RCIA Question

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Figment713

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(I’m putting this here, because I have been unable to develop a sense of where it really should go. I apologize if this is the incorrect forum).

It seems I have spent most of my adult life in a kind of “one-step forward, two-steps back” dance with the Catholic Church. I have both a brother and sister who converted in the late 60’s, neither of whom became what I would consider to be a role model…or at least what I thought of as a model of Catholic behavior. (My sister, after becoming a nun at 40 left the order by 44 or so with another nun with whom she has lived in a somewhat awkward relationship ever since.)

As I said, for every approach I’ve made to the Catholic Church, it seems that I’ve wound up taking steps away, until it seems I came to realize that being filled with human beings (with all that is good and bad in human nature) the Church may never seem absolutely perfect to me. That said, the truth it preaches is perfect.

After attending church on my own for the past year, I decided this year to enroll in RCIA. I cannot tell you the feeling of peace this has given me. I would NEVER be presumptuous enough to say that the Holy Spirit has been speaking with me (more like nagging at me to put more than a toe in the water), but I do feel a greater sense of rightness and peace since I have started these classes. (It’s as if having finally given up the fighting of it, I am being shown how right this is…It’s really difficult for me to describe, which is why I’m doing such an inadequate job of it!)

Anyway, the problem (if a problem there is) is with the fact I apparently need a sponsor for the RCIA program. As I mentioned above, I’ve both a brother and sister who converted. I most certainly do not think of either of them as any sort of role models. What do I do about this? Is the lack of sponsor going to prevent me going through with my plan to become Catholic, or, just as God (apparently) led me to make this decision, will He also lead a sponsor to me?

I am troubled about this…probably much more than I should be. Perhaps it’s the fact that many/most of the folks in the RCIA class I’m in appear to be taking it in preparation for marriage in 2006. Their fiances are their sponsors. Me, I’m just sort of doing this on my own.

Thanks very much for your insight on this. And, again, I apologize if I posted this in the totally wrong area of the board. (I did look to see if the question had been previously asked and answered, but was unable to find anything).
 
You do not need to have a sponsor at this very moment in the RCIA process. This time in the RCIA is usually the time of inquiry into the Catholic Church. A sponsor will be needed when you are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

As sponsor does not have to be a family member. A sponsor could be someone who you know at the parish church you attend. If you are new to the parish or (as in you case) new to the faith, this may be a concern, but not a big problem. Some RCIA teams or those who volunteer to help the pastor or priest in running the program, will have members who could be a sponsor for you. Some people have made great friends from the people who help/volunteer on the RCIA team.

Over the next few weeks, look at those persons who you interact with at these RCIA sessions. Someone may step out. Also express you conern of a sponsor to someone in charge. This person has dealt with this situation before.

Some Church requirements for a sponor are:
+16 years of age and older
+Have received the Sacrament of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
+Practices the Catholic Faith
+Is not your father or mother

It helps if the sponsor is a registered parishioner of a parish.

May this information help you and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide you into the Catholic Church.

Peace,

Fr. Bro
(Edwin1961 twin brother)
 
I am not exactly sure what your background is. If you have never been baptized, your parish will assign a sponsor to accompany you during your time in RCIA. At the beginning of Lent, your Godparent takes over. The Godparent can be someone from your family, or if you have no one suitable, the pastor will assign a Godparent, and this may or may not be the same person who was your sponsor.

The terminology is confusing because we use the word sponsor in two different senses. If you are already Christian, and participating in the RCIA process to prepare for your profession of faith, Confirmation and First Communion, you will also have a sponsor during RCIA, someone assigned by the parish. Confirmation candidates also require a sponsor at the time of the sacrament. Again this can be someone suitable you choose, someone appointed by the pastor, or even the person who was your sponsor during the RCIA classes. Confused? welcome to the wonderful world of RCIA. Keep asking questions, it does get better. and by the way, welcome Home.
 
First WELCOME!

In my experience (DH and I went through RCIA at two different parishes many years apart) – the RCIA program frowns on fiancées or spouses as sponsors. For that reason, when my DH came into the Church, and we had no Catholic friends or family here at the time – the Parish assigned him a sponsor. They have people who are very willing to act as sponsor, and it formed a new friendship!

In a pinch, our DRE has acted as sponsor for RCIA.

Again – welcome!
 
I just went to my first RCIA meeting last nite and it was goood. My only problem is I am doing it at college, 2 hours from home, so I have to find a parish near my house that will take me. Oh well!

DU
 
I work with RCIA. We find sponsors for candidates that don’t have one. You may be surprised to learn that many cradle Catholics find the experience of being a sponsor just as fulfilling as the candidate!
 
Figment

As I remember almost all of the RCIA volunteers acted as sponsors. I had been baptised in another church when I went through RCIA and my wife was my sponsor. I vaguely recall that this was brought up but that at the time we knew of no catholics in good standing.

You know I love the story of you taking two steps back one step forward. Did you ever think you might be walking backwards? You thought you were walking away from something and at the same time were walking to something. I believe the HS leads and guides and does not have to talk alot.
 
Figment713 said:
(I’m putting this here, because I have been unable to develop a sense of where it really should go. I apologize if this is the incorrect forum).

It seems I have spent most of my adult life in a kind of “one-step forward, two-steps back” dance with the Catholic Church. I have both a brother and sister who converted in the late 60’s, neither of whom became what I would consider to be a role model…or at least what I thought of as a model of Catholic behavior. (My sister, after becoming a nun at 40 left the order by 44 or so with another nun with whom she has lived in a somewhat awkward relationship ever since.)

As I said, for every approach I’ve made to the Catholic Church, it seems that I’ve wound up taking steps away, until it seems I came to realize that being filled with human beings (with all that is good and bad in human nature) the Church may never seem absolutely perfect to me. That said, the truth it preaches is perfect.

After attending church on my own for the past year, I decided this year to enroll in RCIA. I cannot tell you the feeling of peace this has given me. I would NEVER be presumptuous enough to say that the Holy Spirit has been speaking with me (more like nagging at me to put more than a toe in the water), but I do feel a greater sense of rightness and peace since I have started these classes. (It’s as if having finally given up the fighting of it, I am being shown how right this is…It’s really difficult for me to describe, which is why I’m doing such an inadequate job of it!)

Anyway, the problem (if a problem there is) is with the fact I apparently need a sponsor for the RCIA program. As I mentioned above, I’ve both a brother and sister who converted. I most certainly do not think of either of them as any sort of role models. What do I do about this? Is the lack of sponsor going to prevent me going through with my plan to become Catholic, or, just as God (apparently) led me to make this decision, will He also lead a sponsor to me?

I am troubled about this…probably much more than I should be. Perhaps it’s the fact that many/most of the folks in the RCIA class I’m in appear to be taking it in preparation for marriage in 2006. Their fiances are their sponsors. Me, I’m just sort of doing this on my own.

Thanks very much for your insight on this. And, again, I apologize if I posted this in the totally wrong area of the board. (I did look to see if the question had been previously asked and answered, but was unable to find anything).

Make sure the RCIA leader or Pastor knows that you are without a Sponsor. The Church will supply you with one within a few weeks.
 
Figment 713,

I would not worry about finding a sponsor.
I went through RCIA in 1995 and was hooked up with the now deaco of our parish, even though he was man, it worked out well. In 2000 I wasn’t sure if the Catholic Church was for me any more. I went to many other churches, found one I thought I needed and suited me.
So Iprayed to the Lord, to let me know what I should do. Keep in mind I planned on leaving the Church.
Well within 5 minutes, the phone rang, and the man who sponsored me, had a girl who needed a sponsor.
Whoa!
Give it time, people have a calling that they aren’t even aware of yet.
The right sponsor will be there. I know it.
Peace be with you in the mean time!
 
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