RCIA Questions

[AurSch]

Hello, all!
I’m new to the forums and I have a couple questions… First some background.

I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby ---- and that was it.
My parents divorced when I was 6 and religion was something that was never enforced.
I started going to Mass regularly last June and have been in RCIA since September (I love it!) I guess the only “downside” (can’t think of another word) is that I’m the youngest person (17) and I attend the meetings alone. I usually don’t speak up when I have a question, so I guess it’s my insecurity. I found this forum and have learned a lot! Now off to my questions…

1. My RCIA teacher talks a lot of people “entering the church.” “This if for people who are entering the church.”, etc. Having been baptized Catholic, would I be considered as a person “entering the church?”
2. The Rite of Sending & Election is pretty confusing… Would I just have to attend the Rite of Election? Or the Rite of Sending AND Election?

I know I’m putting you all in a tough decision not knowing my parish and everything… But if I heard a little (name removed by moderator)ut, I might sleep better tonight! I plan on asking my RCIA director after Mass on Ash Wednesday… But I have trouble waiting that long… haha.

Well, I appreicate you all very much!
God bless!!!

 

[LARSCOUT0311]

To hoepfully answer the questions:

1. Yes. To fully enter you must be confirmed which is taking a vow and answering truthfully to the beliefs of the Church.
2. Both. It is part of the “initiation” process and dates back to the early beginnings of the Church. You get to take part in what Saints have done! It means that your parish has chosen you to move forward and you are moving closer and closer.

Put your mind at ease and take baby steps. It seems like a tall hill to climb but it is actually not that difficult. The RCIA is about becoming familiar with Church practices and gives people the option to back out if they don’t feel right. You get to meet some good people who will most likely become friends for a long time.

 

[achmafooma]

First and foremost, God bless you, and WELCOME HOME to the Catholic Church!

To answer your questions, technically speaking any Baptized Christian is a member of the Church. But in practice, many Baptized people have been away for some time, or were never really ‘brought up’ in the Church, or (like me) were Baptized and brought up in a different Christian tradition.

So when your RCIA director speaks of people ‘entering’ the Church, you are definitely included in that…as are candidates Baptized outside of the Catholic Church…as are catechumens who are preparing for Baptism. Everybody in your class is at a different point in their journey, but you are all (or at least most of you are) preparing to become full participants in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

My understanding is that the Rite of Election is for the catechumens who are preparing for Baptism. You are certainly welcome to be present, but I don’t think it’s required for candidates who are already Baptized. Definitely check with your RCIA director or Priest to be sure.

I applaud you for going through the RCIA process on your own! My wife and I both went through together, but we were both converting so we were kinda ‘on our own’ in a sense…everybody else in our class was being led through the process by a Catholic spouse, fiance, or relative.

My best advice for you: don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you are confused about something, or if something isn’t clear to you, you can pretty much guarantee that somebody else in the class is wondering the same thing. Your questions help you, help your classmates, and help your RCIA director to continue improving the program.

God bless you!!

 

[po18guy]

Welcome! Since you were only baptized, but never confirmed and no first Eucharist, you are essentially “entering the Church”. For the sake of humility, just submit to what they ask you to do. Now, as to learning the faith, I highly recommend that you get a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. I think that it is something that every RCIA program should have available. If your parish does not have a copy, you an get them for about $12 on eBay or other online locations. It will answer many of your questions as you go along.

Welcome home!

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Hello, all!
I’m new to the forums and I have a couple questions… First some background.

I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby ---- and that was it.
My parents divorced when I was 6 and religion was something that was never enforced.
I started going to Mass regularly last June and have been in RCIA since September (I love it!) I guess the only “downside” (can’t think of another word) is that I’m the youngest person (17) and I attend the meetings alone. I usually don’t speak up when I have a question, so I guess it’s my insecurity. I found this forum and have learned a lot! Now off to my questions…

1. My RCIA teacher talks a lot of people “entering the church.” “This if for people who are entering the church.”, etc. Having been baptized Catholic, would I be considered as a person “entering the church?”

by Canon Law you are in the Church but not in communion with the Church. You are in RCIA which is designed to help adults convert because it is common to use RCIA as a catch all class for catholic adults which lack sacraments from their childhood.

1. The Rite of Sending & Election is pretty confusing… Would I just have to attend the Rite of Election? Or the Rite of Sending AND Election?

You should participate in the Rite of Sending, if you go to observe the Rite of Election you are a spectator. At this Rite thet catechumens and Bishop sign a book to acknowledge their entry to the Church

I know I’m putting you all in a tough decision not knowing my parish and everything… But if I heard a little (name removed by moderator)ut, I might sleep better tonight! I plan on asking my RCIA director after Mass on Ash Wednesday… But I have trouble waiting that long… haha.

Well, I appreicate you all very much!
God bless!!!

 

[PJM]

=AurSch;7627724]Hello, all!
I’m new to the forums and I have a couple questions… First some background.

I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby ---- and that was it.
My parents divorced when I was 6 and religion was something that was never enforced.
I started going to Mass regularly last June and have been in RCIA since September (I love it!) I guess the only “downside” (can’t think of another word) is that I’m the youngest person (17) and I attend the meetings alone. I usually don’t speak up when I have a question, so I guess it’s my insecurity. I found this forum and have learned a lot! Now off to my questions…

1. My RCIA teacher talks a lot of people “entering the church.” “This if for people who are entering the church.”, etc. Having been baptized Catholic, would I be considered as a person “entering the church?”

That is an asstute Question

Your correct in thinking that Baptism has as a cheif benefit; entry into the Church and Family of God. But baptism is valid al MOST Christian churches, that beleive in the Trinity; and baptize with water; in the name of the Father; the Son and The Holy Spirit.

So Baptism alone does not technically [exclusively] make one a Memeber of the CC. You’ll also be Confirmed as part of the “entry into the CC.” This Sacrament is “Catholic-Specific.” It allows [mandates] one’s PERSONAL committment to all of the Teachings and beleifs of the CC. And in effect is a Personal Covenant between you; God; and God’s One true Christisan Church. [The Only One Founded by Christ Himself].

It then becomes the Sacrament of Confirmation that grants you complete entry into the CC; AND permits you to participate in **theThird necessary element **for COMPLETE ENTRY into the CC; Catholic Holy Communion; which in turn will require a First Confession; the Sacrament of Reconcillation.

1. The Rite of Sending & Election is pretty confusing… Would I just have to attend the Rite of Election? Or the Rite of Sending AND Election?

I’ve been retired a few years now; and have forgotten some of the practices from my 3 years with RCIA; BUT not to worry. Who ever is conducting the RCIA Clases will permit ONLY what the Church has determined that you need to do.

I know I’m putting you all in a tough decision not knowing my parish and everything… But if I heard a little (name removed by moderator)ut, I might sleep better tonight! I plan on asking my RCIA director after Mass on Ash Wednesday… But I have trouble waiting that long… haha.

Well, I appreicate you all very much!
God bless!!!

That is a GREAT Idea.! I just got home from our 7pm AW Mass.

God Bless, and Welcome Home!

Pat

 

[AurSch]

WOW!!!

A huge thank you to everyone who responded!!!
I found out everything I needed to know about the two Rites and now I feel confident about this Sunday!

Thank you, everyone, for being so gracious and patient with my questions.
God bless you all!!!

 

[Blacksword]

Blessings to you on your journey! I am required to attend RCIA at my parish as well, though I was raised in the Baptist Protestant tradition. I look at it like a gradual process to ensure all are grounded in the basics enough to confidently come in full communion with Rome. Don’t worry in any event, you’ll be in in another six weeks or so now anyway. Good luck to you!

 

[Joannm]

Baptized candidates, whether baptized Catholics or Protestant, do NOT sign the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election. They can take part in the Call to COntinuing Conversion which can be held at the same time as the Rite of Election or on the 2nd SUnday of Lent. BUt the Rite of Election is really only for the unbaptized. It irks me that those in charge of RCIA in parishes don’t know a hill of beans about the right way to do the rites.

 

[AurSch]

Baptized candidates, whether baptized Catholics or Protestant, do NOT sign the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election. They can take part in the Call to COntinuing Conversion which can be held at the same time as the Rite of Election or on the 2nd SUnday of Lent. BUt the Rite of Election is really only for the unbaptized. It irks me that those in charge of RCIA in parishes don’t know a hill of beans about the right way to do the rites.

Right… that’s what confused me. I knew I was baptized so I didn’t really understand my role in the Rite of Election. My RCIA director said that when the unbaptized sign the Book of Elect, the rest of us will just stand - I guess a supporting thing or something. I haven’t heard anything of the Call of Continuing Conversion… I’ll find out Sunday, I guess!!!

 

[newconvert56]

I haven’t heard anything of the Call of Continuing Conversion… I’ll find out Sunday, I guess!!!

I haven’t either, but two weeks after this Sunday’s Rite of Election and Sending, we have The First Scrutiny and the following two Sundays are the Second and Third Scrutinys’. When I started RCIA I had the idea that we were just preparing for the Easter Vigil.