"Revert" question about Adult Confirmation

[brishen]

Hi , a little back story…I am a cradle catholic, and went to catholic school in early elementary taking part in first reconcilliation and communion in my childhood parish. Long story short, I was away from the church for almost 30 years, during that time I persued a Jewish life and lived as one (to the best of my ability). Then in the past few years I have felt called back to the church in various ways…memories, dreams, finding myself on catholic websites, etc…then this past year I started attending mass sporadically and now regularly since Lent. I have since realized for a variety of (very quanifiable) reasons I am passionate about returning to the Catholic Church and want to be confirmed.
That said, in late winter I emailed the Monsenior of my church telling him a little of my backround and asking if the church had adult confimation classes. He never got back to me and we have never been introduced by name so he has no idea who I am…months pass and I’m now attending every sunday, the lenten mission, all the services holy week, etc…I saw on the church’s website the page for adult confimation (it seemed to be part of RCIA) and emailed the Decon who runs it a brief email, this time giving no background except I had yet to be confirmed and asking for information of how I might participate in the future. That was a week ago and I haven’t heard anything back on that either. Am I being too impatient? Is it like Judaism where you have to be turned away three times? (lol) or would approaching someone after mass me more appropriate? :shrug:The priests and deacons are always swarmed after church so I never felt comfortable asking in that context. Any thoughts on what is appropriate would be appreciated.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Call the parish office. They can tell you the best way to go about things.

 

[brishen]

that makes sense, thanks.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Hi , a little back story…I am a cradle catholic, and went to catholic school in early elementary taking part in first reconcilliation and communion in my childhood parish. Long story short, I was away from the church for almost 30 years, during that time I persued a Jewish life and lived as one (to the best of my ability). Then in the past few years I have felt called back to the church in various ways…memories, dreams, finding myself on catholic websites, etc…then this past year I started attending mass sporadically and now regularly since Lent. I have since realized for a variety of (very quanifiable) reasons I am passionate about returning to the Catholic Church and want to be confirmed.
That said, in late winter I emailed the Monsenior of my church telling him a little of my backround and asking if the church had adult confimation classes. He never got back to me and we have never been introduced by name so he has no idea who I am…months pass and I’m now attending every sunday, the lenten mission, all the services holy week, etc…I saw on the church’s website the page for adult confimation (it seemed to be part of RCIA) and emailed the Decon who runs it a brief email, this time giving no background except I had yet to be confirmed and asking for information of how I might participate in the future. That was a week ago and I haven’t heard anything back on that either. Am I being too impatient? Is it like Judaism where you have to be turned away three times? (lol) or would approaching someone after mass me more appropriate? :shrug:The priests and deacons are always swarmed after church so I never felt comfortable asking in that context. Any thoughts on what is appropriate would be appreciated.

Programs for Catholics who missed Confirmation vary from diocese to diocese as to what is necessary and so your parish would have to advise what procedure they have in your diocese. Don’t be discouraged.

I also would telephone at this point. Or even better, since you are going to Mass every Sunday, you can also simply go up and introduce yourself and ask them in person…either by going up to them if they are doing walkabout after Mass or by going to the sacristy after Mass is over and introducing yourself.

I appreciate they seem swarmed but you have a very good reason to be one of those who swarm them, since you would like to be confirmed. Before I retired and when I was a pastor, I am sure it seemed as though I were being swarmed to the bystander…of course most of the people were greeting me and chatting. Now when I go back to some place to fill in as a substitute, they swarm me to see how I am faring…I would want someone who is in need of the sacraments to come up to me and interrupt – that is a more important conversation than telling people about the life of a priest in retirement!

I trust you have made your confession so that you can again receive the Eucharist?

Oh…just so you know, it is “Monsignor” and “Deacon”.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Talk to a YouTube eal person. E-mails are easily overlooked.

 

[ChadS]

At this point, unless they offer individual instruction, they will probably tell you that you need to go through RCIA classes and you will need to wait until August or September before they start back up again. At that point you would most likely be received into full communion with the Church at the next Easter Vigil.

If you do not want to wait you may have to shop around at some different parishes or even try Diocesan offices who may be able to help people one-on-one and not make you wait until the fall to begin classes.

ChadS

 

[brishen]

Programs for Catholics who missed Confirmation vary from diocese to diocese as to what is necessary and so your parish would have to advise what procedure they have in your diocese. Don’t be discouraged.

I also would telephone at this point. Or even better, since you are going to Mass every Sunday, you can also simply go up and introduce yourself and ask them in person…either by going up to them if they are doing walkabout after Mass or by going to the sacristy after Mass is over and introducing yourself.

I appreciate they seem swarmed but you have a very good reason to be one of those who swarm them, since you would like to be confirmed. Before I retired and when I was a pastor, I am sure it seemed as though I were being swarmed to the bystander…of course most of the people were greeting me and chatting. Now when I go back to some place to fill in as a substitute, they swarm me to see how I am faring…I would want someone who is in need of the sacraments to come up to me and interrupt – that is a more important conversation than telling people about the life of a priest in retirement!

I trust you have made your confession so that you can again receive the Eucharist?

Oh…just so you know, it is “Monsignor” and “Deacon”.

Forgive the misspellings…Yes, I made confession before receiving the Eucharist. In the bulliten at Mass today (funny enough) there was a note saying to speak to this particular deacon about RCIA and Adult Confirmation for next year. It was a less crowded Mass than usual and so I approached him afterwards, he was very friendly and said he just hadn’t had a chance to call me (I had my number in the email)…guess I was just shy about approaching in person, lol.

 

[brishen]

Talk to a YouTube eal person. E-mails are easily overlooked.

 

[brishen]

At this point, unless they offer individual instruction, they will probably tell you that you need to go through RCIA classes and you will need to wait until August or September before they start back up again. At that point you would most likely be received into full communion with the Church at the next Easter Vigil.

If you do not want to wait you may have to shop around at some different parishes or even try Diocesan offices who may be able to help people one-on-one and not make you wait until the fall to begin classes.

ChadS

At our Parish they have the RCIA people received during the Easter Virgil and the Adult Confirmations next week at Pentecost. Either way I don’t mind attending the classes, or waiting until next year, I just wanted to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Thanks!

 

[brishen]

…A little update…i approached the (RCIA/Adult Confrmaton Deacon) after Mass a couple weeks ago, as advsed, and he took my number, and said would call that week but was probably too busy preparing for Pentecost sunday and that’s understandable. I figure i’ll try to call the # listed for him in the bulliten this week now a Sunday has passed…I guess my parish isn’t as desperate for new members as some, lol…they beat em’ off with sticks.
That said, during the Pentecost service I did notice all those confirmed were women 25-40. Doesn’t bother me, just wondering if anyone else has noticed this trend. During the Easter Vigil it was a more diverse group, men and women,etc…I’m curious…

 

[veilofveronica]

…A little update…i approached the (RCIA/Adult Confrmaton Deacon) after Mass a couple weeks ago, as advsed, and he took my number, and said would call that week but was probably too busy preparing for Pentecost sunday and that’s understandable. I figure i’ll try to call the # listed for him in the bulliten this week now a Sunday has passed…I guess my parish isn’t as desperate for new members as some, lol…they beat em’ off with sticks.
That said, during the Pentecost service I did notice all those confirmed were women 25-40. Doesn’t bother me, just wondering if anyone else has noticed this trend. During the Easter Vigil it was a more diverse group, men and women,etc…I’m curious…

Welcome back to the Church!!! I had a sojourn with Mormonism and returned this year, best decision I made!

Keep phoning, sometimes they get busy and sadly forget. My mom was Confirmed at Pentecost, she’s in her 60’s and just had never been Confirmed. They had a separate class for these adults, some parishes require RCIA. Either way, welcome back and prayers for you.