RCIA Question-This one's different

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curiousgirl26

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I talked to the person in charge of RCIA today and they said that I would have to go through the full program. I am a little confused, especially since I’m of the understanding that I would not have to go through the program because I was already baptised under another denomination. Here’s the real issue though, I move to South Korea in August so until then I’m stuck. Any thoughts on what I can do? Or should do?
 
You still have to go through the whole program, even if baptised (in fact, the majority of people in RCIA have already been baptised in another denomination). Even if you don’t have time to do RCIA now, please get the books your current parish suggests (typically a thick textbook and a corresponding workbook).
 
Okay, thanks. Sounds good to me. I’ll still have to wait another year though which stinks.
 
Ask the RCIA director to recommend some books to bring with you so you can read up and get a head start when you get back. Just a suggestion! Have a safe trip. 🙂
 
Be sure to get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to take with you. There may be a class available where you are going, you never know what God has planned for you.

Blessings
 
Suggestion: Submit yourself to the idea that “God’s timing is perfect!”. Our Lord must have something in mind for you for your growth during this coming year.
Offer up your anger & disappointment and try to learn from it.
Think of the Blessed Mother and how she obeyed. “Be it done to me according to Thy Word”.
You are in my prayers for patience & peace of the Lord.
God Bless You,
Agatina
 
Myung-dong Cathedral in Seoul should have an English RCIA program or at least be able to direct you to one.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I’ve kinda just accepted the fact that sometimes the best things come because of waiting. To tell the truth I had almost decided to wait to give myself and my parents more time to adjust to this decision.
It’s also good to know that the Church wants to make sure that the people joining are fully aware of what they teach. Not many churches do that at all.👍
 
When I entered the Church 24 years ago, I was going to school in Minneapolis, so I began classes there. Then I moved to Boise, Idaho about halfway into the program. I joined an RCIA group in Boise, but wanted to be baptised in my small home town (also in Idaho). I contacted the local priest and explained the situation. He verified my attendance with the priest in Boise and I was received into the Church that Easter. My priest used my story for years to demonstrate the universal nature of the Church!

Times have changed and there may be some other “hoops” to jump through, but I would definitely check into classes in Korea as another poster suggested.

Kathy
 
curiousgirl26 said:
I talked to the person in charge of RCIA today and they said that I would have to go through the full program. I am a little confused, especially since I’m of the understanding that I would not have to go through the program because I was already baptised under another denomination. Here’s the real issue though, I move to South Korea in August so until then I’m stuck. Any thoughts on what I can do? Or should do?
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You would be correct, A person who is already Baptized and a Christian who has a good understanding of Christianity, should not be required to attend all the Catechetical sessions that would normally be directed to a non-Chistian. However many people directing the RCIA programs don’t know much about the whole process, and many parishes either don’t want to provide the necessary resources, or can’t, for separate processes.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
You would be correct, A person who is already Baptized and a Christian who has a good understanding of Christianity, should not be required to attend all the Catechetical sessions that would normally be directed to a non-Chistian. However many people directing the RCIA programs don’t know much about the whole process, and many parishes either don’t want to provide the necessary resources, or can’t, for separate processes.
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I have had baptized Christians in RCIA that we brought into the Church within two months.
 
G’day curiousgirl26
There are many ways into the Church, RCIA is but one of them. If you feel that you have a reason to bypass the RCIA because of time constraints see the Priest of the parish you are attending and tell him your problem, if he says you have to go through RCIA then I would suggest that you go to another Parish to find someone compassionate that will listen to you. If all else fails go see the Bishop of the area and tell him your story. God knows your heart, He will help you. May God bless your journey cheers geoff
 
=curiousgirl26;5336945]I talked to the person in charge of RCIA today and they said that I would have to go through the full program. I am a little confused, especially since I’m of the understanding that I would not have to go through the program because I was already baptised under another denomination. Here’s the real issue though, I move to South Korea in August so until then I’m stuck. Any thoughts on what I can do? Or should do?
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The Sacrament of Baptism is one of three Sacraments of Iniation. The Catholic Faith is the oldest, most structured, and with a 2,000 year old continous History, it takes both time and effort to learn enough out waht we belief and how we are obligated to know, live and share our Faith. This is critically important in order for you to be able to make an informed decision on joining or not joining the Only Church actually stared by Jesus Himself.

It would an injustice to you, to the Church and to the Catholic Community, to permit someone to full fellowship before they know what it is we belief and why.

God is in charge, and one cannot learn our Faith beliefs in only a few weeks, even with full time study. Trust in God to guide you, and to provide the proper opportunities for you even in Korea.

Don’t give, don’t despair, pray and believe.

Love and prayers,

I have been involved in catholic education for 15 years and just completed my third year of RCIA instruction…
 
That is the problem throughout the dioceses - each one does it differently - and you arre required to participate in the one in your parish.

No big notebook for us - just the catechism and various speakers each week - sometime the preists some times not…It really should be standardised. Good luck.

I have to wait for one more year (although heaven does not wait) before I can do RCIA. That is one reason some nonCC churches do so well. Heaven will not wait - why should we. Conversion takes place very quickly, although falling out of the church may happen after that, if an education is not pursued.

The way the CC does it is the correct but sllooooow way.
 
The RCIA is disigned for the non-baptized. To require it of all baptized Christians coming into the Church is an injustice. I encourage you to approach your parish priest to see what can be done. I know some parishes are adament that everyone go thru the RCIA. But, if we are true to the process, we will set up a different process for those coming from other faiths, who have been joining us in worship for some time. The special program will depend on many factors, including the faith background of the individual seeking full unity. There are even some who were baptized Catholic who actually need the whole RCIA process to catch up. At the other extreme, I have one person in this parish that I have offered to receive into the Church with only one or two sessions of immediate preparation. She has been coming regularly for some 20 years and also comes during the week.
Check with your priest.
Fr. LInus
 
KathyA said:
When I entered the Church 24 years ago, I was going to school in Minneapolis, so I began classes there. Then I moved to Boise, Idaho about halfway into the program. I joined an RCIA group in Boise, but wanted to be baptised in my small home town (also in Idaho). I contacted the local priest and explained the situation. He verified my attendance with the priest in Boise and I was received into the Church that Easter. My priest used my story for years to demonstrate the universal nature of the Church!

Times have changed and there may be some other “hoops” to jump through, but I would definitely check into classes in Korea as another poster suggested.

Kathy
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IMHO–It’s sad that so many people are made to wait a full year, when in the CCC it clearly states otherwise if people are already baptized validly. They clearly are NOT required to take a full year of RCIA. So many parishes do this because it’s simply convenient for the DRE to all to lump the unbaptized alongside someone who has been a protestant theologian or in leadership for 25 yrs in another denom. (which makes for a weird RCIA class, believe me, because I went through one like that!)…the CC is wonderful if you search out what it will do to bend over backwards to help those who are already Christians to convert to CAtholicism. AFter not finishing the RCIA, they said to take a confirmation class and I was confirmed 2009!.
I erased my copy of it, but please look at RCIA.org (I think that’s the one) but it has all the info on what is really required…but the Cat of CC big book it also states very clearly that the CC does NOT want to hinder or prolong anyone from becoming a part of the church!
 
what preparation is necessary is a decision reached through prayerful discernment and discussion with the candidate, the director and the pastor or his representative, and the sponsor if you have one. It is not something that can be stated on the basis of a casual meeting or filling out a registration form. In my experience however (going on 20 years) I have found that the most fervent and most knowledgeable are frequently the ones hungry to learn even more and to go deeper, who really want more than an abbreviated overview of the high points, have even more thoughtful, insightful questions, and appreciated a year-long or 9 month study of the catechism as well as the other preparatory rites and spiritual preparation.

The ones who protest the loudest about how long the process is that we recommended are generally baptized Catholics who have not been practicing the faith but need sacraments for marriage or to baptize a relative. They are almost without exception less knowledgeable about the Christian faith and about Christ himself than are most non-Catholic Christians who come to us. Even here so many come back for the extended catechism class, even after Confirmation, because they also undergo a conversion and experience the desire for more.
 
=brownjt;5349491]That is the problem throughout the dioceses - each one does it differently - and you arre required to participate in the one in your parish.
Click to expand...
No big notebook for us - just the catechism and various speakers each week - sometime the preists some times not…It really should be standardised. Good luck.
Click to expand...
I have to wait for one more year (although heaven does not wait) before I can do RCIA. That is one reason some nonCC churches do so well. Heaven will not wait - why should we. Conversion takes place very quickly, although falling out of the church may happen after that, if an education is not pursued.
Click to expand...
The way the CC does it is the correct but sllooooow way.
Click to expand...
While conversion is the necessary first step, it is only that; the first step. Without understanding it is nearly impossible to grow closer to the Lord, to walk in the manner He would have us walk.

Everything has a price; and every good thing a higher price. Pay the higher price friend, both you and Jesus will be glad that you did.

“If you wish to come after me, take up your cross adnf follow Me.”

Love and prayers,
 
Linuse said:
The RCIA is disigned for the non-baptized. To require it of all baptized Christians coming into the Church is an injustice. I encourage you to approach your parish priest to see what can be done. I know some parishes are adament that everyone go thru the RCIA. But, if we are true to the process, we will set up a different process for those coming from other faiths, who have been joining us in worship for some time. The special program will depend on many factors, including the faith background of the individual seeking full unity. There are even some who were baptized Catholic who actually need the whole RCIA process to catch up. At the other extreme, I have one person in this parish that I have offered to receive into the Church with only one or two sessions of immediate preparation. She has been coming regularly for some 20 years and also comes during the week.
Check with your priest.
Fr. LInus
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This what I love about the RCIA process, is that we meet the person where they are in their faith journey. this is also what makes RCIA messy, becasue we cannot lump everyone in the same group. Everyone is different and on a different journey. Hopefully you can talk with the pastor or the person in charge of the process and let them know where you are in your journey. This is called discernment and allowing the Holy Spirit to help.
thank you Fr. Linus for your insight
 
PJM said:
While conversion is the necessary first step, it is only that; the first step. Without understanding it is nearly impossible to grow closer to the Lord, to walk in the manner He would have us walk.

Everything has a price; and every good thing a higher price. Pay the higher price friend, both you and Jesus will be glad that you did.

“If you wish to come after me, take up your cross adnf follow Me.”

Love and prayers,
Click to expand...
Who are we to say what the higher price is in every single solitary case? Is it always the waiting a year, or in some cases 2! As Fr Linus says the Holy Spirit can whisper into the ear of the priest or DRE what each individual may need at the time, isn’t that incredible? Scripture is full of different ways of God meeting people right where they are to do what they need to meet their spiritual needs for the great good. Maybe coming in sooner could save a person a lot of heartache for instance…only God knows what each needs.
 
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