RCIA Questions- Converting

[dochawk]

What is the norm for one parish does not mean it is the same even at the parish across town!

Definitely.

Also, accommodations are made. A priest met with my (now) wife and her mother separately, as they had to work at the normal class time.

And when it was time to baptize my twins (3d and 4th children), we wanted to do it while staying with my parents across the country, so extended family could come. The San Jose diocese required we, as parents, take the classes (yet again), and there weren’t any more between when that came up. So the deacon in charge gave me a wicked grin, and added us to the instructional staff for the course. (The class was really aimed at first time parents, not those who already have their older kids in Catholic schools. He then forgot to tell us when the course he wanted us to help with was )

hawk

 

[Christmysavor]

For my parish it takes 2 years of The RCIA program and some more classes even after you are welcomed into the church. I came Home 29 March 18th and I wasn’t baptized so was also baptized at the Mass. What you have been told on CAF is correct the process is different for everyone and even maybe different for other parishes as well.

Welcome Home

 

[lisauze]

It took me three years but I wasn’t baptized when I started then I put things on hold and questioned my faith and was baptized in another religion then went back and finished. If your not baptized you can only join the church at Easter unless there is some dire circumstances.

 

[Christmysavor]

It drove me nuts to find out that I wouldn’t be able to take the Eucharist when I was a 1st year as time went on the need to have the Eucharist got stronger and stronger than at the Easter vigil service I was finally able to take the Eucharist. If you know anyone that is interested in the church please explain why they will not be able to take the Eucharist at frist but by the time comes it’s vary vary worth it.

 

[PJM]

ello! I am a Protestant woman who was baptized in an Assemblies of God Church. I spoke with a pastoral associate of a local Catholic Church today, concerning when I may be able to begin RCIA classes. She said they don’t typically begin until August, and that since I’ve already been baptized, I could really join the church during mass on any given Sunday. I know the process is different for everyone, and that no two people are the same, but how long did it take everyone here? She suggested that we meet one on one each week until August approaches and new classes begin

The information you received is correct.

I’m a former RCIA teacher and Catholic Apologetic’s teacher now retired.

RCIA will vary from Parish to parish depending on the Local Bishop and the Pastor; but the NORM is for RCIA to run from Back to School until Easter Sunday.

As others have indicated it would be a good practice to begin attending Mass but avoid Holy Communion until you enter into the Church. It is also a positive sign that they are will to meet with you weekly until RCIA new classes are formed. This is an offer you should accept.

It would be prudent at first to sit near the rear of the util you become accustomed to the gestures. YOU are permitted to sit while the congregation keels if that posture make you feel uncomfortable. As others have indicated you want to refrain from receiving Catholic Holy Communion until you enter the Church. As the pastoral associate IF you MAY present yourself for a Communion Blessing? And How to do so.

PRAY very much,
Easter Blessings,

Partick

 

[Pup7]

The information you received is correct.

I’m a former RCIA teacher and Catholic Apologetic’s teacher now retired.

RCIA will vary from Parish to parish depending on the Local Bishop and the Pastor; but the NORM is for RCIA to run from Back to School until Easter Sunday.

As others have indicated it would be a good practice to begin attending Mass but avoid Holy Communion until you enter into the Church. It is also a positive sign that they are will to meet with you weekly until RCIA new classes are formed. This is an offer you should accept.

It would be prudent at first to sit near the rear of the util you become accustomed to the gestures. YOU are permitted to sit while the congregation keels if that posture make you feel uncomfortable. As others have indicated you want to refrain from receiving Catholic Holy Communion until you enter the Church. As the pastoral associate IF you MAY present yourself for a Communion Blessing? And How to do so.

PRAY very much,
Easter Blessings,

Partick

As a (very!) recent convert, I second the “sit in the back” suggestion. That’s what I did. My dad was Catholic so I’d been to Masses before, but that had been years ago. I’m not embarrassed to admit I watched a few videos on YouTube from the Basilica in Washington, DC, to sort of refresh my memory (they were very helpful) before I got up the nerve to go to Mass the first time. I didn’t know if the Cathedral did blessings at Communion, so I watched the crowd and was able to see that they did. A couple of times I just sat and watched - others were doing the same, not going up, so I didn’t ‘stand out’ at all.

The thing I noticed that felt very different at a Catholic service was I didn’t feel like everyone was wondering “who is that new person” - even when I went to the smaller chapel on base after a few “practice” runs at the Cathedral, where I felt I would blend in a bit more. When I started back on this journey I did return to the church I actually belonged to - the Methodist church - but never felt welcomed. When I walked up to the priest at Mass and told him (quickly) I was just entering the faith and would like a blessing, the smile he gave me put me right at ease - and just led me to thinking I was making the right decision. I walked back to my pew thinking, this is right, this is where I should be - and I just went from there.

If this is the right decision, you will know. I promise.

 

[Christmysavor]

My experience with my parish is that if you are not to take the Eucharist we just cross our arms in a x that is the signal to the priest/Eucharistic minister of not being able to receive the host you can get a blessing instead.

 

[Pup7]

That is what was done at the Cathedral and at our chapel.

 

[DarkLight]

Also, accommodations are made. A priest met with my (now) wife and her mother separately, as they had to work at the normal class time.

Yes. I honestly skipped half the RCIA program - I had class at the time, and graduate school doesn’t allow for flexibility in that regard. I was pretty well prepared on my own, so I pretty much just given the catechism reading schedule.