RCIA

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Re: Mary, I have a little story to share. In elementary school, I got a little picture of Mary in a plastic frame and I kept her because even though as a Protestant, we didn’t pray to her, I didn’t have the heart to throw her away. She’s been with me over the past 20 something years.

The other night, while reading some of the threads about Mary, I had this urge to find her. I had a feeling I had her picture with me and that I didn’t leave it at my mother’s house. My hunch was right and I found her in a backpack. She’s moved with me to 3 states in the last 7 years. Now her picture is on my nightstand.

The other night, I asked for her intercession for something and I hope her intercessions will be heard. It was awkward talking to her for the first time. But I’m sure it will get easier with time. 👍
 
SeekNFind said:
Re: Mary, I have a little story to share. In elementary school, I got a little picture of Mary in a plastic frame and I kept her because even though as a Protestant, we didn’t pray to her, I didn’t have the heart to throw her away. She’s been with me over the past 20 something years.

The other night, while reading some of the threads about Mary, I had this urge to find her. I had a feeling I had her picture with me and that I didn’t leave it at my mother’s house. My hunch was right and I found her in a backpack. She’s moved with me to 3 states in the last 7 years. Now her picture is on my nightstand.

The other night, I asked for her intercession for something and I hope her intercessions will be heard. It was awkward talking to her for the first time. But I’m sure it will get easier with time. 👍
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Nice. It definitely will get easier with time. One thing which came up on another thread that is worth noting here is that Mary is not mentioned even once throughout all of the epistles. To me that lends credence to the idea that some Catholics take things a bit too far with Marian devotions. The other thing to consider that some of the words which are used in the Catechism regarding Mary such as Redeptrix, Co-mediatrix, etc. have not been defined by the Church. In fact, the Church has specifically stated that there is no acceptable definition and, as such, the Faithful are free to utilize any of several definitions for those words which have been proposed.

I am confident that throughout RCIA and following, you will find your own level of comfort in how you approach our blessed Mother within the teachings of the Church.
 
Thanks for checking in with us jwinch2!

Things are going well. Although I am not reading the Bible as much as I would like, I am getting a lot out of RCIA. It’s not necessarily new info, but it is synthesized and presented in a way that makes a cohesive picture. Only 2 more classes before the first Rite!
 
SeekNFind said:
Thanks for checking in with us jwinch2!

Things are going well. Although I am not reading the Bible as much as I would like, I am getting a lot out of RCIA. It’s not necessarily new info, but it is synthesized and presented in a way that makes a cohesive picture. Only 2 more classes before the first Rite!
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Glad to hear that it is going well. I understand about not having enough time for scripture study. I am currently in formation as a lay Dominican, and my wife and I are going through a two year program on ministry within the Church. Both of those things require a good bit of study. Plus, I am just starting Leviticus in my Navarre study Bible and that isn’t exactly like reading the Gospels… 😃

Right now, I think you are doing the right thing. Focus on the Catechism aspect so that when Easter become near (and it will fly by before you know it) and you are asked to stand up and profess your faith, you will have complete confidence that you truly and completely believe what the Church teaches to be true.

Take care and feel free to post here if you have questions or if something crops up that is an issue. You can shoot me a PM if need be as well.

Peace,

Jason
 
So, this seems like a good thread within which to hear some opinions.

I’m in an inquiry class. Last night was our 4th meeting (once a week, which I assume is normal.
  1. There is *no *reading. Nothing is ever assigned!
Last night, a few “facts” presented in the course of discussion kind of bothered me.
  1. Mary never died (stated as a matter of fact). She was assumed before she died--this was presented as though it were doctrine, though, not only do we not read, but there’s never any reference to actual doctrines or the CCC.
  2. Peter was a Roman citizen.
  3. *Paul *was crucified upside down.
Now, I understand that these classes are a catchall–they’re aimed at a very broad audience, and can’t appease everyone. But, I expected a bit more intellectual/scholarly rigor. I expected to have plenty of directed reading. Also, I’m pretty sure the question of whether Mary died or not prior to her assumption was unanswered. I’m almost completely positive Peter was not Roman (or they wouldn’t have crucified him, upside-down!). And, I’m almost completely certain Paul was not crucified (upside-down or any other way), precisely because he was a Roman citizen!!

These weren’t merely slips of the tongue. This was confusion about the facts. A slip of the tongue (or what I’m calling that) occurred when the teacher said the Council of Nicea was in the 3rd Century. It was in the 300s, but that’s the 4th Century. That’s a reasonable error. The others were not. It’s not as if he said, “Paul was crucified upside down and Peter was a Roman citizen.” That would seem like he just got the names twisted within a sentence. No. He said “Peter and Paul were Roman citizens.”

Please, correct me if I’m wrong on any count about the facts.

If I’m correct, what should I do?

I have no problem reading on my own. My reading of the Catechism is what led me to RCIA, after all. But, I really feel like I’m missing out, especially in that “synthesized and presented in a way that makes a cohesive picture” way SeekNFind mentioned above.

But, when it comes to actually learning what I should be and need to be learning, I’m a little concerned. There is plenty that I just won’t know to read about! I need the class for that!

Should I try to find another class? How do I do that while being certain that it won’t just be more of the same?

I’d say something to the Priest, but the teacher in question is a Deacon, and he’s been teaching the class for 30-plus years! I really don’t feel comfortable rocking the boat.
 
Jocko, you probably should talk to the priest. Express your concern that there seems to be very little teaching and tell him about the Peter and Paul question.

I would hate to think that RCIA has been wrongly taught for 30 years.
 
Hi Jocko VT!
I am going though the RCIA process just like you, I believe that you should bring this subject up with the priest. You have listed yourself as Atheist/wavering but you obviously know more than many of the RCIA people in my class! And your search for the Truth is praiseworthy. I am impressed. You are correct. Peter was crucified head down (because he said that he was not worthy enough to be crucified head up as his Lord) I first learned this in Rome when I lived and studied there. And Paul was a Roman citizen. I believe that the RCIA process should be a time for questions and discussion and not just sitting and silent acceptence. This is the food for inspiration! In my class we only have 1/ 1/2 hours a week to cover an enormous amount of material. I realized quickly that there would be no way that our Priest/lecturer could cover everything in depth. At that point, I knew that I had to do more on my part. And I also started to pray for inspiration from the Holy Spirit, seeking His guidance in my everyday life. I truly believe that what we put into this learning experience in the short amount of time we have on our own with the help of our priest/lecturer, we will harvest manifold. I am lucky to have a pastor who’s door is always open even though I know that he is always booked solid. He is always open to any of our questions and observations. He is exceptional. I would like to believe that your priest is of the “same cloth” as mine. For me, this is an exciting and revealing time in my life which I am compelled to share with others, but at the same time don’t want to burden others with my enthusiasm! (Does that make sense?) Bless you Joko VT. RCIA is so much more than one deacon.
 
@Jocko VT, we got a whole list of readings but so far, they only assigned readings during 2 of the classes. I honestly think they forgot to assign readings. :o But I’ve been reading it on my own and not necessarily in order. There are certain “hot issues” that as a Protestant I wanted to read up on right away.

Our teacher has been really good but things haven’t been perfect. For example, they keep talking about the upcoming Rite of Acceptance but I haven’t heard any differentiation between that and the Rite of Welcoming for those who are already baptized.
 
jwinch2 said:
Glad to hear that it is going well. I understand about not having enough time for scripture study. I am currently in formation as a lay Dominican, and my wife and I are going through a two year program on ministry within the Church. Both of those things require a good bit of study. Plus, I am just starting Leviticus in my Navarre study Bible and that isn’t exactly like reading the Gospels… 😃

Right now, I think you are doing the right thing. Focus on the Catechism aspect so that when Easter become near (and it will fly by before you know it) and you are asked to stand up and profess your faith, you will have complete confidence that you truly and completely believe what the Church teaches to be true.

Take care and feel free to post here if you have questions or if something crops up that is an issue. You can shoot me a PM if need be as well.

Peace,

Jason
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Good luck with your study! 👍
 
Wow!! What an awesome thread!!! I started RCIA about 7 weeks ago. I am super nerdy and have read a million books about the faith. I have attended mass faithfully since July. My best friend is catholic. I have always wandered about the faith, but growing up in a HEAVILY baptist area got shot down a lot. Finally, my husband I moved away and I got the courage to just start asking questions. I was welcomed with open arms. We live in a very small town and our RCIA class is taught by our priest. He is amazing. A wealth of knowledge. He is very forthcoming with personal answers and his opinions. I am so lucky to be exactly where I am. I am learning things so fast and am loving every minute of it. My family has welcomed the change. I have 3 girls and am not only doing this for me, but for them as well. Come easter sunday they will be baptized and my oldest will receive first communion. She loves the faith just as much as I do. They are all growing so much. Just thought I would share a bit of info and say CONGRATULATIONS ALL for starting this awesome journey that NONE of us will ever forget.
 
Are any of the RCIAers going to Mass for All Saints or All Souls Day?
 
I’m going to both. I feel that if Im gonna give my heart, I’m gonna give 100%. All saints day is a holy day and my friend had a baby die last year, so Im gonna go to all souls day to pay tribute to her. Im looking forward to the upcoming season. Ive never even heard of advent before I started research on catholicism. I had heard of Lent, but had no clue what it meant. I just knew every cafe around served fish on fridays. haha. I guess I have led a sheltered life.
 
IIbiII, I am with you! I also will be attending both All Saints and All Souls Masses. We might as well get in the rhythm of worship and jump in with both feet! As for Advent and Lent, I have observed both on my own just “for me” for several years. These times are wonderful spiritual oasises for connecting with and giving perspective to what is really important in life.
I love your enthusiasm!
 
Went to All Saint’s Mass at 6: 30 AM and will be going to the All Souls Mass tomorrow night. I lost both parents in the period between November 10th and New Year’s Day (four years apart) and this end of the year has been very blue for me. I love the whole concept of All Saints/All Souls and find it very comforting and healing as I head into this time this year- I wish I had decided to be Catholic earlier as there is nothing really like this in the Methodist Church in terms or lovingly remembering and praying for those who have passed. Just another great thing about becoming Catholic:)

Blessings,

Val
 
Went to All Saints mass today. It was awesome. Our priest is so great, he always makes it feel personal. The children of our catholic school were there and he came down and was talking to them, asking them questions and was generally very personal.

He explained the communion of saints to them and to us parishioners. My 4 year old got so much out of mass. For someone who is just coming into the catholic church, SO DID I!!

She looked at me and said “momma, what’s a saint”, “momma, how can I be a saint?” About the time she said that, he answered her questions in his message. She said “oh momma, I love God, I love the saints, and they are up there in heaven cheering for me!!”. It was just a special moment for she and I.

I am not the only one who is learning. SHE IS TOO! Im so proud to give the gift of coming home to the church to my children and through this they are falling madly in love with our Lord.

RCIA is teaching me so much and I love it, but todays mass was excellent and just brought everything we have been learning about the Saints full circle.

Just thought I would share.

Peace,

Lori
 
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