RCIA Sound Off!

  • Thread starter Thread starter petr
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Wow, it’s hard to believe that Easter Vigil is almost near once again. I was baptised, recieved first holy eucharist and confirmed this time last year 2010 at Easter Vigil after many months of preparation at our RCIA classes.

Although we got our boys baptised pretty much at birth, and my husband is catholic, that meant I needed to make the transition to make us whole in faith. I always attend Sunday Mass, my two boys aged 10 and 12 are also altarboys and have done so at mass for years.

Also upon my beautiful journey into this Catholic faith I joined to be part of our ministries. I am now a lay reader at Mass when rostered on. Never ever thought I could ever stand up in front of the whole church and read but I felt a calling to do so…Aparently they say I am a natural which certainly surprised me aswell.

So Good luck to all those catecumen’s out there approaching their big day. I will think and pray for you all. Trust me you’ll never look back and realise how much it was worth it. It is a wonderful journey. I’m excited for you all.

God Bless You All 🙂
 
I began RCIA in June '10 and have found our parish very welcoming.

I am 1 of 6 "students (3 of which are newer). I’m having a hard time absorbing (right word) the information. We just finished studying the “We Believe” book and our RCIA director/teacher has told me that he’s going to “hold me back” and have me study the “We Believe” book again with the newer students. I have always had issues memorizing dates, who said what, and so on.

Any advice? Are there workbooks out there they might help me? Our teacher didn’t know of any (other than the ones for children in Catechism).
 
Rose27 said:
I am having a very difficult time. My conversion began in December while I was still living in New York. There I attended a parish with amazing Dominican priests and with a young adult Catholics group full of smart and knowledgeable people. With them as my guides and I learned so much before the circumstances of life forced me to move to Montana about a month ago. Since I have gotten here I have been rather confused and dismayed at what I have encountered. One priest I talked to mentioned that the Church in the western states is much more informal then in the eastern states, but I feel that there is more going on here than just a lack of kneelers and an excess of hand holding. I have heard what I can only describe as false teaching from both a priest and an RCIA “team member”. I have encountered hostility towards traditionalism, and been made to feel that the manner of devotion which has sustained me through darkness and despair is unwanted here. I really don’t know what to do.
There is a small church about 25 minutes away that occasionally offers the Latin Mass, which I came to love while in New York. I have considered going there and asking the priest if I can have some sort of RCIA with him instead of the one at the church in town. What I want and need is serious catechismal instruction not a lot of “faith exploration”. At the same time I am concerned about “church shopping”. I am, after all, joining the Catholic Church not the church of this town or the next. I am afraid that, in light of serious problems, the informality is becoming a stumbling block and maybe I should learn to get over it. I just wish I had one Catholic here whose orthodoxy I could trust. I feel lost.
Click to expand...
Please DO go to the church with the Latin Mass and ask the priest for assistance. In the other parish, you might be involved with some folks who may not teach or believe the Catholic Faith.

There are no “formal” or “informal” Catholic parishes; all truly Catholic parishes should teach RCIA according to the Cathechism of the Catholic Church…there is no allowance for “personal” preferences or “personal” opinions or “personal” interpretations of the Gospels, Bible in general, Liturgy (Mass, mainly) or Catholic (magisterium) teaching.

God bless you on your journey toward the Faith!
 
Deputywife said:
I began RCIA in June '10 and have found our parish very welcoming.

I am 1 of 6 "students (3 of which are newer). I’m having a hard time absorbing (right word) the information. We just finished studying the “We Believe” book and our RCIA director/teacher has told me that he’s going to “hold me back” and have me study the “We Believe” book again with the newer students. I have always had issues memorizing dates, who said what, and so on.

Any advice? Are there workbooks out there they might help me? Our teacher didn’t know of any (other than the ones for children in Catechism).
Click to expand...
The Catholic Answers group has a great collection of tracts on a variety of subjects which are well researched and pithy (to the point in the fewest words). Click on catholic.com/library.asp to view these tracts online. You can “take these to the bank”; not only are they readable, but they explain Catholic Faith authentically.

There are also booklets available from the Channing Bete company, under the heading “Faith Guides”. Click on faithguides.com/ and select the booklets for the Catholic Faith.

I believe all the Catholic Answers and Channing Bete “Catholic” material have an “imprimatur”, on one of the title pages; this indicates the included material is TRULY Catholic.

I worry about the need to “memorize” dates and other things. The Holy Spirit does not necessarily require you to be “tested” on anything except true faith in what you hear authentically presented. There is no “questionaire” to fill out to become a Catholic. Also, if you are in a real RCIA process, it should NOT feel like you are going to school…it should feel like you are in a conversion process, where you learn about God and His plan for each and all of us.

God bless you on your journey of faith!
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
Well…as a child I was baptized Catholic…and had first communion already…but never confirmed. But my husband is converting so I’m in RCIA with him. Problem is…it’s inquiry right now…and I’m bored out of my mind…except the nights where Fr. comes to talk. It’s weird though…talking about reconciliiaton and the Eucharist. I want to scream “of course I know about this…I have to go to reconciliation!” Oh…just waiting until the inquiry part is done…
Click to expand...
Annabell Marie:
I too am a revert from protestantism,and am so glad to be home. I am home because of the early church fathers.I was challenged to study the history of this church we love,and I found that every thing I read,from the Didache on to John Paul II was very exiting to me,because its all true,and the truth sets us free. Cardinal Newman was right when he said “to be deep in history is to stop being protestant”. Keep on with your faith,but remember all the sacraments are nessessary. Reconciliation is for you to attain a level of grace that will allow you to recieve communion worthily. When Jesus gave peter the power to forgive sins,he did not, at the same time, give him the power to read minds,so we have to verbalize our sins to a priest in order for him to absolve them. -----Bob
 
First, please let me congratulate y’all who have found a good, solid RCIA process, and are making progress towards the Easter Sacraments. May God bless you as you proceed to His altar.

Second, please let me apologize to you who are having difficulties finding a good process, or who are enduring an unsatisfactory process. From my 23 years of experience in the RCIA and Catholic adult education processes, I have observed Satan raise his hand against those who seek the Truth. Your experiences stab me in the heart, because I know what a good process RCIA can be. If your religious education director or parish priest is unresponsive to your needs, please DO find another parish in which to enjoy this rewarding and blessed process the way it is supposed to be done. If your local search is fruitless, please call the Education Department for your diocese, or try to obtain references from the Chancellor or head of the diocesan tribunal (court). Please patiently explain your situation and ask for their recommendations.

I have been involved with RCIA in three different parishes, with experience in five others. There is little consistency in training or application from parish to parish and, I daresay, from diocese to diocese. That’s why recommendations are important.

RCIA is a basically a process to serve catechumens, i.e., those who are not baptized. The process may take one or two years, and is highlighted by the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday. Those who are unsure of a previous valid Baptism may be baptized conditionally, but this is usually preceded by a first Confession.

RCIA may include candidates, i.e., those who have been baptized previously (validly), who have been given some (or much) Christian instruction in another church. Candidates are to be treated differently because of their Christian education background, and may be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at ANY Mass throughout the year, depending upon their readiness to do so. Even those who require conditional Baptism may be included in this timely process if they have received some Christian education. For example, we received one lady into the Church at Christmas Midnight Mass; that was some celebration!

For those of us who are trained in RCIA (many by the North American Forum of the Catechumenate), we understand that we are simply facilitators for the real Teacher, the Holy Spirit. In fact, there is an axiom which can be applied to all RCIA meetings that “The Spirit will lead where He will.” So, we do plan an agenda of topics to be covered (Journey of Faith for Adults, Liguori, for example), but allow the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations. That’s one reason I rely on the Catholic Answers tracts - they provide material for many questions and much discussion. Many times the facilitators, as well as the (already Catholic) sponsors learn much from the questions, research and answers.

There are great authors out there for additional reading and study; so many that it might be difficult to know where to start. One person recommended Father Oscar Lukefahr’s book on Catholic belief…excellent and easy to read. You can say the same for Pope Benedict’s books, as well as any from G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis (an Anglican with a Catholic outlook), or modern author like Scott Hahn. Temper all your book learning with a good study Bible (NAB is available for free on the USCCB site, but the study version will make you a Bible scholar). I would delay a purchase of the Catechism of the Catholic Church; it is difficult reading at best, and it is also available online for reference.

If y’all wish and you receive moderator support, perhaps you could start a new thread simply on RCIA…questions and definitive answers from the recognized apologists for CAF.

Be of good faith! May your journey of study last long beyond Mystagogia. May you have a long and rewarding life in your Catholic Faith.
 
Hello all, I’ve completed the RCIA class and am now going to be baptized/confirmed/communion at the Easter vigil. I’d like to make a donation to the church, but how do I gauge an appropriate amount?
 
we changed churches back in october, and now we are members of our local cathedral…i will make my first confession this saturday!!!
 
First Confession tomorrow. First Confession tomorrow. First Confession tomorrow.

(This is me, totally not freaking out.)
 
Tweetybird999 said:
Hello all, I’ve completed the RCIA class and am now going to be baptized/confirmed/communion at the Easter vigil. I’d like to make a donation to the church, but how do I gauge an appropriate amount?
Click to expand...
May I suggest that, instead of a donation (which is ALWAYS appreciated by a Parish), that you study the ministries in your Parish, and select one (at the most, two) in which you can volunteer your time?

While we should support our Parish financially (many tithe 10%: 5% to the Parish and 5% to other charities), the gift of time and your particular talent is so precious…it is the way the Church started and converted so many to the Faith.

May I highly recommend that you consider joining a local St. Vincent dePaul Conference? Very much needed and very good expression of Jesus’ love. And yes, you can donate your money there, as well as your time.

God bless you for your generosity!
 
They let me in! I’m going to start RCIA in May! 😃 I would love to enter the Church on Christmas (I’ve already been baptized and have had some Christian instruction); I will have to wait and see how the process goes.
 
JamestheOlder said:
May I suggest that, instead of a donation (which is ALWAYS appreciated by a Parish), that you study the ministries in your Parish, and select one (at the most, two) in which you can volunteer your time?

While we should support our Parish financially (many tithe 10%: 5% to the Parish and 5% to other charities), the gift of time and your particular talent is so precious…it is the way the Church started and converted so many to the Faith.

May I highly recommend that you consider joining a local St. Vincent dePaul Conference? Very much needed and very good expression of Jesus’ love. And yes, you can donate your money there, as well as your time.

God bless you for your generosity!
Click to expand...
Thank you. That is very helpful advice. I’m a lawyer and don’t think the local parish needs another lawyer, but there is a local St. Vincent de Paul society. Also, I’ve been thinking about volunteering at an organization where I would give an information session designed to help people who want to take their case to small claims court. They often don’t understand the basics.
 
For the candidates. What do we have to say the day of the Vigil? Is it just the Apostles CREED or is it the one that states that we believe everything from the Catholic Church is revealed by God.
 
Mortulangel said:
For the candidates. What do we have to say the day of the Vigil? Is it just the Apostles CREED or is it the one that states that we believe everything from the Catholic Church is revealed by God.
Click to expand...
From another section of Catholic Answers:

The Christian fully enters the Church by profession of faith and formal reception. For the profession of faith, the candidate says, “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” The bishop or priest then receives the Christian into the Church by saying, “[Name], the Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of his family.”

God bless you on your journey!
 
Deputywife said:
I began RCIA in June '10 and have found our parish very welcoming.

I am 1 of 6 "students (3 of which are newer). I’m having a hard time absorbing (right word) the information. We just finished studying the “We Believe” book and our RCIA director/teacher has told me that he’s going to “hold me back” and have me study the “We Believe” book again with the newer students. I have always had issues memorizing dates, who said what, and so on.

Any advice? Are there workbooks out there they might help me? Our teacher didn’t know of any (other than the ones for children in Catechism).
Click to expand...
There is a workbook that corresponds with the We Believe book you are studying…if you are referring to the book by Father Lukefahr from Perryville Mo.

Here is a link that you can get a free copy as well as 8 more book/workbooks.

Catholic Home Study Courses

This is the book we studied and did our workbook out of as well. I am only 20 minutes from Perryville and have personally met Father Lukefahr, he is such a blessing. Amazing man!

I still got my hands on any book that I would recommend all the books in the home study. I have completed them all and have learned so much. I will enter into the church and receive the sacraments of confirmation and the eucharist this Saturday night and I just can’t wait!!!

You will get there too…just don’t give up…I am so glad I did not! You have so many resources like this website.

God bless.
 
This is kind of a silly question. But for those being baptized, if you’ll be changing into white afterwards at the church, do most people wear white or brown/black to the ceremony?
 
I’ll be wearing my very, very casual black clothes that I’m getting baptized in to the cermony (along with a pair of flip flops if it’s not too cold). It almost feels irreverent but I hope to make it a tad more respectable with a coat.Afterwards I’ll get changed out of my wet clothes into my white ones.
 
NeoPhoneix said:
I’ll be wearing my very, very casual black clothes that I’m getting baptized in to the cermony (along with a pair of flip flops if it’s not too cold). It almost feels irreverent but I hope to make it a tad more respectable with a coat.Afterwards I’ll get changed out of my wet clothes into my white ones.
Click to expand...
Flip flops?

I’m not sure what standard baptism gear is in the catholic church so that may be just fine.

I was baptized by immersion so I had on a white robe and a white head wrap. I don’t remember what I had on my feet, but I had to take them off of course to get into the baptismal … err… tub?

Does the Baptism take place in front of the whole church at the Easter vigil or in a separate room?
 
peanutproduct said:
This is kind of a silly question. But for those being baptized, if you’ll be changing into white afterwards at the church, do most people wear white or brown/black to the ceremony?
Click to expand...
I’ve been told that essentially we will have robes over our clothes the entire time we are at the Mass. I am getting baptised…so I will show up in my clothes (most people have recommended something akin to workout clothes…something that’s not a big deal to have get wet), and then will don the Brown robe there…after baptism we will be changing clothes and into the white robe. Again, from what I understand, you will have the robes on the entire time…so perhaps wear nice slacks under the white robes, with sensible shoes?

I’m actually glad this question was asked…I hadn’t thought that much about it. Flip flops seem like a good idea…so, will we be removing our shoes before stepping into the baptism waters?
 
Oh, I have a question!

So, I have picked two different confirmation names I plan on hyphenating…so, do I share the names with my Sponsor? When they do the confirmation, are the confirmation names merely added on to my own name? (First, middle, confirmation name(s), Last)?

Just curious…🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top