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EveningSkye111
Guest
For a class THAT long, I don’t know why you couldn’t go to the retreat and still get back for most of the class.
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Decide which is more important to you and which could more readily be skipped.
Then either tell your instructor that you need to miss class due to another commitment or tell your RCIA coordinator that you need to miss the retreat due to another commitment.
As you plan your next semester keep I mind that Holy Saturday will probably not lend itself to going to class.
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ChadS
Guest
I really don’t have any first hand experience in a situation like this, however that won’t stop me from offering my thoughts.
I see why you are hesitant to miss the class since it is only once a week and is several hours long. If it were a two or three day a week class it might be a different story. I would talk to your professor and see what he or she says about missing that class. It’s possible you might be able to miss and not fall behind. With many classes today a lot of the material is posted to an online course management system so you might not actually miss all that much stuff either.
As for RCIA, when I went through it we did not have a retreat. I did try to soak up everything I could possibly do that would somehow aid in my conversion and formation. From other stories I have heard there are programs that like to tick boxes off as everybody having completed a particular task without it being clear as to why you actually went. Try to find from your RCIA director what exactly is going on. Just being told it’s really important you be there doesn’t sound exactly convincing.
In the end it’s your decision. Talk to both the professor and RCIA director, weigh your options and obligations. It’s unlikely you’d flunk or even affect your grade from missing one class nor should missing this retreat affect your ability to be confirmed. If you do miss the retreat perhaps your parish or another nearby one may have Lenten days of recollection or mini-retreats that work better with your schedule and could be spiritually beneficial.
ChadS
I see why you are hesitant to miss the class since it is only once a week and is several hours long. If it were a two or three day a week class it might be a different story. I would talk to your professor and see what he or she says about missing that class. It’s possible you might be able to miss and not fall behind. With many classes today a lot of the material is posted to an online course management system so you might not actually miss all that much stuff either.
As for RCIA, when I went through it we did not have a retreat. I did try to soak up everything I could possibly do that would somehow aid in my conversion and formation. From other stories I have heard there are programs that like to tick boxes off as everybody having completed a particular task without it being clear as to why you actually went. Try to find from your RCIA director what exactly is going on. Just being told it’s really important you be there doesn’t sound exactly convincing.
In the end it’s your decision. Talk to both the professor and RCIA director, weigh your options and obligations. It’s unlikely you’d flunk or even affect your grade from missing one class nor should missing this retreat affect your ability to be confirmed. If you do miss the retreat perhaps your parish or another nearby one may have Lenten days of recollection or mini-retreats that work better with your schedule and could be spiritually beneficial.
ChadS
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Melodeonist
Guest
Thanks for the replies! 
I just looked up the two locations on Google maps, and the directions say the community college and the shrine retreat place are about 30 minutes away from each other.
I just looked up the two locations on Google maps, and the directions say the community college and the shrine retreat place are about 30 minutes away from each other.
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Magdalen2013
Guest
I was received into the Church in 2014, and the retreat my RCIA group participated in was wonderful. I really urge you to miss the class not the retreat.
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Melodeonist
Guest
I e-mailed the leader of the RCIA program, and I told her that I will talk to the teacher, and that I will get back to her at the next RCIA meeting.
What should I say to the Computer class teacher? I don’t want to make him confused.
What should I say to the Computer class teacher? I don’t want to make him confused.
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Magdalen2013
Guest
That you have a religious duty to fulfill – missing one Microsoft Word class is hardly the end of the world!I e-mailed the leader of the RCIA program, and I told her that I will talk to the teacher, and that I will get back to her at the next RCIA meeting.
What should I say to the Computer class teacher? I don’t want to make him confused.
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Tingzen
Guest
I’m also in RCIA and a student. A one day a week class is a big deal to miss… but having had many a 3-4 hour Saturday morning class, I know from experience that sometimes you just need to miss one. Check your attendance policy on your syllabus before you talk to your prof so you understand any consequences for missing class thoroughly, and make sure you address those consequences in your conversation. If your prof puts lesson plans by date on the syllabus, that will help in your conversation as well (for example, could you turn in homework early or take a quiz in a proctored testing center at your campus). Just ask if you can work with them to ensure you can fulfill your personal obligation that day without falling behind in class. Chances are highly in your favor they will! Enjoy your RCIA retreat, I know I’m looking forward to mine in March.
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Melodeonist
Guest
I spoke with the Professor, and he said it was okay to go to the retreat. He just told me to remind him the week before.
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ChadS
Guest
Glad it worked out for you!I spoke with the Professor, and he said it was okay to go to the retreat. He just told me to remind him the week before.
ChadS
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EveningSkye111
Guest
But why is the Saturday class so long? That’s a long, long time!
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Melodeonist
Guest
It’s part lesson, and part lab.
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EveningSkye111
Guest
Wow…
8:30am to 12:30am is still 16 hours of class. I never had anything like that in college!
8:30am to 12:30am is still 16 hours of class. I never had anything like that in college!
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Irishmom2
Guest
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dconklin
Guest
Really, totally required? Like, the Holy Spirit will not come upon you, required? Typically, the true requirements are a pulse, willingness and a level of understanding. I am on staff at a parish that really, really wants you to make every effort to attend, but we will work with you.
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otjm
Guest
Holy Saturday (unless they have another retreat) doesn’t start until about 8 p.m. out here in Oregon.
How about talking with the professor and seeing if there is a way to make up the class That has not been mentioned yet…
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
I guess the best we can say is “your mileage may vary.”
There are preparation rites on Holy Saturday (see RCIA 185ff). In my parish we celebrate them during morning prayer with the parish, then spend several hours in prayer and reflection. We also encourage the elect to follow the advice in RCIA 185.1: The elect are to be advised that on Holy Saturday they should refrain from their usual activities, spend their time in prayer and reflection, and, as far as they can, observe a fast.
This is not an ordinary Saturday. It’s the last bit of preparation before undergoing life-changing rites in the evening. People may choose to observe the day to a greater or lesser degree, but we encourage them to give it some attention.
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Melodeonist
Guest
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Magdalen2013
Guest
In my parish we have practice on Holy Saturday, so that those being received into the Church will be prepared for that evening’s rite.
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otjm
Guest
We have our retreat on Holy Saturday morning, going until about 2 p.m. in the past (I have been out of the parish for a couple of years and am now back). It was a not absolute, but primarily, a silent retreat directed towards prayer and reflection. However, while all were expected to attend, the only mandatory part of Holy Saturday started at 8 p.m.
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