RCIA

[jwinch2]

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

Fantastic witness. Thanks for sharing! Sometimes the Holy Spirit just decides to act…

 

[SeekNFind]

I had changed my mind about going earlier today but I want to go. I’m going to the 7pm tridentine mass. It’s not the basilica where I usually go. I’m going to try to get there a little early to get a seat in the back since I won’t know what’s going on!

 

[SeekNFind]

We still haven’t received our sponsors. And the Rite of Acceptance is Sunday.

 

[jwinch2]

We still haven’t received our sponsors. And the Rite of Acceptance is Sunday.

You will. In your case since you are unbaptized, you will be getting God Parents. Often times during this part of the year, parishes are just now finding out who is serious about the RCIA process and likely to go through with it, and who is not quite there but may be dipping their toes in the water. Until they have an idea of that, it is hard to ask for people to be sponsors.

Right around this time of the year is when we met our sponsors for the first time last year.

Peace,

 

[SeekNFind]

You will. In your case since you are unbaptized, you will be getting God Parents. Often times during this part of the year, parishes are just now finding out who is serious about the RCIA process and likely to go through with it, and who is not quite there but may be dipping their toes in the water. Until they have an idea of that, it is hard to ask for people to be sponsors.

Right around this time of the year is when we met our sponsors for the first time last year.

Peace,

I didn’t realize I’d be getting new Godparents too? They didn’t mention this.

Also, they said it would be someone from within the class so I wasn’t sure why they hadn’t been assigned. I’m hoping for 1 of 2 younger women in the class who I like/relate to but I figured it’s not the kind of thing you’re supposed to ask for.

 

[jwinch2]

I didn’t realize I’d be getting new Godparents too? They didn’t mention this.

Also, they said it would be someone from within the class so I wasn’t sure why they hadn’t been assigned. I’m hoping for 1 of 2 younger women in the class who I like/relate to but I figured it’s not the kind of thing you’re supposed to ask for.

I am assuming that since you mention in your profile that you are unbaptized, that you will need to go through baptism at the Easter Vigil which means you will need God Parents. In our class, some chose their own God Parents for Baptism and then also had a sponsor for confirmation assigned and some used the same people for both Baptism and Confirmation.

I would assume it is up to you…

 

[achmafooma]

I didn’t realize I’d be getting new Godparents too? They didn’t mention this.

Also, they said it would be someone from within the class so I wasn’t sure why they hadn’t been assigned. I’m hoping for 1 of 2 younger women in the class who I like/relate to but I figured it’s not the kind of thing you’re supposed to ask for.

I think different Parishes definitely do this different ways.

Technically the person being Baptized has a Godparent, but, to keep things simple and understandable at my Parish we usually refer to them as Sponsors for adults, and (unless somebody asks differently) we have the same person stand as Godparent and Sponsor. We try not to add any additional complexity unless necessary.

I’m also a little surprised to hear the Rite of Acceptance is happening so soon. Ours is scheduled for mid-February, by which point hopefully most will have sorted out whether they want to go through with it or not. For my RCIA class (I’m the coordinator of the program) I’m planning to start pushing for people to choose a Sponsor, or let me know that they would like one assigned, after the new year.

You’ll learn that a lot of things are the same from Parish-to-Parish, but a lot of things are different too.

Either way, don’t stress too much. You’ll get through it . God bless!

 

[allypaiget]

My husband and I are attending our first RCIA class tonight.

 

[jwinch2]

My husband and I are attending our first RCIA class tonight.

Good for you! If you have any questions, feel free to post them or send a PM to someone and we will be glad to help you out!

 

[Ruth_Catherine]

Just thought I would share some excitement with you…I am starting RCIA tomorrow night. lol

Welcome and God bless.

 

[asd72]

We still haven’t received our sponsors. And the Rite of Acceptance is Sunday.

Father hasn’t mentioned my needing a sponsor, or having a Rite of Acceptance. Does anyone know if these things are essential?

 

[FromTheAshes777]

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

This is wonderful Lori, thanks so much for sharing.

 

[SeekNFind]

I am assuming that since you mention in your profile that you are unbaptized, that you will need to go through baptism at the Easter Vigil which means you will need God Parents. In our class, some chose their own God Parents for Baptism and then also had a sponsor for confirmation assigned and some used the same people for both Baptism and Confirmation.

I would assume it is up to you…

I was christened (which I know is not the same thing as Baptism) but I have a Godfather (my Godmother is deceased). But I guess since they are not Catholic, they wouldn’t count?
I guess we’ll find out.

 

[SeekNFind]

I think different Parishes definitely do this different ways.

Technically the person being Baptized has a Godparent, but, to keep things simple and understandable at my Parish we usually refer to them as Sponsors for adults, and (unless somebody asks differently) we have the same person stand as Godparent and Sponsor. We try not to add any additional complexity unless necessary.

I’m also a little surprised to hear the Rite of Acceptance is happening so soon. Ours is scheduled for mid-February, by which point hopefully most will have sorted out whether they want to go through with it or not. For my RCIA class (I’m the coordinator of the program) I’m planning to start pushing for people to choose a Sponsor, or let me know that they would like one assigned, after the new year.

You’ll learn that a lot of things are the same from Parish-to-Parish, but a lot of things are different too.
**
Either way, don’t stress too much. You’ll get through it** . God bless!

 

[SeekNFind]

Father hasn’t mentioned my needing a sponsor, or having a Rite of Acceptance. Does anyone know if these things are essential?

We were told about the rite in the first class. I believe all RCIA classes have this?

 

[YoungTradCath]

I was christened (which I know is not the same thing as Baptism) but I have a Godfather (my Godmother is deceased). But I guess since they are not Catholic, they wouldn’t count?
I guess we’ll find out.

Anyone can baptize anyone. Atheists can baptize people “into” the Catholic Church. Reason being, if someone is seconds from death, and they want a baptism, which is necessary for salvation, and there’s not a priest or deacon nearby, they’re still safe.

So what happened to you very well could be a valid baptism. Can you explain what went on?

 

[Miriam1947]

I was christened (which I know is not the same thing as Baptism) but I have a Godfather (my Godmother is deceased). But I guess since they are not Catholic, they wouldn’t count?
I guess we’ll find out.

I think a christening is the same as a baptism. Just another word for the same rite. If you were baptized you do not need to be re-baptized unless you were baptized a Mormon or another religion whose baptisms are not recognized by the Catholic Church. Most mainstream Protestant communities have recognized baptisms.

You do not need to have been a Catholic at the time. Of course, now that means you will be going to confession before you are received into the Church.

 

[jwinch2]

I was christened (which I know is not the same thing as Baptism) but I have a Godfather (my Godmother is deceased). But I guess since they are not Catholic, they wouldn’t count?
I guess we’ll find out.

I would speak to your Priest or a Deacon about it. If changes some of the Rites you will go through, more so once Lent starts than now, but still here are minor differences.

Depending on the form used, you may have a valid baptism and then again, you may not. For example, I was baptized Methodist. However, since the Methodist Church uses a Trinitiarian Baptism with the correct form, mine was valid. There were others in group that had to be re-baptized due to things such as only being baptized in the name of Jesus rather than in a Trinitarian fashion, etc.

 

[jwinch2]

One thing I would mention to anyone coming into the Church. If you are married to a Catholic but were married outside of the Church, you will need to look into Convalidation. My wife and I did it last year. If you are married to a non-Catholic it should not be an issue that you need to to deal with. Or, if you are married to a Catholic but did so within the Church or, if your spouse received permission from the Bishop to marry outside of the Church, than you should be OK as well.

Just something to think about so that it doesn’t sneak up on anyone…

Peace,

 

[Hmgbrd]

This is my experience so far. We were asked to submit a copy of our Baptism certificate as written proof when we registered for RCIA. Also all current and previous marriages/divorces/baptisms of both partners had to be documented going back 2 marriges. (If you were married more than that I don’t know what happens!! ) We were also given forms for our sponsors to fill out and be verified by their Parish and returned. Our “Rite” isn’t until next year. Probably due to the fact that was mentioned before that some people attending may be there just to inform themselves about the CC and not necessarily ready to make a commitment at this time. We all had a personal meeting with Father when we started coming to RCIA so I haven’t talked to anyone else about this in the class. Hope that this helps. I am sure that everything will be worked out!