi, everyone!

I am becoming Catholic (yay yay!), but am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the length of the RCIA process. I started Inquiry sessions last September and then was moved into weekly RCIA classes in early December. Since I began classes a few months late, I have not gone through my parish’s Rite of Acceptance (the next one is scheduled in Feb). I am also just starting the process for an annulment of a previous marriage. I know that I have a long way to go (a fellow convert is 3 years into her annulment process and 2 years in RCIA). I love attending RCIA, as my parish has an excellent program that is very informative and downright entertaining. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet, learn, and pray with an amazing group of people. However, it is hard for me to grasp that I have to wait at least another year before I am fully part of the Church. I know that it will be worth it; I am just so excited…

Thank you all for listening. 🙂
jo
 
Welcome home! 👍

A year might seem like a long time, but trust me, it goes by faster than you’d think. On the bright side, you’ll have plenty of time to answer your specific questions about Catholicism before converting, and won’t feel rushed.
 
True, thank you! Also, I know that the year will pass whether I am fully in the Church or not, and I can use the opportunity to participate as much as possible in this next year. I’m trying not to be impatient - this journey is a beautiful one that will only happen once in my life! I am enjoying it, for sure! My emotions sometimes get the best of me, though, and a year or more seems like a long time. 😊
 
crystal16 said:
True, thank you! Also, I know that the year will pass whether I am fully in the Church or not, and I can use the opportunity to participate as much as possible in this next year. I’m trying not to be impatient - this journey is a beautiful one that will only happen once in my life! I am enjoying it, for sure! My emotions sometimes get the best of me, though, and a year or more seems like a long time. 😊
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Its not as long as youd think ive been waiting since Lent of 2012. And now i only have 73 days left. 🙂
 
Also, you might not have to wait until next Easter. Often RCIA programs are customizable in the sense that you don’t have to go through with the entire thing if you’re ready several months early. It just depends on your parish’s specific policy. (But I suppose you don’t know when the annulment process will be over, though; that could be the limiting factor).
 
Congratulations on your Journey home 🙂

I went through the RCIA process as a '40 something, in 2008/09.
I too loved it and was actually sad when the classes were over - I had Tuesday nights free and felt rather letdown 😉

One of the best parts for me of the whole process, was baptism (I hadn’t been baptized - my parents weren’t religious) So once the sacrament was completed, my Priest, a man in his early 50’s turned to my sponsor and said “Wow, I’m rather jealous…Prairie Rose at this moment, at this stage in her life, has had all her sins wiped away!!” It was a moment like no other for me!!

Wishing you continued blessings on your journey!

~~PR
 
In the early Church, the catechumenal process was 3 years long. So at least you shouldn’t have to wait that long. :o

God bless you on your journey.
 
Oh, i know how you feel, I’ve been waiting since i was 16(now im 18) to become Catholic.
 
I know how you feel hang in there though! My wife started RCIA last Feb - and she will be in it till Easter 2014 , and shes learned more through me she feels than her RCIA but it goes by faster than you think and its a wonderful experience most of us had to go through it I remember doing it as a kid in CCD and it seemed like for ever

my prayers are with you :gopray:
 
It took me from 2009 until 2012 just to be able to enter RCIA and each year I wanted to. Now that I am in it, the process is lengthy. My wife who is also in it observed middle of last week it was getting long. Then on Sunday at RCIA [after mass] she helped a woman also in RCIA with some questions. She commented later that day “We don’t just go to RCIA for ourselves but to help others too.” or something like that.
 
Thank you all for your encouragement! It’s nice to know that I am not the only one who feels a bit impatient and to hear that it really does go quickly. I know that there is a huge lesson to be learned in the waiting and am working to be happy with the idea that I am building something with God, the Church, and others - something that takes time, patience, and a lot of prayer.

I feel truly blessed!
 
I was confirmed in 1992, and stayed on my RCIA team for almost 20 years, until my wife got sick. I pray you will find the conversations and relationships at RCIA as rewarding, stimulating, and enjoyable as I did. I still can’t get over those wonderful people meeting with us every week and answering so patiently and wisely so many questions questions (I had lots). And how strange that I too became so eager to be confirmed and to join the Eucharist sacrament–protestant communions never inspired in me a similar emotion. I share your joy, and will keep you in prayer.
 
eschator83 said:
I was confirmed in 1992, and stayed on my RCIA team for almost 20 years, until my wife got sick. I pray you will find the conversations and relationships at RCIA as rewarding, stimulating, and enjoyable as I did. I still can’t get over those wonderful people meeting with us every week and answering so patiently and wisely so many questions questions (I had lots). And how strange that I too became so eager to be confirmed and to join the Eucharist sacrament–protestant communions never inspired in me a similar emotion. I share your joy, and will keep you in prayer.
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I have read several accounts - on this forum and others - of people who have a less-than-motivating RCIA experience. That has not been the case for me, for which I am truly grateful. My teachers are incredibly welcoming, dedicated, and passionate. I definitely recognize how fortunate I am - even my Inquiry sessions were wonderful and I felt nostalgic letting those go and moving forward. My RCIA group is just as inspiring and I did have a pang of nostalgia when I realized that many of them will move on this Easter.

I will simply focus on the amazing experience that I have been given.

Bless you all,
Jo
 
crystal16 said:
Hi, everyone!

I am becoming Catholic (yay yay!), but am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the length of the RCIA process. I started Inquiry sessions last September and then was moved into weekly RCIA classes in early December. Since I began classes a few months late, I have not gone through my parish’s Rite of Acceptance (the next one is scheduled in Feb). I am also just starting the process for an annulment of a previous marriage. I know that I have a long way to go (a fellow convert is 3 years into her annulment process and 2 years in RCIA). I love attending RCIA, as my parish has an excellent program that is very informative and downright entertaining. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet, learn, and pray with an amazing group of people. However, it is hard for me to grasp that I have to wait at least another year before I am fully part of the Church. I know that it will be worth it; I am just so excited…

Thank you all for listening. 🙂
jo
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Yes! rather like waiting to get married! It is worth the wait to do it right. Welcome to the family. the Church needs you, and your participation!
 
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