RCIA - When to enter the church decision

[adventdoula]

Hello,

My husband and I are in RCIA currently as candidates, and our oldest child is in RCIC as a candidate also. When we began RCIA, we did so after already having spent several years researching, learning about, and experiencing the Catholic faith. Because of this, I entered RCIA with the intention of doing this because it was the step I had to take to become Catholic, and I was ready to make that step. My husband began the inquiry phase a little less committed, but has now already fully decided that he does indeed want to join the church. In the classes, we have actually learned very little in regards to the faith that we do not already know. We had hoped the classes would be more for getting to experience and learn more about practicing the faith, but we were told it was designed for catechumens mainly and really only covers the basic teachings and practices, and doesn’t actively teach you how to “be” a Catholic. Because of our knowledge and where we are at, our parish priest and RCIA director have offered us and a few others in RCIA the option to enter the church early. We just experienced the Rite of Welcoming, and it was an amazing experience. I would be sad to miss some of the ritual and experience of staying in RCIA, but there are factors which are having us seriously consider entering the church before Easter. Our daughter would remain in RCIC, but we would be able to join sooner. Part of the reason we are considering this, is because we know we are ready and committed, but also because we have 2 other children who are very young, and attending all of the classes and retreats has been extremely difficult, particularly in regards to childcare for them due to health issues and breastfeeding. It has been made clear that the RCIA director prefers us to remain in the program, but we were told the church does not want to hinder us from entering either. We are going to be in prayer about this, and if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this, I would appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut in addition to your prayers.

Thank you!

 

[PJM]

=adventdoula;10093985]Hello,

My husband and I are in RCIA currently as candidates, and our oldest child is in RCIC as a candidate also. When we began RCIA, we did so after already having spent several years researching, learning about, and experiencing the Catholic faith. Because of this, I entered RCIA with the intention of doing this because it was the step I had to take to become Catholic, and I was ready to make that step. My husband began the inquiry phase a little less committed, but has now already fully decided that he does indeed want to join the church. In the classes, we have actually learned very little in regards to the faith that we do not already know. We had hoped the classes would be more for getting to experience and learn more about practicing the faith, but we were told it was designed for catechumens mainly and really only covers the basic teachings and practices, and doesn’t actively teach you how to “be” a Catholic. Because of our knowledge and where we are at, our parish priest and RCIA director have offered us and a few others in RCIA the option to enter the church early. We just experienced the Rite of Welcoming, and it was an amazing experience. I would be sad to miss some of the ritual and experience of staying in RCIA, but there are factors which are having us seriously consider entering the church before Easter. Our daughter would remain in RCIC, but we would be able to join sooner. Part of the reason we are considering this, is because we know we are ready and committed, but also because we have 2 other children who are very young, and attending all of the classes and retreats has been extremely difficult, particularly in regards to childcare for them due to health issues and breastfeeding. It has been made clear that the RCIA director prefers us to remain in the program, but we were told the church does not want to hinder us from entering either. We are going to be in prayer about this, and if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this, I would appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut in addition to your prayers.

Thank you!

If through prayer you have reached this decission and your Pastor is good eith it. DO IT

I taught RCIA for 3 three years and have an on-going e-mail ministry; so if you have any questions or things you’d like to discuss, hut contact me

WELCOME HOME!

The Sooer you enter into “full communion” the sooner you can participate in the sacramnetsand that IS a very good thing

God Bless,

pat /PJM

 

[maltmom]

Welcome Home!!!

I did not attend RCIA, so I came in early. It was a wonderful blessing for me. You can still attend the classes when and if you can. If your Priest feels you are ready, then by all means receive the Sacraments.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

RCIA for candidates is only intended to be as long as it needs to be. (Lots of parishes ignore this in favor of a cookie cutter approach.) In my view you would not be enter the Church “early,” but at the appropriate time for you.

If you are comfortable with this decision and ready then you should do it.

Please also give some thought to what you will do once RCIA is over. Are there any groups in your parish that you might join to continue developing your Catholic faith? One of the big things about RCIA is the support you get from other candidates and catechumens. It’s good to have something to replace that as you move forward.

 

[Don_Jackson]

Hello,

My husband and I are in RCIA currently as candidates, and our oldest child is in RCIC as a candidate also. When we began RCIA, we did so after already having spent several years researching, learning about, and experiencing the Catholic faith. Because of this, I entered RCIA with the intention of doing this because it was the step I had to take to become Catholic, and I was ready to make that step. My husband began the inquiry phase a little less committed, but has now already fully decided that he does indeed want to join the church. In the classes, we have actually learned very little in regards to the faith that we do not already know. We had hoped the classes would be more for getting to experience and learn more about practicing the faith, but we were told it was designed for catechumens mainly and really only covers the basic teachings and practices, and doesn’t actively teach you how to “be” a Catholic. Because of our knowledge and where we are at, our parish priest and RCIA director have offered us and a few others in RCIA the option to enter the church early. We just experienced the Rite of Welcoming, and it was an amazing experience. I would be sad to miss some of the ritual and experience of staying in RCIA, but there are factors which are having us seriously consider entering the church before Easter. Our daughter would remain in RCIC, but we would be able to join sooner. Part of the reason we are considering this, is because we know we are ready and committed, but also because we have 2 other children who are very young, and attending all of the classes and retreats has been extremely difficult, particularly in regards to childcare for them due to health issues and breastfeeding. It has been made clear that the RCIA director prefers us to remain in the program, but we were told the church does not want to hinder us from entering either. We are going to be in prayer about this, and if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this, I would appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut in addition to your prayers.

Thank you!

My entry into the Church was similar.

I had been attending Mass for several years, and studying Catholic dogma, theology, teaching, etc during that same period. I started RCIA classes the week after Thanksgiving and entered into the church the Saturday before Ash Wednesday so I could observe Easter with my wife of 35 years who was a Catholic.

Even though I was fully entered into the faith, I elected to continue with the program, which ends at our parish at Pentecost.

So consider as a compromise, to continue with the classes. It might be a win/win situation, and besides, there is something to be said about the good company you will be keeping (and providing).

Peace and all good!

 

[frizzgrig]

If you are ready now, it is your choice to delay reception of the sacraments or not. Discuss it with your pastor, one option if you really want the experience of staying with your RCIA class may be to allow you and your husband to attend RCIA sessions and events as you are able and receive the sacraments with your RCIA class.

If you are not learning anything “new” in the sessions, there may not be an intellectual reason to continue the sessions. Part of living a Catholic life is sharing your faith with others, and becoming a part of community. I hope the RCIA classes are helping each of the attendees to do that. This would be a reason to stay in the classes.

 

[adventdoula]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. We are going to prayerfully consider this, and will be discussing it with our sponsors, as well as with our pastor and the RCIA director. I feel like we are leaning towards joining the church as soon as we are able, in order to proceed with our infant’s baptism in the church, and because of childcare issues, and due to the fact that we have not found much fellowship within our RCIA class but have made several connections already with others in the parish. Thank you for the suggestion that we make sure we are plugged in to other ministry and learning opportunities in the parish community other than RCIA if we choose to proceed in this way. I think this is a very wise idea. Thank you again for your (name removed by moderator)ut, and we would appreciate your continued prayers as we make our final decision on how to proceed and continue in our faith.

 

[adventdoula]

Since we have made our decision, and I know some of you have been praying for us, I wanted to update and let you all know.

After much thoughtfulness and prayer, and speaking at length with our RCIA director and also our sponsors, we have decided that we will be entering the church as soon as possible. My husband and I should join sometime in January! We are quite excited and feeling anxious and joyful. Our oldest daughter will enter at the Easter Vigil, our 3 year old will enter when we do through our profession of faith (both our oldest and he have already been baptized in another Christian denomination), and our youngest son will receive the sacrament of baptism in February. Thank you for taking the time to respond and for offering prayers on our behalf. We are glad to be coming home!

 

[maltmom]

Since we have made our decision, and I know some of you have been praying for us, I wanted to update and let you all know.

After much thoughtfulness and prayer, and speaking at length with our RCIA director and also our sponsors, we have decided that we will be entering the church as soon as possible. My husband and I should join sometime in January! We are quite excited and feeling anxious and joyful. Our oldest daughter will enter at the Easter Vigil, our 3 year old will enter when we do through our profession of faith (both our oldest and he have already been baptized in another Christian denomination), and our youngest son will receive the sacrament of baptism in February. Thank you for taking the time to respond and for offering prayers on our behalf. We are glad to be coming home!

That’s wonderful news Welcome Home!!! Please come back and tell us about your experience.

 

[pablope]

Since we have made our decision, and I know some of you have been praying for us, I wanted to update and let you all know.

After much thoughtfulness and prayer, and speaking at length with our RCIA director and also our sponsors, we have decided that we will be entering the church as soon as possible. My husband and I should join sometime in January! We are quite excited and feeling anxious and joyful. Our oldest daughter will enter at the Easter Vigil, our 3 year old will enter when we do through our profession of faith (both our oldest and he have already been baptized in another Christian denomination), and our youngest son will receive the sacrament of baptism in February. Thank you for taking the time to respond and for offering prayers on our behalf. We are glad to be coming home!

How wonderful…God indeed wanted you in early.