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ChrissiM
Guest
To be honest, anjoh66, this is becoming a bit annoying. Why can’t you just let us celebrate our special day?
Chrissi
Chrissi
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anjoh66
Guest
My intention is not to deprive anyone of their special day.
I just want to emphazise the most important thing in the acceptance of Christ.
I personally know people who is very sad because they couldnt join this year and someones happiness must not be on others sadness, understand my point?
What i dont like is the “we and them” situation. So lets not forget those who are still in process of joining.
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tinalewis
Guest
I awoke in bed next to a Catholic for the first time in my life!!! Congratulations to my wonderful husband!
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nsper7
Guest
Well, they will be part of the 2010 Tiber Swim Team then.
In a way, there is a “we” and “them” simply because, well, as a Candidate (I was already Baptized validly as a Protestant) I could not receive Communion.
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Monica4316
Guest
so happy to be Catholic!!! 
finally!
finally!
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anjoh66
Guest
Some will have to wait until 2011 as we have a tradition of long RCIA in my country and they rather delay it instead of speeding it up.Well, they will be part of the 2010 Tiber Swim Team then.
In a way, there is a “we” and “them” simply because, well, as a Candidate (I was already Baptized validly as a Protestant) I could not receive Communion.
Usually it takes 3 years to be fully incorporated in the church and the priests doesnt consider it to be a hurry for anyone, the longer time the better they say.
Yes there is a we and them situation but we shouldnt emphazise on it, whoever said yes to follow and become a catholic is welcomed by the Lord in that very moment.
And the church consider them as members of the household of christ according to the CCC:
1249 Catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity.” “With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own.”
scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1249.htm
Thats why in my opinion it is wrong to say welcome home, as they have already been home a long time. And for those not already in, who has 2-3 years more to go it is very disrespectful and a cause of grievance for them, and that is surely not what christ intended.
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nsper7
Guest
Well, I will admit here in the US (or at least my parish), the RCIA process was only a few months long (although I have been a Christian for several years). Anyway, it is interesting you should mention ‘welcoming’ since at the beginning of the RCIA process there is that Rite of Welcoming.
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anjoh66
Guest
That is exactly what i mean, they have already been welcomed at that time, that is why i oppose myself when people say welcome home after easter vigil.
Easter vigil means you are in full communion with the church and now are able to recieve the sacraments and that is very important.
But many shouldnt have been there if they didnt say yes to Jesus that time at the rite of welcoming.
That is one of the reasons this rite of welcoming is very important, to give the feeling that you are welcome into the household of christ, and will now be prepared to participate fully in the sacraments.
According to the canon law the catechumens has certain rights on the church, such as a catholic funeral if they die before being baptized, or the right to marry in the church if they wish to marry an unbaptised person or a non-catholic.
That proves the church already consider them as her own as the CCC says, although they are not able to participate in the sacraments.
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CalCatholic
Guest
Catechumens and Candidates are consider members of the Church, but many of them choose not to finish RCIA for many varied reasons, so the ones that stay with RCIA for one, two of three years, have every right to be joyous on the nite they are received in full communion with the Church. In fact it was an inspiration for me when I was in RCIA, when I attended the Easter Vigil and saw the people in my RCIA class (that were ahead of me), receive the sacraments. So congratulations to all!!!
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anjoh66
Guest
Yes that is a problem, thats why we here in my country have a precatechumenal period of at least one year before anyone will be recieved as catechumens, tehn follow a 2 year period of classes, even the born catholics, children who will recieve their first communion or confirmation, all those classes also is 2 years.
There are many cradle catholics who should need a great quantity of catechism.
I am not opposing that anyone be joyous after being recieved into full communion with the church, that is a natural part of it.
But it is not only catechumens who leave RCIA even catholics leave their faith for some reason or another, i know someone who became raelian and wanted to leave the church and denounce his own baptism, which i guess he did.
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damooster
Guest
I was baptized and confirmed on Saturday and I still have a big old grin on my face. People are trying to knock me down, but I’m ignoring them right now.
:whackadoo:
:whackadoo:
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anjoh66
Guest
Very nice i am happy for you!
Just remember in your prayers all your brothers and sisters who was not able to join this year and still are in the process, longing with all their hearts to experience what you just experienced.
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Curious
Guest
I bet it’s very painful for you to hear about all the people that got to become “official” on Saturday and you are still deprived of the Eucharist. My heart goes out to you. As thrilled as I am to finally be Catholic and able to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, I will, as best as I am able, join in your suffering that you can’t yet. Hang in there.
Curious
Curious
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anjoh66
Guest
Dont be sarcastic, i am not talking about myself, neither am i depriving anybody the joy of being able to receive the Eucharist, how could I?
i am just saying that there are those who has been waiting a long time, years for this moment and has not yet been able to get there, for them it is important to know that they are acctually already a part of the church even though not fully initiated.
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Curious
Guest
I wasn’t being sarcastic at all. I was being really sincere. Sorry.
I really do know how it feels to be dying to participate in the Eucharist but can’t. Maybe I didn’t do a good post, but it really was sincere.
Curious
I really do know how it feels to be dying to participate in the Eucharist but can’t. Maybe I didn’t do a good post, but it really was sincere.
Curious
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anjoh66
Guest
No offense.
I am more worried about the situation of the church here in my country, sometimes i think the RCIA is too long and that frightenes away people from the church, or they unfortunately choose to go to other denominations where it is easier to become a member.
That is of course both good and bad, good from the point of view that if someone really want to join the CC then they will endure in patience the long RCIA so they can finally be worthy to participate in the blessed Eucharist after approx 3 years of waiting.
Bad from the point of view that it is very possible that those should have stayed in the church if they had felt that they are velcome, instead they choose other similar denominations, like the Old Catholic Church or the Liberal Catholic Church and those “churches” has nothing to do with Rome or the true Catholic Church.
Last year we had a convertion rate of 89 persons, and 30 adult baptisms, not very much for being the whole country.
And 2007 was 74 conversions and 26 adult baptisms.
Compare that to the number of people who LEFT the church by applaying for it 2008, 713 persons left and 2007, 615 persons.
So maybe you can understand that i am concerned and worried about the situation of the church in my country.
The only city which has a working system for RCIA is Stockholm so i really dont know how they do in the rest of the country.
Also cradle catholics must be in classes 2 years before they can recieve their first communion and likewise the confirmation is also 2 years.
So when they completed their confirmation you never see them in the church again, it is a common problem.
All of this is why i try to do my best to make my fellow country men who are interested in the catholic church to understand that they are welcome, but it is the steps they must take before they can participate fully in the sacraments.
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conrad979
Guest
Thank you for this thread… I just realised I should maybe change my signature 
I am so happy Congratulations to all who else who swam the Tiber, and Good Luck to all those in the process of doing so.
I am so happy
Congratulations to all who else who swam the Tiber, and Good Luck to all those in the process of doing so.
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agbasinger
Guest
My wife and I are so excited. Thank you CAF.
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Chinamom
Guest
My hubby and I also are finally home! I am so overjoyed I can hardly contain it! When I got back to my seat I was tearful. I can’t believe it finally happened! The only bad part is we are the only Catholics in our family. I know my mother thinks I am going to hell now. Please pray for us!:sad_yes:
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Magna_Maximus
Guest
Praised be Jesus Christ ! Now and forever Alleluia ! Christ is Risen ! Indeed He is truly Risen ! Alleluia .
Happy Easter to all, New Catholics here. My wife and I are Home.
Happy Easter to all,
New Catholics here. My wife and I are Home.- Status