Starting RCIA late?

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Zeldarocks

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As some of you may already know, I am looking to start RCIA in the near future; however, I just learned that my local church started RCIA back in August, meaning I missed 15+ classes as it is. My local church does not appear to run RCIA year-round; would they be able to make an exception and allow me to start as it is? I really dont want to wait until 2013 to be received into the Church
 
That’s a lot of classes to miss. The priest has an obligation to ensure you are properly instructed in the faith - having missed that much of the classes, I am afraid that you really wouldn’t be.

Look for other nearby parishes that offer RCIA that may start at other times of the year.
 
Zeldarocks said:
As some of you may already know, I am looking to start RCIA in the near future; however, I just learned that my local church started RCIA back in August, meaning I missed 15+ classes as it is. My local church does not appear to run RCIA year-round; would they be able to make an exception and allow me to start as it is? I really dont want to wait until 2013 to be received into the Church
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It’s my undertanding from other sites, and my own experience with my parish, is that you have to wait.

Welcome. God Bless.
 
Our church is blessed to have an associate pastor (retired priest). On of our college students couldn’t make the RCIA program a few years back and he personally instructed her. Probably to much to ask most pasters but you might give it a try and/or the RCIA instructors might be willing to get you up to speed.
 
Great advice from others. Definitely discuss it with your pastor and/or RCIA director.

At my parish we usually encourage people in your position to wait until next year’s program. Sometimes we will make an exception on a case by case basis for people who have some knowledge of the faith already (e.g. a non-Catholic spouse of a Catholic who has had some involvement at the parish), but it’s best for people to go through the whole program.

Don’t be discouraged! Part of the Catholic life is the patient bearing of difficulty and inconvenience as a beneficial spiritual penance. If you need to wait, you can look at it as an opportunity to practice this.

God bless you!
 
Hi and welcome!!! I’m going through RCIA right now and just wanted to say, congratulations on being part of the Catholic church. Even if you aren’t officially Catholic yet, you can still go to mass (without receiving communion) and begin to get to know the members of your local parish. I know it seems a long time to wait, but the same thing happened to me. I had to wait a full year before I could officially start my catechism. But in your heart you are already Catholic and God knows this! So don’t worry if you have to wait. Eventually you will get there.

God bless!
Sarah
 
Zeldarocks said:
As some of you may already know, I am looking to start RCIA in the near future; however, I just learned that my local church started RCIA back in August, meaning I missed 15+ classes as it is. My local church does not appear to run RCIA year-round; would they be able to make an exception and allow me to start as it is? I really dont want to wait until 2013 to be received into the Church
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Everybody is different because we all start from a different point and move at our own speed. I can’t really answer without an personal interview where we discuss your journey, your needs, and your schedule, but in general, the catechumenate for an unbaptized adult is supposed to last not less than one calendar year, from Lent or Easter to the following Easter, and should be preceded by a period of inquiry which is as long as that person needs to decide to commit to completing the journey that leads to the Easter sacraments. Even if you joined our class this week, that is fewer than 3 months to Lent, the final period of preparation for baptism and the other sacraments. Perhaps someone who is already baptized, has been studying the Catholic faith for a long time, is already participating in life of the Parish, Mass etc. it might be possible to prepare someone for sacraments in less than a year, provided I could find a catechist who is free to work individually with that person.

We accept new candidates year round, and for each person, it takes as long as it takes.

The fastest way to get an answer in your case is to start calling the parishes around you. Make sure you talk to the priest, deacon or RCIA director, not a secretary, and preferably in person.

Welcome home. No matter how long it takes the time of waiting is filled with grace and blessings.
 
I am coming into our RCIA class at our church next Sunday. I only missed a couple of months. My mother in law is very active in the Parrish so she will be a great help. The new pastor is also very involved in bringing people into the faith. He wants to be proactive. Anyways if I were you I would speak the the RCIA director or the priest. From the research I have done each Parrish does some things a little different.
 
I was baptized in a trinitarian baptism in a nondenominational church… Would that fact expedite the process? In addition, I was baptized catholic by a priest at infancy, does that count for anything?
 
Zeldarocks said:
I was baptized in a trinitarian baptism in a nondenominational church… Would that fact expedite the process
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I doubt it. All that means is you would take Confirmation at the end, not Baptism - we recognise Trinitarian baptisms.
 
Zeldarocks said:
I was baptized in a trinitarian baptism in a nondenominational church… Would that fact expedite the process? In addition, I was baptized catholic by a priest at infancy, does that count for anything?
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If you were baptised Catholic as an infant, than the other ‘baptism’ is not valid anyway. This will not speed up the process for the reception of sacraments but you are Catholic. That’s great!

Try to see if a priest would instruct you one on one. That is definitely possible, because you can be received any time of the year, not just Easter. However, if that is not an option for whatever reason, try and see this period of waiting as preparation and an opportunity to grow spiritually and learn about the faith. There is so much available out there for those new to the faith. This forum is a great source of information too. Plus, time will fly.

Welcome home!
 
Zeldarocks said:
I was baptized in a trinitarian baptism in a nondenominational church… Would that fact expedite the process? In addition, I was baptized catholic by a priest at infancy, does that count for anything?
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If you are a baptized CAtholic you don’t belong in RCIA at all. If you now wish to learn your faith, practice it, and complete your sacramental initiation, go to the priest and explain your situation, so you can begin an adult confirmation class.

Welcome home.
 
So if I received infant baptism into the Church, but not First Communion, I’m a Catholic and don’t need to go through RCIA?
 
Zeldarocks said:
So if I received infant baptism into the Church, but not First Communion, I’m a Catholic and don’t need to go through RCIA?
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you are a Catholic who has not completed Christian initiation, and almost certainly a Catholic who has received little or no faith formation, which is your right to receive from your parish. You will be invited to join a class of adults in a similar situation. In fact, some of your class time may well be spent with people who are in RCIA. There is a provision in RCIA, actually, for persons baptized Catholic who are uncatechized (never were taught the Faith) and/or who have been practicing another religion for a time. Like other baptized adults, Catholic or not, you will prepare for Confirmation and First Communion, with a profession of faith, preceded by sacramental confession.

The advice still remains the same, make an appointment with the pastor to discuss your personal situation and needs so the parish can best meet them.

Welcome home, again. Don’t worry so much about how much time it will take, as in making the best use of that time.
 
Well what about me, Infant baptized in episcopal church ? I also was confirmed in the Episcopal church at age 12 and took part in the Eucharist for the 4 years I was in Private School there but turned away only to really come to the Lord in a non Denom church a year and a half ago. When I decided to go to mass 4 weeks ago It was amazing I still remembered many things from my Childhood. Hmmm this is very interesting to me now? I will have to talk to my priest and see what he says. I really didn’t even think about the whole confirmation and sacraments I took part in at the Episcopal Church.
 
jmoneyideas said:
Well what about me, Infant baptized in episcopal church ? I also was confirmed in the Episcopal church at age 12 and took part in the Eucharist for the 4 years I was in Private School there but turned away only to really come to the Lord in a non Denom church a year and a half ago. When I decided to go to mass 4 weeks ago It was amazing I still remembered many things from my Childhood. Hmmm this is very interesting to me now? I will have to talk to my priest and see what he says. I really didn’t even think about the whole confirmation and sacraments I took part in at the Episcopal Church.
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your situation is different from OP as he is already CAtholic.

The way for a non-Catholic, baptized or not, to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church is RCIA, adapted for your circumstances and recognizing your status as a baptized Christian. After due preparation you will make a sacramental confession, profession of faith, and receive confirmation and first communion. It may be at Easter or another time chosen as appropriate by the pastor who receives you.

again, Welcome home.

again the starting point for each individual is an interview with the priest. OP has missing information as to his faith life (or lack thereof) in the years following his Catholic baptism, including the attempt to rebaptize. the poster above already has some good Christian formation to build on.
 
Good news: it appears that my parish runs RCIA year-round! I will be meeting with the coordinator over the next few days to work out the specifics. 🙂
 
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